UCB Word For Today

Whatever circumstances you find yourself in, they don’t have to define you or defeat you. Even if you cannot change them, you can overcome them. George Bernard Shaw wrote: ‘People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, make them.’ When it comes to faith, we rely far too much on circumstantial evidence. Doubt is letting our circumstances dictate how we feel and what we believe. When we let our circumstances get between us and God, it creates a smokescreen of doubt. Faith is putting the promises of God between you and your circumstances. It doesn’t mean you deny reality. It simply means you’re in touch with a greater reality – one more real than what you can touch or taste or see or hear or feel or smell. Jesus was a realist: ‘In this world you will have trouble.’ But He was also an optimist: ‘Take heart! I have overcome the world’ (NIV). Our optimism is anchored to the empty tomb. If Jesus walked out of the tomb, and He did, you don’t have a problem that He cannot solve. And you need to start living as though you believe that is true. There are seven promises in the book of Revelation that begin with the same phrase: ‘To him who overcomes.’ And it reminds us of our true identity as overcomers. We aren’t just conquerors; we are more than conquerors!

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.

Before the age of two, Helen Keller lost her vision and her hearing. In an instant, her world went dark and silent. Then a godsend named Anne Sullivan broke through Helen’s solitary confinement and touched her soul. As a result, Helen became the first deaf/blind person to earn a bachelor’s degree. She also authored a dozen books, including a manifesto on her philosophy of life, Optimism. ‘No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,’ she wrote, ‘or sailed to an uncharted land.’ The last page of her book echoes the first page of Scripture: ‘Optimism is the harmony of man’s spirit and the spirit of God pronouncing His works good.’ If God’s Spirit is within you, optimism is the order of the day. Optimism isn’t at odds with the reality all around us. It simply means we’re anchored to another reality – the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ – that is deeper and stronger and longer than the reality we can perceive with our five senses. Helen Keller proved that with an optimistic spirit, even the most difficult of circumstances cannot define you. And even if you cannot change them, you can overcome them. She proved that as amazing as the human eye is, there’s something more amazing – the mind’s eye that enables us to imagine the unthinkable and believe the impossible. It’s why she said, ‘The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.’ Or as Paul put it: ‘Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise’ (Philippians 4:8 NCV). In other words, be optimistic.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.

Before the age of two, Helen Keller lost her vision and her hearing. In an instant, her world went dark and silent. Then a godsend named Anne Sullivan broke through Helen’s solitary confinement and touched her soul. As a result, Helen became the first deaf/blind person to earn a bachelor’s degree. She also authored a dozen books, including a manifesto on her philosophy of life, Optimism. ‘No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars,’ she wrote, ‘or sailed to an uncharted land.’ The last page of her book echoes the first page of Scripture: ‘Optimism is the harmony of man’s spirit and the spirit of God pronouncing His works good.’ If God’s Spirit is within you, optimism is the order of the day. Optimism isn’t at odds with the reality all around us. It simply means we’re anchored to another reality – the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ – that is deeper and stronger and longer than the reality we can perceive with our five senses. Helen Keller proved that with an optimistic spirit, even the most difficult of circumstances cannot define you. And even if you cannot change them, you can overcome them. She proved that as amazing as the human eye is, there’s something more amazing – the mind’s eye that enables us to imagine the unthinkable and believe the impossible. It’s why she said, ‘The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.’ Or as Paul put it: ‘Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise’ (Philippians 4:8 NCV). In other words, be optimistic.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.

Have you ever noticed how quick we are to accuse someone else of some of the very things we excuse in ourselves? In so doing, we practise a double standard, requiring more from others than of ourselves. Jesus said, ‘Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?’ (Matthew 7:3 NKJV). The double standard works like this: 1) When others are set in their ways, they’re obstinate – but you are firm and resolved. 2) When your neighbour doesn’t like your friend, she’s prejudiced – but when you don’t like her friend, you’re a good judge of character. 3) When she tries to treat someone especially well, she’s buttering them up – but when you do so, you’re being thoughtful. 4) When she takes time to do things well, she’s lazy – but when you do so, you’re meticulous. 5) When she spends a lot, she’s reckless and undisciplined – but when you do the same thing, you’re generous. 6) When she picks flaws in things, she’s critical – but when you do, you’re perceptive. 7) When she’s mild-mannered, you call her weak – but when you are, you’re gracious. 8) When she dresses well, she’s extravagant – but when you do, you’re tastefully in style. 9) When she says what she thinks, she’s spiteful – but when you do, you’re being honest. 10) When she takes risks, she’s foolhardy – but when you do, you’re brave. Paul wrote: ‘Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another.’ So, the word for today is: let us honour one another.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.

Paul wrote: ‘Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life’ (vv. 4-5). Jesus was insistent on this. After the resurrection, He appeared to some of His followers. He gave Peter a specific pastoral assignment that included great sacrifice. Peter responded by pointing at John and asking, ‘“Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to live until I come back, that is not your business. You follow me”’ (John 21:21-22 NCV). In other words, stay focused on your own assignment. A little boy named Adam wanted to be like his friend Bobby. Adam loved the way Bobby walked and talked. Bobby, however, wanted to be like Charlie. Something about Charlie’s stride and accent intrigued him. Charlie, on the other hand, was impressed with Danny. Charlie wanted to look and sound like him. Danny, of all things, had a hero as well: Adam. He wanted to be just like Adam. So, Adam was imitating Bobby, who was imitating Charlie, who was imitating Danny, who was imitating Adam. It turns out that all Adam needed to do was to be himself! You can learn from others, but you can only find joy and fulfilment in being who God created you to be. So stay in your own lane. Run your own race. Nothing good happens when you compare and compete. Furthermore, God will not evaluate and reward you according to the talents of others, but according to how faithful you were with the gifts He gave you. You are not responsible for the nature of your gifts, but for how you use them.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.