UCB Word For Today

• God uses damaged people

  Too often people are devalued or dismissed because of what they have been through in life. Sometimes it’s because of what they have done to others, sometimes it’s because of what others have done to them. If you have been to a second-hand shop, you know there are valuable items at deeply discounted prices; you just have to know what you’re looking for. Jesus does. In His eyes you may be ‘down’ but you’re not ‘out’. Peter’s sorrow over denying Jesus ran so deep that he decided to go back to his old job as a fisherman. Can you imagine the gossip around the harbour? ‘That’s the guy who turned his back on Jesus.’ Were Peter a pastor, we would have called for his resignation. At the very least, he would have nothing to say that we would be interested in listening to. Yet, he was the first person Jesus went looking for after the resurrection. And when Jesus saw Peter, He never mentioned it – not even once. But three times He asked him, ‘Do you love me?’ When Peter answered yes three times, Jesus said, ‘Feed my sheep,’ referring to his future as pastor and head of the church (see John 21:15-17). Jesus looked beyond Peter’s failed past and saw his future. Peter’s failure was not a surprise. Jesus had told him, ‘When you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.’ The weakness he had overcome and the restoring grace he had experienced became some of his greatest teaching tools in helping others. Yes, God will reprove you, but it’s to restore you and use you for His purposes.© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.

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• Have a God perspective

  In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul reflects on the cost of serving Jesus: ‘From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness’ (2 Corinthians 11:24-27 NKJV). What enabled him to live above his problems rather than be crushed under them? A God perspective! ‘Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal’ (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV). Paul processed things differently. When he had nothing materially, he believed, ‘My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:19 NKJV). When facing the executioner’s chopping block, he wrote, ‘Having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better’ (Philippians 1:23 NKJV). Today ask God to give you His perspective on things!© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.

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• Don’t look at Christians, look at Christ

  One day Peter looked at John and asked Jesus, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered…‘What is that to you? You must follow me’ (v. 22 NIV). When others disappoint you, remember that you have disappointed others. When others give you bad advice, remember that you have given others bad advice. There is only one person who won’t disappoint you and will always point you in the right direction. Jesus. He doesn’t merely know the way, He is the way. ‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12 NIV). When you follow even the best of Christians, they will sometimes cause you to stumble or be confused. But when you follow Jesus, He will illuminate every step you take. Christ’s own disciples would have disappointed you. Peter was racially biased and sometimes honoured Jews over Gentiles. James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven on those in a village that refused overnight accommodation to Jesus and His disciples. Thomas doubted the truth of the resurrection and said, ‘Unless I feel the imprint of the nails in His hands, I will not believe He is alive’ (see John 20:25). Yes, people will disappoint you. But Jesus won’t. That’s why the Bible says, ‘Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith’ (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV). The only people who can let you down are the people you lean on. So, the word for today is – lean less on people and more on Jesus.© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.

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• Pastor, keep your sword sharp

  Paul warned his spiritual son and successor, Timothy: ‘Know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!’ (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV). As you read this list, you realise Paul could easily have been describing the generation we live in today. So, what’s the answer? Men and women of God who know how to skilfully wield the sword of His Word. And if you are one of them, rest assured Satan has targeted you. He wants to blunt the sharp edge of your sword so that your message is ineffective. It’s an old trick that the Philistines, Israel’s archenemies, used to keep them in captivity. They got rid of all the blacksmiths in the land (see 1 Samuel 13:19). Consequently, the Israelites had no way to sharpen their swords, defend themselves, and throw off the yoke of oppression. Are you getting the message? God’s people tend to grow dull and need to be sharpened spiritually. And pastor, as a spiritual blacksmith, it’s your calling to sharpen them. And it’s Satan’s job to try and stop you any way he can (see 1 Peter 5:8). So, live on your knees and live in God’s Word. The hour is late, and the need is great. Pastor, God is counting on you to keep your sword sharp.© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.

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• Rejoice – day forty-one is coming!

  In Scripture, the number forty denotes testing, trials, and temptation. God told Noah, ‘I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made’ (Genesis 7:4 NIV). Goliath defied the armies of Israel for forty days: ‘For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand’ (1 Samuel 17:16 NIV). On the threshold of His ministry, Jesus was attacked by Satan for forty days: ‘Jesus…was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil’ (Luke 4:1-2 NIV). But day forty-one was coming! After forty days of rain, God gave mankind a new beginning. After forty days of Goliath’s threats, God gave David a spectacular victory. After forty days of temptation, ‘Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside’ (v. 14 NIV). So, the word for today is – hang in there; day forty-one is coming! Don’t give in to fear and despair. Don’t give up, and don’t run. God has ordained victory for you. You may have taken a few hits and carry a few scars, but God will bring you through and make you stronger and wiser if you trust Him and stand on His Word. The Bible says, ‘Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world’ (1 John 4:4 KJV). The power at work within you is greater than the circumstances that surround you and the foes that oppose you. So, the word for today is – rejoice – day forty-one is coming!© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.

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