One day your heart will give a final pulse, and your lungs empty a final breath. And barring the return of Christ, you will die. The psalmist asked, ‘What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave?’ (Psalm 89:48 NKJV). Young and old, good and bad, rich and poor; neither gender is spared; no class is exempt. ‘No one has power over the time of their death’ (Ecclesiastes 8:8 NIV). The geniuses, the rich, the poor – no one outruns or outsmarts it. Julius Caesar died. Elvis died. John Kennedy died. Princess Diana died. We all will die. We won’t escape death. The finest surgeon might enhance your life but can’t eliminate your death. The Hebrew writer was blunt: ‘People are destined to die once’ (Hebrews 9:27 NIV). Exercise all you want. Eat nothing but healthy food, and pop fists full of vitamins. Stay out of the sun, away from alcohol, and off drugs. Do your best to stay alive, and still, you will die. Death seems like such a dead end until we read Jesus’ resurrection story: ‘He is not here; for He is risen, as He said…Go quickly and tell His disciples…He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him…So they went out quickly…to bring His disciples word…Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him’ (Matthew 28:6-17 NKJV). For the redeemed child of God, death is not the end but the beginning of a glorious life in heaven that will have no end.

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

Just minutes before his final breath, Jesus cried out, ‘Tetelestai!’ from the cross. In English, it is translated as ‘It is finished.’ It was the same word that was written on receipts in New Testament times, indicating that a debt had been paid in full. Jesus’ death on the cross was the final instalment on sin. The entire debt for every sinner who comes to Him for salvation has been paid in full at Calvary. Paul wrote: ‘Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.’ Did you catch it? ‘Much more!’ The mercy bank is never closed. And there are never insufficient funds. The supply of grace is always greater than the demand of sin. The split second we confess our sin, a miraculous transaction happens. All our sin is transferred to Christ’s account and paid in full. But as good as that is, it’s only half the gospel. There’s a second transfer that takes place. All His righteousness is credited to our account, and God says, ‘Let’s call it even!’ Paul explained it this way: ‘God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them…For He made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him’ (2 Corinthians 5:19, 21 NKJV). To be ‘in Christ’ means we stand in His righteousness rather than our own. So, when we stand before God, we won’t have to account for our sin, because it was already accounted for at the cross. The Father will see the righteousness of His Son that has been credited to our account.

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

When Martin Luther began the work that became the Great Reformation, his friend Myconius said, ‘I can best help where I am. I will remain and pray while you toil.’ Then one night, Myconius dreamed that Jesus approached him and showed him His hands and feet, wounded by His crucifixion. He looked into the eyes of his Saviour and heard Jesus say to him, ‘Follow Me.’ Jesus led him to a mountaintop and pointed eastward. Myconius looked and saw a plain stretching away from the horizon. It was dotted with thousands and thousands of sheep, and one man was trying to shepherd the great flock. Myconius recognised him as his friend, Martin Luther. The Saviour then pointed westward, and Myconius saw a great field of standing corn, with only one reaper trying to harvest it all. The lonely labourer was obviously exhausted, but he persisted. Myconius recognised the reaper to be Martin Luther. ‘It is not enough that I should pray,’ he said when he awoke. ‘The sheep must be shepherded, and the field of corn must be reaped. Here am I; send me.’ He immediately sought out Luther and volunteered to serve in whatever capacity Luther desired. The Bible says, ‘When [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion…Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest”’ (Matthew 9:36-38 NKJV). The only ‘prayer request’ Jesus ever made was for labourers to go into the harvest field. And He’s calling you to be one of them.

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

Elihu suddenly spoke up in Job chapter 32. It’s apparent he had been present all along, but he held his peace because he believed Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar were older and wiser than he was. ‘I am young in years, and you are old; that is why I was fearful, not daring to tell you what I know’ (Job 32:6 NIV). After hearing the long and meaningless discourses of Job’s three older friends, Elihu suddenly felt emboldened to speak: ‘It is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. It is not only the old who are wise…Therefore I say: listen to me; I too will tell you what I know’ (Job 32:8-10 NIVUK). Then he spoke non-stop for the next six chapters. He no longer saw himself as a loser in the game of comparison. Feelings of inferiority are generated by comparing yourself with others. Or you go to the other extreme and finish up with a sense of superiority. That’s why you should never play the comparison game. Question: can you recall a time when you felt so inadequate that you kept quiet and refused to speak up, even though you had a worthwhile thought or idea? You must realise that it is not your ability that determines your success, but ‘the breath of the Almighty, that gives [you] understanding’. The secret of success is drawing daily on God’s enabling power. When you become persuaded of this truth, you will be able to take on new levels of risk and responsibility without fear of failure.

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

Every time you are in conflict with someone, but you go to them and seek reconciliation and forgiveness – the kingdom is breaking into this world. Every time you have a chunk of money and decide to give significantly to somebody who is hungry or homeless or poor – the kingdom is breaking into the world. Any time someone has an addiction and wants to partner with God so much that they are willing to get help from a loving community – the kingdom is breaking into the world. Every time a workaholic parent decides to stop idolising their job, rearranges their life, and begins to love and care for the family entrusted to them – the kingdom is breaking into the world. Every time you include someone who’s lonely, every time you encourage someone who’s defeated, every time you challenge somebody who’s wandering off the path, and every time you serve the needy – the kingdom of God is once more breaking into the world. Jesus taught us to pray: ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’ Notice He didn’t tell us to pray, ‘Get me out of here so I can go up there!’ His prayer was, ‘Make up there come down here. Make things run down here, in my life, the way they run up there.’ The answer to this prayer begins with you personally: your body, your mind, your appetites, etc. Then it spreads to your workplace, your family, your neighbourhood, your church, and your sphere of influence. And it all starts by asking yourself this question: ‘Where do I want to see God’s presence and power break into my world?’

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

When the people of Israel brought offerings to build the temple, David said: ‘For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours…Both riches and honour come from You…All things come from You, and of Your own we have given You’ (1 Chronicles 29:11-12, 14 NKJV). Imagine for a minute that you’re responsible for giving away someone else’s money. You aren’t allowed to spend it; you can only decide where it goes. When you think of it that way, it’s not hard to imagine finding pleasure in playing the philanthropist. Who wouldn’t enjoy being a vital lifeline to those who truly need it? Or wouldn’t you sleep a little better knowing that you had made a difference in the world? Yet as a steward over what God has entrusted to you, that’s the situation you find yourself in. You have been given someone else’s money and the opportunity to decide where it goes. The only thing that stands between you and unbridled joy is embracing that reality and pouring yourself into the work of God’s kingdom in the earth. A farmer doesn’t acquire seed to consume or hoard it. He only decides where to plant it. And only after the seed has been irrevocably cast into the ground is a harvest returned. That’s how joy is realised. If you’ve yet to find your beneficiaries in this world, you could be depriving yourself of a joy you were created to know. Just beyond the fear that is dampening your generosity awaits a harvest of joy. Hence Paul wrote: ‘See that you also excel in this grace of giving’ (2 Corinthians 8:7 NIV).

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

People who were happy when they bought their clothes at charity shops typically remain happy once they can afford designer clothes. Those who weren’t are still the same unhappy people they were when they were poor; they just dress better. Learning how to be satisfied with what you have, and to feel grateful for it, starts with understanding what money can and cannot do. There are things in life you cannot put a price on: good health, a family that loves you, the support of a friendship that has lasted many years, the feeling of accomplishment that comes from working hard and seeing your effort pay off. You cannot value these ‘possessions’ in terms of cash. If you think you don’t have anything to be grateful for, consider the sound of your child’s laughter, the crash of the ocean as waves hit the shore, the unconditional greeting you receive each day from your pet, and the hug of a friend you’ve been separated from. Without these assets, you’re in spiritual default. These items are priceless and have nothing to do with shares or profits. When you add up everything in life, the best things are free. If you’re not happy with your financial situation, then you need to take steps to change it. That’s wisdom and good stewardship. But before you do, conduct an audit of your personal assets. Yes, enjoying the spoils of success can be exhilarating. But remember to appreciate the beauty of life as well; it’s free. And it will fill you up in a way that money and things never will.

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

Jesus said: ‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice…for great is your reward in heaven’ (Matthew 5:10-12 NKJV). To be persecuted for righteousness’ sake is to live as Jesus lived – with His character, His motives, His obedience, His trust in the Father, and His purity of heart. It’s to be a peacemaker, to hunger and thirst for what’s right, to turn your back on sin, and to be a fountain of mercy. If you live this way, you’ll be persecuted just as Jesus was persecuted. You won’t have to be confrontational in what you say or do – your very life will be confrontational. It’s the contrast that will bring confrontation! Jesus spoke the truth, lived the truth, and was willing to die for the truth. He never sought to pick a fight, but He spoke up every time the truth He spoke was challenged. And He promises that when you are insulted and abused for the same reasons He was, if you remain faithful, you will receive the kingdom of heaven. In other words, you’ll have a reward in heaven, and you’ll be given spiritual authority in the kingdom of heaven. What you may suffer here on earth is only temporary rejection, insult, or abuse. What you gain in heaven will be eternal and glorious. The Bible says: ‘The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us’ (Romans 8:18 NKJV).

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

The Hebrew word for ‘peace’ is ‘shalom’; it refers to a sense of well-being that produces calmness and confidence, even in a crisis. It’s assurance in the midst of uncertainty and confusion. Those who have an immovable, unshakeable, rock-solid trust in God are those who experience genuine peace of heart. How do you acquire such peace? First, you must know what God says in His Word and believe it. You must make God’s Word the foundation of all you believe and, therefore, of all you say and do. You must take God at His Word and surrender your will to His commandments and His plan. You must root your expectations and hope in His promises and His desires. True peace of heart is always built on truth – the truth of who God is, who you are ‘in Him’, and how God wants you to relate to Him and with others. To know God’s truth is to experience God’s peace. As you seek to bring this kind of peace to the hearts of others, you are acting like your heavenly Father. It is God’s desire that you be reconciled to Him and experience salvation and genuine heart peace. Our message is this: ‘Acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you’ (Job 22:21 NKJV). Paul put it this way: ‘Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Romans 5:1 NKJV). Our ultimate role as peacemakers is not simply to see men and women at peace with one another but also at peace with God.

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

The Greek word for ‘pure’ is ‘katharos’, from which we get our English word ‘catharsis’. Psychiatrists talk about catharsis as the cleansing of a person’s destructive attitudes. The biblical word refers to a cleansing of all impurities from your inner spirit – impurities that include evil tendencies, evil thoughts, evil desires, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life (see 1 John 2:16). To be pure is to have all these impurities removed so that you might reflect the character of Christ Jesus. One of the main plagues in our society today, and even in many churches, is double mindedness. We have mixed motives, a divided mind and heart. We must put an end to segregating our lives, which causes us to speak and act one way around fellow Christians and another way around those who don’t know Christ. To be pure in heart is to have integrity – to have your heart, your head, and your hands fully integrated and aligned with the commands of God. To be a person of integrity is to say what you believe, and then do what you say. Jesus said very plainly, ‘No man can serve two masters’ (Matthew 6:24 KJV). ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’ The pure in heart see God’s loving heart and mercy in every passage of Scripture. They see God in every event of history, shaping and moulding circumstances to serve His higher purposes. And they see God in the midst of their own difficulties, pain, and suffering. When your heart’s desire is to see and know God better, He will fulfil that desire.

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