UCB Word For Today

The Bible teaches two things about getting ahead financially. 1) You must be wise when you invest. When someone offers you a return on your money that’s too good to be true – it usually is! 2) Don’t just work for money; make your money work for you. ‘There is desirable treasure…in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it’ (v. 20 NKJV). And there is more than one way to squander your money. If inflation is running at 3 per cent annually, but the interest on your savings is only earning 1 per cent, you’re losing 2 per cent of your purchasing power. So, your fear of investing can actually cause the very loss you dread. Job said, ‘What I dreaded has happened to me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes’ (Job 3:25-26 NKJV). If that’s how you feel about investing, read this: ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths…Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of…trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught’ (Proverbs 3:5-6, 23-26 NKJV). Not only does God want to meet your needs, He wants to meet the needs of others through you. And for that to happen, you must have wise investment strategies.

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

Jesus said: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man travelling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability…Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents…And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one…dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them’ (vv. 14-19 NKJV). How does this story turn out? Well, the two men who doubled their money received their master’s highest commendation: ‘Well done’ (vv. 21, 23 NKJV). But the one who was risk averse was called ‘wicked and lazy’ (v. 26 NKJV). His master told him: ‘You ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away’ (vv. 27-29 NKJV). Practically speaking, here is what this parable teaches us: when the cost of living increases an average of 2.5 per cent yearly, your savings must earn at least 2.5 per cent yearly, or you will lose money rather than earn it. And one more thought. Since the Bible tells us to invest wisely, you can pray and be confident God will give you sound investment strategies.

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

Every one of us needs encouragement (support that inspires confidence and a will to continue). The words we speak can either build up or tear down the people around us. Author Rebecca Barlow Jordan writes: ‘One of the first questions I like to ask Jesus when I wake up each morning is, “How can I encourage someone today? And who?” He’s always faithful to answer, often through His Word. One morning after asking that question, I read Isaiah 35:3-4 (NLT) and found a practical answer. First, “strengthen those who have tired hands”. That might include teachers, hair stylists, moms, writers…missionaries, pastors, and parents…Next, the passage mentions encouraging those who have “weak knees”. I envisioned grandparents and senior citizens, veterans, and even athletes with wear and tear on their bodies. But the last category, the “fearful”, could probably include everyone. These needed to hear the words, “be strong, and do not fear”…For me, finding people to encourage is not a problem. Remembering to listen and follow through with Jesus’s answers is where I need work. And the amazing thing is, when I try to lift up someone else, I’m the one who ends up encouraged. Ask Jesus to help you encourage someone today. Invite Him to speak through you, and be prepared for His answers.’ Paul said, ‘Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith’ (Galatians 6:10 AMPC). As you fill your mind thinking of ways to strengthen the faith of others, you will be amazed by how much you get energised and blessed in the process.

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

There is an old story where a chief executive officer and his wife are travelling, and they stop to get petrol. The CEO goes inside, and when he comes out, he notices his wife talking to the petrol station attendant. He asks her why; it turns out that she knew the attendant and used to date him. Feeling smug, he says, ‘I’ll bet you’re thinking you’re glad you married me, a CEO, and not a service station attendant.’ She said, ‘No, I’m thinking if I’d married him, he would be a CEO and you would be a petrol station attendant.’ Before God created Eve and brought her to Adam, He said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him’ (Genesis 2:18 NLT). Stop and think about the many ways in which your wife complements, completes, helps, and is just right for you. You say, ‘My wife already knows that I love her.’ Perhaps, but she loves to hear you say it, and you could never say it too often. Say it with flowers from time to time. Pay attention to the little things she does to make your life better and compliment her. When she talks, give her 100 per cent of your attention, and let her know that her thoughts and feelings matter to you. Have a weekly date. As the years add wrinkles and extra pounds, treasure her and the life you have built together. Paul sets the standard for husbands, and it’s a high standard: ‘Husbands…love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her’ (Ephesians 5:25 NLT).

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

Thomas Edison conducted thousands of experiments with various kinds of materials in his search for a filament he could use in carbon incandescent lamps. As each fibre failed, he would throw it out the window until, eventually, his pile of failures stretched all the way up to the second storey of his house. Then about thirteen months after his first failure, he succeeded in finding a filament that could stand the stress of electric current. And here is how it happened: he nonchalantly picked up a tad of lampblack, mixed it with tar, rolled it into a delicate thread, and wondered, ‘Why not try a carbonised filter?’ He worked for five hours straight to craft a fibre, but it broke into two pieces before he detached the mould. He used up two spools of cotton thread before developing a perfect strand, only to damage it when he attempted to put it inside the glass tube. He stayed awake for two days and nights before he succeeded in slipping one of the carbonised threads into a vacuum-sealed bulb. Then, turning on the current, he observed the glow of electric light that we now take for granted. A failure doesn’t need to suggest the end; it can mean you’re one step closer to the triumph you desire. If something you have attempted has failed, try again. Consider a new perspective. Allow time for an idea to sit and simmer. Take notes. Never give up the goals and dreams you believe in. God is with you through the detours and delays (see Hebrews 13:5-6). When you make determination your friend, patience your servant, and God your partner – you will succeed!

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

Solomon writes: ‘The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways.’ ‘The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty’ (Proverbs 22:3 NIV). ‘The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty’ (Proverbs 21:5 NIV). What you are today was determined by decisions you made in the past. If you want to change your future, learn to make better decisions. Let these ten principles guide you: 1) Never make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances. If you do, when things change, you may regret it. 2) Don’t let your emotions blind you to reason. Pray, weigh things carefully, and base your decisions on mature judgement. 3) Surround yourself with sharp people, then draw on their gifts without being intimidated by their expertise. 4) Take time to consider all your options. What looks good to you today may not look so good tomorrow. 5) You can’t fight successfully on every front, so choose your battles carefully. Some things are not worth fighting for. 6) Take time to get all the facts; otherwise, you can end up in trouble. 7) Consider the consequences of each action. Ask yourself, ‘Am I ready to handle this right now?’ 8) Make sure your expectations don’t exceed your potential and your resources. Focus on what God has gifted you to do, for that’s where you will succeed. 9) Time is your most valuable resource; use it wisely. 10) Never give up. Be willing to make mistakes, learn from them, and start over as often as necessary in order to succeed.

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

If you’re inclined to gossip, read this carefully: ‘I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious, and I gather strength with age. The more I’m quoted, the more I’m believed. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless; they can’t protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I’m nobody’s friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it’s never the same. I topple governments, wreck marriages, and make innocent people cry. Who am I? My name is gossip!’ Solomon said, ‘Rumours are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart’ (Proverbs 18:8 NLT). When it comes to the sin of gossip, note carefully what Jesus said: ‘Every idle word…men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned’ (Matthew 12:36-37 KJV). One day we will stand before God to be evaluated and rewarded. Revelation 20:12 says, ‘And the books were opened.’ The word ‘books’ indicates there will be several. So might there be a ‘book of words’? If you believe there could be, you won’t break someone’s heart by spreading their secrets, betraying their confidence, ruining their good name, and undermining their self-esteem with ridicule and innuendo. You simply won’t do it! David prayed, ‘Control…what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips.’ And that’s a prayer each of us needs to pray on a regular basis.

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

A pastor writes: ‘The great preacher Dr Donald Grey Barnhouse, whose first wife died, was driving his kids from the funeral. One of the kids said, “Daddy…where did Mommy go? I don’t understand what it means that she died.”…Just then, a truck passed by and cast a shadow over the car. He…said, “Kids, would you have rather been hit by the truck or hit by the shadow?”…Then he said, “Kids, when you die without Christ, you are hit by the truck. When you die with Christ, you are only hit by the shadow.”’ Paul writes: ‘We want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. We tell you this directly from the Lord: we who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever’ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 NLT).

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

To fulfil God’s plan for your life, you need relationships with the right people, those who stick by you come what may. Remember Jonathan, who loved David even at the cost of his own life? And Ruth, who loved her mother-in-law Naomi and gave her a reason to live again? God can introduce you to such people and help you build a relationship with them. Think about it: He wouldn’t say, ‘It is not good that man should be alone,’ then ask you to live in isolation (Genesis 2:18 NKJV). Sometimes when you’re by yourself, you’re in the worst possible company! But you may need to be healed within before you can build healthy relationships and make healthy choices. That means learning to differentiate between ‘using’ relationships and ‘heart ties’. Blood ties don’t wear as well as heart ties. Allow God to work on you and when you’re ready, He will facilitate the necessary introductions. In the meantime, get to know Him better because He’s the source of true self-esteem. If your last relationship stripped you of self-worth and drained you spiritually, use this time to get back on your feet. You may never have this opportunity again! Begin to love like God loves. He sees our imperfections, handles our rejection, and loves us regardless. Knowing that will help you not to discard a good person because they did a bad thing. Would you throw your car away because of a faulty part? If God forgave you the way you forgive others, could you stand? (see Psalm 130:3). Ask Him today to show you how to build healthy, fulfilling relationships. He will do it!

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

Dr D. James Kennedy wrote: ‘A proper epitaph for most people…today would be “Hurried, worried, buried”…Many times we wish we could wash our hands of all our responsibilities and worries. The executive of one small company decided he would. Even though his company was headed for bankruptcy, he decided to quit worrying about it. So [he] called in his first vice-president and said, “I have had it with worrying about this company. If you’ll take over and handle all my worrying for me, I’ll add $50,000 to your salary.” Startled and perplexed by this generous offer (and knowing the financial condition of the company), the vice-president asked, “But where are you going to get an extra $50,000?” The boss replied, “That’s your first worry!” William Gladstone, [one of the UK’s] greatest prime minister[s], was a fine Christian man who served the Lord. On the wall of his bedroom hung a plaque embroidered with this text: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” It was the first thing Gladstone saw when he awoke in the morning and the last thing he saw before retiring at night. There is the secret of peace! We can have this peace because we know that the One upon whom we’ve stayed our minds is the One who works all things together for our good. Is the frantic pace of modern life robbing you of peace today? If so, slow down and refocus on the Lord. Realise He’s with you and He’s in control no matter what comes your way. Stay your mind on Him and let Him grant you, His peace.’

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