The Word for Today is just for you

‘Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.’ Psalm 37:24 NLT

Every opportunity in life comes with two things: the possibility of succeeding, and the possibility of failing. When you reach the end of your life, your greatest regrets won’t be over your failures, but the opportunities you failed to seize because you were afraid of failing. So here are some principles to help you conquer the fear of failing:

(1) Be willing to try and fail at something. And when it happens, tell people. Why? Because that’s how you discover failure isn’t fatal.

(2) Find a project so big that you cannot do it without God’s help, then commit to it.

(3) Socialise with some impulsive types. Observe how they take risks without dying. Seeing and imitating is a great way to learn.

(4) The way we learn to take big steps of faith is by taking small steps of faith. Compliment someone you don’t know. Volunteer for an additional task at work. Go out of your way to help someone in need.

(5) Declare war on perfectionism. Instead of waiting until you can do it perfectly, do your best and tell yourself, ‘That’s good enough for now.’

(6) Be afraid, and obey God anyway. You will never totally defeat your fears, but you can diminish them to where they have less control of your life.

Here is a promise for you to stand on: ‘The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.’ (Psalm 37:23–24 NLT)

SoulFood: Acts 12–13, Matt 4:1–7, Ps 16, Pro 11:1–2

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

‘They suddenly saw a group of Ishmaelites traveling from Gilead to Egypt.’ Genesis 37:25 GNT

If Abraham and Sarah had been willing to wait a little longer, Isaac would have been born and the promise of God fulfilled. But they became impatient and, as a result, Ishmael was born. One of the names given to God in Scripture is ‘Redeemer’, because He can redeem our mistakes and turn them into learning experiences; He can turn the mess you make into the miracle you need.

It took three generations, but God turned the mess Abraham made into the miracle of deliverance Joseph needed. Joseph’s destiny was to be ruler of Egypt and save his family and the world in time of famine. But because his brothers resented him, they sold him as a slave to ‘a group of Ishmaelites’. These were the descendants of Ishmael, who was born to Abraham and Hagar, Sarah’s maid. And where were these Ishmaelites going? To Egypt! ‘Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt… so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.’ (Genesis 37:25, 28 NKJV)

It’s not over until God says it’s over. He can turn the mess you made in the past into a miracle you need in the future. And that miracle will not only bless you, but others too. And perhaps those others will be in your own family, just as in the case of Joseph.

SoulFood: Acts 10–11, Matt 3:11–17, Ps 103:13–22, Pro 10:30–32

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

‘Boaz begot Obed by Ruth.’ Matthew 1:5 NKJV

Humanly speaking, the chances of a Gentile like Ruth marrying a wealthy Jew like Boaz were less than zero, because the law of Moses forbade it. ‘An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the Lord forever.’ (Deuteronomy 23:3 NKJV) If ever a door looked shut, locked, and bolted, it was this one. But when people and circumstances rule, God overrules. The Bible says, ‘He who is Holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.”’ (Revelation 3:7 NKJV) God, not people, holds the key to your future.

Jesus said, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.’ (Luke 18:27 NKJV) From this unusual combination of Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, accepted and rejected, would come Jesus the Redeemer of the world. The record reads, ‘Boaz begot Obed by Ruth.’ So, the word for today is—the best is yet to come. Your walk with Christ can produce fruit that blesses generations to come. Live in the present and enjoy every day God gives you, but always keep the long view in mind. It’s not just about what God wants to do for you, but what He wants to do through you that will bless others.

God told Abraham, ‘I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing… and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ (Genesis 12:2–3 NKJV) Claim that promise!

SoulFood: Matt 1:18–21, Acts 3:1–16, Phil 2:9–11

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

‘Now about the collection for the Lord’s people.’ 1 Corinthians 16:1 NIV

When a recession hit Jerusalem, Paul asked the believers at Corinth to give offerings to meet this need: ‘Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.’ (1 Corinthians 16:1–3 NIV) A healthy church will always have two things: in-reach and outreach. It will endeavour to meet both the spiritual and material needs of people.

In the Old Testament, God told His people, ‘If there is among you a poor man of your brethren… you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother.’ (Deuteronomy 15:7 NKJV) When you have a true encounter with Christ, you will have a heart for people who are hurting. ‘Then Zacchaeus… said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house.”’ (Luke 19:8–9 NKJV)

When it comes to giving to God, the Bible encourages us to share what we have and give generously. You should be guided by your love for God: ‘So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.’ (2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV)

SoulFood: Acts 8–9, Matt 3:1–10, Ps 103:1–12, Pro 10:27–29

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

‘“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.’ Isaiah 55:8 NASB

A part of us feels as if something is spiritually wrong with us when we experience uncertainty. But that is precisely what Jesus promised us when we are born of the Spirit and start following Him. ‘The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.’ (John 3:8 NLT) When it comes to being led by God’s Spirit, the operative phrase is: ‘You can’t explain how.’ Even when you have given your best thinking to the problem, the Bible says, ‘“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.’ (Isaiah 55:8 NASB)

So, when you follow God, anything can happen. You never know who you will meet, where you will go, or what you will do. And the sooner you come to terms with that spiritual reality, the more you will enjoy the journey. To do otherwise is to end up with a self-absorbed spirituality that leaves you feeling empty. Instead of following the Spirit, you’re inviting the Spirit to follow you. Instead of serving God’s purposes, you want Him to serve your purposes. While this may seem like a subtle distinction, it makes an ocean of difference. Here are your choices:

(1) Follow the path of certainty, which keeps you in control but robs you of the adventure God has in mind.

(2) Accept the uncertainty of the ‘how’ and ‘when’ that comes from following God and stand on this promise: ‘They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.’ (Lamentations 3:23 NKJV)

SoulFood: Acts 6–7, Matt 2:19–23, Ps 130, Pro 10:24–26

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

‘I will lead them in paths they have not known.’ Isaiah 42:16 NKJV

Variety is an important element of any system. In physical exercise, for example, routines eventually become useless. If you exercise the same way each time you work out, your muscles begin adapting and eventually stop developing. You have to change your routine. You have to disorient them. This is also true spiritually.

Mark Batterson writes: ‘When I’m in a spiritual slump, nine times out of ten, something sacred has become routine. I’m sure it differs by personality, but one of the ways I snap out of a spiritual slump is by disturbing my routine and experimenting with spiritual disciplines. Sometimes all it takes is a small change in routine. Volunteer at a local homeless shelter. Start keeping a gratitude journal. Get plugged into a small group or Bible study. Take a day off and do a personal retreat. Or just get up a little earlier in the morning and spend a little extra time with God. One of the small changes in routine that has helped me rejuvenate my devotional times is picking up a new translation of Scripture. New words help me think new thoughts.’

In order to grow spiritually, you need consistency, structure, and discipline. But when you go through a spiritual dry spell, try changing your spiritual routine. Instead of doing things the way you have always done them, try doing things differently. ‘I will lead them in paths they have not known.’ God doesn’t change, but He moves! And in order to get to where God wants to take you, you must be willing to move with Him.

SoulFood: Acts 3:11–5:42, Matt 2:13–18, Ps 75, Pro 10:22–23

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

‘Tell the children of Israel to go forward.’ Exodus 14:15 NKJV

If you want to grow, you need to get over any fear you may have of making mistakes. Professor Warren Bennis stated, ‘A mistake is simply another way of doing things.’ So, expect to make mistakes along the way, and embrace them as a sign that you are going in the right direction.

With the Red Sea in front of them and Pharaoh’s chariots behind them, the children of Israel panicked. ‘The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.”’ (Exodus 14:15 NKJV) When they did, the Red Sea became a pathway to victory and a burial ground for the enemy they feared. If you have to find ‘the best way’ or ‘the perfect way’, you’ll never get anywhere. It’s like driving on an unknown road at night. Ideally, you’d like to see your entire route before you start. Instead, you see it little by little. As you keep going, a little more of the road is revealed to you.

So, if you want to see more of the way, get moving. Make a commitment to yourself to start on your growth plan and keep at it for at least twelve months. If you do, you will develop a love for the process, and at the end of the year, you will be able to see how far you have come. ‘Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited.’ (Isaiah 54:2–3 NKJV)

SoulFood: Acts 1:1–3:10, Matt 2:1–12, Ps 127, Pro 10:19–21

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

‘Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.’ Job 13:15 NKJV

The story of Job reads like this: Chapter 1, he is one of the wealthiest men in his generation. Chapter 2, he loses everything, including his health, his wealth, and his children. Chapter 42, he is back on top again. Wouldn’t you like to know what happened from chapters 3 through 41? If so, you should read the book of Job and find out how he had it all, lost it all, got it all back, and ended up with twice as much as he lost.

Did Job have unanswered questions? Lots of them. Did he experience grief? Yes, to a depth that is hard to imagine. But Job never changed his mind about God, and God never changed His about Job. This Scripture best summarises Job’s attitude: ‘Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.’ (Job 13:15 NKJV)

If you’re stuck at a place you don’t understand right now, don’t give up—on God or yourself. When you don’t understand your circumstances, and it feels like they’re more than you can bear, stand on this great Bible promise: ‘You will keep Him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because He trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.’ (Isaiah 26:3–4 NKJV)

Trusting God does not mean He will answer all your questions, but that He will give you ‘perfect peace’ regardless of the circumstances. Trusting God does not mean that you won’t struggle, but that He will give you ‘everlasting strength’. So, the word for today is—keep trusting God, and He will bring you through this.

SoulFood: Joel 1–3, Matt 1:18–25, Ps 43, Pro 10:17–18

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

‘For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.’ Romans 11:29 NKJV

When God gives us a spiritual gift, He doesn’t take it back. ‘For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.’ (Romans 11:29 NKJV) And if God does not, we must not! Paul writes: ‘Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won't be tempted. Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.’ (Galatians 6:1–3 CSB) When a brother or sister in Christ goes astray, the Bible tells us what we must do: lovingly confront them, gently correct and counsel them, and cover them.

The Bible says, ‘Love will cover a multitude of sins.’ (1 Peter 4:8 NKJV) Now the word ‘cover’ doesn’t mean ‘cover up’; it means provide a place of shelter and restoration where they can be made whole. Is restoring someone sometimes messy? Yes, especially if they have hurt others and brought embarrassment to the family of God. But that’s the point—they are still our spiritual family! The world is watching to see how we handle this. If we throw away those among us who stumble, why would the world turn to us for help?

Jesus healed a blind man by rubbing clay in his eyes and telling him to go and wash it off in the pool of Siloam. How far away was the pool? We don’t know. But he needed someone to hold his hand and walk with him until he reached it, and his sight was restored. And that’s what we have been called to do.

SoulFood: Jer 51–52, Matt 1:7–17, Ps 56, Pro 10:14–16

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©

‘For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,’ Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

The new birth brings a new battle between your regenerate spirit and your unregenerate body, which still craves old desires and clings to old habits. Paul describes this graphically as a wrestling match. ‘For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’ (Ephesians 6:12–13 NKJV)

The winner in a wrestling match is the one still standing when it’s over. So, picture a wrestling match, and you will get an idea of what you’re up against each day. Two fighters going toe to toe, until one wins and the other loses. To prepare themselves, they practise for hours. Each knows they need two things to win: strength and a strategy. But they need more; they need determination and endurance. And each knows one more very important thing—never underestimate your opponent! ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.’ (1 Peter 5:8–9 NKJV)

Here are two Scriptural truths you need to live by in order to walk in victory. First, don’t try to overcome Satan in your own strength, or you will lose. Second, don’t let down your guard even for a moment, or you will lose. Paul writes, ‘Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.’ (2 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV) So, expect to ‘wrestle’, and expect to win.

SoulFood: Ps 23, Luke 15:1–7, Rev 7:13–17

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©