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‘We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News.’ 1 Corinthians 3:5 NLT

One day when Charles Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, was scheduled to preach to 300 inmates at San Quentin prison, a lockdown was called and most of the prisoners were confined to their cells. To the few who were allowed to attend, Colson decided to go ahead and give the complete message he had prepared. Later when he expressed disappointment that all 300 were unable to attend, he was told, ‘We videotaped your message and will be showing it numerous times to all 2200 prisoners.’ What if Colson had given way to disappointment and just delivered a short devotional instead of the full evangelistic message he had prepared? More than 2000 prisoners would not have heard the Gospel.

An occasion may arise when you are the only person available to speak for God. Will you be faithful in such a moment? You are the most important person in the world to God when you are the one He has called to do something for Him. And the message is more important than the messenger. Paul writes: ‘After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.’ (1 Corinthians 3:5–8 NLT)

SoulFood: 2 Ki 18:17–20:21, Luke 15:11–32, Ps 27, Pro 7:10–20

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2026

‘The Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”’ Acts 13:2 NIV

A group of believers met together and dedicated significant time to pray, fast, and worship. The Bible says, ‘While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”’ (Acts 13:2 NIV) How did they know the Spirit told them this? The passage doesn’t say. It may have been a dramatic moment. Or it may be that later, looking back, they recognised that the Spirit had guided them. But what is certain is that they received guidance from God together.

When it comes to guidance, one of the mistakes we make is called ‘narrow framing’; we miss the whole range of options God has before us because of our limited thinking. Sometimes our questions are wrong. If we’re seeking God and not getting an answer from Him, then it’s wise to change the question. Instead of asking if we should buy a motorbike or not, it’s better to ask, ‘What do You want me to use this money for?’ We tend to suffer from confirmation bias and that means we’ll only ask people we know will agree with us and confirm our already existing biases. We hang out with people who think like we do and we watch programs that won’t challenge our beliefs or the way we behave.

Isaiah told about people, ‘who say to the seers, “You must not see visions”; And to the prophets, “You must not prophesy the truth to us. Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.”’ (Isaiah 30:10 NASB)

In seeking guidance, operate according to the H.O.W. principle. In other words, be Honest, Open, Willing.

SoulFood: 2 Ki 16:1–18:16, Luke 15:1–10, Ps 112, Pro 7:6–9

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2026

‘As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.’ John 17:18 NIV

Jesus prayed: ‘I have given them Your Word… My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.’ (John 17:14–18 NIV) Where did Jesus dispatch His disciples? Into the world. He didn’t say, ‘Try to avoid the world. Just hang out with Christian people in the church and keep your distance from people who use bad language and are bad people.’ He says being sent as a representative of God into your job, your neighbourhood, your circumstances, and your situations is why you’re on this planet. ‘Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.”’ (John 20:21 NIV)

We’re not called to avoid the world, but to engage it. You say, ‘But I don’t feel comfortable around such people.’ Then ask God to make you more like Jesus, who was known as ‘a friend of sinners’ (see Luke 7:34) Jesus told His disciples, ‘I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.’ (Matthew 10:16 NIV)

It takes two things for a sheep to operate among wolves: courage and wisdom. It also takes total commitment. Albert Schweitzer gave up his standing as a superb theologian and world-class musician to serve the poorest people on another continent. Whatever God has called you to do, it will involve loving people and giving yourself to them.

SoulFood: 2 Ki 13–15, Luke 14:25–35, Ps 106:24–48, Pro 7:3–5

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2026

‘Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.’ James 4:8 NKJV

We say we trust God but we often fear He won’t come through for us when we need Him most. So, we falsely assume that, if we keep thinking about the problem and worrying about it enough, somehow we can take care of it on our own—just in case God doesn’t show up and do something according to our timetable. This brings us closer to our problems, but not to the One who can solve them. But when we choose to believe that God is in control of our lives and is going to handle whatever situation we are in, we move closer to Him and our problems don’t seem so worrisome at all.

It works like this: the closer you get to the problem, the smaller God seems, and the closer you get to God, the smaller your problem seems. The Bible says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.’ (Proverbs 3:5 NKJV) Trusting God will keep you from reasoning and trying to figure out things you don’t have answers for yet. Instead of listening to that nagging voice inside that says, ‘What are you going to do?’ draw closer to God and say, ‘I’m going to trust God to show me what to do.’

David declared, ‘My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever… But it is good for me to draw near to God.’ (Psalm 73:26, 28 NKJV) Where is God when you need Him most? He is right beside you!

SoulFood: John 1:1–5, Matt 5:14–16, 1 John 1:1–10

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2026

‘I was found by people who were not looking for Me. I showed Myself to those who were not asking for Me.’ Romans 10:20 NLT

The Bible says, ‘I was found by people who were not looking for Me. I showed Myself to those who were not asking for Me.’ (Romans 10:20 NLT) You might ask, ‘What does this Scripture mean?’ Even though you’re looking for answers in the wrong places, asking the wrong questions, and heading in the wrong direction, Jesus will intercept you, redirect you, and meet your deepest needs. When the woman at the well met Jesus, she was looking for the answer in relationships. She had been through five marriages and was living with man number six (see John 4:18).

When Zacchaeus met Jesus, he was looking for the answer in material things. ‘Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was.’ (Luke 19:2–3 NKJV)

When Paul met Jesus, he was looking for the answer in religion. Here is his biography: ‘Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.’ (Philippians 3:5–6 NKJV)

Multiple relationships didn’t satisfy the woman at the well, riches didn’t satisfy Zacchaeus, and religion didn’t satisfy Paul. And these things won’t satisfy you either. What will? A relationship with Jesus! Today He is saying to you: ‘The thief’s [devil’s] purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.’ (John 10:10 NLT) Today, Jesus is the answer.

SoulFood: 2 Ki 10–12, Luke 14:15–24, Ps 106:1–23, Pro 7:1–2

The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2026