 | Our Daily Bread (Nov.10) - Gods Embrace Soon after her family left for the evening, Carol started to think that her hospital room must be the loneliest place in the world. Nighttim... Soon after her family left for the evening, Carol started to think that her hospital room must be the loneliest place in the world. Nighttime had fallen, her fears about her illness were back, and she felt overwhelming despair as she lay there alone. Closing her eyes, she began to talk to God: O Lord, I know I am not really alone. You are here with me. Please calm my heart and give me peace. Let me feel Your arms around me, holding me. As she prayed, Carol felt her fears beginning to subside ... Views: 25 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Nov.15) - Pleasing God Andy Warhol, the pop-art painter of such American images as the Campbells soup can, once said, In the future everyone will be famous for 15 ... Andy Warhol, the pop-art painter of such American images as the Campbells soup can, once said, In the future everyone will be famous for 15 minutes. But he was wrong. There are millions of people who will never grab their moment in the spotlight. Some of them are the men and women who spend their lives doing things like working hard, raising godly children, faithfully praying for others, sharing their faith with those who dont yet know Jesus. They teach Sunday school, bring meals to the sick ... Views: 39 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Nov.21) = Beyond Imagination! A college professor at a Christian school perceived that his students held a distorted view of heaven; they considered it to be static and b... A college professor at a Christian school perceived that his students held a distorted view of heaven; they considered it to be static and boring. So, to stir their imaginations, he asked them these questions: Do you wish you would wake up tomorrow morning to discover that the person you loved most passionately loved you even more? Wake up hearing music you have always loved but had never heard with such infinite joy before? Rise to the new day as if you were just discovering the Pacific ... Views: 39 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Nov.17) - Two Mites Jesus sat in the temple near the treasury and watched as people walked by and deposited their gifts for the temple (Mark 12). Some made a sh... Jesus sat in the temple near the treasury and watched as people walked by and deposited their gifts for the temple (Mark 12). Some made a show of it, perhaps so others could see how much they had given. Just then a poor woman came by and threw in two mites. A mite was the least valuable coin in circulation. Thus the widows gift was very small, amounting to nothing in most folks eyes. But our Lord saw what others did not see. She had given all that she had (Mark 12:44). The widow wasnt trying ... Views: 11 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Nov.3) - Getting Even When we or someone we love has been hurt, thoughts of revenge may dominate our minds. But we wont ever be able to get even. Dr. Lewis Smedes... When we or someone we love has been hurt, thoughts of revenge may dominate our minds. But we wont ever be able to get even. Dr. Lewis Smedes, a professor of theology, wrote extensively about forgiveness in Forgive and Forget, saying: Revenge never evens the score, for alienated people never keep score of wrongs by the same mathematics. Forgiveness is the only way to stop the cycle of unfair pain turning in your memory. These insights help us understand why Paul wrote with urgency: Let all ... Views: 20 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Nov.18) - God Works In Mud In a 1950s novel, there is a scene in which four village men confess their sins to one another. One of the men, Michelis, cries out, How can... In a 1950s novel, there is a scene in which four village men confess their sins to one another. One of the men, Michelis, cries out, How can God let us live on the earth? Why doesnt He kill us to purify creation? Because, Michelis, one of the men answered, God is a potter; He works in mud. This is literally what the Lord did in Genesis. The sovereign Creator formed and shaped humanity by unique design. This process involved fashioning a man from the dust of the ground. The word formed in ... Views: 33 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Nov.24) - Called To Serve When George W. Bush was President, he made a surprise visit to serve Thanksgiving Day dinner to soldiers deployed overseas. One reporter cov... When George W. Bush was President, he made a surprise visit to serve Thanksgiving Day dinner to soldiers deployed overseas. One reporter covering the story thought that some might save their meal as a souvenir, explaining, Its not often that anyone is served by the President. All elected officials are public servants—in a global, symbolic way—so they are always serving. So it seems that an act of service should not have been one of the biggest news items of the day. Many people have a ... Views: 12 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Nov.23) - Preventing Regret In the 1980s, the British band Mike and the Mechanics recorded a powerful song titled, The Living Years. The songwriter mourns his fathers d... In the 1980s, the British band Mike and the Mechanics recorded a powerful song titled, The Living Years. The songwriter mourns his fathers death, because their relationship had been strained and marked by silence rather than sharing. The singer remorsefully says, I didnt get to tell him all the things I had to say. Struggling with regret over words unsaid and love unexpressed, he laments, I just wish I could have told him in the living years. King David similarly regretted his broken ... Views: 07 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Nov.12) - Fragile Existence The geological features at Yellowstone National Park fascinate me. But when I walk among the geysers, Im aware of how close I am to danger. ... The geological features at Yellowstone National Park fascinate me. But when I walk among the geysers, Im aware of how close I am to danger. I am walking atop one of the largest, most active volcanoes in the world. When I read the book of Job, I feel as if Im walking through Yellowstone on a day when the volcano erupts, exploding the earths fragile crust and bringing disaster. Like tourists at Yellowstone, Job was enjoying life. He was unaware that only a hedge separated him from disaster ... Views: 18 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Nov.19) - Precious Fruit How much would you be willing to pay for a piece of fruit? In Japan, someone paid more than $6000 for one Densuke watermelon. Grown only on ... How much would you be willing to pay for a piece of fruit? In Japan, someone paid more than $6000 for one Densuke watermelon. Grown only on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, this beautiful dark-green sphere looks like a bowling ball. The nearly 18-pound watermelon was one of only a few thousand available that year. The fruits rarity brought an astronomical price on the market. Christians have fruit that is far more precious than the Densuke watermelon. Its called the fruit of the ... Views: 27 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Nov.20) = Help With A Home Run Sara Tucholsky, a softball player for Western Oregon University, hit the first home run of her life in a game against Central Washington. Bu... Sara Tucholsky, a softball player for Western Oregon University, hit the first home run of her life in a game against Central Washington. But she nearly didnt get credit for it. As she rounded first base in excitement, she missed it! When she wheeled back to correct her mistake, she injured her knee. Crying, she crawled back to the base. By rule, she had to touch all four bases on her own for the home run to count. Her teammates could not assist her in any way. Then Mallory Holtman, the ... Views: 236 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Nov.1) - Rock-Solid It was a sad day in May 2003 when "The Old Man of the Mountain" broke apart and slid down the mountainside. This 40-foot profile of an old m... It was a sad day in May 2003 when "The Old Man of the Mountain" broke apart and slid down the mountainside. This 40-foot profile of an old man's face, carved by nature in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, had long been an attraction to tourists, a solid presence for residents, and the official state emblem. It was written about by Nathaniel Hawthorne in his short story The Great Stone Face. Some nearby residents were devastated when The Old Man fell. One woman said, "I grew up thinking ... Views: 31 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Nov.16) - The Problem With Self-Sufficiency The city of Laodicea had a water problem. One nearby town had fabulous hot springs and another had cold, clear water. Laodicea, however, was... The city of Laodicea had a water problem. One nearby town had fabulous hot springs and another had cold, clear water. Laodicea, however, was stuck with tepid, mineral-laden water that tasted like sulphur. Not hot. Not cold. Just gross. Given those facts, the words of Jesus to the Laodicean believers in Revelation 3 must have stung. Jesus rebuked them for being neither cold nor hot (v.15). And when He thought of them, He felt like vomiting (v.16)—like the effect of their drinking water. What ... Views: 23 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Sept.16) - Things Said In Secret Some say that anonymity is the last refuge for cowards. Judging from mail and comments Ive read that have been submitted anonymously, I woul... Some say that anonymity is the last refuge for cowards. Judging from mail and comments Ive read that have been submitted anonymously, I would agree. People hiding behind the screen of anonymity or a false identity feel the freedom to launch angry, hurtful tirades. Anonymity allows them to be unkind without having to take responsibility for their words. Whenever I am tempted to write something anonymously because I dont want to be identified with my own words, I stop and reconsider. If I dont ... Views: 51 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Aug.17) - Sing A New Song At age 94, Pastor Willis was admitted into a care facility. From his wheelchair, he shared with joy how God had given him a new mission fiel... At age 94, Pastor Willis was admitted into a care facility. From his wheelchair, he shared with joy how God had given him a new mission field to share the gospel. When he was bedridden a few years later, he spoke with enthusiasm of being in the best possible position to look up to God. When he died at age 100, Pastor Willis left behind a legacy of one who sang a new song of praise at every turn of his earthly life. Psalm 98 exhorts us to sing a new song for God who has done marvelous things ... Views: 102 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Oct.7) - Understand One Another One of the best ways for a man to love his wife is to understand her. Peter explains that it is imperative for a husband to dwell with [his ... One of the best ways for a man to love his wife is to understand her. Peter explains that it is imperative for a husband to dwell with [his wife] with understanding (1 Peter 3:7). This principle works both ways. Husbands want to be understood as well. Actually, we all do. Everyone, married or not, longs to be understood by others at the deepest possible level. Were born with that need, and we never seem to outgrow it. Its feeble avoidance to say we cant understand one another. We can and we ... Views: 19 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Mar.18) - Whats In A Name? My Chinese family name sets me apart from others with different family names. It also confers on me a family responsibility. I am a member o... My Chinese family name sets me apart from others with different family names. It also confers on me a family responsibility. I am a member of the Hia family. As a member of the family, I am expected to carry on the Hia line and uphold the honor of my ancestors. Believers who have been saved by the atoning blood of Jesus Christ have a spiritual family name. We are called Christians. In the New Testament, the name Christian was first given to the disciples in Antioch by those who noted their ... Views: 20 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Oct.26) - Is That Jesus? As I walked into church one Sunday morning, a little boy looked at me and said to his mother, Mom, is that Jesus? Needless to say, I was cur... As I walked into church one Sunday morning, a little boy looked at me and said to his mother, Mom, is that Jesus? Needless to say, I was curious to hear her response. No, she said, thats our pastor. I knew she would say no, of course, but I still wished she could have added something like, No, thats our pastor, but he reminds us a lot of Jesus. Being like Jesus is the purpose of life for those of us who are called to follow Him. In fact, as John Stott notes, it is the all-consuming goal of ... Views: 25 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Feb.14) - Say So Mel Trotter was a drunken barber whose salvation not only turned his own life around but also changed thousands of others. He was saved in 1... Mel Trotter was a drunken barber whose salvation not only turned his own life around but also changed thousands of others. He was saved in 1897 in Chicago at the Pacific Garden Mission, and not long afterward was named director of the City Rescue Mission in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Thirty-five years later, at a meeting at the mission, Mel Trotter was conducting "Say-So" time. He asked people in the crowd to testify how Jesus had saved them. That night, a 14-year-old boy stood up and said ... Views: 31 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Feb.7) - Companions Two men were neighbors—one had opened his heart to Christ and the other had not. The believer witnessed often; the other ignored him. One da... Two men were neighbors—one had opened his heart to Christ and the other had not. The believer witnessed often; the other ignored him. One day the Christian answered a knock at his door and his neighbor stood before him with a big smile. "I finally did what you said. This morning I opened my heart to Jesus!" The two embraced and cried. Over the years, they supported and prayed for each other, and they became the best of friends. They served together in an effective jail ministry for 25 years ... Views: 16 |
 | Our Daily bread (Jun.11) - Religious Nuts I have a friend who was invited to a dinner party where he was seated next to a belligerent unbeliever who delighted in taunting Christians.... I have a friend who was invited to a dinner party where he was seated next to a belligerent unbeliever who delighted in taunting Christians. Throughout the evening, the man baited Matt mercilessly about the evils of Christendom throughout the ages. With each insult, my friend calmly replied, Thats an interesting point of view. And then he asked a question that revealed genuine interest in the man and deflected the discussion away from the issue that divided them. As the two were walking out ... Views: 88 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Sept.27) - Above All In the mid-1800s, Ralph Waldo Emerson became a leader in a philosophical movement known as "transcendentalism," which says that truth comes ... In the mid-1800s, Ralph Waldo Emerson became a leader in a philosophical movement known as "transcendentalism," which says that truth comes from personal insight. Emerson wrote, "To believe your own thought, to believe that what is true for you in your private heart is true for all men—that is genius." Sadly, Emerson's faulty thinking took root, and personal thoughts about God replaced God's thoughts and words about Himself. The Lord said in Isaiah, "As the heavens are higher than the earth ... Views: 36 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Apr.17) - The Bus Driver In the middle of carting 70 pieces of luggage, an electronic piano, and other equipment through airports and on and off a tour bus, its easy... In the middle of carting 70 pieces of luggage, an electronic piano, and other equipment through airports and on and off a tour bus, its easy to wonder, Why are we doing this? Taking 28 teenagers on an 11-day ministry trip to a land across the ocean is not easy. But at the end of the trip our bus driver, who had carted us all over England and Scotland, grabbed the bus microphone and in tears thanked the kids for how wonderful they had been. Then after we got home, he e-mailed us to say how ... Views: 95 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Jul.12) - Broken Things Few unbroken lives in this world are useful to God. Few men and women can fulfill their hopes and plans without some interruption and disapp... Few unbroken lives in this world are useful to God. Few men and women can fulfill their hopes and plans without some interruption and disappointment along the way. But man's disappointments are often God's appointments, and the things we believe are tragedies may be the very opportunities through which God chooses to exhibit His love and grace. We have but to follow these lives to the end to see that people who have been broken become better and more effective Christians than if they had ... Views: 25 |
 | Our Daily Bread (Jun.23) - A Powerful Message Bible teacher Lehman Strauss was brought to Christ through the power of the Word when he was young. At his girlfriends suggestion, he read R... Bible teacher Lehman Strauss was brought to Christ through the power of the Word when he was young. At his girlfriends suggestion, he read Romans 3:23, 5:8, and 10:13. As he did, he was convicted of his sin. He wept and believed. When his son Richard was 7 years old, he asked his father how to be saved. Lehman used the same verses that his girlfriend (who was now his wife) had used years earlier. His son believed too, and eventually became a pastor. Gods Word has tremendous power! The first ... Views: 63 |
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