~ Our Daily Bread ~
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May 17, Monday
PUTTING LOVE INTO PRACTICE
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Read: Matthew 5:11-16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. --- Matthew 5:16
In his book Christians in the Marketplace, Bill Hybels sys that people outside the faith often say, "Show me" before they say, "Tell me."
I knew a young man in Germany named Wolfgang who modeled Hybels' principle at a building site where he worked. As an enthusiastic believer, Wolfgang always read his Bible during lunch. Though his fellow workers jeered, he didn't stop his daily reading. He simply prayed for a way to demonstrate Christ's love to them.
When the workers went home at night, they always left their muddy boots behind. Wolfgang began staying late after work to clean their boots. The men were puzzled at first but then realized that Wolfgang was the only one among them who would perform this humble service. Not only did they come to respect him, but sometimes they even asked him to read the Bible to them. Only eternity will reveal the full effect of Wolfgang's shining life. But this we know: When his co-workers saw his good works, they started listening to his God.
Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may... glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). If you long to lead the people around you to Jesus radiate His love by doing practical deeds for God's glory alone.
--- Joanie Yoder
My life was dark until the Light shone in,
That Light was Christ, who saved me from my sin;
His light tat I've received I long to share
In loving deeds for people everywhere.
--- Hess
A Christian's life is a window through which others can see Jesus -
UNEXPECTED ALLIGATORS
Read: Matthew 13:18-23
When tribulations or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
--- Matthew 13:21
A friend of actress and comedienne Gracie Allen once sent a small live alligator to her as a gag. Not knowing what to do with it, Gracie put it in the bathtub and left for an appointment. When she returned home, she found a note from her maid. "Dear Miss Allen: Sorry, but I have quit. I don't work in houses where there is an alligator. I would have told you this when I started, but I never thought it would come up."
Some people who say they'll serve Christ are quick to leave when trouble comes. In Jesus' parable of the soils, He pictured the various responses that people have to the the gospel. For example, a person may seem to accept God's truth, but he stumbles in his faith when difficulties arise (Matthew 13:20-21). Such troubles test the sincerity of one's faith and expose the weakness of ones's commitment to Christ.
But someone may say, "Shouldn't our Lord tell us up front what is involved in following Him?" He does He appeals to us with one invitation: "Trust Me." If we let trouble or disillusionment shake our faith, we are breaking the spirit of the trust that brought us to Christ in the first place.
Father, when life brings us the unexpected and we feel like quitting, help us to be faithful to You.
--- Mart De Haan
Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear
--- Berg
Tough times can teach us to trust. -
SEE YOU NEXT TIME
Read: 1 Chronicles 16:23-36
Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day
--- 1 Chronicles 16:23
It was a Sunday afternoon several years ago. The whole family was gathered around the table for dinner. Our 4-year-old son Stevie led off our pre-meal prayer: “Dear heavenly Father, thank You for this nice day. Thank You that we could go to church and Sunday school today.” Then, to our surprise, he said, “And we’ll see You again next week.”
What Stevie said in his prayer is how we often view the Christian life, IÂ’m afraid. We easily fall into a see-you-next-time attitude about God. We forget about Him as we fulfill our daily responsibilities. We go for days at a time trying to pay the bills, keep the boss happy, and give attention to each family member. But we neglect to give God the time He deserves.
1 Chronicles 16 gives us some facts about God’s power and majesty that we can think and talk about “from day to day” (v.23). We can “declare His glory” (v.24) and recognize His hand of creation in the heavens (v.26). We can talk of His honor and majesty, the strength He possesses, and the gladness He gives us (v.27).
Each day brings new reasons to pray to God, to praise His name, and to proclaim His love. Let’s make our worship of Him something we do “from day to day”.
--- Dave Branon
Worship, praise and adoration
Render now to JesusÂ’ name;
Freely give your heartÂ’s devotion,
Constantly His love proclaim.
--- Anon
No day is complete without worship. -
HEADLINE EVENT
Read: John 13:33 – 14:3
Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him.
--- Revelation 1:7
Did you know that the largest type used by most newspapers for headlines of astounding events has been called “second coming” type? These heavy, black letters are reserved for only the most amazing front-page new stories. This dramatic type has been used to announce the beginning and end of wars, moon landings, presidential election winners, natural disasters, and other significant events.
One day mankind will witness the great event for which the “second coming” type was named – the return of Jesus Christ. And what a day that will be! The One who ascended to heaven long ago will return to this earth. When our Lord comes back, it will be such a phenomenal occurrence hat it will command worldwide attention.
The day Jesus told His disciples that He would be leaving them, Peter was filled with questions (John 13:36-37). Jesus didn’t explain when He would return, but He reassured His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them and one day “come again” (14:2-3).
When the Saviour comes back, His return will command the attention of all earthÂ’s inhabitants. It will be a headline event!
--- Dave Egner
When Christ the Lord returns to reign,
The world will know of that event,
For everyone shall see His face
And know the reason He was sent.
--- Hess
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
--- Revelation 22:20 -
NEW HOPE
Read: Romans 15:5-13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
--- Romans 15:13
Grant Murphy of Seattle was the active type, a man who ran at full throttle. Idling and coasting were not in his nature. "One might even call him hyperactive." recalled a dear friend.
Then multuple sclerosis began to slow Grant down. First he needed crutches to get around. Then he was limited to sitting in a chair. Finally he was confined to a bed.
Near the end, he was hardly strong enough to talk. His friend recalls, however, that "he expressed only joy and thankfulness with a constant anticipation of being in the Lord's presence." Not long before he died, Grant whispered Romans 15:13 to a friend. He repeated the words "in believing," then added, "I can't do anything now."
It's when we can't do anything that God does everything. And herein lies a profound paradox of the Christian's experience. Faith is a simultaneously an exercise of our will and the impartation of divine strength. And from that marvelous mixture spring joy and peace and an abundance of hope.
Are you in a totally helpless situation? Strength gone? All options exhausted? If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, God will strengthen you to keep on believing. As you trust Him, He'll give you not only joy and peace, but also hope when all hope is gone.
--- Dennis De Haan
When we are weak and in despair,
Our mighty God is near;
He'll give us strength and joy and hope,
And calm our inner fear.
--- Sper
No one is hopeless whose hope is in God -
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TOO MUCH TO DO?
Read Luke 10:38 - 42
One thing I have desired of the Lord, ... that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
--- Psalm 27:4
I'm usually a happy person. Most of the time I can take on as much work as anyone can give me. But some days there just seems to be too much to do. The schedule may be so full of meetings, appointments, and deadlines that there's no room to breath. Life often contains too much work, parenting, home improvement, and other responsibilities for one person to handle.
When that happens to me - as it may happen to you - I have some options. I can retreat into a shell of inactivity and leave everyone who is depending on me out in the cold. I can slog my way through, moaning as I go and making everyone wish I had chosen option one. Or I can get my perspective realigned by reminding myself what Jesus said to Martha (Luke 10:38 - 42).
Jesus told Martha that she had become "distracted with much serving" (v.40). He reminded her that her sister May had chosen the one thing that would never be taken away (v.42). Like many of us, Martha got so wrapped up in her service that she forgot the most important thing - fellowship with her Lord.
Are you overwhelmed? Don't lose sight of your priorities. Spend time with the Lord. He will lift your load and give you the right perspective.
--- Dave Branon
The many tasks we face each day
Can burden and oppress.
But spending time with God each day
Can bring relief from stress
--- Sper
To keep your life in balance, lean on the Lord. -
WHO CALLS THE GAME?
Read: Job 40 : 1 - 14
Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?
--- Job 40 : 20
During an afternoon baseball game when American League umpire Bill Guthrie was working behind home plate, the catcher for the visiting team repeatedly protested his calls.
According to a story in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Guthrie endured this for three innings. But in the fourth inning, when the catcher started to complain again, Guthrie stopped him. "Son," he said gently, "you've been a big help to me calling balls and strikes, and I appreciate it. But I think I've got the hang of it now. So I'm going to ask you to go to the clubhouse and show them how to take a shower."
Job also had been complaining about calls he didn't think were fair. In his case, the umpire was God. After listening to Job's objections, the Lord finally spoke out of a violent storm. Suddenly things came into perspective for Job. God was gentle, but He was also firm and direct. The Lord asked him the kind of questions that bring finite man back down to size. Job listened, gave up his complaining, and found peace in surrendering to God.
Father, we don't make sense when we complain about Your fairness. Help us to be like Your Son Jesus, who trusted You without complaining, even to the point of dying on the cross.
--- Mart De Haan
When troubles come and we complain
Because we do not understand,
The problem is our narrow view
That fails to see God's loving hand.
--- K. De Haan
When you feel like complaining, think of all that Jesus endured. -
GOD IS ALIVE !
Read Psalm 30
O lord my God, I will give thanks You forever.
--- Psalm 30:12
The great 16th-century theologian Martin Luther once experienced a long period of worry and despondency. One day his wife dressed in black mourning clothes.
"Who has died?" asked Luther.
"God," said his wife.
"God!" said Luther, horrified. "How can you say such a thing?"
She replied, "I'm only saying what you are living."
Luther realized that he indeed was living as if God were no long alive and watching over them in love. He changed his outlook from gloom to gratitude.
Occasionally we too live as if God were dead. When we are discouraged, we can turn to the Psalms. Some of the writers faced bleak and barren times, but they had one habit in common that kept them from being soured: giving thanks to God. For example, David wrote, "You have turned for me my mournng into dancing... O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever" (Psalm 30:11-12).
Meeting every situation with thanksgiving isn't a denial of trouble. It helps us see those situations from God's perspective - as opportunities to discover His power and love.
Every time you express gratitude to God in a difficult situation, you're declaring, "God is alive!"
--- Joanie Yoder
When things go wrong, I would not be a grumbler,
Complaining, seeing everything as grim;
For when I think of how the Lord has blessed me,
I cannot help but give my praise to Him
--- Hess
Instead of complaining about the thorns on roses,
be thankful for the roses among the thorns. -
Remember
Read: John 19:1-8
When we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. —Romans 5:6
Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 13-14; John 12:1-26
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Prime Minister Winston Churchill was honoring members of the Royal Air Force who had defended Britain during World War II. Recounting their brave service, he declared, "Never in the history of mankind have so many owed so much to so few."
A similar sentiment appears on a memorial plaque in Bastogne, Belgium, where raged the famous Battle of the Bulge, one of the bloodiest conflicts of the Second World War. The inscription, in honor of the US 101st Airborne Division, reads: "Seldom has so much American blood been shed in the course of a single action. Oh, Lord, help us to remember!"
Those are fitting and well-deserved tributes to the courageous men and women who sacrificed so much for their country.
As I think about them, I also remember the One whose selfless sacrifice resulted in benefits for people of all nations. Jesus Christ, the sinless One, died on a cross and shed His blood to pay the penalty for our sins. In so doing, He guaranteed our freedom—freedom from the penalty, power, and someday even the presence of sin. Of Jesus it can be said: Never in the history of mankind have so many owed so much to one Man. Yes, His was the greatest sacrifice.
Lord, help us to remember! —Richard De Haan
'Twas not a martyr's death He died,
The Christ of Calvary;
It was a willing sacrifice
He made for you—for me. —Adams
The memory of Jesus' death calls us to a life of praise. -
thanks!
was too caught up with work in the office ...
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Victory Over Temptation
Read: Matthew 4:1-11
God... will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but... will also make the way of escape.
--- 1 Corinthians 10:13
Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 15-16; John 12:27-50
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Wanda Johnson, a single mother with five children, was on her way to the pawn shop, where she was hoping to get a loan of $60 for her TV set. Then something bizarre happened. As an armored truck filled with sacks of money drove past her, its rear door flew open, and a bag dropped out. Wanda stopped and picked up the sack. When she counted the cash, she found that it totaled of $160,000.
A battle raged in her soul. That money would pay all her bills and provide for the needs of her children. But it wasn't hers to keep.
After a fierce 4-hour struggle with her moral convictions, Wanda called the police and turned in the money. Her sense of doing the right thing won a victory over the temptation to keep what wasn't hers.
How strong is your ethical fiber? Will it break down if you are faced with an enticing chance to do something wrong? Adam and Eve, as well as Jesus, were attacked by Satan on three fronts: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Our first parents succumbed to the serpent's solicitation (Genesis 3:1-6). Jesus did not (Matthew 4:1-11).
No matter what evil is pressuring us, let's follow Jesus' example and do what's right.
--- Vernon Grounds
Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin -
Each victory will help you some other to win;
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue,
Look ever to Jesus - He will carry you through.
--- Palmer
To withstand temptation, stand with Christ. -
Peacemakers
Read: 1 Samuel 25:14-35
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. —Matthew 5:9
Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 30-31; John 18:1-18
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Abigail was a remarkable woman! She was a true peacemaker whose courage spared the future king of Israel from committing a terrible sin. Here's her story:
David had been forced to live in the countryside to escape King Saul's jealous wrath. A group of about 600 men and their families had gathered around him. For several months they camped near Carmel where the flocks of Nabal (Abigail's husband) were grazing. David's men had helped Nabal's shepherds protect the sheep from robbers. Now the shearing time had come, and David sent messengers to request some compensation from Nabal, who was a wealthy man. But he refused and treated David's men with disdain.
In anger David rashly decided to kill Nabal and all the men in his household. When Abigail heard what had happened, she quickly gathered a large supply of food, intercepted David and his fighting men, and humbly apologized for her husband's surly behavior. David immediately realized that she had prevented him from carrying out a vengeful decision, and he praised God (1 Samuel 25:32).
Are we as quick to resolve a conflict? Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). —Herb Vander Lugt
How blest are those who persevere
To bring a conflict to an end;
And if the peace of Christ takes hold,
An enemy becomes a friend. —D. De Haan
You can be a peacemaker if you have God's peace in your heart. -
Friendship With God
Read: John 15:13-15
I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. —John 15:15
Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 32-33; John 18:19-40
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Page through an old-time hymnal and notice how often the songwriters referred to the blessing of God's friendship. Stop and think about what that really means.
Yes, it's a blessing to have human friends who enrich our lives. A devoted friend, as Proverbs 17:17 tells us, "loves at all times," standing with us steadfastly through life's sunshine and storm.
Indeed, some of us know gratefully by our own experience that "there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). We identify with David and Jonathan when we read about the bond between them (1 Samuel 18:1).
Friendship on a human level is wonderful, but what about friendship with God? It's an incredible blessing to have the Creator and Sustainer of our universe as a friend. Although worshiped by countless heavenly hosts, He takes great joy in His relationship with us.
Are we neglecting the privilege of walking with God, the greatest of all friends? Today, with gratitude and awe, let's spend time with Him in prayer and in reading His Word.
Remember that Jesus called His followers friends (John 15:15). What an honor that we can enjoy friendship with God! —Vernon Grounds
I've found a Friend, oh, such a Friend!
He loved me ere I knew Him;
He drew me with the cords of love,
And thus He bound me to Him. —Small
When you spend time with God, you invest in a forever friendship. -
Enough Of Everything
Read: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you . . . may have an abundance for every good work. —2 Corinthians 9:8
Bible In One Year: 2 Chronicles 34-36; John 19:1-22
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Randy, our first child, went off to kindergarten with a 10-cent coin in his pocket to buy a carton of milk to go with his lunch. When he came home that afternoon, his mother asked if he had purchased the milk. "No," he replied, bursting into tears. "The milk was 5 cents and I only had a dime."
How often I have responded to demands placed upon me with the same childish understanding. According to God's Word, I have all the resources I need at my disposal-more than enough to meet my needs-and yet I'm reluctant to act because I fear that I won't have enough. But the Bible assures me that God has provided me with every blessing in abundance. By His grace, I have everything I need (2 Corinthians 9:8 ).
The apostle Paul was not saying that we have enough grace to do anything we want to do. God does not offer us a blank check. No, Paul was giving us the assurance that we have enough grace to do whatever God has called us to do-whether it is to give money for the cause of the gospel, as the Corinthians were doing (v.7), or to give love to a difficult teenager, an indifferent spouse, or an aging parent.
Whatever the task, God will make sure we have "an abundance for every good work" (v.8 ). —David Roper
God uses us to do His work
If we will just obey;
He freely gives His love and power
To serve Him every day. —Sper
God's call to a task includes His strength to complete it. -
Stay Within God's Limits
Read: Ephesians 5:15-21
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise. —Ephesians 5:15.
Bible In One Year: Ezra 1-2; John 19:23-42
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One of life's greatest enjoyments for Suzannah Worl is riding her Harley-Davidson motorcyle. In a devotional article for Covenant Publications, she wrote about cruising the streets of Chicago with her friends late one summer night. They were riding along the shore of Lake Michigan, enjoying the bright moonlight and gentle breeze off the water.
Suddenly the lead motorcyclist took off and several of the group went with him, reaching speeds of 100 miles an hour. Suzannah was tempted to join them—but she didn't. She knew it was not safe and it was against the law. So she held back, continuing at normal speed.
Sometimes the way others live seems far more attractive and exciting than our Christian life. We're tempted to disobey God's commands or compromise principles from His Word. But we are called to live each day with self-discipline and spiritual discernment. The apostle Paul said, "Walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise" (Ephesians 5:15).
We need to ask the Lord for His help so that we'll see situations through His eyes and make wise choices. As we obey Him and stay within His limits, we will find true joy and lasting satisfaction. —Dave Egner
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me. —Chisholm
The wise know God's limits—fools know no bounds.