Daily Bread

Inside Out · Bored

RE: Daily Bread

lc335 · Bored

Excellent way to approach that subject.

Inside Out · Bored

Spiritual Sight

January 10, 2013 by Philip Yancey

A prisoner who survived 14 years in a Cuban jail told how he kept his spirits up and his hope alive: I had no window in my cell, and so I mentally constructed one on the door. I saw in my mind a beautiful scene from the mountains, with water tumbling down a ravine over rocks. It became so real to me that I would visualize it without effort every time I looked at the cell door.

Ironically, some of the most hopeful books of the BiblePhilippians, Colossians, and Ephesianscome out of Pauls house arrest in Rome. The letter to the Ephesians gives a hint as to what the apostle Paul saw when he thought about life beyond his place of confinement.

First he saw the spiritual growth in the churches he left behind. This book opens with a burst of thanksgiving for the vitality of the Ephesian church (Eph. 1:15-16). Then he sought to open the eyes of their hearts to even more exalted sights: the exceeding riches of Gods grace (2:7). When Paul cranks up the volume to express Gods plan of love, not one low, mournful note sneaks in.

If you feel discouraged or question whether the Christian life is worth it, Ephesians proves to be a great tonic. It prescribes the riches in Christ available to all.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the staggering
good news of the riches of Your infinite grace.
Thank You for the encouragement and hope
we find in Ephesians. Amen.

No one is hopeless whose hope is in God and His Word.

Inside Out · Bored

Eyewitness Account

January 11, 2013 by David C. McCasland

When the Day of Discovery television crew interviews people for a biography, we especially enjoy talking with those who knew the person whose life-story we are telling. Over the years, weve talked with a man who roomed with Eric Liddell in an internment camp in China; a woman who as a teenager lived in the home of C. S. Lewis during World War II; and a man who chauffeured Dr. George Washington Carver on a speaking tour throughout the southern US. They all spoke freely and openly about the special person they knew.

When John, one of Jesus 12 disciples, was an old man, he wrote a letter in which his opening words established him as an eyewitness and close companion of Jesus: The life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us (1 John 1:2). His goals in writing were that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (v.3) and that your joy may be full (v.4).

The eyewitness accounts of Jesus disciples help lead us to faith in Christ. Even though we have not seen Him as they did, we have believed.

Thank You, Father, for the reliable eyewitness
accounts of Jesus life that we can read in Your
Word. And thank You for people in our lives
who know Him. They help us believe too.

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Jesus

lc335 · Bored

Your post are excellent. Thank you.

Inside Out · Bored

The Gift Of Sleep

January 12, 2013 by Julie Ackerman Link

Sleep is essential for good health. Scientists dont know exactly why we need it but they know what happens when we dont get enough. We put ourselves at risk of premature aging, weight gain, and diseases ranging from colds and flu to cancer. What God accomplishes in our bodies while we drift off to dreamland is nothing short of miraculous. While we do nothing, God replenishes our energy, rebuilds and restores our cells, and reorganizes information in our brains.

The reasons for not getting enough sleep are many, and some we cant solve, but the Bible indicates that overwork should not be one of them (Ps. 127:2). Sleep is a gift from God that we should receive with gratitude. If were not getting enough, we need to find out why. Are we rising early and staying up late to earn money to acquire things we dont need? Are we involved in ministry efforts that we think no one else is capable of doing?

Im sometimes tempted to believe that the work I do when Im awake is more important than the work God does while I sleep. But refusing Gods gift of sleep is like telling Him that my work is more important than His.

God does not want anyone to be a slave to work. He wants us to enjoy His gift of sleep.

The love of God is my pillow,
Soft and healing and wide,
I rest my soul in its comfort,
And in its calm I abide. Long

If we do not come apart and rest awhile, we may just plain come apart. Havner

lc335 · Bored

Another good post.

Inside Out · Bored

Already Settled

January 13, 2013 by Bill Crowder

I love watching soccer, and I am a fan of the Liverpool Football Club in Englands Premier League. When the Reds are playing, it is an anxiety-filled experience for me. Because one goal or one misplay can change the games outcome, I feel a constant tension as I watch. That is part of what makes the games enjoyable. Recently, though, I saw a tape-delayed replay of one of Liverpools games. I was surprised how much calmer I felt seeing the replay. Why? Because I already knew the outcome, and as a result I was able to relax and enjoy the action.

Life is often like observing live sporting events. There are shocks and surprises, frustrations and fears, because we are unsure of the outcome. Followers of Christ can draw comfort, however, from the fact that though many of lifes situations are uncertain, our eternal outcome is settled by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

The apostle John wrote, These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13). Life may present us with surprises along the way, but because of Christs work we can have peace. He has already settled our eternal outcome.

Faith looks beyond this transient life
With hope for all eternity
Not with some vague and wistful hope,
But with firm trust and certainty. D. DeHaan

Peace rules the day when Christ rules the heart.

Inside Out · Bored

Theres Power

January 15, 2013 by Anne Cetas

When my sister found out she had cancer, I asked my friends to pray. When she had surgery, we prayed that the surgeon would be able to remove all of the cancer and that she wouldnt have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation. And God answered yes! When I reported the news, one friend remarked, Im so glad theres power in prayer. I responded, Im thankful that God answered with a yes this time.

James says that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (5:16). But does effective and fervent mean the harder we pray, or the more people we ask to pray, the more likely God is to answer with a yes? Ive had enough no and wait answers to wonder about that.

Prayer is powerful, but its such a mystery. Were taught to have faith, to ask earnestly and boldly, to persevere, to be surrendered to His will. Yet God answers in His wisdom and His answers are best. Im just thankful that God wants to hear our hearts and that no matter the answer, He is still good.

I like Ole Hallesbys words: Prayer and helplessness are inseparable. Only those who are helpless can truly pray. . . . Your helplessness is your best prayer. We can do helplessness quite well.

Lord, Ive been taught many things about prayerbe
specific, be bold, be surrendered, be strong in faith,
be persistent. Today I recognize my helplessness and
Your power as I share my heart with You. Amen.

Prayer is the childs helpless cry to the Fathers attentive ear.

Inside Out · Bored

Upside Down

January 16, 2013 by Joe Stowell

There are a lot of things that intrigue me about Jesus. One of the aspects of His ministry that has always produced jaw-dropping, head-scratching responses is His upside-down teaching about life.

As we journey through life, we may get to the point where we think weve got it figured out and our thought patterns and responses for navigating through life are deeply engrained. Yet Jesus interrupts us in the midst of our routines and calls us to a new and better way. But beware! This encounter with the ways of Jesus will be challenging.

Consider these paradoxical propositions: to live you must die (Mark 8:35); to gain you must give (Matt. 19:21); blessed are those who mourn (5:4); to rule you must serve (Luke 22:26); and suffering has purpose (5:10-11).

It is pronouncements like these that make people think Christ is strangely out of touch. But we are the ones out of touch. He is not upside down, we are! Were like children who think they know better than their parents what is best.

No wonder God has told us, My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways (Isa. 55:8). So, rather than relying on our mixed-up instincts, lets ask Him to help us reflect His ways.

Lord, You know what is best, and You desire to lead
us in paths that are right and good. Give us the
courage to trust and to follow You in the ways
of righteousness for Your names sake. Amen.

What may seem upside down to us is right side up to God.

lc335 · Bored

Very good.

Inside Out · Bored

Trouble

January 17, 2013 by Cindy Hess Kasper

I was glad to see the final days of the year draw to a close. It had held so much sorrow, sickness, and sadness. I was ready to welcome January with its very own brass band!

But as the first month of the new year arrived, so did one bit of sad news after another. Several friends lost their parents. My dads brother slipped away in his sleep. Friends discovered they had cancer. A colleagues brother and a friends son both died tragically and abruptly. Rather than the sad times ceasing, the new year seemed to bring a whole new tsunami of sorrow.

John 16:33 tells us, In the world you will have tribulation. Even Gods children are not promised a life of ease, of prosperity, nor of good health. Yet we are never alone in our trouble. Isaiah 43:2 reminds us that when we pass through deep waters, God is with us. Although we dont always understand Gods purposes in the trials we experience, we can trust His heart because we know Him.

Our God is a God of abundant love and neither death nor life. . . nor things present nor things to come [will ever] separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38-39). When trouble comes, His presence is His promise.

Swift cometh His answer, so clear and so sweet;
Yea, I will be with thee, thy troubles to meet;
I will not forget thee, nor fail thee, nor grieve;
I will not forsake thee, I never will leave. Flint

Faith is believing that God is present
when all we hear is silence.

Inside Out · Bored

Youre Necessary

January 18, 2013 by Marvin Williams

The story has been told about a conductor who was rehearsing his orchestra. The organ was giving a beautiful melody, the drums were thundering, the trumpets were blaring, and the violins were singing beautifully. But the conductor noticed something missingthe piccolo. The piccolo player had gotten distracted and hoped his instrument wouldnt be missed. The conductor reminded him: Each one of us is necessary.

This was essentially the same message Paul communicated to the Corinthian believers in his first letter to them (12:4-7). Every Christian plays an important role in the body of Christ. Paul gave a list of gifts of the Spirit and compared their use to the functioning of the various parts of the human body for the good of the whole (vv.8-10). The Corinthian believers may have had different cultural backgrounds, gifts, and personalities, but they were filled with the same Spirit and belonged to the same body of Christ. Paul made special mention of the parts of the body that were weak and obscure, and taught that all believers play a necessary and significant role. No one part was more necessary than any other.

Remember, Jesus has given you a significant part to play and will use you to build up His people.

The church, a living body, containing all the parts
It lives, it moves, it functions, and touches many hearts;
When each part is committed to do the Saviors will,
His members are united, His purpose they fulfill. Fitzhugh

As a member of the body of Christ,
you are a necessary part of the whole.

lc335 · Bored

Good reading IO.

.......and yes, 2012 carried with it a sadness that will take a long time to heal.

Inside Out · Bored

A Song To Remember

January 20, 2013 by Jennifer Benson Schuldt

I was delighted when I received a free gift in the maila CD of Scripture set to music. After listening to it several times, some of the melodies took root in my mind. Before long, I could sing the words to a couple of verses in the book of Psalms without the help of the recording.

Music can help us recall words and ideas we might otherwise forget. God knew that the Israelites would forget Him when they entered the Promised Land (Deut. 31:20). They would forsake Him, turn to idols, and trouble would follow (vv.16-18). Because of this, He asked Moses to compose a song and teach it to the Israelites so they could remember their past closeness with Him and the sin that hurt their relationship (31:19-22). Perhaps most important, God wanted His nation to recall His character: [God] is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He (32:4).

Consider what God might want you to remember about Him today. Is it His power, His holiness, His love, or His faithfulness? Can you think of a song that celebrates Gods character? Sing it in your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:19).

Give me a spirit of praise, dear Lord,
That I may adore Your name,
Sing praises from the depths of a grateful heart
To the One who is always the same. Dawe

Remembering Gods goodness puts a song in your heart.

Inside Out · Bored

lc335 wrote:
Good reading IO.
.......and yes, 2012 carried with it a sadness that will take a long time to heal.

I know it will take you a while to heal .... I looked for words to encourage you ... not my words ... but Gods words .... We have been studding Prayer this month .... Prayer does help ...

This is what ... I believe .... The Father has given me to give to you ....

Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

It may seem hard to pray, but if you just be honest and talk to him ... thanking him for what you have that is good ... and ask for forgiveness for any wrong doing .... just talk to him as the Only One that can and will always listen, even if you don't think he is ... like a friend ... like a father ... whom will always love you .... no mater what .... just be honest with him ... Trust that he knows best .... and that he will guide you in all things. He Can and Will take the sadness and replace it with Joy!

Take it to the Lord in Prayer!

Inside Out · Bored

Open Arms

January 21, 2013 by David C. McCasland

At the funeral of former US First Lady Betty Ford, her son Steven said, She was the one with the love and the comfort, and she was the first one there to put her arms around you. Nineteen years ago when I went through my alcoholism, my mother . . . gave me one of the greatest gifts, and that was how to surrender to God, and to accept the grace of God in my life. And truly in her arms I felt like the prodigal son coming home, and I felt Gods love through her. And that was a good gift.

Jesus parable about a young man who asked for and squandered his inheritance and then in humiliation returned home leaves us amazed at his fathers response: When he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him (Luke 15:20). Instead of a lecture or punishment, the father expressed love and forgiveness by giving him a party. Why? Because this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found (v.24).

Steven Ford concluded his tribute with the words, Thank you, Mom, for loving us, loving your husband, loving us kids, loving the nation, with the heart of God.

May God enable us to open our arms to others, just as His are open wide to all who turn to Him.

Lord, help me be kind and forgiving
Your loving forgiveness Youve shown
To me for the sins Ive committed;
Lord, grant me a love like Your own. Anon.

Forgiven sinners know love and show love.

Inside Out · Bored

Choose Your God

January 22, 2013 by Bill Crowder

I recently saw a commercial for an online game based on Greek mythology. It spoke about armies, mythological gods, heroes, and quests. What got my attention was the description of how to get the game started. You go online to register, choose your god, then build your empire.

Wow! Choose your god. Those words, though presented casually in the ad, struck me as being characteristic of one of the most dangerous things about our world. In a game, it may be insignificant what god you choose; but in the real world that choice has eternal consequences.

To a generation of Israelites surrounded by the gods of their day, Joshua declared that they must choose their godbut it must not be done in a cavalier way. He set the example as he said, Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Josh. 24:15).

Today, as in the days of Joshua, there are many options. But there is only one wise choicethe true God. Joshua made the right choice. We will serve the Lord.

The gods of this world are empty and vain,
They cannot give peace to ones heart;
The living and true One deserves all our love
From Him may we never depart. D. DeHaan

Nothing can fill the emptiness in your heart except God.

lc335 · Bored

Thanks IO....those words are rich with wisdom.

I pray God will bye with those who would try to save this nation from the Godless heathens that seek to destroy it. I fully believe at this point God will have to interven in order to save this once great nation. It is like a demonic plauge is spreading through land.

-- Edited by lc335 on Wednesday 23rd of January 2013 04:17:08 AM

Inside Out · Bored

Like Jesus

January 24, 2013 by Anne Cetas

During a children's church service, the teacher talked about the first of the Ten Commandments: You shall have no other gods before Me (Ex. 20:3). She suggested some ways for the kids to keep this command. She said, Nothing should come before Godnot candy, not schoolwork, not video games. She told them that putting God first meant that time with Him reading the Bible and praying should come before anything else.

An older child in the group responded with a thought-provoking question. She asked if being a Christian was about keeping rules or if instead God wanted to be involved in all areas of our life.

Sometimes we make the mistake of viewing the Bible as a list of rules. Certainly obeying God (John 14:21) and spending time with Him are important, but not because we need to be rule-keepers. Jesus and the Father had a loving relationship. When we have a relationship with God, we desire to spend time with Him and obey Him so we can become more like Jesus. John said, He who says he abides in [Jesus] ought himself also to walk just as He walked (1 John 2:6). Hes the example we can follow.

When we want to understand how to love, or how to be humble, or how to have faith, or even how to set our priorities, we can look at Jesus and follow His heart.

Lord, as I look ahead to another day, I give myself
to be led by Your Spirit. Give discernment in
priorities, but most of all a sensitive heart to live like
Jesus didfilled with Your love and power. Amen.

Jesus calls us to follow Him.