Daily Devotion

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"But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." - James 1:22

THE MAN IN THE MIRROR
May 12, 2016

In churches, you will find two types of folks. You’ll find those that are hearers of the Word, and you’ll find those that are doers of the Word. What James wants us to understand is that those who are hearers only are deceiving themselves in thinking that they are Christians when they may not be. It is only those who are doers of the Word that really understand real saving faith.

In other words, there are a lot of people, that if they die today – and many that are members of churches all throughout our land – that think they are going to heaven because they believe the right things about Jesus, but if they died today, they would wake up in hell separated from God. They are living with self-deception. I would venture to say the percentages would absolutely shock us if we all died today to see the number of people here that are going to be in heaven and the extraordinary number of people here who are going to be hell.

Now why is that? Why are they self-deceived? That’s what God’s Word is going to explain here in James 1 verse 23. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; and once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he is.

The Word of God is like a man looking in a mirror. He sees dirt on his face and his hair unkempt. He notices what the problems are and how he needs to improve his looks, but by the time turns from the mirror, he can no longer remember what he saw in the mirror. So, how does that connect to the Word of God? The Word of God, in our quiet time, convicts us of areas in our life that we need to get right with God. But so often, people come and may even feel convicted in the worship experience and by the time they get to the parking lot, they’ve already forgotten what the sermon was about. Do you get the connection?

The Word of God when studied intently, when we mediate on it, not only convicts us, but by spending time there, we really allow the perfect law of God to convict us. And we realize that we’ve fallen short. It won’t be like we’ve just looked in a mirror for a short time, turned away, and forgotten what we saw. God’s Word will be imprinted on our hearts in such a way that we won’t forget. We’ll be eager to share our faith and be the kind of person God intends for us to be.

 

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Is He Good?
May 16, 2016

Read: Genesis 3:1-8 | Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 24–25; John 5:1-24


He said to the woman, “Did God really say . . . ?” Genesis 3:1

“I don’t think God is good,” my friend told me. She had been praying for years about some difficult issues, but nothing had improved. Her anger and bitterness over God’s silence grew. Knowing her well, I sensed that deep down she believed God is good, but the continual pain in her heart and God’s seeming lack of interest caused her to doubt. It was easier for her to get angry than to bear the sadness.

Doubting God’s goodness is as old as Adam and Eve (Gen. 3). The serpent put that thought in Eve’s mind when he suggested that God was withholding the fruit from her because “God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (v. 5). In pride, Adam and Eve thought they, rather than God, should determine what was good for them.

Let's help each other see the truth that God is good.
Years after losing a daughter in death, James Bryan Smith found he was able to affirm God’s goodness. In his book The Good and Beautiful God, Smith wrote, "God's goodness is not something I get to decide upon. I am a human being with limited understanding." Smith’s amazing comment isn’t naïve; it arises out of years of processing his grief and seeking God’s heart.

In times of discouragement, let’s listen well to each other and help each other see the truth that God is good.

Lord, we will praise You in our difficult times like the psalmist did. You know us, and we turn to You because we know You are good.

For more on this topic, read Why Doesn't God Answer Me from Discovery Series.

The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. Psalm 145:9

INSIGHT:
Today’s reading unveils one of the central strategies of our enemy, Satan. In addition to suppressing God’s truth, Satan uses Scripture for his own evil ends by tempting the believer to doubt its truth. When we experience doubts concerning the Word of God, we can follow our Lord’s example and cite Scripture with confidence (Matt. 4). Scripture is an offensive weapon against our enemy (Eph. 6:10–18).

 

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"If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless." - James 1:26

DID I REALLY SAY THAT?
May 17, 2016

In my seminary days, one of my fellow seminary students and a good friend stood at the door. He was looking kind of pale. He said, “Bryant, I think I’ve blown it.” Now, he was one of us that had a little country church where we would go on the weekends and pastor; then we’d be full time seminary students during the week. And very often, we got to conduct our first funeral or conduct our first wedding. It was a learning process. Well, this friend of mine had had his first funeral. The wife of an active man in the church had suddenly passed away. So he met with the man at the funeral home. The man said, “Come. Come. I want you to join me by the casket of my wife.” And they were standing there looking at his wife there in the casket and the man said, “Doesn’t she look beautiful?” And my bonehead friend said, “Well, I’ve seen her look better.” He said, “Bryant, I’m not sure I’m going to make it in the ministry.” He is a CPA today. Now, that story is amusing, but more often than not, we need to pay attention to what comes out of our mouths for very different reasons.

Sometimes we say something so quickly without thinking. And we say something so stupid and so embarrassing that we would do everything in our power to just pull the words back in, but they cannot be retrieved. They’re forever there. And what is even more convicting is the things that we say that are cruel or hurtful, gossip and slander. We can say a lot of harsh things, and the moment we say it we instantly know we have messed up mighty badly.

Look at today’s verse again. If anyone thinks himself to be a Christian, and doesn’t learn to bridle his tongue, he is living a lie and his faith is worthless. You can’t find a stronger word of conviction to all of us in taming the tongue. All of us say some things that we deeply regret that we wish we could bring back. It’s a serious offense in God’s eyes. So, let’s make it serious in our eyes, in our hearts and in the words that come out of our mouths.

 

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“When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, He said this, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’” -Matthew 5:1-3

SPIRITUAL JOY = HUMILITY
May 18, 2016

Time Magazine ran a cover story in the summer July of 2013 entitled “The Pursuit of Happiness.” Here is some of what it said, “Since 1972, only about 1/3 of Americans have described themselves as very happy.” (That means 2/3 have not). Twenty-five percent of American women said they are taking anti-depressants. That’s a lot of folks. They go on to conclude in this article, “We’ve got all the toys. Now we need to relocate the joy.” They were speaking to the restless emptiness of our hyper-affluent culture. The pursuit of happiness is in our national DNA. It’s a part of who we are. Thomas Jefferson engraved it into our consciousness.

Yet, so many seem to struggle in really experiencing happiness. Jesus gives us a radically counter cultural view of how to discover spiritual joy. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Blessed means ‘happy’ or ‘joyful.’ What? How can He relate ‘poor in spirit’ with happiness? Well, ‘poor in spirit’ means recognizing our need for God. It is the opposite of arrogance. Arrogant people say, “I do not need God. I am self-reliant. I am self-sufficient.” That’s very much a part of the American way. Jesus is trying to help us understand something deeper. This is really about humility. And humility is the one virtue, when you think you have it, you just lost it. It’s something that man does not come by naturally. You’re never going to discover ultimate happiness until you have enough humility to recognize you need God. Without Him, you’re going to miss the ultimate meaning of life. Without God, lasting happiness is unattainable.

But there is more! The end of this Scripture also comes with a promise. Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Once we come to be poor in spirit and recognize our need for God, then we have the opportunity to claim the grace and forgiveness of God through what Christ has done for us on the cross. And then, we can enter in to the kingdom of heaven! The kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God are one in the same. They are used interchangeably. What is the kingdom of God? It is wherever Jesus reigns. If He reigns in your life, then the kingdom of God is there. If He reigns in your family, the kingdom of God is there. If Jesus reigns in your church, the kingdom of God is there. If He reigns in a ministry where you serve, the kingdom of God is there. Wherever Jesus reigns, there is the kingdom of God. It doesn’t mean in the future – it means right now – in the present. And once we enter the kingdom of God through faith, we stay in the kingdom of God, as a child of God, forever! Only in the center of God’s will in His Kingdom do we discover ultimate happiness.

 

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“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” -Matthew 5:8

SPIRITUAL JOY = PURE IN HEART
May 23, 2016

In Greek, the word ‘pure’ is translated as ‘katharos,’ which means to be clean and pure – physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s the opposite of double-mindedness. It’s the opposite of those people who straddle the fence, having one foot in the world and one foot in the church, never really giving their hearts completely to God. It’s the opposite of phoniness. It’s the opposite of hypocrisy. Purity is being genuine. It is a devoted loyalty. It is a person without guile. It is a person who has no ulterior motives.

Those qualities sound really good, don’t they? But, purity is not something that is easily experienced in our life. As a matter of fact, purity is down right unnatural because of our sinfulness. In Matthew 15:19-20, Jesus says, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications (that’s any kind of sexual immorality), thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.” To summarize, what He is saying, “Look. The real problem lies in our sinful hearts. We are not naturally pure. It’s not something we achieve. It comes with a cleansed heart. It is something we receive – through repentant faith in Jesus Christ.” The only way to be pure is to be cleansed of any impurity. And the only way to stay clean and pure is by trusting Jesus with total devotion. When we do, we see God.

Most religions have the desire to see God, to experience God. But, most religions are about man trying to reach up to God. Maybe it’s through different rituals of religion or through good works and morality. Yet, Christianity is very different from all the religions of the world. In Christianity, God has reached down to man through His ultimate revelation of Himself in Jesus Christ. So when Christ died on the cross for our sins, He offers us the mercy of God—something we don’t deserve. In fact, we receive forgiveness of sin. With forgiveness comes cleansing, or purification, from God. When we confess and repent of our sin, cleansing comes. And every time we fall, then confess and repent, again and again and again, change comes. You want to see God? Trust Jesus to cleanse you and be fully devoted to following Jesus, no matter what!

 

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“For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

- James 3:7-8

THE UNTAMABLE TONGUE
May 25, 2016

One of my heroes growing up was the big cat trainer extraordinaire, Gunter Gebel Williams. He was the leading performer for many years in the Ringling Brother’s Barnum & Bailey Circus. His command over the lions, tigers, and leopards made him the central attraction of the greatest show on earth. I was in awe of his ability to tame and command the most ferocious beasts on planet earth with poise and grace.

In our Scripture today, James tell us that every creature on earth can be tamed, but no one can tame the tongue. It is the untamable beast! The tongue is full of deadly poison and can lash out and strike at any moment. So, here is the question to consider in light of this description of our tongue: What do we do when we have lashed out at someone? How do we respond when the beast comes out and spews venom through painful words and reckless talk? Consider these thoughts when your words have run wild:

1. Acknowledge hurtful speech. As painful, harsh and reckless words can be, greater pain is often caused when we refuse to acknowledge what we did. It can be so healing to simply say, “I realize I was out of line” or “I know that what I said was hurtful.” Acknowledgement of the pain caused shows that we are aware of what we have said and are willing to move toward healing.
2. Apologize! I know this seems basic, but saying, “I’m sorry,” and really meaning it, is often very hard to say. An apology reveals we are taking ownership for what we said, instead of getting defensive or deflecting blame. Oh sure, we may try to rationalize it, or explain our tone, but an apology is essential to move toward reconciliation. Don’t minimize the destructive power of your words. My mottoe is: Apologize, don’t minimize!
3. Seek forgiveness. Offering an apology builds a bridge to seek forgiveness. There are few words that can be spoken with more power than “Please forgive me.” Asking to be forgiven reveals a heart of reconciliation and humility, and is the path to healing and renewa,l when our words have run wild.

Taming the tongue is impossible for sinful man, but we all can do what is right when our words have caused pain. Seeking forgiveness and reconciliation allows us to point people to the good news of Jesus Christ, “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:14

Do you need to ask forgiveness from someone? Ask God to give you the courage and the humility it will take to do it. And don’t wait! Do it today. Trust me when I tell you it will change your life!*

 

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Praise from Pure Hearts
May 30, 2016

Read: Psalm 51:7-17 | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 10–12; John 11:30-57
A broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:17

During my friend Myrna’s travels to another country, she visited a church for worship. She noticed that as people entered the sanctuary they immediately knelt and prayed, facing away from the front of the church. My friend learned that people in that church confessed their sin to God before they began the worship service.

This act of humility is a picture to me of what David said in Psalm 51: “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” (v. 17). David was describing his own remorse and repentance for his sin of adultery with Bathsheba. Real sorrow for sin involves adopting God’s view of what we’ve done—seeing it as clearly wrong, disliking it, and not wanting it to continue.

Praise is our heart’s response to His forgiveness.
When we are truly broken over our sin, God lovingly puts us back together. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). This forgiveness produces a fresh sense of openness with Him and is the ideal starting point for praise. After David repented, confessed, and was forgiven by God, he responded by saying, “Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise” (Ps. 51:15).

Humility is the right response to God’s holiness. And praise is our heart’s response to His forgiveness.

Dear God, help me never to excuse or minimize my sin. Please meet me in my brokenness, and let nothing hold me back from praising Your name.

Praise is the song of a soul set free.

INSIGHT:
In today’s reading, the psalmist cries, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean” (Ps. 51:7). Hyssop was a wild shrub used in several significant purification rites. On the night of the Passover, the Lord commanded the Israelites to use a hyssop branch to spread the blood of the lamb on the doorpost and lintel of their homes (Ex. 12:22). If a leper had been healed of leprosy, the priests were to use hyssop to sprinkle a mixture of blood and water onto the person as a sign of healing (Lev. 14:1–9). And on the day of the ultimate purification, a hyssop branch hoisted the sponge filled with sour wine to the lips of Jesus (John 19:28–30).

 

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Knowing and Doing
May 31, 2016

Read: Mark 10:17-27 | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 13–14; John 12:1-26

With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God. Mark 10:27

Chinese philosopher Han Feizi made this observation about life: “Knowing the facts is easy. Knowing how to act based on the facts is difficult.”

A rich man with that problem once came to Jesus. He knew the law of Moses and believed he had kept the commandments since his youth (Mark 10:20). But he seems to be wondering what additional facts he might hear from Jesus. “ ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ” (v. 17).

All things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27)
Jesus’ answer disappointed the rich man. He told him to sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow Him (v. 21). With these few words Jesus exposed a fact the man didn’t want to hear. He loved and relied on his wealth more than he trusted Jesus. Abandoning the security of his money to follow Jesus was too great a risk, and he went away sad (v. 22).

What was the Teacher thinking? His own disciples were alarmed and asked, “Who then can be saved?” He replied, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God” (v. 27). It takes courage and faith. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9).

God, thank You for the good news of Jesus. Give us the courage to act on what we know to be true, and to accept the salvation offered through Jesus. Thank You that You will give us the strength to act on the facts.

Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. Acts 16:31

INSIGHT:
The rich young ruler (Matt. 19:20; Luke 18:18) believed he had earned his place in heaven (Mark 10:19–20). But Jesus revealed that the young man had put his trust in material things (vv. 21–22) and that salvation is obtained when we love God first and trust in Jesus only (v. 21).

 

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"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."

- John 15:4-7

TOTAL SURRENDER IS TOTAL TRUST
May 31, 2016

In the eyes of the world, to surrender is humiliating. In the eyes of the world, to surrender is to lose. In battle, it is bad when the more powerful side causes the other side to wave the white flag. So, in the world’s eyes, surrender is often deeply resented. But here’s the irony and the paradox of the Christian faith. Surrender is the beginning of the victorious Christian life! When we realize how much God loves us and how He shows us that love by what Christ has done – literally dying in our place on the cross, paying the penalty for all our sins – past, present and future – and then rising from the dead…we are convicted of our sinfulness. And when we’re convicted of our sin, we can finally surrender our lives to our Lord and give Him all that we have. We give Him all of our desires, our goals, our dreams, our priorities, and our possessions. Then, and only then, do we begin the first and most important step in the victorious Christian life. It begins with surrender, and what we have that is not surrendered to Christ is worthless to the Kingdom of God. Worthless!

So, how do we surrender?

1. Spend time alone with Him and study God’s Word. We meditate on His teachings and in doing so, we learn more about God’s will in our lives. We pray to discover His will, not to tell God what we want!
2. We abide in Him daily. In other words, we stay close to God every day, trusting and obeying Him.
3. Commit to a local church to worship, serve and have fellowship with other believers.
4. Then we share our faith with others through words and deeds, which is fully Christ’s mission for the church.

This type of surrender equals total trust, which leads to ultimate meaning and purpose of life.

 

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ANGER IS A JOURNEY

June 1, 2016

Whether it is with strangers in airports, on soccer fields or football fields, as our kids get a little bit older and more competitive, we find ourselves becoming angry and sometimes, we allow that anger to get out of hand. It happens in the work place, too, and yes, even in “the family of faith” – our churches. It happens especially at home with our spouses, when we don’t see eye to eye in trying to rear our children. And as they become teenagers, we get even more aggravated when we just can’t seem to find a way to connect with them. We think, “Why can’t they see? Why can’t they understand?” Well, guess what? The adolescents say the same thing about parents! I believe we can all stand to hear a word from the Lord today when it comes to anger.

James begins teaching us how to control our anger. We control our anger when we root ourselves in the Word of God. When we align ourselves with the Word that has birthed us, shaped us, and preserves us, and fall in submission to the Word of God, we line up with the character of God. Anger is a journey, isn’t it? Sometimes it begins with a hurt, or when you have been slighted or misunderstood, or maybe when others don’t meet your expectations. You’ve been stabbed in the back, when you’ve been left out, when you are not understood in your desires and your wants. You’re criticized sometimes fairly, but a lot of times, unfairly. You’re irritated. You’re frustrated. Anger is a journey that begins with one of these types of emotions. (You can fill in your own blank about what sets you off.)

But God’s Word gives us this wonderful, simple remedy, two sides of one coin. Be quick to hear, slow to speak. Be good listeners. Be slow talkers. Count to ten before you speak, and that will slow you down on the way to anger. And never, ever let the sun go down on your anger. Don’t let Satan get a foothold on another day of anger. You’ll be glad. I promise you that.

 

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Strength for the Weary
June 3, 2016

Read: Isaiah 40:27–31 | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 19–20; John 13:21–38

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31

On a beautiful, sunny day, I was walking in a park and feeling very weary in spirit. It wasn’t just one thing weighing me down—it seemed to be everything. When I stopped to sit on a bench, I noticed a small plaque placed there in loving memory of a “devoted husband, father, brother, and friend.” Also on the plaque were these words, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:31 esv).

Those familiar words came to me as a personal touch from the Lord. Weariness—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—comes to us all. Isaiah reminds us that although we become tired, the Lord, the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth “will not grow tired or weary” (v. 28). How easily I had forgotten that in every situation “[the Lord] gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (v. 29).

When life's struggles make you weary, find strength in the Lord.
What’s it like on your journey today? If fatigue has caused you to forget God’s presence and power, why not pause and recall His promise. “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength” (v. 31). Here. Now. Right where we are.

Lord, thank You that You do not grow weary. Give me the strength to face whatever situation I am in today.



Share this prayer from our Facebook page: Facebook.com/ourdailybread

When life's struggles make you weary, find strength in the Lord.

INSIGHT:
After prophesying that God would use the Assyrians (Isa. 1–38) and Babylonians (Isa. 39) to punish Judah, Isaiah comforts Judah with the hope of future deliverance and restoration (Isa. 40–66). In chapter 40, Isaiah speaks of God’s sovereignty, majesty, and loving providential care. Addressing the Jews’ sense of abandonment (v. 27), Isaiah assures them that God has the power to restore them and will indeed do so. Isaiah reminds them that the everlasting, omnipotent, Creator God is the source of their strength (vv. 28–29) and calls on these despondent Jews to persevere in their faith, to rise to a new level of commitment, and to wait for God to bring His promises to fulfillment (vv. 30–31).

 

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Broken to Be Made New
June 6, 2016

Read: Psalm 119:71–75 | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 25–27; John 16
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I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Psalm 119:75

During World War II my dad served with the US Army in the South Pacific. During that time Dad rejected any idea of religion, saying, “I don’t need a crutch.” Yet the day came when his attitude toward spiritual things would change forever. Mom had gone into labor with their third child, and my brother and I went to bed with the excitement of soon seeing our new brother or sister. When I got out of bed the next morning, I excitedly asked Dad, “Is it a boy or a girl?” He replied, “It was a little girl but she was born dead.” We began to weep together at our loss.

For the first time, Dad took his broken heart to Jesus in prayer. At that moment he felt an overwhelming sense of peace and comfort from God, though his daughter would always be irreplaceable. Soon he began to take an interest in the Bible and continued to pray to the One who was healing his broken heart. His faith grew through the years. He became a strong follower of Jesus—serving Him as a Bible-study teacher and a leader in his church.

Brokenness can lead to wholeness.
Jesus is not a crutch for the weak. He is the source of new spiritual life! When we’re broken, He can make us new and whole (Ps. 119:75).

What is on your heart that you need to talk with God about? Bring Him your brokenness and ask Him to make you whole.

Brokenness can lead to wholeness.



INSIGHT:
A commonly understood characteristic of Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is that it celebrates the goodness and usefulness of God’s commandments. Referring to these laws by various names, the author suggests that God’s commands are the very core of how life is meant to be lived. The thought is simple yet intriguing—God’s laws help us to live in the way that we were created and intended to live. They are not restrictive; they are freeing. That helps us understand why the psalmist had such a high regard of God’s laws.

 

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Tell It!
June 7, 2016

Read: Mark 5:1–20 | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 28–29; John 17



The man went away and began to tell . . . how much Jesus had done for him. Mark 5:20

The year was 1975 and something significant had just happened to me. I needed to find my friend Francis, with whom I shared a lot of personal matters, and tell him about it. I found him in his apartment hurriedly preparing to go out, but I slowed him down. The way he stared at me, he must have sensed that I had something important to tell him. “What is it?” he asked. So I told him simply, “Yesterday I surrendered my life to Jesus!”

Francis looked at me, sighed heavily, and said, “I’ve felt like doing the same for a long time now.” He asked me to share what happened, and I told him how the previous day someone had explained the gospel to me and how I asked Jesus to come into my life. I still remember the tears in his eyes as he too prayed to receive Jesus’s forgiveness. No longer in a hurry, he and I talked and talked about our new relationship with Christ.

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story. Psalm 107:2
After Jesus healed the man with an evil spirit, He told him, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you” (Mark 5:19). The man didn’t need to preach a powerful sermon; he simply needed to share his story.

No matter what our conversion experience is, we can do what that man did: “[He] went away and began to tell . . . how much Jesus had done for him.”

What has Jesus done for you? Tell it!

Share your story on Facebook.com/ourdailybread.

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story. Psalm 107:2

 

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Better By Far
June 8, 2016

Read: Philippians 1:12–26 | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 30–31; John 18:1–18
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I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. Philippians 1:23

A siren wailed outside a little boy’s house. Unfamiliar with the sound, he asked his mother what it was. She explained that it was meant to alert people of a dangerous storm. She said that if people did not take cover, they might die as a result of the tornado. The boy replied, “Mommy, why is that a bad thing? If we die, don’t we meet Jesus?”

Little children don’t always understand what it means to die. But Paul, who had a lifetime of experience, wrote something similar: “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (Phil. 1:23). The apostle was under house arrest at the time, but his statement wasn’t fueled by despair. He was rejoicing because his suffering was causing the gospel to spread (vv. 12–14).

Belief in Jesus's death and resurrection brings the assurance of life with Him forever.
So why would Paul be torn between a desire for life and death? Because to go on living would mean “fruitful labor.” But if he died he knew he would enjoy a special kind of closeness with Christ. To be absent from our bodies is to be home with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:6–8).

People who believe in the saving power of Jesus’s death and resurrection will be with Him forever. It’s been said, “All’s well that ends in heaven.” Whether we live or die, we win. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).

Dear Jesus, help me to keep my eyes on You, whether I face difficulty in life or death. Let me find security and peace in You.

Belief in Jesus's death and resurrection brings the assurance of life with Him forever.

 

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Our New Name
June 10, 2016

Read: Revelation 2:12–17 | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 34–36; John 19:1–22


I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it. Revelation 2:17

She called herself a worrier, but when her child was hurt in an accident, she learned how to escape that restricting label. As her child was recovering, she met each week with friends to talk and pray, asking God for help and healing. Through the months as she turned her fears and concerns into prayer, she realized that she was changing from being a worrier to a prayer warrior. She sensed that the Lord was giving her a new name. Her identity in Christ was deepening through the struggle of unwanted heartache.

In Jesus’s letter to the church at Pergamum, the Lord promises to give to the faithful a white stone with a new name on it (Rev. 2:17). Biblical commentators have debated over the meaning, but most agree that this white stone points to our freedom in Christ. In biblical times, juries in a court of law used a white stone for a not-guilty verdict and a black stone for guilty. A white stone also gained the bearer entrance into such events as banquets; likewise, those who receive God’s white stone are welcomed to the heavenly feast. Jesus’s death brings us freedom and new life—and a new name.

Followers of Christ have a brand-new identity.
What new name do you think God might give to you?

May I live out my new identity, sharing Your love and joy. Show me how You have made me into a new creation.

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Followers of Christ have a brand-new identity.



INSIGHT:
In the book of Revelation, the Lord Jesus is referred to as having a “sharp, double-edged sword” (1:16; 2:12). In chapter one, John described this sword as coming out of Jesus’s mouth (v. 16). In today’s passage, Jesus is seen using this sword to fight against and slay His enemies (2:16). In a later vision, John saw Jesus as the “Faithful and True” rider of a white horse (19:11), whose name is “the Word of God,” using the “sharp sword” to conquer the nations (vv. 13–15). Christ, the Word of God (John 1:1–4), will come again to judge this world and will rule it “with an iron scepter” (Rev. 19:11–15).

 

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Repeat After Me
June 13, 2016

Read: Psalm 141 | Bible in a Year: Ezra 6–8; John 21
http://odb.org/wp-content/themes/odbm-base/assets/download.php?file=http://dzxuyknqkmi1e.cloudfront.net/odb/2016/06/odb-06-13-16.mp3
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips. Psalm 141:3 (nlt)

When Rebecca stood on stage to speak at a conference, her first sentence into the microphone echoed around the room. It was a bit unsettling for her to hear her own words come back at her, and she had to adjust to the faulty sound system and try to ignore the echo of every word she spoke.

Imagine what it would be like to hear everything we say repeated! It wouldn’t be so bad to hear ourselves repeat "I love you" or "I was wrong" or “Thank You, Lord” or "I'm praying for you." But not all of our words are beautiful or gentle or kind. What about those angry outbursts or demeaning comments that no one wants to hear once, let alone twice—those words that we would really rather take back?

He forgives us when we fail.
Like the psalmist David, we long to have the Lord’s control over our words. He prayed, "Take control of what I say, OLord, and guard my lips” (Ps. 141:3 nlt). And thankfully, the Lord wants to do that. He can help us control what we say. He can guard our lips.

As we learn to adjust to our own sound system by paying careful attention to what we say and praying about the words we speak, the Lord will patiently teach us and even empower us to have self-control. And best of all, He forgives us when we fail and is pleased with our desire for His help.

Can you think of something you said recently that you would like to take back? Ask the Lord to help you become aware of careless words.

Part of self-control is mouth-control.

INSIGHT:
This psalm is filled with meaningful prayers for protection and can be an encouragement for all of us. Because we live in a world cursed by sin, we need prayer for protection from the damage we can inflict on others in attitude, speech, and behavior (vv. 3–4) as well as protection from those who plan evil against us (vv. 9-10).

 

[boldstardex]

God of the Ordinary
June 14, 2016

Read: Genesis 12:1–4; 17:1–2 | Bible in a Year: Ezra 9–10; Acts 1
He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Hearing testimonies about how God did something spectacular in someone else’s life can challenge us. While we may rejoice to hear about answers to prayer, we may also wonder why God hasn’t done anything amazing for us lately.

It’s easy to think that if God showed up in astonishing ways for us like He did for Abraham, then we would be more inspired to be faithful servants of God. But then we remember that God showed up for Abraham every 12 to 14 years, and most of Abraham’s journey was rather ordinary (see Gen. 12:1–4; 15:1–6; 16:16–17:12).

Thank God for the amazing things He has done for us.
God’s work is usually done behind the scenes in the ordinary things of life. As 1 Corinthians 10 says, “He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out.” Every day God is busy shielding us from devastating onslaughts of Satan that would otherwise leave us helplessly defeated. And when temptation hits, He is making exit ramps for us so we can escape.

When we put our head on the pillow at night, we should pause to thank God for the amazing things He has done for us that day in the midst of our ordinary lives. So, instead of longing for Him to do something spectacular for you, thank Him! He already has.

Lord, help me to be constantly aware that Your power and presence are with me even in the ordinary times in my life. Thank You for Your amazing work on my behalf that I know nothing about.

God is always in control behind the scenes, even on “ordinary” days.



INSIGHT:
Sometimes we read past the ages of individuals listed in the Bible, unless of course they are shocking in some way (such as Methuselah, who was 969 years old when he died [Gen. 5:27]). When only a few details are recorded, they should be given special attention. We can ask, Why is this here? Abraham’s age in verse four of today’s reading is one such detail. Abraham was 75 when he answered the call to follow God. He grew up in an idolatrous society and a pagan home (Josh. 24:2). Perhaps the reason his age is listed is to show that God calls each person when and how He wills. To us it makes more sense to call a person to travel a great distance and start a large family when he or she is young. But the timing is God’s, even if it doesn’t make sense to us.

 

[boldstardex]

IS JESUS YOUR COMMANDER?

June 14, 2016

The key starting point in learning how to overcome temptation to sin is to submit your life to God through the person of Jesus Christ. Now I realize many people have not yet made this decision, so let me tell you how.

You make the decision when you come to intellectually believe what the Bible stays about Jesus. That He is the Son of God. That He died on the cross for your sins. That He rose from the dead. When you come to believe that and come to believe that He is the source of salvation, you’re taking the first step, but you’re not a Christian yet.

You become a Christian when you trust Christ enough to submit to Him. You make yourself subject to Him. This phrase “subject to” is a military term. A person in the military is subject to their commanding officer. When we come to trust Christ we’re saying, “Look. I’m no longer going to live for self or live to please other people. I’m going to live to please Jesus, to follow Jesus. I’m going to submit to the authority of Jesus. He is my commander.”

And this means we submit to the authority of Christ in every area of our life. We don’t have any secret compartments that are “hands off” to God. Every single part of our life is submitted to Him. And here’s the really good news. When you submit to God through the person of Christ, Christ gives you a gift called the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, who comes to dwell in you. The Spirit then gives you an inner “want to” to obey God. And that inner “want to” is always going to be stronger than the inner “want to” to lust and to sin.

But you say, “Well, I still sin even though I made that decision.” Absolutely! We’re all going to fail. We all fall short, but don’t kid yourself. The Spirit of God, the Spirit who lives within you in Jesus Christ, is stronger than he who is in the world. He is stronger than any temptation you’re going to face in this world. Remember, Jesus said, “I have overcome the world.” Count on it. Lean into it. Let Him live through you!

 

[boldstardex]

Some Assembly Required
June 16, 2016

Read: Judges 2:7–19 | Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 4–6; Acts 2:22–47
Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies. Judges 2:18

Around our home, the words “some assembly required” have been the cause of great frustration (mine) and great humor (my family). When my wife and I first married, I attempted to make simple home repairs—with disastrous results. A repaired shower handle worked perfectly—if the plan was for the water to run between the walls. My fiascoes continued after we had children, when I assured my wife, Cheryl, I “don’t need instructions” to put these “simple” toys together. Wrong!

Gradually, I learned my lesson and began to pay strict attention to the instructions and things went together as they should. Unfortunately, the longer things went well, the more confident I became, and soon I was again ignoring instructions with predictably disastrous results.

God has reasons for all of the instructions He’s given us.
The ancient Israelites struggled with a similar tendency: they would forget God, ignoring His instructions to avoid following after Baal and the other gods of the region (Judg. 2:12). This produced disastrous results, until God, in His mercy, raised up judges to rescue them and bring them back to Himself (v. 18).

God has reasons for all of the instructions He’s given us to keep our affections on Him. Only by a daily awareness of His loving presence can we resist the temptation to “construct” our lives our own way. What great gifts He has given us in His Word and His presence!

Lord, keep me close to You this day. Remind me of Your presence through Your Word and prayer and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Our greatest privilege is to enjoy God’s presence.



INSIGHT:
After Joshua died, Israel began worshiping the Canaanite fertility deities Baal and Ashtoreth. In Judges 2 this sin of idolatry is likely presented in terms of harlotry or prostitution (v. 17) to reinforce the unfaithfulness of idolatry and the sexual nature of Baal and Ashtoreth worship.

 

[boldstardex]

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

THE LIGHT OF CHRIST NEVER FADES!
June 16, 2016

Astronomers have told us that the most recognizable feature in the skies of the Southern Hemisphere, the Southern Cross, is disappearing. No, not in the physical sense, but because of the increase in the amount of artificial light in places like Sydney, Australia, the Southern Cross appears fainter and less distinctive in the sky.

How like the lives of many who claim to be Christians. The influence of the world on the ethical and moral standards is so great that the truth as found in the Bible seems to dim. Where once they were light in the darkness, now their light has faded into obscurity, no longer seen in a world filled with darkness.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you call yourself a Christian, let me ask you a question. Is the light of Christ shining through your life or is it really non-existent – invisible to others? Was it bright at one time in your life, but becoming less and less so with each passing day?

Friends, don’t allow your light to vanish without having a positive influence for Christ. We are supposed to be light in a dark world. We are to let the light of Christ shine through us!