Our Daily Bread

[judE_Law]

^yeah... ayos diba? parang time for reflection..

[judE_Law]

January 19, 2011 — by David C. McCasland

When Someone Falls

It has become so commonplace to hear of the misconduct of a respected public figure that even though we may be deeply disappointed, we are hardly surprised. But how should we respond to the news of a moral failure, whether by a prominent person or a friend? We might begin by looking at ourselves. A century ago, Oswald Chambers told his students at the Bible Training College in London, "Always remain alert to the fact that where one man has gone back is exactly where anyone may go back . . . . Unguarded strength is double weakness."

Chambers' words echo Paul's warning to be aware of our own vulnerability when we see the sins of others. After reviewing the disobedience of the Israelites in the wilderness (1 Cor. 10:1-5), Paul urged his readers to learn from those sins so they wouldn't repeat them (vv.6-11). He focused not on past failings but on present pride when he wrote, "Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (v.12).

The head shaken in reproach is a common response to public sin. More helpful is the head that nods, "Yes, I am capable of that," then bows in prayer for the one who has fallen and the one who thinks he stands.



Blessed Savior, make me humble,
Take away my sinful pride;
In myself I'm sure to stumble,
Help me stay close by Your side. —D. De Haan

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. —Proverbs 16:18

[maykel]

Unguarded strength is double weakness.

I like that one..

[judE_Law]

January 20, 2011 — by Albert Lee

Fear And Love

Someone shared with me her observation about two bosses. One is loved but not feared by his subordinates. Because they love their boss but don't respect his authority, they don't follow his guidelines. The other boss is both feared and loved by those who serve under him, and their good behavior shows it.

The Lord desires that His people both fear and love Him too. Today's Bible passage, Deuteronomy 10, says that keeping God's guidelines involves both. In verse 12, we are told "to fear the Lord your God" and "to love Him."

To "fear" the Lord God is to give Him the highest respect. For the believer, it is not a matter of feeling intimidated by Him or His character. But out of respect for His person and authority, we walk in all His ways and keep His commandments. Out of "love," we serve Him with all our heart and with all our soul—rather than merely out of duty (v.12).

Love flows out of our deep gratitude for His love for us, rather than out of our likes and dislikes. "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Our fear and love for God enable us to walk willingly in obedience to God's law.



Lord, You are holy and Your thoughts are much higher
than mine. I bow before You. Thank You for salvation in Jesus.
I love You and want to obey You with all of
my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.

If we fear and love God, we will obey Him.

[judE_Law]

January 21, 2011 — by Julie Ackerman Link

Nature Abhors A Vacuum

According to the ancient philosopher Aristotle, "Nature abhors a vacuum." Aristotle based his conclusion on the observation that nature requires every space to be filled with something, even if that something is colorless, odorless air.

The same principle is at work in our spiritual lives. When the Holy Spirit begins to convict us of sin, the idea of starting a self-improvement plan immediately comes to mind. We put forth our best effort to defeat our worst habits. But every attempt to get rid of unclean thoughts, attitudes, and desires is destined to fail because getting rid of one creates a vacuum in our souls. As soon as we empty ourselves of one vice, others move in to take its place, and we end up just as bad or worse than when we started.

Thinking about vacuums helps us to understand the importance of what Paul was saying to the Ephesians when he prayed that Christ would dwell in their hearts through faith and that they would "know the love of Christ . . . that [they] may be filled with all the fullness of God" (3:19).

The only permanent solution to the problem of sin in our lives is to replace it with the love of Jesus, which fills the vacuum. The more we are filled with His love, the less room there is for any evil thing.



Father, thank You for Your Spirit
Fill us with His love and power;
Change us into Christ's own image
Day by day and hour by hour. —Anon.

We don't need to put our house in order before Jesus comes in;
He puts it in order after we let Him in.

[judE_Law]

January 22, 2011 — by Jennifer Benson Schuldt

The Outcast


His face was grimy, his hair long and dirty. Beer stained his clothing and perfumed the air around him. When he stepped into the church building, the Sunday worshipers ignored him. They were stunned when the man approached the pulpit, took off his wig, and began preaching. That's when they realized he was their pastor.

I don't know about you, but I tend to be friendly and shake hands with the people I know and those who pre-sent themselves well.

James issued a serious warning for people like me. He said, "If you show partiality, you commit sin" (2:9). Favoritism based on appearance or economic status has no place in God's family. In fact, it means we have "become judges with evil thoughts" (v.4).

Fortunately, we can guard against preferential treatment by loving our neighbor as ourselves—no matter who our neighbor may be. Reaching out to the homeless man, the hungry woman, or the heartbroken teen means we "fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture" (v..

In a world that keeps the outcast at arm's length, let's show the love of Christ and embrace the one who needs our care the most.



Forgive me, Lord, for prejudice—
Remove its subtle lie;
Oh, fill my heart with Your great love
That sent Your Son to die. —D. De Haan

True Christian love helps those who can't return the favor.

[judE_Law]

January 23, 2011 — by Anne Cetas

God Is At Work

Jack and Trisha were driving to the hospital late one night for the birth of their second child when the unexpected happened. Trisha began to deliver the baby! Jack called 911 and Cherie White, an emergency dispatcher, was able to talk Jack through the delivery. But the baby wouldn't breathe. So Cherie then instructed Jack how to give emergency breathing, which he had to do for 6 anxious minutes. Finally the newborn took a breath and cried. When asked later how they all got through the ordeal and remained calm, Cherie responded, "I'm glad God works midnights!"

I love to hear media reports in which God gets the glory He deserves for something good that has happened. In the Bible reading for today, it's obvious that God should get the credit for parting the Red Sea to help His people escape from Pharaoh, even though Moses was the one who raised his rod (Ex. 14:26-27). All the Israelites and Moses gathered together and sang the Lord's praises: "Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (15:11).

When something good happens, the Lord deserves the credit, for He is the source of all that is good. Give Him the glory. Aren't you glad He works midnights?



What may seem like coincidence
As we live out our story
Is God at work behind the scenes—
So give Him all the glory. —Sper

Seeing God at work puts a song in our heart.

[judE_Law]

Sino Idol mo?

January 24, 2011 — by Bill Crowder

Still True Today

The Chester Beatty Library in Dublin, Ireland, has an extensive collection of ancient Bible fragments dating back to the second century AD. One fragment on display is a piece of Acts 17:16.

The message that ancient fragment displays, however, is as contemporary as today's newspaper. It reads, "While Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols." Paul was angered by the proliferation of idols in ancient Athens, and I am convinced he would be upset with us today.

Some idols that we see in today's world are different than the ones in Paul's day. Whether it's wealth, fame, power, athletes, entertainers, or politicians, contemporary idols abound. As always, our spiritual enemy, Satan, seeks to lure us away from the Savior to the false worship of idols. Christians are not immune, and thus we must guard our hearts against self-righteous anger toward unbelievers who seem to worship everything but God.

We must also be drawn by Christ's love to reach out to those who don't know Him. Then, like the believers at Thessalonica, they may turn "to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (1 Thess. 1:9).



The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be,
Help me to tear it from Thy throne
And worship only Thee. —Cowper

An idol is anything that takes God's rightful place.

[eLgimiker0]

Na post ko na yata ito somewhere, pero just want to share again


Whenever our prayers seem like some unanswered dream, and life seems to be getting out of hand, we have to believe to know that God will still there, to believe and to know that God still cares.
Our God always for us all has a better plan!
Many of us have tried to tell God what to do by giving Him a list of our demands, as if we knew just what was best, but when it all comes down to the test.
When sorrow seems to surround us and suffering hangs heavy on
Our head, we have to believe that tomorrow brings
A wholeness and healing.
God always knows our needs and always has our backs as we have to learn to just believe what God has said.
Our God always for us has a better plan!
When what we've done keeps us from moving on.
When the fear wants to make itself at home in our hearts.
By remembering that forgiveness brings wholeness and healing.
When we have finally learned to trust that God is true and just, and that God will always keep us forever in His hands.
God's plan will always be, whatever's best for us.
For our God always for us has a better plan!

With Love
MzGloria

[arthur_allen30]

agree

[judE_Law]

January 25, 2011 — by Marvin Williams

No More Struggles

Fay Weldon went through what she thought was a near-death experience in 2006 when an allergic reaction stopped her heart. She retold her experience to Elizabeth Grice of the London Daily Telegraph. She said that a "terrible creature" tried to pull her through pearly gates, while doctors tried to pull her back. Later, she said, "If that was dying, I don't want to do it again." It's "just more of the same. More struggle."

Often the process of dying is a struggle. But death itself need not be feared by the believer in Christ—for it will bring us to heaven. In Revelation, John gives a wonderful description of what eternity with God will be like (21:1-4). He sees the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. The city of Jerusalem was a physical sign of the people of God and was described as the place where God dwells (Ps. 76:2). The New Jerusalem, on the other hand, will not be made by human hands. It will be a place where God lives with His people eternally, and it will be a place of "no more"—no more pain, sorrow, and sickness.

We don't know very much about eternity, but we do know that for the Christian, whatever our emotional and physical struggles are now, they will cease then. Life with God will be better by far.

Think of a land of no sorrow,
Think of a land of no fears,
Think of no death and no sickness,
Think of a land of no tears. —Anon.

Heaven's delights will far outweigh earth's difficulties.

[judE_Law]

January 28, 2011 — by Dennis Fisher

Earthquake City

In his book A Crack in the Edge of the World, Simon Winchester writes of the small earthquake-prone town of Parkfield, California. Seeking to attract tourists, a hotel sign reads: "Sleep Here When It Happens." A local restaurant menu features a large steak called "The Big One," and desserts are called "Aftershocks." But all humor aside, a real earthquake can be a terrifying experience. I know. I've lived through California earthquakes.

In the book of Acts, we read how God used an earthquake to open someone's heart to the gospel. Having been falsely accused, Paul and Silas found themselves in jail at Philippi. Around midnight, an earthquake rumbled through the prison, opening the doors and loosing the prisoners' chains. When the jailer learned that Paul and Silas had not tried to escape, he asked, "What must I do to be saved?" (16:30). Paul responded, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household" (v.31). That night the jailer and his family believed and were baptized. And it all started with an earthquake.

Sometimes life's upsets can make people more open to the gospel. Do you know anyone who is going through a crisis? Prayerfully stay in contact with them, and be ready to share a sensitive word of witness.



Lord, use us as Your instruments
Of truth and love and care,
And may we bring encouragement
As Your good news we share. —Sper

Many are brought to faith by trouble.

[judE_Law]

January 29, 2011 — by David C. McCasland

Six Words From Solomon


SMITH magazine, an online community that "celebrates the joy of storytelling," invited readers to submit six-word memoirs that describe their lives. Thousands responded with brief biographies ranging from the light-hearted "Sweet wife, good sons—I'm rich" to the painful "Sixty. Still haven't forgiven my parents."

Based on Scripture, I tried to imagine how King Solomon might have summed up his life in six words. As a young man, he could have written: God has given me great wisdom. But in his later years, he might have said: Should have practiced what I preached.

During a reign distinguished by peace and prosperity, Solomon developed spiritual heart problems. When he was old, "his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David" (1 Kings 11:4). The result was God's displeasure and a sad end to a previously exemplary life (v.9).

The multiple times Solomon used the word vanity (or meaningless) in Ecclesiastes may indicate his disillusionment about life. This once-wise king who had it all, lost it all, and pondered it all, ended the book with this final conclusion: "Fear God and keep His commandments" (12:13).

Those are six words worth heeding.



The pleasures of this sinful world
Are meaningless and vain;
But if we love and follow God
True purpose we will gain. —Sper

Obedience to God is the key to a life of blessing.

[judE_Law]

January 30, 2011 — by Cindy Hess Kasper

Looking And Learning

As an umpire stood behind the plate at a girls' softball game, he heard a player's mother start chanting: "We want a new ump! We want a new ump!" Soon, other parents took up the chant. The ump smiled, then turned toward the crowd and yelled, "I want new parents! I want new parents!" The heckling died away.

It's important for parents to set a good example, because their children are watching them. Christian parents can encourage good habits and behavior by doing things like:

• Praying for and with them—so they learn how to talk with God. "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it" (Col. 4:2).

• Reading and teaching them the Bible—so they learn God's truth. "Teach [God's commands] diligently to your children, . . . talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up" (Deut. 6:7).

• Telling them about Jesus—and leading them to faith in Him. "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

The best way to set a good example for our children is to live out our faith in front of them. While they're looking—they're learning about what matters most.



Take stock of yourself and consider your child—
Your time and your thoughts are his due;
How would you reply to the Lord should He ask,
"What kind of parent are you?" —Anon.

Children may not inherit their parents' talent,
but they will absorb their values.

[judE_Law]

February 2, 2011 — by Julie Ackerman Link

Defragment


Every so often, my computer becomes sluggish. Frequent use of certain programs and documents causes pieces of information to become scattered, requiring my computer to search for the pieces before I can use them. To fix it, I need to run a program that retrieves the pieces and groups them together where they are easily accessible. This process is called "defragmentation."

Like my computer, my life gets fragmented. One situation tugs on my emotions while I'm trying to concentrate on something else. Demands from every direction bombard me. I want to accomplish everything that needs to be done, but my mind won't stop and my body won't start. Soon I begin to feel weary and useless.

Recently I attended a retreat where one of the handouts included a prayer with words that expressed how I felt: "Lord, I am scattered, restless, and only half here."

King David also went through such times (Ps. 55:2). In prayer, David presented his needs to God morning, noon, and evening, confident that he would be heard (v.17).

Prayer can help to defragment our lives. When we cast our cares on the Lord, He will show us what we need to do and what only He can do.



O Lord, we bring our restless hearts
To You in fervent prayer;
Now help us wait expectantly
While resting in Your care. —Sper

We need prayer the most when we have the least time to pray.