Our Fearless Champion
November 15, 2013 — by Joe Stowell
Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les
Lamborn
Read: Matthew 8:23-34
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+8%3A23-34

Why are you fearful? —Matthew 8:26
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 1-2; Hebrews 11:1-19
Falling asleep was a challenging event
during my childhood. No sooner had my
parents turned out the lights than the
crumpled clothes I had thrown on the chair
would take on the form of a fiery dragon
and the thoughts of something living under
my bed put me into a panic that made sleep
impossible.
I’ve come to realize that the immobilizing
power of fear is not just a childhood
experience. Fear keeps us from forgiving,
taking a stand at the office, giving our
resources to God’s kingdom, or saying no
when all our friends are saying yes. Left to
ourselves, we are up against a lot of fiery
dragons in our lives.
In the story of the disciples in the storm-
tossed boat, I’m struck by the fact that the
only one who was not afraid was Jesus. He
was not afraid of the storm, nor was He
afraid of a crazy man in a graveyard or of
the legion of demons that possessed him
(Matt. 8:23-34).
In the face of fear, we need to hear Jesus
ask, “Why are you fearful?” (v.26) and be
reminded that He will never leave us nor
forsake us (Heb. 13:5-6). There is nothing
that He can’t overcome and therefore
nothing for Him to fear. So, next time you’re
haunted by your fears, remember that you
can rely on Jesus, our fearless Champion!
Lord, thank You for the reminder that
You will
never leave us nor forsake us. When I
am afraid, I
know that I can rely on Your presence
and power
to calm my heart and overcome my
fears.
In times of fear, call out to Jesus, our
fearless Champion.

To Whom It Is Due
November 16, 2013 — by Julie Ackerman
Link
Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les
Lamborn
Read: Romans 13:1-10
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+13%3A1-10

Render therefore to all their due:
taxes to whom taxes are due,
customs to whom customs, fear to
whom fear, honor to whom honor. —
Romans 13:7
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 3-4; Hebrews 11:20-40
My husband and I live in a rural area
surrounded by farms where this slogan is
popular: “If you ate a meal today, thank a
farmer.” Farmers definitely deserve our
gratitude. They do the hot, hard work of
tilling soil, planting seeds, and harvesting
the food that keeps us from starving to
death.
But every time I thank a farmer, I also try to
remember to offer praise to God, for He is
the One responsible for producing the food
we eat. He gives light, sends rain, and
creates the energy within the seed that
gives it the strength to push through the
soil and produce fruit.
Although the earth and everything in it
belong to God (Ps. 24:1), He has chosen
humans to be its caretakers. We are
responsible to use the earth’s resources as
He would use them—to do His work in the
world (115:16). And just as we are
stewards of God’s physical creation, we also
are stewards of His design for society. We
do this by respecting those He has placed in
authority, by paying taxes, by giving honor
to those who have earned it, and by
continuing to pay our debt of love (Rom.
13:7-. But one thing we reserve for God:
All praise and glory belong to Him, for He is
the One who makes everything possible (Ps.
96:.
Sing praise to God who reigns above,
The God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love,
The God of our salvation. —Schütz
God’s unsearchable ways deserve our
unbounded praise.

Hero Over Sin
November 17, 2013—by Anne Cetas
Subscribe on iTunes
Play MP3 (Mobile)
Our Daily Bread Radiois hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: 1 John 1
mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+1

Create in me a clean heart, O God. — Psalm 51:10
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 5-7; Hebrews 12
Not long ago, someone asked me a very tough question: “What is the longest you have gone without sinning? A week, a day, an hour?” How can we answer a question like that? If we’re truthful, we might say, “I can’t live a day without sinning.” Or if we look back over the past week, we might see that we haven’t confessed to God even one sin. But we would be fooling ourselves if we said we hadn’t sinned in our thoughts or actions for a week.
God knows our hearts and whether we’re sensitive to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. If we really know ourselves, we take 1 John 1:8 to heart, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” We certainly don’t want verse 10 to be true of us, “If we say that we have not sinned, . . . His word is not in us.”
A more encouraging question to ask might be: “What is God’s response to our admission of sin and need for forgiveness?” The answer: “If we confess . . . , He is faithful and just to forgive us” (v.9). Jesus has taken our sin problem upon Himself by dying in our place and rising again. That’s why He can create in us “a clean heart” (Ps. 51:10). My young friend Jaydon is right when he says, “Jesus is the hero over our sins.”
No one can say he doesn’t need
Forgiveness for his sin,
For all must come to Christ by faith
To have new life within. —Branon
Christ’s forgiveness is the door to a new beginning.

Welcome Back
November 18, 2013—by Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Subscribe on iTunes
Play MP3 (Mobile)
Our Daily Bread Radiois hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: Nehemiah 9:7-21
mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nehemiah+9%3A7-21

You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful. — Nehemiah 9:17
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 8-10; Hebrews 13
Jim decided to follow Christ at the age of 10. Fifteen years later his commitment had faded. He had adopted a live-for-the-moment philosophy and developed some bad habits. Then his life seemed to fall apart. He had problems at work. Three family members died almost simultaneously. Fears and doubts began to plague Jim, and nothing seemed to help—until one day when he read Psalm 121:2, “My help comes from theLord, who made heaven and earth.” These words cut through the fear and confusion in his heart. He turned back to God for help, and God welcomed him.
Jim’s spiritual journey reminds me of ancient Israel’s history. The Israelites had a unique relationship with God—they were His chosen people (Neh. 9:1-15). However, they spent many years rebelling and ignoring God’s goodness, turning away to follow their own path (vv.16-21). Yet when they returned to Him and repented, God was “ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness” (v.17).
These divine qualities encourage us to draw near to God—even after we have wandered away from Him. When we humbly abandon our rebellious ways and recommit ourselves to God’s ways, He will show compassion and welcome us back to closeness with Him.
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.—Thompson
God’s arms of welcome are always open.

A daily morning devotional for you www.gospelshower..com

Traveling Companion
November 19, 2013—by David H. Roper
Subscribe on iTunes
Play MP3 (Mobile)
Our Daily Bread Radiois hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: Psalm 39
mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+39

For I am a stranger with You, a sojourner, as all my fathers were. — Psalm 39:12
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 11-13; James 1
I looked up the members of my seminary graduating class recently and discovered that many of my friends are now deceased. It was a sober reminder of the brevity of life. Three score and ten, give or take a few years, and we’re gone (Ps. 90:10). Israel’s poet was right: We’re but strangers here and sojourners (39:12).
The brevity of life makes us think about our “end”—the measure of our days and how fleeting they are (v.4), a feeling that grows more certain as we draw closer to the end of our lives. This world is not our home; we’re but strangers and sojourners here.
Yet we are not alone on the journey. We are strangers and sojourners with God (39:12), a thought that makes the journey less troubling, less frightening, less worrisome. We pass through this world and into the next with a loving Father as our constant companion and guide. We’re strangers here on earth, but we are never alone on the journey (73:23-24). We have One who says, “I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20).
We may lose sight of father, mother, spouse, and friends, but we always know that God is walking beside us. An old saying puts it like this: “Good company on the road makes the way to seem lighter.”
My times are in my Father’s hand;
How could I wish or ask for more?
For He who has my pathway planned
Will guide me till my journey’s o’er. —Fraser
As you travel life’s weary road, let Jesus lift your heavy load.

Genuine Concern
November 20, 2013—by Bill Crowder
Subscribe on iTunes
Play MP3 (Mobile)
Our Daily Bread Radiois hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: Philippians 2:1-5
mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A1-5

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. — Philippians 2:4
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 14-15; James 2
On the first night at family camp, the camp director informed the families of the schedule for the week. When finished, he asked if anyone else had anything to say. A young girl stood up and made a passionate appeal for help. She shared about her little brother—a boy with special needs—and how he could be a challenge to care for. She talked about how tiring this was for her family, and she asked everyone there to help them keep an eye on him during the week. It was an appeal born out of genuine concern for her brother and her parents. As the week went on, it was great to see people pitching in to help this family.
Her appeal was a gentle reminder of how easily we can all get wrapped up in our own world, life, and problems—to the point that we fail to see the needs of others. Here’s how Paul described our responsibility: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4). The next verse reminds us that this is part of the example of Christ: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Our caring displays a Christlike concern for people who are hurting. May we rest in God’s grace, trusting Him to enable us to serve others in their seasons of need.
Lord, open my eyes to the hurts, needs, and struggles
of a world that is so desperately in need of Your love.
Help me to be Your instrument to inject
that love into hurting lives.
Nothing costs as much as caring—except not caring.

That Name
November 21, 2013—by Dave Branon
Subscribe on iTunes
Play MP3 (Mobile)
Our Daily Bread Radiois hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: Philippians 2:5-11
mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+2%3A5-11

God . . . has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name. — Philippians 2:9
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 16-17; James 3
Our little granddaughter Maggie and her family were back home in Missouri after visiting with us in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her mom told us that for a few days after returning home, Maggie walked around the house happily saying, “Michigan! Michigan!”
There was something about that name that attracted Maggie. Could have been the sound of it. Could have been the enjoyable time she had. It’s hard to tell with a 1-year-old, but the name “Michigan” had such an impact on her that she couldn’t stop saying it.
This makes me think about another name—the name of Jesus, “the name which is above every name” (Phil. 2:9). A song by Bill and Gloria Gaither reminds us why we love that name so much. He is “Master” and “Savior.” Yes, what depth of meaning there is in the names that describe our Lord! When we mention the great name of Jesus to those who need Him as Savior, we can remind them what He has done for us.
Jesus is our Savior. He has redeemed us by His blood, and we can give our lives wholeheartedly to Him.Jesus. Let all heaven and earth—including us—proclaim His glorious name!
The most precious name is Jesus!

Overshadowed
November 22, 2013—by David C. McCasland
Subscribe on iTunes
Play MP3 (Mobile)
Our Daily Bread Radiois hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: Luke 1:26-38
mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1%3A26-38

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you. — Luke 1:35
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 18-19; James 4
The assassination of US President John F. Kennedy stunned people around the globe 50 years ago today. The day after the shooting, an article inThe Times(London) spoke of the reverberations being felt throughout world financial markets. It carried the headline, “All Other Events Overshadowed by US Tragedy.”
There are times in our lives when a death, a tragedy, or a sudden turn of events eclipses everything else. It happened to an unmarried young woman who was told that she would become the mother of the promised Messiah, God’s Son (Luke 1:26-33). When she asked how this could happen, the angel Gabriel said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you” (v.35).
The impossibility in Mary’s life was overshadowed not by darkness but by the brightness of God’s glory and power. Her response continues to leave us in awe: “Let it be to me according to your word” (v.38).
In the coming weeks, as we read again the Christmas story and consider the birth of Jesus into our world, it’s worth pondering the wordovershadowed. It speaks so powerfully of the Lord’s presence in our hearts and His ability to outshine the darkest moments.
I’m overshadowed by His mighty love,
Love eternal, changeless, pure,
Overshadowed by His mighty love,
Rest is mine, serene, secure.—Ironside
In every situation, we are overshadowed by God’s mighty love and power.

Living Letters
November 23, 2013 — by Dennis
Fisher
Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted
by Les Lamborn
Read: 2 Corinthians 3:1-11
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+3%3A1-11

Clearly you are an epistle of
Christ . . . written not with ink
but by the Spirit of the living
God. — 2 Corinthians 3:3
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 20-21; James 5
In November 1963, the same day
that President John F. Kennedy
was shot, another leader died—
Clive Staples Lewis. This Oxford
scholar, who had converted from
atheism to Christianity, was a
prolific writer. Intellectual books,
science fiction, children’s
fantasies, and other works
flowed from his pen with a
strong Christian message. His
books have been used by God in
the conversion of many,
including a politician and a Nobel
Prize-winning scientist.
Some are called to tell others
about Christ through their
writing, but all believers are
called to be “epistles,” or letters
of Christ, in the way we live. The
apostle Paul tells us, “Clearly you
are an epistle of Christ . . . written
not with ink but by the Spirit of
the living God” (2 Cor. 3:3).
Certainly Paul does not mean we
are actually pieces of paper upon
which God’s message has been
written. But as living “letters” we
can illustrate how Jesus Christ
makes a difference in how we
treat others and strive to live
with integrity.
Few will have the influence that C.
S. Lewis did, but we are all called
to bring glory to the One who
loves us and has redeemed us!
Dear Lord, You have called me to
be a witness for You
wherever You have placed me.
Every day my life is on
display. Help me to live in such a
way that others will
want to know You and the
abundant life You offer.
We are Christ’s “letters of
recommendation” to all who
read our lives.

What Time Is It?
November 24, 2013 — by Joe
Stowell
Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted
by Les Lamborn
Read: Galatians 3:26–4:7
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+3%3A26%E2%80%934%3A7

When the fullness of the time
had come, God sent forth His
Son. — Galatians 4:4
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 22-23; 1 Peter 1
The old adage is true: Timing is
everything! That’s why Paul’s
statement, “When the fullness of
the time had come, God sent
forth His Son” intrigues me so
much (Gal. 4:4).
A quick look at history reveals
that the coming of Christ was at
just the right time. Centuries
earlier, Alexander the Great
conquered most of the known
world, bringing with him the
Greek culture and language. On
the heels of his demise, the
Roman Empire picked up where
Alexander left off and expanded
the territory under the unifying
influence of the culture and
language of the Greeks. It was
under Roman rule that the
crucifixion took place, where the
blood of Christ was shed for us.
It was under the rule of Rome
that conditions were made ready
for the spread of the gospel
across three continents: good
roads, territorial boundaries free
of “passport” restrictions, and a
unifying language. The
providence of God had put all the
pieces in place for the perfect
time to send His Son.
God’s timing is perfect in
everything. While you are
waiting, perhaps wondering why
God doesn’t seem to be acting on
your behalf, remember that He’s
working behind the scenes to
prepare His moment of
intervention at just the right
time. Trust Him. He knows what
time it is.
Lord, in Your infinite wisdom
and power, You work
behind the scenes to prepare all
things for just the
right time. Teach me to wait well
and to trust You
to know when the fullness of
time has come.

Teach us, O Lord, the disciplines
of patience, for to wait is often
harder than to work. —
Marshall

Spiritual Plagiarism
November 25, 2013 — by Julie
Ackerman Link
Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted
by Les Lamborn
Read: John 1:1-18
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1%3A1-18

The Word became flesh and
dwelt among us, and we
beheld His glory, the glory as of
the only begotten of the
Father, full of grace and truth.
— John 1:14
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 24-26; 1 Peter 2
When I teach English
composition, I require students
to write in class. I know that in-
class writing is their own work,
so in this way I become familiar
with each student’s writing voice
and am able to detect if they
“borrow” a bit too heavily from
another writer. Students are
surprised to learn that their
writing voice—which includes
what they say as well as how
they say it—is as distinctive as
their speaking voice. Just as the
words we speak come from our
hearts, so do the words we
write. They reveal who we are.
We become familiar with God’s
voice in much the same way. By
reading what He has written, we
learn who He is and how He
expresses Himself. Satan,
however, tries to make himself
sound like God (2 Cor. 11:14). By
using God’s words in a slightly
altered fashion, he comes up
with convincing arguments for
things that are untrue. For
example, by convincing people to
do things that simulate
godliness, such as trusting in an
outward regimen of self-
discipline rather than Christ’s
death for salvation (Col. 2:23),
Satan has led many astray.
God went to extremes to make
sure we’d recognize His voice. He
not only gave us His Word, He
gave us the Word made flesh—
Jesus (John 1:14)—so that we
will not be easily deceived or
misled.
Instill within my heart, dear Lord,
A deep desire to know Your
Word,
I want to learn to hear Your voice
That I may make Your will my
choice. —D. DeHaan
Your Word is very pure;
therefore Your servant loves it.
—Psalm 119:140

Real Love
November 26, 2013 — by Cindy
Hess Kasper
Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted
by Les Lamborn
Read: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13%3A1-8

[Love] bears all things, believes
all things, hopes all things,
endures all things. Love never
fails. — 1 Corinthians 13:7-8
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 27-29; 1 Peter 3
A few years ago, my friend’s
mother was diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s disease. Since then,
Beth has been forced to make
tough decisions about her
mom’s care, and her heart has
often been broken as she
watched her vibrant and fun-
loving mom slowly slipping away.
In the process, my friend has
learned that real love is not
always easy or convenient.
After her mom was hospitalized
for a couple of days last year,
Beth wrote these words to some
of her friends: “As backwards as
it may seem, I’m very thankful for
the journey I am on with my
mom. Behind the memory loss,
confusion, and utter helplessness
is a beautiful person who loves
life and is at complete peace. I
am learning so much about what
real love is, and even though I
probably wouldn’t have asked for
this journey and the tears and
heartache that go with it, I
wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
The Bible reminds us that love is
patient and kind. It is not self-
seeking or easily angered. It
“bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures
all things” (1 Cor. 13:4-7).
Real love originated with our
Father, who gave us the gift of
His Son. As we seek to show His
love to others, we can follow the
example of Christ, who laid down
His life for us (1 John 3:16-18).
Real love is helping others for
Jesus’ sake even if they can
never return the favor.

Place Of Water
November 27, 2013 — by Bill Crowder
Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les
Lamborn
Read: Psalm 42:1-5
mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+42%3A1-5

The water that I shall give him will
become in him a fountain of water
springing up into everlasting life. —
John 4:14
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 30-32; 1 Peter 4
East Africa is one of the driest places on
earth, which is what makes “Nairobi” such
a significant name for a city in that region.
The name comes from a Masai phrase
meaning “cold water,” and it literally means
“the place of water.”
Throughout history, the presence of water
has been both life-giving and strategic.
Whether a person lives in a dry climate or a
rainforest, water is a nonnegotiable
necessity. In a dry and barren climate,
knowing where to find the place of water
can mean the difference between life and
death.
Our spiritual life also has certain
nonnegotiable elements. That is why Jesus,
upon encountering a spiritually thirsty
woman at a well, declared to her that He
alone could provide living water. He told
her, “Whoever drinks of the water that I
shall give him will never thirst. But the
water that I shall give him will become in
him a fountain of water springing up into
everlasting life” (John 4:14).
Like the deer mentioned in Psalm 42:1-2
who pants for water, our souls thirst for
God and long for Him (63:1). We desperately
need the sustenance that comes only from
Jesus Christ. He is the source of living water
that refreshes our hearts.
Rivers of living water,
Rivers of life so free,
Flowing from Thee, my Savior,
Send now the rivers through me. —
Wood
Jesus is the fountain of living water.

How To Enjoy Things
November 28, 2013 — by Dennis J. De Haan
Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les
Lamborn
Read: Ecclesiastes 5:13-20
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+5%3A19

As for every man . . . to receive his
heritage and rejoice in his labor—this
is the gift of God. — Ecclesiastes 5:19
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 33-34; 1 Peter 5
In his book Daring To Draw Near, Dr. John
White writes that several years earlier God
had made it possible for him to acquire a
lovely home with many luxuries. His feelings
about the house fluctuated dramatically.
When he reminded himself that it was a
gracious gift from God, he felt joy and
thanksgiving. But when he would begin to
compare it with those of his friends, he
would feel proud because he had such a
fine house and his joy would evaporate. His
home would actually become a burden. All
he could see were the many hedges and
trees to care for and the endless odd jobs
to do. White said, “While vanity clouds my
eyes and burdens my heart, gratitude clears
my vision and lightens my load.”
The writer of Ecclesiastes saw God at every
turn in the enjoyment of material things.
The power to eat the fruits of our labors
and even the strength to receive and rejoice
in them is from Him (5:18-19).
From beginning to end, all of life is a
continuous gift-giving by God. We deserve
nothing. He owes us nothing. Yet He gives
us everything. If we remember this, we
need not feel selfish or guilty. Whatever
material blessings we have are a gift from
our gracious God.
Ten thousand thousand precious gifts
My daily thanks employ;
Nor is the least a cheerful heart,
That tastes those gifts with joy. —
Addison
God, who has given so much to us,
gives one more thing—a grateful heart.
—Herbert

First Impressions
November 29, 2013—by Dennis Fisher
Subscribe on iTunes
Play MP3 (Mobile)
Our Daily Bread Radiois hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: 1 Samuel 16:1-7
mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+16%3A1-7

For man looks at the outward appearance, but theLordlooks at the heart. — 1 Samuel 16:7
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 35-36; 2 Peter 1
As I shopped for groceries one day, I was perceived as a thief by one person and a hero by another.
As I exited the supermarket, an employee said, “Excuse me, Sir. There are too many unbagged items in your cart.” This is evidently a strategy used by shoplifters. When he saw that they were products too big to be bagged, he apologized and sent me on my way.
In the parking lot, a woman glanced at my gold embroidered sportsman’s cap. Mistaking it for a military hat, she said, “Thank you for defending our country!” Then she walked away.
The supermarket employee and the woman in the parking lot had each formed hasty conclusions about me. It’s easy to form opinions of others based on first impressions.
When Samuel was to select the next king of Israel from the sons of Jesse, he too made a judgment based on first impressions. However, God’s chosen was not any of the older sons. The Spirit told Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature” (1 Sam. 16:7). God chose David, the youngest, who looked least like a king.
God can help us view people through His eyes, for “theLorddoes not see as man sees; . . . theLordlooks at the heart” (v.7).
If we could view through eyes of faith
The people we meet each day
We’d quickly see God’s gracious hand
In all who come our way. —D. DeHaan
First impressions can often lead to wrong conclusions.
Share with your friends:
Like
5.7k
Share
Twitter
Email
Print

Attending To Our Words
November 30, 2013—by David C. McCasland
Subscribe on iTunes
Play MP3 (Mobile)
Our Daily Bread Radiois hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: Psalm 66:10-20
mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+66%3A10-20

Certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. — Psalm 66:19
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 37-39; 2 Peter 2
A week after C. S. Lewis died in 1963, colleagues and friends gathered in the chapel of Magdalen College, Oxford, England, to pay tribute to the man whose writings had fanned the flames of faith and imagination in children and scholars alike.
During the memorial service, Lewis’ close friend Austin Farrer noted that Lewis always sent a handwritten personal reply to every letter he received from readers all over the world. “His characteristic attitude to people in general was one of consideration and respect,” Farrer said. “He paid you the compliment of attending to your words.”
In that way, Lewis mirrored God’s remarkable attention to what we say to Him in prayer. During a time of great difficulty, the writer of Psalm 66 cried out to God (vv.10-14). Later, he praised the Lord for His help, saying, “Certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer” (v.19).
When we pray, the Lord hears our words and knows our hearts. Truly we can say with the psalmist, “Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me!” (v.20). Our prayers become the avenue to a deeper relationship with Him. At all times, even in our hours of deepest need, He attends to our words.
My Savior hears me when I pray,
Upon His Word I calmly rest;
In His own time, in His own way,
I know He’ll give me what is best.—Hewitt
We always have God’s attention

God Waiting
December 1, 2013—by Julie Ackerman Link
Subscribe on iTunes
Play MP3 (Mobile)
Our Daily Bread Radiois hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: John 14:1-6
mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14%3A1-6

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, . . . but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. — 2 Peter 3:9
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 40-41; 2 Peter 3
During the Christmas season we wait. We wait in traffic. We wait in checkout lines to purchase gifts. We wait for family to arrive. We wait to gather around a table filled with our favorite foods. We wait to open presents lovingly chosen.
All of this waiting can be a reminder to Christians that Christmas is a celebration of waiting for something much more important than holiday traditions. Like the ancient Israelites, we too are waiting for Jesus. Although He already came as the long-awaited Messiah, He has not yet come as ruler over all the earth. So today we wait for Christ’s second coming.
Christmas reminds us that God also waits . . . He waits for people to see His glory, to admit that they are lost without Him, to say yes to His love, to receive His forgiveness, to turn away from sin. While we wait for His second coming, He waits for repentance. What seems to us like God’s slowness in coming is instead His patience in waiting (2 Peter 3:9).
The Lord is waiting to have a relationship with those He loves. He made the first move when He came as baby Jesus and the sacrificial Lamb. Now He waits for us to welcome Him into our lives as Savior and Lord.
God patiently keeps His promises.
Share with your friends:
Like
7.1k
Share
Twitter
Emai

HäPþÝ NÜ M^tH Loves! :-D
To all that see this very post I pray you see the fufillment of ALL your heart desires(God willing) before 31st December. AMEN.
Bless Youse.

Remember: This is another opportunity to actualize that dream. Don't waste it, ok.

Integrity League
December 2, 2013—by Dave Branon
Subscribe on iTunes
Play MP3 (Mobile)
Our Daily Bread Radiois hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: Psalm 26
mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+26

He who walks with integrity walks securely. — Proverbs 10:9
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 42-44; 1 John 1
We call it the Integrity League, but it’s really just a bunch of guys who get together at lunchtime to play basketball. We call fouls on ourselves, attempt to avoid angry outbursts, and simply try to keep everything fair and enjoyable. We are competitive and we don’t like to lose—but we all agree that integrity and honesty should control the atmosphere.
Integrity. Scripture clearly indicates the importance of this trait. And we honor the God of our lives when we practice it.
Through His Word, God has given us clear reasons to “walk in . . . integrity” (Ps. 26:11). A person who has integrity has the security of a quiet life unknown to the one who “perverts his ways” (Prov. 10:9). The follower of God who lives with integrity is preserved by his confidence in God, for that person waits for God’s intervention in his life instead of running ahead of Him (Ps. 25:21). And the one who practices integrity will be given guidance and clear direction (Prov. 11:3).
Why should we care about life’s “Integrity League”? Because obeying God this way shows that we trust Him with our lives and that we want to shine His great love on others.
Dear Father, help my word be true. Help my
actions be honest. Help my life to
reflect Your holiness and shine God’s light
for all to see. Help me to live with integrity.
Integrity is Christlike character in workclothes.
Share with your friends:
Like
38
Share
Twitter
Emai

One Stretch
December 3, 2013 — by Anne
Cetas
Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted
by Les Lamborn
Read: 1 John 2:24–3:3
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2%3A24%E2%80%933%3A3

Behold what manner of love
the Father has bestowed on us,
that we should be called
children of God! — 1 John 3:1
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 45-46; 1 John 2
For years, Sarah had low-back
pain that continued to worsen.
Her doctor sent her for physical
therapy, and she was given 25
stretches to do every day. The
pain lessened but not completely.
So the doctor ordered x-rays and
sent her to another therapist,
who instructed her to
discontinue the other therapist’s
stretches and do only one stretch
a day as needed. Surprisingly, the
one simple stretch worked the
best.
Sometimes the simplest truths
are the best. When asked to
summarize in one sentence his
whole life’s work in theology, Karl
Barth responded: “Jesus loves
me!” Some say he added, “This I
know, for the Bible tells me so.”
God’s love for us is evident. He
gave His Son to rescue us from
ourselves. Christ died on the
cross, taking our burden of sin.
Then He rose again, giving us
new life in Him. Amazing love! As
John tells us: “Behold what
manner of love the Father has
bestowed on us, that we should
be called children of
God!” (1 John 3:1).
Jesus’ love for us isn’t a Band-Aid
or a cure-all for all of life’s
problems, of course. But it is the
one truth we can always depend
on to give purpose to life and
peace with God.
I am so glad that our Father in
heaven
Tells of His love in the Book He
has given;
Wonderful things in the Bible I
see—
This is the dearest, that Jesus
loves me. —Bliss
The wonder of it all— just to
think that Jesus loves me.

Eureka Stone
December 4, 2013 — by Dennis
Fisher
Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted
by Les Lamborn
Read: Matthew 13:44-50
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+13%3A44-50

The kingdom of heaven is like
treasure hidden in a field,
which a man found and hid; and
for joy over it he goes and sells
all that he has and buys that
field. — Matthew 13:44
Bible in a Year:
Ezekiel 47-48; 1 John 3
In 1867 on a farm in South
Africa, 15-year-old Erasmus
Jacobs saw a stone glistening in
the sun. The shining rock was
eventually reported to a
neighbor, who wanted to buy it
from the family. Not knowing its
value, Erasmus’ mother told the
neighbor, “You can keep the
stone, if you want it.”
Eventually, a mineralogist
determined the stone to be a
21.25 carat diamond and worth
a great sum. It became known as
the “Eureka Diamond.” (The
Greek word eureka means “I
found it!”) Soon the fields near
the Jacobs’ farm soared in value.
Underneath the land was one of
the richest diamond deposits
ever discovered.
Jesus said that the value of being
part of God’s kingdom is like
treasure: “The kingdom of
heaven is like treasure hidden in
a field, which a man found and
hid; and for joy over it he goes
and sells all that he has and buys
that field” (Matt. 13:44).
When we put our faith in Christ, a
spiritual “eureka moment”
arrives. God gives us forgiveness
in His Son. It is the greatest
treasure that could ever be
found. Now all of life can begin
to center on the value of
becoming a joyous member of
His eternal kingdom. It’s our joy
to share that valuable discovery
with others.
How we need a keen awareness
Of the joys God wants to share!
Priceless treasures found in Jesus
—
We are rich beyond compare! —
D. DeHaan
God’s kingdom is a treasure
meant to be shared.

Get Your “Wanter” Fixed
December 5, 2013 — by David C.
McCasland
Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted
by Les Lamborn
Read: Philippians 4:4-13
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A4-13

I have learned in whatever
state I am, to be content. —
Philippians 4:11
Bible in a Year:
Daniel 1-2; 1 John 4
When my wife was a young girl
in Austin, Texas, Carlyle Marney
was her family’s neighbor,
pastor, and friend. One of his off-
hand remarks about being
content became one of her
family’s enduring expressions:
“Dr. Marney says, ‘We just need to
get our wanter fixed.’”
It’s so easy to want more than
we need and to become more
focused on getting than on
giving. Soon, our desires dictate
our choices.
When the apostle Paul wrote to
the followers of Jesus in the city
of Philippi, he told them, “I have
learned in whatever state I am, to
be content . . . . I have learned
both to be full and to be hungry,
both to abound and to suffer
need” (Phil. 4:11-12). Paul was
saying, in effect, “I’ve had my
‘wanter’ fixed.” It’s important to
note that Paul was not born with
contentment. He learned it in the
difficult circumstances of
everyday life.
During this season of the year,
when shopping and buying
often take center stage in so
many countries and cultures,
why don’t we decide to focus on
being satisfied in our present
circumstances? It may sound
difficult, but Paul, when talking
about learning to be content
said, “I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens
me” (v.13).
Help us, Lord, to learn
contentment when life is
rough. Protect us from believing
the lie that
having more will bring us
happiness. May we be
content with what You have
given.
Contentment begins with
having fewer wants.

.

More Than Enough
December 6, 2013 — by Cindy
Hess Kasper
Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted
by Les Lamborn
Read: Psalm 103:1-11
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+103%3A1-11

[The Lord] crowns you with
lovingkindness and tender
mercies. — Psalm 103:4
Bible in a Year:
Daniel 3-4; 1 John 5
When I entertained a large group
in my home, I feared that the
menu I planned wouldn’t be
enough to serve all the guests. I
shouldn’t have worried though.
Several friends unexpectedly
brought additional items and all
of us were able to enjoy the
surprise surplus. We had more
than enough and were able to
share out of the abundance.
We serve a God of abundance
who is consistently “more than
enough.” We can see God’s
generous nature in the way He
loves His children.
In Psalm 103, David lists the
many benefits our Father
bestows on us. Verse 4 says that
He redeems our life from
destruction and crowns us with
lovingkindness and tender
mercies.
The apostle Paul reminds us that
God “has blessed us with every
spiritual blessing” and “is able to
do exceedingly abundantly above
all that we ask or think” (Eph.
1:3; 3:20).
Because of His great love, we are
called children of God (1 John
3:1), and His grace gives us
“sufficiency in all things” that we
“may have an abundance for
every good work” (2 Cor. 9:.
God’s love and grace, spilled over
into our lives, enables us to share
them with others. The God of
power and provision is always
the God of “more than enough”!
Praise, my soul, the King of
heaven;
To His feet your tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored,
forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing. —Lyte
We always have enough when
God is our supply.

thdssr

oobvxdg

joplmmb

hhyrdd