A Day to Rest
A Day to Rest From Our Daily Bread – July 8, 2017 Read: Exodus 23:10–13 Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work.—Exodus 23:12 One Sunday, I stood by the gurgling stream that wends its way through our North London community, delighting in the beauty it brings to our otherwise built-up area. I felt myself relax as I watched the cascading water and listened to the birds chirping. I paused to give the Lord thanks for how He helps…
Verse of the Day – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 KJV
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
The Ultimate Good
The Ultimate Good From Our Daily Bread – July 7, 2017 Read: Philippians 3:1–11 I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.—Philippians 3:8 As I was growing up in Jamaica, my parents raised my sister and me to be “good people.” In our home, good meant obeying our parents, telling the truth, being successful in school and work, and going to church . . . at least Easter and Christmas. I imagine this definition of…
Verse of the Day – Matthew 18:20 KJV
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Going First
Going First From Our Daily Bread – July 6, 2017 Read: 1 John 4:7–21 We love because he first loved us.—1 John 4:19 We worked patiently to help our son heal and adjust to his new life with our family. Trauma from his early days in an orphanage was fueling some negative behaviors. While I had enormous compassion for the hardships he experienced in his early days, I felt myself begin to withdraw from him emotionally because of those behaviors. Ashamed, I…
Verse of the Day – Philippians 4:13 KJV
¹³ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Could I Say That?
Could I Say That? July 5, 2017 Read: Genesis 45:1–11 It was not you who sent me here, but God.—Genesis 45:8 “The perception of favoritism is one of the biggest factors in sibling rivalry,” said Dr. Barbara Howard, a developmental behavioral pediatrician (“When Parents Have a Favorite Child” nytimes.com). An example would be the Old Testament character Joseph, who was his father’s favorite son, which made his older brothers furious (Gen. 37:3-4). So they sold Joseph to merchants traveling to Egypt and…
Verse of the Day – Jeremiah 17:10 KJV
I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Celebrate Freedom
Celebrate Freedom From Our Daily Bread – July 4, 2017 Read: Romans 6:15–23 The law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.—Romans 8:2 After being kidnapped, held hostage for thirteen days, and released, New Zealand news cameraman Olaf Wiig, with a broad smile on his face, announced, “I feel more alive now than I have in my entire life.” For reasons difficult to understand, being freed is more exhilarating than being free.…
Verse of the Day – 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Destroying the Divides
Destroying the Divides From Our Daily Bread – July 3, 2017 Read: Joshua 7:1–12 I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.—Joshua 7:12 A writing deadline loomed over me, while the argument I had with my husband earlier that morning swirled through my mind. I stared at the blinking cursor, fingertips resting on the keyboard. He was wrong too, Lord. When the computer screen went black, my reflection scowled. My unacknowledged wrongs were doing…
Verse of the Day – Psalms 5:11-12 KJV
¹¹ But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let the also that love thy name be joyful in thee. ¹² For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield.