A Repost From Bill Crowder of Our Daily Bread

Suit Up

Text Size: Zoom In

March 19, 2011 — by Bill Crowder

Subscribe on iTunes

Play MP3 (Mobile)

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Ephesians 6:13-21

Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. —Ephesians 6:13

Bible in a year:
Joshua 1-3; Mark 16

When I played American football as a kid, one thing that took some getting used to was all the equipment we had to wear. Running effectively in a helmet, shoulder pads, and a variety of other protective items can feel awkward and clumsy at first. But over time the protective gear becomes like a familiar friend that provides welcome protection against serious injury. When a football player suits up, he knows that his equipment is designed to protect him in battle against a dangerous opponent.

As followers of Christ, we also face a dangerous foe—a spiritual enemy who seeks our downfall and destruction. Fortunately, our Lord has provided us with protection, and He challenges us to suit up for spiritual battle.

In Ephesians 6:13, we read, “Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Paul then describes our armor—helmet, breastplate, shield, sword, belt, and shoes. These pieces of spiritual equipment are effective only if we put them on and use them—even if they might feel uncomfortable at first. Faithfulness in the Word (v.17), in prayer (v.18), and in witness (vv.19-20) are critical to making our armor feel like a part of us. So suit up! The battle is on!

Be not weary, Christian warrior,
Buckle on thine armor tight;
Be ye strong and face the battle
In the power of His might. —Iler

God’s armor is tailor-made for you, but you must put it on.

Reposted From Bill Crowder of Our Daily Bread

A Repost From Randy Kilgore of Our Daily Bread

Becoming A Go-To Person

Text Size: Zoom In

March 18, 2011 — by Randy Kilgore

Subscribe on iTunes

Play MP3 (Mobile)

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Luke 7:1-10

When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. —Luke 7:3

Bible in a year:
Deuteronomy 30-31; Mark 15:1-25

“Would you pray for my sister?” the burly worker asked awkwardly. I eyed him suspiciously.

Months earlier, muggy August heat intensified emotions in the pre-strike atmosphere of the assembly plant where I was working that summer. Managers drove production at a frenzied pace and union members resisted. During breaks, we were coached by union officials on slowing down our output. My faith and idealism got me in the doghouse because I didn’t think God would accept anything but my best effort. I naively tried to explain.

My co-workers’ response was harassment, and this burly worker asking for prayer had been the ringleader. An undesirable task? I got the assignment. Off-color jokes had me as the star.

So now I greeted this prayer request with suspicion. “Why me?” His answer jarred me: “Because she’s got cancer,” he said gruffly, “and I need someone God will hear.” The bitter rancor between us eased as I prayed for his sister.

Like the centurion in Luke 7, people in the storms of life don’t waste time or mince words. They go directly to the people whose faith they’ve tagged as real. We need to be those people. Do our lives mark us as a go-to person in touch with God?

We give to others what they need
No greater help and care
Than when we intercede for them
And bear them up in prayer. —D. De Haan

Even the hardest of souls might ask for help
when someone they love is at risk.

Reposted From Randy Kilgore of Our Daily Bread

A Repost From David H. Roper of Our Daily Bread

Keep Me From Wrath

Text Size: Zoom In

March 18, 2011 — by David H. Roper

Subscribe on iTunes

Play MP3 (Mobile)

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Psalm 37:8-11

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. —Psalm 37:8

Bible in a year:
Deuteronomy 32-34; Mark 15:26-47

I have a friend whose note cards are imprinted with a picture of Rodin’s The Thinker, the famous sculpture depicting a man in sober reflection. Below the picture is this inscription: “Life is not fair.”

Indeed, it is not. And any theory that insists that this life is fair is illusory and deceptive.

Despite the overwhelming unfairness of life, however, David in Psalm 37 prays that he will not retaliate but will instead rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him to bring justice to the earth in due time (v.7). “For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth” (v.9).

Our wrath tends to be vindictive and punitive. God’s wrath is untainted by self-interest and tempered by mercy. His wrath can even be His relentless love that brings our antagonists to repentance and faith. We must not then avenge ourselves, “for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord . . . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:19,21).

This must begin in the heart, the wellspring from which the issues of our lives flow. May we cease from anger, forsake wrath, and wait patiently for the Lord.

Lord, help me not retaliate
When someone wants to pick a fight;
Instead, give me the strength and faith
To show Your love and do what’s right. —Sper

Revenge restrained is a victory gained.

Reposted From David H. Roper of Our Daily Bread

A Repost From Dave Branon of Our Daily Bread

God’s Answers

Text Size: Zoom In

March 16, 2011 — by Dave Branon

Subscribe on iTunes

Play MP3 (Mobile)

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Daniel 9:20-27

While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel . . . reached me. —Daniel 9:21

Bible in a year:
Deuteronomy 28-29; Mark 14:54-72

Daniel poured out his heart to God (Dan. 9:2). He had read Jeremiah and rediscovered God’s promise that Israel’s captivity in Babylon would last 70 years. So, in an effort to represent his people before God, Daniel fasted and prayed. He pleaded with God not to delay in rescuing His people (v.19).

When we pray, there are things we can know and other things we cannot. For instance, we have the assurance that God will hear our prayer if we know Him as our heavenly Father through faith in Jesus, and we know that His answer will come according to His will. But we don’t know when the answer will come or what it will be.

For Daniel, the answer to his prayer came in miraculous fashion, and it came immediately. While he was praying, the angel Gabriel arrived to provide the answer. But the nature of the answer was as surprising as the quick reply. While Daniel asked God about “70 years,” the answer was about a prophetic “70 weeks of years.” Daniel asked God for an answer about the here and now, but God’s answer had to do with events thousands of years into the future.

Focused as we are with our immediate situation, we may be shocked by God’s answer. Yet we can know that the answer will be for His glory.

I know not by what methods rare,
But this I know—God answers prayer;
I leave my prayers with Him alone,
Whose will is wiser than my own. —Hickok

God’s answers to our prayers may exceed our expectations.

Reposted From Dave Branon of Our Daily Bread

A Repost From Joe Stowell of Our Daily Bread

A Matter Of Perspective

Text Size: Zoom In

March 15, 2011 — by Joe Stowell

Subscribe on iTunes

Play MP3 (Mobile)

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Revelation 3:14-22

[You] do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. —Revelation 3:17

Bible in a year:
Deuteronomy 26-27; Mark 14:27-53

One of my favorite stories is about the Texas rancher who was doing agricultural consulting for a farmer in Germany. He asked the German farmer about the size of his property, to which he replied, “About a mile square.” When the German asked the Texan about the size of his ranch, the rancher explained that if he got in his pick-up truck at dawn and drove until sunset he would still be on his ranch. Not to be outdone, the farmer replied, “I used to have an old truck like that!”

All joking aside, it’s important to have the right perspective. Unfortunately, the Christians in Laodicea had the wrong perspective about wealth (Rev. 3:14-22). By all appearances, they were rich. They had plenty of earthly goods and thought they needed nothing—not even Jesus. But Jesus had a different perspective. In spite of their material prosperity, He saw that they were “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (v.17). So He invited them to become truly rich by seeking what only He could provide: purity, character, righteousness, and wisdom.

Let’s not make the Laodicean mistake. Instead, let’s keep our perspective right about what it means to be rich. True wealth is not measured by what you have but by who you are in Christ.

In Christ we’re rich beyond belief
With wealth the world cannot see;
We have new strength and character,
New righteousness and purity. —Sper

The poorest person is he whose only wealth is money.

Reposted From Joe Stowell of Our Daily Bread

A Repost From Mart De Haan of Our Daily Bread

A Dream Of Answers Forgotten

Text Size: Zoom In

March 14, 2011 — by Mart De Haan

Subscribe on iTunes

Play MP3 (Mobile)

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Job 42:1-6

I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. —Job 42:5

Bible in a year:
Deuteronomy 23-25; Mark 14:1-26

A friend quit two jobs to become a full-time caregiver when his adult son was seriously hurt in a car accident. That same year his wife of over 30 years contracted a terminal illness and died.

Since then, he says he has no answers when his son asks “why” this happened to them. But he told me of a reassuring dream he had along the way. He dreamed that he was in a place that was awash with sunlight. There were crowds of people around him, and a man was answering all of his “why” questions. Each answer made so much sense that he clearly understood why he was not to know the answers now. Then he was with his son in the dream. But when he tried to help him with his questions, he couldn’t remember the answers. But even that seemed okay. And then he woke up.

My friend’s experience reminds me of another friend of God who suffered with unanswered questions (Job 7:20-21). Only when God finally broke His silence and gave Job a vision of Himself in the wonder of creation did Job find something that was better than answers (42:1-6). Only then did Job find peace in knowing that our God has good and even wonderful reasons to trust Him.

What God is doing you may not know now,
But someday you’ll understand why;
Questions that taunt you and trouble your mind
Will one day have heaven’s reply. —Hess

What’s better than answers to our why questions?
Trusting a good God who has His reasons.

Reposted From Mart De Haan of Our Daily Bread

A Repost From Dennis Fisher of Our Daily Bread

Chocolate-Fueled Car

Text Size: Zoom In

March 13, 2011 — by Dennis Fisher

Subscribe on iTunes

Play MP3 (Mobile)

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: 1 Kings 19:1-8

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. —Psalm 19:7

Bible in a year:
Deuteronomy 20-22; Mark 13:21-37

Many people like both the sweetness and the energy they get from chocolate. Yet British auto technicians have found a surprising use for this sweet food. Scientists at the University of Warwick have built a racecar that runs on vegetable oils and chocolate. The fuel provides energy so that the car can reach top speeds of 135 mph.

The Bible also records a surprising source of energy from a food. When Elijah had been used by God on Mt. Carmel to call fire down from heaven, this spiritual high was followed by persecution and melancholy. In response to Elijah’s depression, God sent an angel to provide food, drink, and rest for the weary prophet. The sustaining power of that food from heaven was remarkable: “So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God” (1 Kings 19:8).

Just as we need food to sustain our physical lives, we also need nourishing food for our spiritual lives. God’s Word is “sweeter . . . than honey and the honeycomb” (Ps. 19:10) and feeds our souls. It makes “wise the simple” (v.7) and provides both nourishment and energy for life’s long journey. Take time to feed on it.

God’s Word provides the nourishment
That every Christian needs to grow,
Supplying strength from day to day
By teaching what we need to know. —Sper

God feeds us through His Word.

Reposted From Dennis Fisher of Our Daily Bread