A Repost From David C. McCasland of Our Daily Bread

The Story Of A Wall

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September 29, 2011 — by David C. McCasland

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Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Ephesians 2:11-22

He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation. —Ephesians 2:14

Bible in a year:
Isaiah 7-8; Ephesians 2

While visiting the ruins of Hadrian’s Wall in Northern England, I reflected on the fact that this may be the most remembered achievement of the Roman emperor who came to power in ad 117. As many as 18,000 Roman soldiers manned this 80-mile-long barrier, built to keep the northern barbarians from invading the south.

Hadrian is remembered for building a physical wall to keep people out. In contrast, Jesus Christ is remembered for tearing down a spiritual wall to let people in.

When the early church experienced tension between believers of Jewish and non-Jewish birth, Paul told them that, through Christ, they stood equally in the family of God. “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation . . . so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace . . . . For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Eph. 2:14-15,18).

One of the most beautiful aspects of the Christian faith is the unity among those who follow Jesus. Through His death on the cross, Christ has removed the barriers that so often separate people and has drawn us together in true friendship and love.

God’s people have so much to do
In serving Christ today
That they should use their precious time
To share, to love, to pray. —Branon

Christian unity begins at the cross.

Reposted From David C. McCasland of Our Daily Bread

A Repost From Dave Branon of Our Daily Bread

A FIRM Foundation

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September 26, 2011 — by Dave Branon

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Read: Deuteronomy 6:1-9

These words which I command you . . . you shall teach them diligently to your children. —Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Bible in a year:
Isaiah 1-2; Galatians 5

Before she was 2 years old, my granddaughter Katie did something that would make any grandpa proud: She began to recognize cars by make and year. This all started when she and her daddy began spending time together playing with his old collection of toy cars. Daddy would say, “Katie, get the 1957 Chevy,” and she would pick it out of the hundreds of tiny cars. And once, while he was reading a Curious George book to her, she climbed down from his lap and ran to get a miniature Rolls Royce—an exact replica of the car pictured in the book.

If a 2-year-old child can make such connections, doesn’t that show the importance of teaching children the right things early on? We can do this by using what I call the FIRM principle: Familiarity, Interest, Recognition, and Modeling. This follows Moses’ pattern in Deuteronomy 6 of taking every opportunity to teach biblical truths so that children become familiar with them and make them a part of their lives. Using their interests as teaching opportunities, we repeat Bible stories so they become recognizable, while modeling a godly life before them.

Let’s give the children in our lives a FIRM foundation by teaching them about God’s love, Christ’s salvation, and the importance of godly living.

O give us homes built firm upon the Savior,
Where Christ is Head and Counselor and Guide,
Where every child is taught His love and favor
And gives his heart to Christ, the crucified. —Hart

Build your children’s lives on the firm foundation of the Word.

Reposted From Dave Branon of Our Daily Bread

A Repost From Joe Stowell of Our Daily Bread

Ash-Heap Christians

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September 25, 2011 — by Joe Stowell

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Read: 1 Corinthians 3:5-15

Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it . . . the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. —1 Corinthians 3:13

Bible in a year:
Song of Solomon 6-8; Galatians 4

Someone once asked me why she should be like Jesus now since she would become like Him when she got to heaven (1 John 3:1-3). Great question! Especially when it’s easier to just be yourself.

Actually, there are several reasons why becoming like Him now is important, but one is near the top. When we see and stand before Him, we will give an account as to whether or not we lived in ways that were consistent with His will. Or, as Paul put it, whether or not we have built on Him as our foundation with “gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, [or] straw” (1 Cor. 3:12-13).

All that we do to advance His kingdom—things like contribute to the strength of His church, serve the poor and needy, and promote righteousness and justice as He did—is like building with essential materials that will survive the fire of His judgment. On the contrary, building with things that reflect our fallen ways, and living to advance ourselves and our earthly desires are commodities that will turn into a pile of ashes before the consuming fire of His glory.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather love Jesus enough to live like Him now, for the thought of standing before Him in a heap of ashes is an unthinkable alternative.

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

Build your life with commodities
that will stand the test of God’s judgment.

Reposted From Joe Stowell of Our Daily Bread