A Re-post From C. P. Hia of Our Daily Bread

Gifted To Serve

February 17, 2013 — by C. P. Hia

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Read: Romans 12:3-13

There are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. —1 Corinthians 12:6

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 21-22; Matthew 28

It occurred to me one day that my right foot does all the pedal work when I’m driving my automatic transmission car. It alone works the accelerator and the brake. The left foot is idle. What happens if I decide that to be equitable, my left foot ought to replace my right foot half the time when I am driving? If you have never done so, please don’t try it!
If we don’t require such equality of the members of our own body, why is it that we sometimes expect it of people in the church? That seems to be an issue that the first-century church at Rome faced. Some were thinking more highly of themselves than they ought (Rom. 12:3) just because they were doing some things others were not doing. But Paul reminds us that “all members do not have the same function” (v.4). We’ve been gifted according to God’s grace (v.6). He gave us those gifts to serve others, not ourselves (vv.6-13). Our service is to be marked by diligence and fervor, for we are serving the Lord, not man (v.11).
So, let’s not look over our shoulders to see what others are doing or not doing. Look at how God may be able to use you in His kingdom today. He has gifted you just as He has pleased (v.3).

Lord, lead me today as You see best. Use the gifts You
have given me to encourage others on their journey.
Help me not to compare myself with others
but to be content with who You have made me to be.

We can’t all play the same part in God’s band of service, but we should all play in harmony.

A Re-post From Dennis Fisher of Our Daily Bread

Godspeed!

February 16, 2013 — by Dennis Fisher

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Read: 2 John 1:1-11

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him. —2 John 1:10

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 19-20; Matthew 27:51-66

In 1962, John Glenn made history as the first American to orbit the Earth. As the rocket ascended, ground control said, “Godspeed, John Glenn.” “Godspeed” comes from the expression, “May God prosper you.”
Though we don’t often hear this word today, the apostle John used it in his second epistle: “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed” (2 John 1:10 kjv).
John has been referred to as “the apostle of love,” so why would he warn believers against pronouncing a blessing on others? Traveling evangelists were dependent on the hospitality of Christians to provide them with room and board. John was telling the believers that biblical truth is important. If itinerant missionaries were not preaching doctrine consistent with apostolic teaching, believers were not to bless their work by providing lodging or financial assistance.
This is also true for believers today. We are to treat everyone with kindness because God is kind to us. But when asked to financially support an endeavor, it’s important to always ask Him for wisdom. The Spirit who guides us into truth (John 16:13) will show us when it is appropriate to bid Godspeed to those we encounter.

Dear Lord, You know my heart. I love You
and want Your kingdom to prosper.
Give me Your wisdom to know where You want
me to take part and how. Thank You.

God’s Spirit through His Word gives wisdom to discern truth from error.

A Re-post From David H. Roper of Our Daily Bread

Crying Out To God

February 15, 2013 — by David H. Roper

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Read: Psalm 142

By prayer and supplication . . . let your requests be made known to God. —Philippians 4:6

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 17-18; Matthew 27:27-50

After all these years, I still don’t fully understand prayer. It’s something of a mystery to me. But one thing I know: When we’re in desperate need, prayer springs naturally from our lips and from the deepest level of our hearts.
When we’re frightened out of our wits, when we’re pushed beyond our limits, when we’re pulled out of our comfort zones, when our well-being is challenged and endangered, we reflexively and involuntarily resort to prayer. “Help, Lord!” is our natural cry.
Author Eugene Peterson wrote: “The language of prayer is forged in the crucible of trouble. When we can’t help ourselves and call for help, when we don’t like where we are and want out, when we don’t like who we are and want a change, we use primal language, and this language becomes the root language of prayer.”
Prayer begins in trouble, and it continues because we’re always in trouble at some level. It requires no special preparation, no precise vocabulary, no appropriate posture. It springs from us in the face of necessity and, in time, becomes our habitual response to every issue—good and bad—we face in this life (Phil. 4:6). What a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer!

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer. —Scriven

God’s help is only a prayer away.

A Re-post From Cindy Hess Kasper of Our Daily Bread

Second Best?

February 14, 2013 — by Cindy Hess Kasper

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Read: Genesis 29:16-30

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —Romans 5:8

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 15-16; Matthew 27:1-26

Leah must have laid awake all night thinking of the moment when her new husband would awaken. She knew that it was not her face he expected to see, but Rachel’s. Jacob had been a victim of deception, and when he realized that a “bait and switch” had occurred, he quickly made a new deal with Laban to claim the woman he had been promised (Gen. 29:25-27).
Have you ever felt insignificant or second-best? Leah felt that way. It’s seen in the names she chose for her first three sons (vv.31-35). Reuben means “See, a Son”; Simeon means “Heard”; and Levi means “Attached.” Their names were all plays on words that indicated the lack of love she felt from Jacob. With each son’s birth, she desperately hoped she would move up in Jacob’s affections and earn his love. But slowly Leah’s attitude changed, and she named her fourth son Judah, which means “Praise” (v.35). Though she felt unloved by her husband, perhaps she now realized she was greatly loved by God.
We can never “earn” God’s love, because it’s not dependent on what we do. In truth, the Bible tells us that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). In God’s eyes, we are worth the best that heaven could offer—the gift of His precious Son.

Love sent the Savior to die in my stead.
Why should He love me so?
Meekly to Calvary’s cross He was led.
Why should He love me so? —Harkness

Nothing speaks more clearly of God’s love than the cross.

A Re-post From Julie Ackerman Link of Our Daily Bread

A Small Sacrifice

February 13, 2013 — by Julie Ackerman Link

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Read: Mark 10:17-27

With God all things are possible. —Mark 10:27

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 14; Matthew 26:51-75

As we anticipate the coming celebration of Easter, I begin thinking about the sacrifice Jesus made so that I could be reconciled to God. To help me focus on all that He gave up for me, I make a small sacrifice of my own. When I fast from something I normally enjoy, every craving for that food or drink or pastime reminds me of how much more Jesus gave up for me.
Because I want to be successful, I tend to give up something that isn’t a big temptation for me. Yet even then I fail. My inability to be perfect in such a small thing reminds me of why Easter is so important. If we could be perfect, Jesus would not have had to die.
The rich young man whom Jesus encountered along a Judean road was trying to earn eternal life by being good. But Jesus, knowing the man could never be good enough, said, “With men [salvation] is impossible, but not with God” (Mark 10:27).
Although giving up something does not make anyone good, it does remind us that no one is good except God (v.18). And that’s important to remember, for it is the sacrifice of a good and perfect God that makes our salvation possible.

I gave My life for thee;
My precious blood I shed,
That thou might ransomed be
And quickened from the dead. —Havergal

Jesus sacrificed His life for ours.

A Re-post From Julie Ackerman Link of Our Daily Bread

A Small Sacrifice

February 13, 2013 — by Julie Ackerman Link

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Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Mark 10:17-27

With God all things are possible. —Mark 10:27

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 14; Matthew 26:51-75

As we anticipate the coming celebration of Easter, I begin thinking about the sacrifice Jesus made so that I could be reconciled to God. To help me focus on all that He gave up for me, I make a small sacrifice of my own. When I fast from something I normally enjoy, every craving for that food or drink or pastime reminds me of how much more Jesus gave up for me.
Because I want to be successful, I tend to give up something that isn’t a big temptation for me. Yet even then I fail. My inability to be perfect in such a small thing reminds me of why Easter is so important. If we could be perfect, Jesus would not have had to die.
The rich young man whom Jesus encountered along a Judean road was trying to earn eternal life by being good. But Jesus, knowing the man could never be good enough, said, “With men [salvation] is impossible, but not with God” (Mark 10:27).
Although giving up something does not make anyone good, it does remind us that no one is good except God (v.18). And that’s important to remember, for it is the sacrifice of a good and perfect God that makes our salvation possible.

I gave My life for thee;
My precious blood I shed,
That thou might ransomed be
And quickened from the dead. —Havergal

Jesus sacrificed His life for ours.

A Re-post From David C. McCasland of Our Daily Bread

Numbered Days

February 11, 2013 — by David C. McCasland

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Read: Psalm 90:7-17

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. —Psalm 90:12

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 11-12; Matthew 26:1-25

In the aftermath of a devastating tornado, a man stood outside what was left of his home. Scattered somewhere among the rubble inside were his wife’s jewelry and his own valuable collectibles. But the man had no intention of going inside the unstable house to search for them. “It’s not worth dying for,” he said.
In times of crisis, our sense of what is truly important in life often comes into clearer focus.
In Psalm 90, “A Prayer of Moses,” this man of God looks at life from beginning to end. In light of the brevity of life (vv.4-6) and the realization of God’s righteous anger (vv.7-11), Moses makes a plea to God for understanding: “Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should” (v.12 tlb).
Moses continues this psalm with an appeal to God’s love: “Have compassion on Your servants. Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy” (vv.13-14). He concludes with a prayer for the future: “Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us” (v.17).
Our numbered days and the brevity of life call us to embrace God’s eternal love and, like Moses, to focus on the most important things.

What a God we have to worship!
What a Son we have to praise!
What a future lies before us—
Everlasting, love-filled days! —Maynard

Our numbered days point us to God’s eternal love.

A Re-post From Bill Crowder of Our Daily Bread

Greek Fire

February 10, 2013 — by Bill Crowder

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Read: James 3:1-12

The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. —James 3:6

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 8-10; Matthew 25:31-46

Greek fire was a chemical solution that was used in ancient warfare by the Byzantine Empire against its enemies. According to one online source, it was developed around ad 672 and was used with devastating effect, especially in sea warfare because it could burn on water. What was Greek fire? Its actual chemical composition remains a mystery. It was such a valuable military weapon that the formula was kept an absolute secret—and was lost to the ravages of history. Today, researchers continue to try to replicate that ancient formula, but without success.
One source of catastrophic destruction among believers in Christ, however, is not a mystery. James tells us that the source of ruin in our relationships is often a very different kind of fire. He wrote, “The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body” (James 3:6). Those strong words remind us how damaging unguarded words can be to those around us.
Instead of creating the kind of verbal “Greek fire” that can destroy relationships, families, and churches, let’s yield our tongue to the Holy Spirit’s control and allow our words to glorify the Lord.

It seems, Father, that sometimes we are our own
worst enemies. Forgive us for speaking destructively
to fellow Christians, and teach us to use wise words
that can encourage and build their walk with You.

To bridle your tongue, give God the reins of your heart.