Our Daily Bread -- Making Up For Lost Time
April 11, 2013
Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn
READ: Joel 2:21-27
I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten. —Joel 2:25
None of us can say that we have no regrets. Often we are led down paths of bad choices—some paths longer than others—which can have a lingering effect on the mind, body, and soul.
A friend of mine spent a number of years living a life of alcohol and drug abuse. But God did an amazing work in his life, and he recently celebrated 25 years of being free from substance abuse. He now runs a successful business, has a devoted wife, and his children love Jesus. He has a passion to reach out to others who are in the ditch of life, and he serves as a wise and loving mentor in the rescue operations of their lives.
God never gives up on us! Even if we’ve made poor choices in the past that have left us with regret, we can choose how we will live now. We can choose to continue destructive living, simply wallow in regret, or we can run to Christ believing that He has ways to “restore . . . the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25). When we repentantly seek His healing and freeing power, He is merciful.
While some consequences from the past may remain, we can be confident that God has a good and glorious future for those who trust in Him! —Joe Stowell
Lord, it is with humble and grateful hearts that we
come to You and lay all that we have been in the past
at Your feet. Take us as we are and make something
beautiful out of our lives that brings glory to You!
God never gives up on making something beautiful out of our lives.
Meadow Grove Baptist Church
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Our Daily Bread -- Keep It Simple
April 10, 2013
Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn
READ: 2 Corinthians 1:12-14
We are not writing any other things to you than what you [can] read or understand. —2 Corinthians 1:13
James Madison, fourth president of the United States, was instrumental in the drafting of the US constitution. He warned against creating laws “so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.” Based on some of the complicated government forms I’ve read, that’s advice that still needs to be heeded a little more often!
Sometimes when sharing the gospel, we make it more complicated than it needs to be. We can be glad that the Bible presents the good news of salvation in clear, easily understood language. Jesus said to Nicodemus, an educated Pharisee, that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). He later said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (14:6). The apostle Paul said it in straightforward language to the jailor in Philippi who asked how to be saved: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
God’s precious love story is simple. He sent His Son to rescue us from sin and death. Wonderful news that even children can understand. —Dave Egner
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard. —Crosby
Through faith in Christ, we receive God’s pardon and escape sin’s penalty.
April 10, 2013
Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn
READ: 2 Corinthians 1:12-14
We are not writing any other things to you than what you [can] read or understand. —2 Corinthians 1:13
James Madison, fourth president of the United States, was instrumental in the drafting of the US constitution. He warned against creating laws “so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.” Based on some of the complicated government forms I’ve read, that’s advice that still needs to be heeded a little more often!
Sometimes when sharing the gospel, we make it more complicated than it needs to be. We can be glad that the Bible presents the good news of salvation in clear, easily understood language. Jesus said to Nicodemus, an educated Pharisee, that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). He later said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (14:6). The apostle Paul said it in straightforward language to the jailor in Philippi who asked how to be saved: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).
God’s precious love story is simple. He sent His Son to rescue us from sin and death. Wonderful news that even children can understand. —Dave Egner
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard. —Crosby
Through faith in Christ, we receive God’s pardon and escape sin’s penalty.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Bread -- Guard Your Brand
April 8, 2013
Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn
READ: Colossians 3:1-14
Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. —Colossians 3:14
A popular clothing retailer requires that its sales clerks dress like the models in the store windows who advertise its clothes. This practice is referred to as “guarding their brand.” The idea behind it is that shoppers will be more likely to purchase clothes because they will want to look like the people they see wearing them.
In a consumer-oriented culture, it’s easy to be seduced into thinking that we can “buy” acceptance by wearing the things that beautiful people wear. Retailers would have us believe that looking good will make us desirable.
Sometimes we even convince ourselves that we can win followers for God by making ourselves attractive to the world. But the Bible is clear about what’s really important to God. He wants us to look like Jesus in our character. In a sense, Jesus is our “brand,” for we are being conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29). We attract others to Christ when we put on His attributes, which include tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering (Col. 3:12), and, above all, love (v.14).
Instead of polishing and protecting our own image, we need to be guarding and reflecting the image of God, which is being perfected in us through Christ. —Julie Ackerman Link
O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear. —Chisholm
One of the Spirit’s roles is to form the likeness of Christ in us.
April 8, 2013
Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn
READ: Colossians 3:1-14
Above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. —Colossians 3:14
A popular clothing retailer requires that its sales clerks dress like the models in the store windows who advertise its clothes. This practice is referred to as “guarding their brand.” The idea behind it is that shoppers will be more likely to purchase clothes because they will want to look like the people they see wearing them.
In a consumer-oriented culture, it’s easy to be seduced into thinking that we can “buy” acceptance by wearing the things that beautiful people wear. Retailers would have us believe that looking good will make us desirable.
Sometimes we even convince ourselves that we can win followers for God by making ourselves attractive to the world. But the Bible is clear about what’s really important to God. He wants us to look like Jesus in our character. In a sense, Jesus is our “brand,” for we are being conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29). We attract others to Christ when we put on His attributes, which include tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering (Col. 3:12), and, above all, love (v.14).
Instead of polishing and protecting our own image, we need to be guarding and reflecting the image of God, which is being perfected in us through Christ. —Julie Ackerman Link
O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear. —Chisholm
One of the Spirit’s roles is to form the likeness of Christ in us.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Our Daily Bread - unseen danger
Our Daily Bread -- Unseen Danger
April 6, 2013
Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn
READ: James 1:13-25
Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. —James 1:14
When I was a young child, our family escaped near tragedy. Most of the main appliances in the house, as well as the furnace, were fueled by natural gas, but a small leak in one of the gas lines put our lives at risk. As the gas poured into our little house, our family was overcome by the lethal fumes and we lost consciousness. Had we not been discovered by a neighbor who happened to stop by for a visit, we all could have been killed by this dangerous, unseen enemy.
As followers of Christ, we can also find ourselves surrounded by unseen dangers. The toxic realities of temptation and the weaknesses of our own human frailty can endanger our lives and relationships. Unlike the natural gas in my childhood home, however, these unseen dangers do not come from outside of us—they reside within us. James wrote, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:14).
Our natural tendency to sin, compounded by blind spots that prevent us from seeing our own weaknesses, can lead to toxic choices that ruin us. It is only by submitting to God as He shows us our hearts in His Word (vv.23-25) that we can live a life that pleases the Master. —Bill Crowder
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
And make me love Thee as I ought to love. —Croly
The unseen Spirit of God is the greatest protection against sin’s unseen dangers.
April 6, 2013
Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn
READ: James 1:13-25
Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. —James 1:14
When I was a young child, our family escaped near tragedy. Most of the main appliances in the house, as well as the furnace, were fueled by natural gas, but a small leak in one of the gas lines put our lives at risk. As the gas poured into our little house, our family was overcome by the lethal fumes and we lost consciousness. Had we not been discovered by a neighbor who happened to stop by for a visit, we all could have been killed by this dangerous, unseen enemy.
As followers of Christ, we can also find ourselves surrounded by unseen dangers. The toxic realities of temptation and the weaknesses of our own human frailty can endanger our lives and relationships. Unlike the natural gas in my childhood home, however, these unseen dangers do not come from outside of us—they reside within us. James wrote, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:14).
Our natural tendency to sin, compounded by blind spots that prevent us from seeing our own weaknesses, can lead to toxic choices that ruin us. It is only by submitting to God as He shows us our hearts in His Word (vv.23-25) that we can live a life that pleases the Master. —Bill Crowder
Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;
Wean it from earth, through all its pulses move;
Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,
And make me love Thee as I ought to love. —Croly
The unseen Spirit of God is the greatest protection against sin’s unseen dangers.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Our Daily Bread -- O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
April 3, 2013
Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn
READ: 1 John 4:7-21
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. —1 John 4:11
Love is the centerpiece of thriving relationships. Scripture makes it clear that we need to be people who love—love God with all our hearts, love our neighbor as ourselves, and love our enemies. But it’s hard to love when we don’t feel loved. Neglected children, spouses who feel ignored by their mates, and parents who are alienated from their children all know the heartache of a life that lacks love.
So, for everyone who longs to be loved, welcome to the pleasure of knowing that you are richly loved by God. Think of the profound impact of His love that was poured out for you at the cross. Meditate on the fact that if you’ve trusted in Him, His love covers your faults and failures and that you are clothed with His spotless righteousness (Rom. 3:22-24). Revel in the fact that nothing can separate you from His love (8:39). Embrace His loving provision of a future secured for you where you will be eternally loved (John 3:16).
When John tells us that we “ought to love one another,” he calls us the “beloved” (1 John 4:11; see also 3:1-2). Once you embrace how wonderfully loved you are by God, it will be much easier to be the loving person God calls you to be—even toward those who don’t show you love. —Joe Stowell
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small:
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all. —Watts
Embracing God’s love for us is the key to loving others
April 3, 2013
Our Daily Bread is hosted by Les Lamborn
READ: 1 John 4:7-21
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. —1 John 4:11
Love is the centerpiece of thriving relationships. Scripture makes it clear that we need to be people who love—love God with all our hearts, love our neighbor as ourselves, and love our enemies. But it’s hard to love when we don’t feel loved. Neglected children, spouses who feel ignored by their mates, and parents who are alienated from their children all know the heartache of a life that lacks love.
So, for everyone who longs to be loved, welcome to the pleasure of knowing that you are richly loved by God. Think of the profound impact of His love that was poured out for you at the cross. Meditate on the fact that if you’ve trusted in Him, His love covers your faults and failures and that you are clothed with His spotless righteousness (Rom. 3:22-24). Revel in the fact that nothing can separate you from His love (8:39). Embrace His loving provision of a future secured for you where you will be eternally loved (John 3:16).
When John tells us that we “ought to love one another,” he calls us the “beloved” (1 John 4:11; see also 3:1-2). Once you embrace how wonderfully loved you are by God, it will be much easier to be the loving person God calls you to be—even toward those who don’t show you love. —Joe Stowell
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small:
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all. —Watts
Embracing God’s love for us is the key to loving others
Monday, April 1, 2013
Happy Easter
So much to be thankful for and so much to be in prayer about! Thank you jesus for dying on the cross! What a gift you have given us....your only son!!!
John 3:16
For God so Loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life❤.
Yesterday's services were such a blessing to me as I hope they were to you. The message is always the same no matter how you slice it. Jesus died for you so that you could be saved. If you haven't asked him into your heart to stay, what are you waiting for? It's such a joy to know one day I will see Jesus face and the faces of those I know have gone before me; my mom and dad, Danny, I have a brother and sister I have never met! Grandparents, friends...just so many. But there are people I love here that have not accepted Christ and that is my mission. I want to see them in heaven when I get there or at least know they are coming. What an awful horrible thing to know when your loved one dies he will be spending eternity in hell. That should be our prayer . We have many sick and in the hospital as well that we can pray for healing if it be Gods Will
As you go about your week try to keep the spirit of Easter alive in your life! He's Alive! And we need to confine to keep that message alive.
Continue to pray for the sick and unsaved, the broken hearted and poor in spirit. As we know, with God all things are possible
Have a great week,
Love and prayers to all
Trish
John 3:16
For God so Loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life❤.
Yesterday's services were such a blessing to me as I hope they were to you. The message is always the same no matter how you slice it. Jesus died for you so that you could be saved. If you haven't asked him into your heart to stay, what are you waiting for? It's such a joy to know one day I will see Jesus face and the faces of those I know have gone before me; my mom and dad, Danny, I have a brother and sister I have never met! Grandparents, friends...just so many. But there are people I love here that have not accepted Christ and that is my mission. I want to see them in heaven when I get there or at least know they are coming. What an awful horrible thing to know when your loved one dies he will be spending eternity in hell. That should be our prayer . We have many sick and in the hospital as well that we can pray for healing if it be Gods Will
As you go about your week try to keep the spirit of Easter alive in your life! He's Alive! And we need to confine to keep that message alive.
Continue to pray for the sick and unsaved, the broken hearted and poor in spirit. As we know, with God all things are possible
Have a great week,
Love and prayers to all
Trish
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