Our Daily Bread April 27, 2001 The Greatest God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. —John 3:16
Someone sent me an excellent outline of John 3:16, a verse that is often referred to as "God's miniature Bible." Here it is: God—the greatest lover so loved—the greatest degree the world—the greatest company that He gave—the greatest act His only begotten Son—the greatest gift that whoever believes—the greatest simplicity in Him—the greatest person should not perish—the greatest promise but—the greatest difference have—the greatest certainty everlasting life—the greatest possession I heard about a young girl whose mother was reading to her the third chapter of John. Pausing after verse 16, the mother exclaimed, "Don't you think that verse is amazing, dear?" The child thought and then said, "No." The mother thought the youngster must have misunderstood, so she repeated the question. But again the girl shook her head, saying, "No. It would be amazing if it were anyone else, Mother. But it's really just like God!" Indeed, the child with her simple faith had understood that the great gift of salvation could naturally be expected from a great God. With reverent adoration, let us recognize that God, His love, and His eternal gift are naturally "the greatest." —HGB God loved the world of sinners, lost And ruined by the fall; Salvation, full, at highest cost, He offers free to all. —Stockton
Salvation is a gift to be received, not a goal to be achieved.
posted by dtb on 4/27/2001 09:05:00 AM
Our daily Bread April 20, 2001 Don't Kill Time! Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. —Colossians 4:5
Author and lecturer John Erskine (1879-1951) declared that he learned the most valuable lesson of his life when he was 14 years old. His piano teacher asked him how much he practiced. He replied that he usually sat at the instrument for an hour or more at a time. "Don't do that," warned the teacher. "When you grow up, time won't come to you in long stretches like that. Practice in minutes wherever you can find them—5 or 10 before school, a few after lunch. Sandwich them in between chores. Spread the practice throughout the day, and music will become a part of your life." Erskine stated later that by following this advice he was able to live a fulfilled life as a creative writer, in addition to his regular duties as an instructor. He wrote nearly all of Helen of Troy, his most famous work, on streetcars while commuting between his home and the university. How can you make good use of your spare moments? Consider carrying a Bible or a devotional booklet with you. Use the time to read, or to pray, or to write a note of encouragement or admonition to some needy soul. Beware of wasting the present. Instead of killing time, redeem your spare moments today. —HGB Redeem the time! God only knows How soon our little life may close, With all its pleasures and its woes, Redeem the time! —Anon.
Wasting the gift of time insults the giver of time.
The Lord preserves all who love Him. —Psalm 145:20
A young girl traveling on a train for the first time heard that it would have to cross several rivers. She was troubled and fearful as she thought of the water. But each time the train came near to a river, a bridge was always there to provide a safe way across. After passing safely over several rivers and streams, the girl settled back in her seat with a sigh of relief. Then she turned to her mother and said, "I'm not worried anymore. Somebody has put bridges for us all the way!" When we come to the deep rivers of trial and the streams of sorrow, we too will find that God in His grace "has put bridges for us all the way." So we need not fall into hopelessness and anxiety. In delightful though often untraceable ways, He will provide for us and carry us through the difficulties to the other side. Even though we may not understand how He will meet our needs, we can be sure that He will provide a way. Those who have given their situations over to God can exclaim with the psalmist, "The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works. . . . The Lord preserves all who love Him" (Psalm 145:17,20). Instead of worrying about what's ahead, we can trust the Lord to be there to care for us. —HGB There's so much now I cannot see, My eyesight's far too dim; But come what may, I'll simply trust And leave it all to Him. —Anon.
Where God guides, He provides.
posted by dtb on 4/10/2001 08:23:00 AM
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him. —Psalm 37:24
Are you feeling "down" today? Are you discouraged because of your experience yesterday? In an unguarded moment, did you stumble and fall by yielding to sin? There is something worse than falling down—it is staying down. The wicked fall and shall not rise, but with the Christian it is not so. Though we do sometimes fall, we will not be content until we are restored. We should not sin, but too often we do. The apostle John wrote, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves" (1 John 1:8). But here's the good news: "These things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins" (2:1-2). Admit your failings. Don't worry over them, but confess them. Before Jesus died for us, He knew that we would continue to struggle with sin, so He made provision for our daily cleansing. Make a fresh start each day by taking time to confess your sins, to admit your weakness, and to ask God for His strength to do what He wants you to do. As you depend on the Lord's grace and strength, you will soon know what victory really is! —MRD
We're thankful, Lord, that when we fall We can begin anew If humbly we confess our sin, Then turn and follow You. —Sper
Success means that you get up one more time than you fall down.
posted by dtb on 4/06/2001 09:33:00 AM
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