My husband and I relocated from a…
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ReadWhen I was young and had my first summer job, I saved enough money to buy my first car. My brother Larry took me to a junkyard and showed me…
ReadI wanted to share my Breast Cancer testimony with others because people need to know that there is a way. It was be the grace of God that I was…
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ReadHebrews 4: 14-16
I must confess that I am a landlubber. I love the solid ground beneath my feet. Consequently, I know very few nautical terms. Port, starboard, stern, bow…
ReadI have many reasons to give thanks to God because He has been, the source of my strength. Through the years, I've watched my life blossom in so many times…
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ReadMy name is Alma. I became a…
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ReadAfter 17 years of being addicted to drugs and alcohol, chasing women, dropping out of college, and a failing music career I found comfort in scripture and Narcotics Anonymous. In rehab, a guy started reading Proverbs in groups. Another one of my counselors directed me to Romans 8. Building upon my Christian foundation from childhood, I now have a job, work as an archivist for Alcoholics Anonymous, speak to other addicts, go to church, and have devoted my life to spreading the good news of Jesus's love and forgiveness.
While visiting a local "sober" hang out, I picked up a copy of Our Daily Bread. Its stories help build my spiritual growth every time I read it. I enjoy sending in small donations to help further their cause. I thank God for people who actively spread the word of God to people like me who were once hopeless, desperate, and in need of God's grace and mercy. Today my life has meaning, purpose, and direction. My new life is based on God's love! Thank you for your daily message!! It helped save my life!
ReadOur Daily Bread has been an inspiration in my life as well as the inmates I supervised in the state prison for almost 20yrs. I am a Shift Supervisor for Securitas USA, at Mclaren Hospital in Pontiac. I was put on suspension last week Thursday for no reason given. I prayed, fasted, cried out to Jesus,"What have I done, I cant think of anything to warrant this". For days I went through this, then I received a call to meet with the head of Securitas, Mohammad Rashid, in Dearborn Mi. today at 10:00am. I was told that there were many complaints against me, all of which were proven to be lies on me except one. I was suspended for 5 days pending this meeting, for the one that was true and admitted to. I put several Our Daily Breads in our employee break room, as well as, copies I asked for of, "The Promise of Easter". I walked into this meeting not knowing if I had a job, and walked out with a promotion to Site Supervisor at a different location, a $1/hr raise, and no more 12hr. weekends, but Sat/Sun. off!!! Only our Lord Jesus Christ can do this! The only thing in my file now is, a counseling memo for distributing religious materials. I told Mohammad I would gladly take that memo to my grave. He said, "someone gave me a chance, now I want to give you one". Praise Jesus!! He is worthy of all praise. Stew
William Stewart
ReadI work at a chain of local pharmacies that plays Christian music and at times provides tracks, ministry announcements, small Gideon bibles & the Our Daily Bread (ODB) booklet. The Lord has given me a lot of open doors of opportunity to minister, share the Gospel, and pray for people at work, when they respond to the music and these materials.
Often times, people come in asking for the ODB and are excited to have one, and are disappointed when there are none available. Many of them use the ODB as their only source of hope, comfort, and encouragement.
I am asking the Lord on how I can use these opportunities to fulfill The Great Commission, to make disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to observe all things that He has commanded us. If you have any recommendations, please let me know how I can take these opportunities to the next level of discipleship. I received a request yesterday from someone asking me to teach them how to study the bible, and it has given me an idea to offer, with the ODB booklet, an invitation to pray for them and to learn how to study the bible. I'll also create an invitation to seek further resources by going to your website and to receive your devotions electronically.
The Lord is definitely using ODB where I work, to reach hundreds, if not thousands of souls in my community!!! Thank you Lord, and thank you Our Daily Bread Ministries for your faithfulness in providing this resource.
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Each morning, as I do my morning devotions, I recall the fall of 2011 as my wife Margie lay wasting away at the Springhill Village nursing home.
We were both saved in 1967 but while she stayed close to the Lord, I fell away and drifted, on and off, for many years. But, when Margie became too ill to do her daily devotions, I would help, and eventually do them for her using Our Daily Bread. Then I would try to find Bible passages for her that related to her life.
She was such a great witness, even as she lay suffering and dying she would still praise the Lord every day.
When she would fall asleep during or after devotions, I found I was still reading our Bible. It was as though I could not get enough. God used that experience and Our Daily Bread to draw me back to Him! I cannot even write this without having to choke back tears.
I still use ODB in my morning devotions, and always will. Thank you so much for all you do to bring God’s word with understanding to people everywhere.
David Larimer
12075 S. Carlisle St.
Terre Haute, IN 47802
P.S. You have my permission to edit this and use it (or toss it) any way you wish.
ReadMy husband and I were having a very difficult time in our marriage, My husband is a drug addict and I was trying every thing I could to get him some help. I have driven all over the state of Illnois to various detox programs and hospitals that had detox programs to get my husband the help that he needed, some of the programs were for 30 days. My husband decided to leave every one of them on his own free will( he didn't complete any of the programs). Then he went to jail for selling drugs, I bonded him out. He came out doing the same thing and he was picked up for another case and he is currently back in jail. I have prayed and ask God to deliver my husband and to restore our marriage he has answered my prayers. My faith has increased and I am a stronger woman, even tho my husband and I are seperated physically we are connected spiritually, we read our daily bread everyday and have prayer time each night, we also study through letters and send each other scriptures and we discuss them when I go visit him. Thank You for sending me our daily bread booklets and other books and resources. You all have been such a blessing to us and we truly thank God for your ministry of reaching people all over the world.
ReadI feel God has spoken to me again and again to write to you about my story. Finally, I am obeying.
This story is about a painting I created.
SOW THE SEED, MY STORY
Not knowing where to begin, or what specific points God wants me to express, I’ll just write in chronological order.
- September 2011
I developed allergies, resulting in permanent lung damage. It became necessary for me to leave my employment due to allergens in the work environment. As time went by I realized this lifestyle change was actually a blessing. Now I had time to read the Bible, to learn Scripture and to seek God each morning. I began journaling which evolved to written prayer/communication. And, now I had more time to paint – something I have longed to do since childhood.
- January 2012
I began an oil painting – an image I had painted previously and titled Bequeath. I decided to title the new painting Bequeath II. I prayed almost every day about this painting, asking God to guide me in all ways with my work, but especially with my reason for painting it. I asked to paint it for His Glory rather than my ego.
- February 6, 2012
While quietly working in my studio, the words “Sow the Seed(s)” came thundering into my head. It wasn’t a voice or a vision – it was unlike anything I’d experienced before. It was so intense, but calming.
An excerpt of my journal entry for that day reads, “This afternoon I felt God told me what to name this painting . . . “Sow the Seeds”. It’s so perfect! The name just was told to me while I was in the studio. It says it all – We must sow the seeds for our Lord – I’ll find Scripture tomorrow. The message is clear it is so perfect! Thank you Lord. As I write this I realize – You have given me the perfect name . . . “
At this point the painting isn’t finished. And, I’m only beginning to dig into His Word. As well as praying for the painting to bring God glory, I prayed that I would complete it in a masterly manner and in time for jury entry into an Oil Painters of America annual exhibition.
- February 18, 2012
I was very anxious about the title for the painting because I was uncertain, did God say, “Sow the Seeds” or did he say, “Sow the Seed”. I fell asleep praying about what title to enter. The deadline to enter is February 24, 2012! Ultimately, I submitted the painting into the Oil Painters of America National Exhibition with the title, “Sow the Seed”. Jury notification results would be made March 21, 2012.
- February 27, 2012
My growing concern about the title is evident in an excerpt of my journal entry for February 27, 2012, it reads, “did God say “seed” or “seeds”? I wasn’t certain and I began to try to make more sense out of the title . . . with gardening you plant more than one seed, so it should be “seeds” and yet sowing “seed” made sense too. “
As always, during my daily Quiet Time, I read the daily devotional, Our Daily Bread. The Scripture noted to read for February 27, 2012 is Galatians 3:19-29. I opened my Bible and my eyes fell directly on verse 16:
“The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed” meaning one person, who is Christ.” -Gal. 3:16
I almost fell off my chair! I wasn’t familiar with this Scripture. I thought, WOW, I have to write to the people at Our Daily Bread to tell them this story. But, I didn’t.
- June 2014
In preparing for the July 1, 2014 Canada Day Salmon Festival (as the Art Show Coordinator of this festival which brings in approximately 100,000 visitors), I thought it would be wonderful if I could hand out copies of Our Daily Bread to those who stopped at my booth. I contacted my Pastor, a few local Churches and a Christian bookstore to find copies, but to no avail. Next year, I thought to myself, I will write to the people at Our Daily Bread and ask them for copies.
Shortly after this, during one of my Quiet Times I opened an envelope from you which enclosed a 60 day introductory addition of Our Daily Bread. The picture on the front cover reminded me of my Grandparents’ farm and somehow this led me to daydream/visualize my painting, Sow the Seed on the cover! I was excited about this idea and thought I should write to them and ask them if that would be a possibility. But, I didn’t.
- December 2014
I received the January issue of Our Daily Bread and noticed the invitation to write to you to tell one's personal story. This again confirmed what I felt God has been asking me to do for almost three years. But still, I didn’t.
- January 2015
I received the February issue of Our Daily Bread and again noticed the invitation to write to you to tell one's personal story. This once more confirmed what I felt God has been asking me to do for almost three years. Again, I didn’t.
- February 2, 2015
The organizer of the Salmon Festival emails me to remind me the festival is six short months away. Yes, I think, I should write to Our Daily Bread. But, I didn’t.
- February 3, 2015
This morning during my Quiet Time, before I began to read today's devotional in Our Daily Bread I noticed on the back Cover the story about "Dan" the man who requested 10 copies so he could hand them out and that how he now distributes 150 devotionals every three months. OK Lord I know you're talking to me! I have to write to the people at Our Daily Bread.
I then turned to today's devotional February 3: At the bottom in bold print of today's devotional are the words in boldface type "We sow the seed -God produces the harvest.
I don't know how much more clearly the Lord can speak to me. It's time for me to obey him and write to you. So, this is my story.
Sept. 2011 | He gives me a lifestyle to do what I want to do most (to work as an artist).
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Feb 6 2012 | He gives me the name of a painting that I have prayed will bring Him glory.
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Feb 27 2012 | He gives me (through Our Daily Bread) the Scripture for the title of the painting when my memory fails me – IN WRITING, the morning after I pray about it.
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June 2014
Dec 2014 Jan 2014 Feb 2 2014 |
He reminds me again and again and again to write to you.
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Feb 3 2014 | Again, IN WRITING (through Our Daily Bread), He reminds me about the title He gave me, and to write to you, so that indeed, we may Sow the Seed
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SOW THE SEED
Recipient of:
ACCEPTANCE – 2012 Oil Painters of America National Exhibition
FINALIST STILL LIFE – Art Renewal Center, 2012-2013 ARC Salon
BEST OF SHOW – 2013 National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society
FINALIST WINNER – Raymar Art Annual Final Art Competition 2011-2012
BEST STILL LIFE AWARD – Federation of Canadian Artist, Annual International Representational Show – 2012
FINALIST – Raymar Art Annual Final Art Competition August 2012
THIRD PLACE – Bold Brush Painting Competition August 2012
FAV 15% BADGE – Bold Brush Painting Competition August 2012
SECOND PLACE – Federation of Canadian Artists, 365 Juried Competition – 2015 Calendar
Is this story a string of coincidences? I don’t believe so. God has blessed me with a lifestyle so I can do what I have come to believe is my purpose in life – to share the Good News through what I am most passionate about.
I want to “Thank you” for Our Daily Bread. Those words though, don’t seem near adequate. Your devotional has changed my life!
In gratitude,
Tanya Bone
PS: Please do not hesitate to contact me should you decide to use my image, Sow the Seed. I would be honoured and pleased to provide you with a high resolution jpeg for reproduction purposes.
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I friend of mine told me tonight that you had a website here and I can get on and get my Daily Bread there. I was really happy to hear about it cause this is what I need right now. I have been going through so much in my life that I need some devotional reading to do on my break time and really any time I needed some encouragement or just to feel God close.
I just want to thank you for being here and I have you now on my mobile so I can take you anywhere!
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