My husband and I relocated from a…
ReadThirty years ago, I went to the…
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…
ReadGod saw fit to create me with…
ReadMy name is Kimmi and I am…
ReadFor the Lord himself will come down…
ReadRonn Jones emerged from a childhood of…
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…
ReadMy daily regimen of an early long…
ReadMy name is Alma. I became a…
ReadMy mother had been in an assisted…
ReadHi, my name is Rocky and I…
ReadBrandi Cameron has seen a lot of death in her young life . . . a favorite uncle, a friend, an aunt, and a great grandma. At first, she dealt…
WatchMatt Mieske was able to experience a childhood dream...to play Major League Baseball. His journey would be filled with home runs, great wins and a new perspective on life. Matt…
ListenPastor and author of The Mercy Prayer Robert Gelinas tells how his grandmother's question--"You mean to tell me that a mafia hit man has just as good a chance to…
ListenAfter 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!
ReadI was 17, an athlete, a part of the "in crowd", a girl with dreams, and very very lost! The irony though is that I loved to go to bed at night and in the stillness of the dark I would pray to a God that I feared but didn't think I could love. I would pray the same exact prayer every single night, "God, please forgive me for the sins I did today and for the sins I've done ever since I've been born..." looking back I remember trembling with those words because I knew God wouldn't save a wretch like me. My life as I knew it, at 17, came to a screeching halt when I took an EPT test and it showed up positive. I was on a fun vacation with my best friend, visiting my sister in Florida. I remember thinking this can't be happening to me, I'm in my Senior year, softball season is about to start, college next fall, so much to think about, but not this. This was NOT part of MY plan. I was ignorant about pregnancy, this wouldn't happen to a "good" girl like me. How can I make this disappear without anyone knowing? When I returned home from my vacation I told my boyfriend that I was pregnant and that we needed to decide what to do. I knew in my heart what I should NOT do but my head told me it would be better this way and it would be all over soon and life would go on as if nothing happened, a case of just bad luck! From that point, at 17, until I came to know The Lord as my Savior, at 33, is pretty much a blur. I got married to my high school sweetheart and our first five years were pretty reckless. I had two boys in the next years that followed and they were my joy and life. I felt my purpose but little waves of guilt would creep in from time to time about the abortion. Finally, in May of '96, after attending a local Bible believing church for several weeks my husband and I opened our hearts to The Lord. I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, however I was still carrying a pretty heavy burden. The day after I asked God into my heart I broke. I didn't understand it, "why God?", "why now?"....I buried that awful memory and I didn't want it to surface. But God gently told me, "confess it to me so you can forgive yourself because I've already forgiven you." That was so difficult because I finally realized what I had given up at 17. God had allowed a life to begin in me and I made a decision to end it not even realizing at the time of the shattering consequences that would haunt me later. God did set me free by putting a wonderful friend in my path that had the same sad experience. She guided me through a post abortion Bible study and God revealed Himself to me during that time and I realized that even though I didn't have Him in my heart at 17, He was beside me on that fateful day, the day my unborn child's life ended but came to life in Jesus' arms as He carried it to Heaven. It took me a long time to really believe I could forgive myself because I know that there are always consequences to sin and sometimes memories are the consequences. But now I focus on the memory that God set me free during that Bible study and that one day I will be reunited with this very loved child.
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.
ReadA little over a year ago my Mom Margaret McFarland, who had been a faithful reader of Our Daily Bread for years, lost her vision to the point that she could no longer read. One day in our daily phone conversation she said that she missed reading she especially missed reading her daily devotions from ODB and the Daily Guideposts. I realized that I could make that wish come true by reading them to her during my morning calls. So for this past year or so we have shared our devotions together. Our daily devotion together has opened the door to many discussions about our faith and our love of Jesus. My Mom just moved on to Heaven two weeks ago at the age of 93, and while I miss her so very much I have many wonderful memories of our love for each other and among the tops are our daily devotion times. I have just made a contribution to the ministry of ODB and I want you to know it is because of Mom and her love for you folks that I make that gift to continue your ministry.
Thank you you and may God continue to show favor to you as you minister to so many.
Luella Krieger
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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.
ReadI came in contact with ODB when I was 12. An older neighbour who had relocated to the US had some of his old books cleaned out by the family and among the trash were copies of ODB from the 70s and very early 80s. This was in 1986. My brother and I picked those and began reading. I cannot tell you how much using the ODB helped my new-found faith and also in forming a habit of daily devotion. Part of the beauty is that one year with ODB would have taken you to almost every book in the bible and touched on many topics that affect the believer. I still use ODB 29 years on (now the 1-year editions) and am still being blessed by the Bread.
God bless the memory of Dr. De Haan and all those who make this devotional possible.
Osaeloka Daniels
Lagos, Nigeria
ReadIt was my lifelong mentor who introduced your great website to me. As a new, self-made and "unofficial" Christian in mainland China, I had felt rather "helpless" to explore and expand the horizon of Christian world. Once taking a glimpse of your vast contents, I knew that I found my family! "Our Daily Bread" is most close to my heart, and I have been too hungry to wait for the update of your daily piece! It turns into a kind of addition. The most amazing thing is that I have even noticed my changes each day, though it might be small and insignificance. Now I come to write the self journal titled "My Daily Recipe", the "brainchild" of your "Bread", where I drop down any good deed I make or any bad habit/deed I eliminate/suppress every day, no matter how tiny it could be. I become happier day by day, because I feel our Holy father is watching me and listening to me, most lovingly every moment. I will never be lonely in our Christian family. I believe I could cook most delicious feast under my recipes inspired by your rich bread!
Our Chinese Spring Festival is fast approaching. Although it is not a Christian holiday, I would like to wish our Father and all our family members happy and peace every day in the Year of Sheep!
ReadLast year my husband retired after 31 years of military service, including time in Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. I took note of a magazine article he was reading this week. It was titled "Alive Day". In it were written the stories of various people who had faced a particular day in their military service when something took place that could have ended their lives. These people recognize the anniversary of this date annually. It was described as the "day they were wounded, and their lives were changed".
Christians have a similar day in our lives, although most of us do not recognize it annually. We may share our testimony from time to time, but it might be a good idea to practice celebrating our own "ALIVE DAY". We would celebrate the time when we came to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and be born into life eternal.
We need to thank all those who serve in our armed forces for their service and protection of the freedoms that we enjoy in this great country. We also need to thank The Lord for his provision of our own individual "Alive Day".
ReadI AM OVERJOYED AND OVERWHELMED BY THE POWER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND WHAT HE HAS DONE IN MY LIFE.
I WAS A DRUG ADDICT, LUST IN THE WORLD , COMMITING CRIMES ON DAILY BASIS. I WAS IN AND OUT OF JAILS FOR OVER TEN YEARS.
SEVEN YEARS AGO I ENDED UP IN A CELL, ALONE, CONFUSED , EMPTY, AND DESPERATE.
WERE I FOR THE FIRST TIME OPENED A BIBLE, AND THE LORD SPOKE TO ME IN JEREMIAH 33:3,
AS MY EYES WENT STRAIGHT TO THIS VERSE I STARTED TO CRY DESPERATELY AND FULL OF JOY KNOWING THAT GOD WAS SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO ME. "CALL ON TO ME, AND I WILL ANSWER YOU, AND SHOW YOU GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS YOU DO NOT KNOW" (JER. 33:3) AS I STARTED TO READ THE BIBLE I COULD'NT
STOP CRYING AND TO KNOW I HAD A SAVIOR THAT LOVED ME SO MUCH, AND I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT HIM.
I FELL IN LOVE WITH JESUS.
I WAS FACING 25 TO LIFE , AND YET THE LORD HAD SET ME FREE. I HAD SURRENDER MY LIFE TO JESUS.
I REMEMBER ASKING HIM, THAT ALL I WANTED WAS TO COME OUT DIFFERENT, TO SERVE HIM, AND IF IT MEANT FOR ME TO STAY IN JAIL FOR LIFE, TO USE ME FOR THE GLORY OF HIS NAME.
AS TIME WENT BY I WAS SENTENCED TO PRISON WERE I ENCOUNTER TO LIVE WITH LIFERS. JOYFUL AND TRUSTING IN MY SAVIOR I WAS RELEASED AFTER SERVING 17 MONTHS.
IT HAS BEEN A HARD WALK AS HE HAS TAUGHT ME TO GROW IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF MY LIFE, BUT I HAVE SUBMMITTED TO DO HIS WILL.
TODAY I VOLUNTEER IN JAILS AND I ALSO SPEAK ON THE RADIO IN A MINISTRY THATS CALLED
"I WAS IN JAIL, AND YOU CAME TO ME"...
THE LORD HAS RESTORE MY CHILDRENS ,AFTER SPENDING TEN YEARS WITHOUT THEM, HE HAS EQUIPT ME TO INSTRUCT THEM IN THE WAYS OF THE LORD, THEY ARE ALL SAVED, AND FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, ONE OF THEM IS GETTING BAPTIZED.
ONE THING I MUST SAY AS I STARTED MY WALK WITH THE LORD IN JAIL, RBC MINISTRY WAS A GREAT PART OF MY WALK. AND WHEN I CAME OUT IT KEPT ON LEADING ME TO MY DAILY SCRIPTURES AND WALK WITH THE LORD.
I MAY NOT HAVE MUCH MY BELOVED BROTHERS AND SISTER, BUT I HAVE A LOT OF LOVE FOR YOUR MINISTRY AND GRATITUDE FOR YOU WERE A GREAT DEAL IN MY WALK. BY GRACE I RECIVED, AND BY GRACE I GIVE WHAT THE LORD HAS STORED IN MY HEART. GOD BLESS YOUR MINISTRY, YOU TOUCH A LOT OF HEARTS IN JAILS, AS I GO TWICE A WEEK, ONE THING I NOTICE IS THE WOMANS IN THERE ALWAYS HAVE A DAILY BREAD FROM RBC. MAY MY TESTIMONY FOR THE GLORY OF GOD ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO CONTINUE IN THE WAYS OF THE LORD. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE MY TESTIMONY, AND MAY THE PEACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ALWAYS BE WITH YOU...
ReadHello. I use to get Daily Bread a long time in the mail. Then I got a divorce and it all stop.
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!
Your newest member
Lisa Nunn
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I have been reading Our Daily Bread since I was a teenager. It has become a major part of my daily devotions both in private and in Class Devotions. I share…
ReadI have followed in my father’s footsteps in many parts of my life. I loved spending my childhood outdoors and fishing like he did. I followed him into a long…
ReadWith lives lost all around him, Colorado Rockies broadcaster Jerry Schemmel shares his story of how a plane crash opened his eyes to his need of a Savior. It's a…
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