My husband and I relocated from a…
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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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ReadHi, my name is Rocky and I…
ReadHi, my name is Rocky and I am a squirrel, but I am not any ordinary squirrel, I am a "blessed" squirrel! I asked my adopted mom, Ms. Sharon to write a letter for me because I wanted everyone to know how God loves me too! I know because being squirrel is not always easy; much of my day is about "food" meaning finding food, eating food and burying food.... Also, many times I am having to fight other animals especially my squirrel relatives who are always trying to take my food. Okay, if I am honest sometimes I am taking theirs too! Well, this is where God comes in for me as He sent me Ms. Sharon and Mr. Woody too (her hubby) who feeds me and many of my friends like Rudy the singing cardinal, Ralph the grumpy blue jay and other invading squirrels (yes, they are even teaching me to share more and I try...it's so hard!). I know sometimes I look just plain greedy and not so appreciative of all that God gives me to eat each day. But it's a squirrel's natural instinct to think that there will not be enough food or it will run out so you just keep on eating. I admit that even when I save some I am still looking for more to eat; never satisfied. One day when I was been super greedy; Ms. Sharon, laughing, said "boy, you squirrels sure do take on similar characteristics of us humans as we always want more and never seem to have enough; always worrying about our next meal. But, then she looked a little sad and spoke as if she was talking to herself. She said "lately, it seems we humans seem to be worrying about everything now days just a little too much...and trusting in God a little less". Well, as a squirrel that was too deep for me to really understand, so I went back to my daily task of "eating". But I did hear her say "Rocky, you and I are so blessed as your belly is always fed and so is mine!" And while I was eating my favorite peanut crackers, rubbing my full belly; smiling, I thought "she is right!!!"
God doesn't want us to worry so much as He wants us to trust Him more. He also wants us to be thankful in our times of fullness; He wants us to share with others who have less even if we help feed other people or are feeding animals like a special squirrel name "Rocky" who is very blessed indeed. We all are so blessed!
God doesn't want us to worry so much as He wants us to trust Him more. He also wants us to be thankful in our times of fullness; He wants us to share with others who have less even if we help feed other people or are feeding animals like a special squirrel name "Rocky" who is very blessed indeed.
Abba Father, thank you for nature, for speaking through your beautiful wild life and animals like "Rocky" that to teach us so many things about trusting your faithfulness to care for all that you have created on this earth.
Today I will put my worries and cares aside and thank of others; even God's special creatures:).
ReadMy struggles in life
My name is Ashok Kumar. I am from a middle class Hindu family that worships Hindu deities. I was the only child to my parents after 14 years their marriage. I lost my father at the age of nine and a little farm was our family's only source of support. During my school days, when I see some rich children enjoying ice cream, biscuits, I used to suppress the desire of eating such costly items. During my college days I rarely watch movies. If at all I go I used to go lower class. At times when I watch a movie with friends for higher ticket, I used cry lonely (remembering struggles of my mother to send me the money). I grew up in the atmosphere of worshiping Hindu deities. Food used to be allowed only after the regular devotion to deities. I learned about the struggle of life through my mother's tremendous challenges, and when she fell ill I was unable to bear the hardships. Not knowing what to do, I became very depressed.
After I had completed my academia my elders began planning my marriage. However, the circumstances were evolved that I go against the choice of the elders, especially my mother and I felt it would only disrupt the girl’s future. In my sadness I foolishly made my problem worse by becoming intimate with another girl, and was then unable to abandon that immoral activity. I considered my actions to be a great injustice to my mother, and was so ashamed that I would not allow her to see my cowardly face.
Disgusted with life, I decided that suicide was the only way out. I told my girlfriend, and unfortunately, she decided to join me. So, at 20 years old, on May 1977, we both walked toward a fast approaching train.
Results of My Foolishness
We were taken to the government hospital by the railway authorities with critical injuries, and a week later I awakened from a coma. I had an oxygen mask, and there was saline, injuries, cuts, stitches on the broken skull, stitches on the right eye and torn left ear. I suffered from agonizing pain and was unable to move my legs. Bandage strips were all over my body.
My heart was crushed when I learned that the girl had lost a leg and an arm. My foolishness had also destroyed her life, and I loathed myself because I was still alive.
My relatives hated what I had done and some would not even come to see me. A close friend came, but after learning the facts angrily left, saying that I would never see him again. One of my relatives had even said to my mom, “he is useless, throw him into the river and go home”. My maternal family however, had supported me for my mother’s sake.
Ten days later when more problems developed the doctors advised them to take me to a larger hospital.
Burning with infected injuries
I was admitted to Guntur General Hospital. The bed was very hard and there was no fan to cool me. Due to an infection I was unable to have food, and I was burning with fever. I had many injections for pain, but it was still unbearable, and I could not sleep. I could not tolerate the sufferings and would often cry. It was a hell-like suffering. Several times I tried to get some poison. I begged them to kill me.
Five months later a major surgery was performed on my left side. Immediately afterward there was a severe storm and the physicians left to treat the victims. A week later the doctor opened the bandage and discovered that the operation had failed. The doctors told mom that my survival would be difficult. A few relatives came to see me for what they thought would be the last time. And in my suffering and mental anguish I was waiting to see how quickly the soul separates from the damaged body.
I Screamed out against Christ
Then, a friend of a fellow-patient came to enquire about my condition. He told me how he had come to believe in Jesus, but I was not interested. I had been screaming at my false gods because I was still alive, but that day I screamed out against Christ. That night I dreamed a man clad in a white gown climbed down from a helicopter, came over to me and placed his hand on my shoulder and said that I should “not scream out at Jesus." Hindus believe that false gods punish for wrongs that are committed. My interpretation of the dream was that Jesus had appeared to warned me for my rebuke (outburst) toward him, so I was afraid he would punish me.
At the time I thought that everyone who believes in Christ wore a cross; so, in an attempt to divert the wrath of Jesus, I asked my nephew to bring me a cross and to put it on me.
Even as a child I had a flippant attitude towards Christians, but I now realized I was wrong. The memory of Jesus laying His hand on me in my dream was strongly on my heart. I had the feeling that Jesus liked me, and I started liking Him, wholeheartedly.
Whom do I have? Where do I go?
Ten months after admission into Guntur hospital, still with large areas of my body not healed, the doctors advised my family to take me home. Until then I had thought that, “If I survived, I would walk again, and I would then return to college to complete my PG.” However, when I learned that I would never walk again, my heart was broken.
After my father’s death, I planned to support my mother, now I could no longer support her. Not only that, but I was the cause of her mental agony and physical torture, which can never be pardoned.
My maternal uncle's family showed mercy and put me in a small hospital close to their village, and sent us food. A nurse came to dress my injuries on a regular basis.
The doctor knowing I was a Hindu, asked about the cross I wore, and was told that I did so because of my critical condition.
He then asked one of the patients (who is a retired teacher) to see if he could console me. The retired teacher visited occasionally, and began to tell me about Christ. At the request of my relatives, a specialist Doctor visited me, and he told them, “I can’t say how long he will survive, take him home, because it will cost a lot of money to remain in the hospital”.
But where would we go? Our house was locked, and our little farm disposed of to meet the hospital expenses. We had no livelihood. How many days could we manage on our meagre income?
When my relatives had learned of my assumed to be critical injuries one of them had taken away all my clothes, down to the last shirt. Someone suggested that I should undertake a typing job, but how could I even sit, with the raw sores? There is nothing, "except to await death," as assured by the doctors.
The teacher still came to tell about Jesus. Initially I was not interested, but then I began to wonder, “why is he interested in me, and what's the use of his coming to see me?” There seemed to be truth in his words, but what was the evidence to help me believe?
Was God Speaking to Me?
On one of his visits I asked him for a Bible, and began to read. I noticed that when I read certain words, it seemed that God was speaking directly to me, and that it could have been written about me, especially the Book of Job:
• “For You write bitter things against me,
And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
You put my feet in the stocks,
And watch closely all my paths.
You set a limit for the soles of my feet.” (Job 13: 26-27).
• “Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects;
Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
For He bruises, but He binds up;
He wounds, but His hands make whole.” (Job 5: 17-18).
• “Then he looks at men and says,
‘I have sinned, and perverted what was right,
And it did not profit me.’
He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit,
And his life shall see the light.” (Job 33: 27-28)
• “He delivers the poor in their affliction,
And opens their ears in oppression.
• Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress,
Into a broad place where there is no restraint;
And what is set on your table would be full of richness.” (Job 36: 15-16)
I was reading the Bible and thinking about the power of God, and His knowledge to be able to set up the entire universe, and was surprised at how great God is.
As written in Isaiah 44: 9-20, no one discerns that the Omnipotent Creator does not exist in the ingenious forms made by human hands.
• "“You are My witnesses,” says the LORD,
“And My servant whom I have chosen,
That you may know and believe Me,
And understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no God formed,
Nor shall there be after Me.
I, even I, am the LORD,
And besides Me there is no savior.” (Isaiah 43: 10-11)
• “Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him?
Everything under heaven is Mine.” (Job 41:11)
What could I give to such a God who had created the whole universe? I regretted and repented for what I had so foolishly and ridiculously done, (screaming, breaking coconuts, shaving the hair, etc). I discovered that “He does not want material things from me, only a pure heart." I felt bad, why was I not told earlier about such a Living God. My eyes were opened. My heart had been transformed by reading the Bible.
I realized that I was a sinner and deserved absolute punishment. I believed without a doubt that Jesus had died on the cross and shed His blood to cleanse me from all sin. He had risen from the grave by conquering death, and made me to live eternally at the feet of God.
Christ - My Personal Saviour
On June 24, 1979 I trusted Christ to take me to Heaven. Even in such a critical condition, I believed that, much like the thief on the cross, if I died in bed I would enter into Eternity with Christ. Even if the doctors are right, and I am dying, I would not go to an everlasting fire, but to the feet of the Almighty.
The mental agony and depression slowly disappeared. My heart would jump with joy as I went through the Word of God, and enjoyed the tranquillity of the Father. The Creator who is with me and loves me had listened to my petty requests.
One day I was carried to an open terrace for a change, and Mom went to the ground floor. Thick clouds were forming and I was afraid the soaked lesions might worsen in the rain.
I Prayed, and a few minutes later was surprised to see the clouds driven away by a huge wind, with only one drop falling on my forehead. I rejoiced in God, because He had answered my prayer.
A Great Turning Point
The teacher, and another friend, went to the Baptist Mission Hospital and explained my situation to a missionary. Dr. Marian O. Boehr. They asked her if anything more could be done to help my injuries to heal. (Incidentally, this same Doctor had performed my mother’s delivery when I was born).
So, she sent me another missionary, Ms. Doris Conney, and a few days later I was shifted to the hospital. It was a great turning point in my life. There, they looked after me and were kind-hearted. The doctor treated me as though I was her own child. Since then many brethren have regularly prayed for me.
Soon there were signs that the first vertebral lesion was beginning to heal. Then I was made to lie down in a position that would allow the morning sunlight to touch both sides of the injuries that were not healing. A few days later Dr. Boehr performed surgery on both injuries, and a miracle happened.
When the bandage was opened the injury on my right side was completely healed, however, the left side was not. Everyone, including myself, was astonished that God had miraculously healed what doctors had said would never heal.
Next, I was admitted to CMC Hospital where I underwent six surgeries, each causing extreme pain. Eight months later the injuries were completely healed, and I was learning how to use the wheelchair, and to manage my daily activities.
Everything Seemed New
I got a great spiritual benefit by my small transistor radio while I was lying in bed. Listening to all Bible messages, including Bro. RRK Murthy’s Bible lessons, and meditating on the Bible was my routine. The servants of God visited and prayed for me. Bro.Bhakth Singh visited and prayed for me. Dr. Mary Verghese, a disabled doctor, presented me with a wheelchair.
So, after three long years, seated in my wheelchair I once again ventured outside, and into the world. Everything seemed new. The Father who had found me in a distressed condition, immovable between four walls for so long, had healed and raised me up.
“The LORD has chastened me severely,
But He has not given me over to death.” Psalm 118:18
Psalm 119: 75,71,67, was surely written for me:
• “I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
• It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
• Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.”
My Mother Accepts Christ
Salvation is freely available only through His Grace, and not of our own righteousness. My mother, who had previously worshiped idols with great devotion, was transformed and began to read the Bible, and to pray. She also removed the idols and false gods from her home. Considering her strong Hindu ideology, her willingness to believe in Christ was a surprise to all.
On December 1980, one and one half years after accepting Christ as our personal Saviour, my mother and I were baptised. How blessed we are to be released from sin and receive Eternal Life.
My relatives had witnessed my physical recovery, and could only agree that it was Christ who had healed me. Unfortunately, being Spiritually blind, they can only see the external and cannot not break the social bondage and come forward.
Out of the Hospital and a New Job
We were at last back from the hospital, but how would we survive? Who could immediately provide me with a job? I decided to ask the missionary doctor at the hospital where I had been treated, if she would temporarily provide me with a job. After a couple of weeks one of the employees resigned, and I was given her job. My first month earning was Rs.300 (4.40 US Dollar). Mom and I rejoiced for God’s care for us.
At first, it seemed difficult to work for 8 hours without mobility. My injured waist turned red and swollen. I had tremendous pain and was exhausted. By evening my legs would be so swollen that I would look forward to going home and lying down. In the mornings I could get ready for work only with the strength given by God.
One evening, as I was returning home from work, Mr. Christopher, a bank employee, encouraged me to take the competitive examinations. The doctor, who had provided the job, also encouraged me to write exams.
So, believing God was guiding me, I subscribed to a newspaper and started searching available jobs, and applying, and I received 5 offers. In December 1982 I joined a State Govt job, but due to the terrible conditions in that office I began praying to get out.
At the age of 26 (1983), I resigned from the State Govt job and joined the Bank. A year after joining the bank I completed M.Com. I commuted back and forth by crawling into a city bus and passed the bank's internal tests (CAIIB).
The Father Has My Back
One day, while returning home from work in a rickshaw, I had a fantastic experience:
I saw a man walking very fast along the side of the road carrying a calf buffalo, and it's protective mother was following ever so closely behind. In a brief moment I suddenly understood and that my Heavenly Father also closely guards my back; and He can certainly give more attention than any animal.
Awards from the President of India
In 1989 I was a recipient of “A most efficient handicapped employee” award, from the Government of Andhra Pradesh. In1992, in recognition of my expertise at work, the Government of India awarded me “a most efficient handicapped employee” award. It is a great gift of Almighty received from the President of India Shri. R Venkataraman. My mother was overwhelmed with happiness.
The gift from God would be a rare event even in a normal person’s life. However, I was very careful not to allow myself to be exalted, but practiced humility and silent supplication to God.
I carried on my duties with renewed energy and efficiency. God blessed, and I was promoted to Officer. I have been blessed with three promotions in my service. As written in the Bible, my loving Father brought me up by His Grace. When we were at Vizag God provided me with a sidecar scooter. Mom was happy that we were now able to move around by ourselves. My co-workers and neighbours were surprised that I could drive a scooter.
Gifted with a Wife and a Car
In 1996 the Almighty united me with a God-fearing girl, named Rachna. Well before my mother left the world the Lord had brought me another loving caretaker. In 1997 He blessed us with a flat. In response to Mom and wife’s prayers, God gifted me with a car. Now I could go to the office even when it rains. (God gave me the wisdom and the courage to drive a car, without training.)
My mom left to be with God in 2005, but she had cried, begged for my life, and cared for me until her last breath. She left this earth believing that “although her son is crippled, he could manage things independently, and that God had blessed him with a respectable position
in society."
The people at my work respected and acknowledged my devoted services. My firm commitment to my Organization had obscured my disability and provided an opportunity to serve as Branch Manager. I am always loyal to the Almighty who loved me and placed me in this respectable position.
Both trials and abundant blessings have been a part of my life's journey, but my loving Father has healed me, and I do not look back. I believe that behind every cloud, trial, or temptation, there is a rainbow of God’s grace.
The Lord's Deliverance
The Lord has saved me from death three times:
First time: Avoiding a direct head-on collision with a rapidly approaching bus when taking my mother to a dentist.
Second time: I was admitted to a hospital for treatment and was saved from a wrong blood transfusion.
Third time: I was in ICU in a critical condition because a nurse had given an injection into a vein instead of a muscle.
My wife prays and looks after me as well as a mother, and never allows me to think that I am a disabled person. In every aspect she ensures that no burden falls upon me.
Though my body is like a ploughed field and chafed by the surgeons knife, Almighty Christ has carried me on his shoulder like an injured lamb, enabling me to successfully complete 33 years of service.
The loving God, who found me when I was in my mother’s womb and before the foundation of the world, and He has kept me alive these 39 years to share His loving Grace and Omnipotent power.
I have believed this promise:
"If you would earnestly seek God
And make your supplication to the Almighty,
If you were pure and upright,
Surely now He would awake for you,
And prosper your rightful dwelling place.
Though your beginning was small,
Yet your latter end would increase abundantly. " (Job 8: 5-7)
I trusted Christ, not for my physical healing, but to reach His feet when I die. He not only healed me, he also gave me the opportunity to fulfill my responsibility to my beloved mother, and lifted my life to a respectable position in society.
The entire universe may perish, but the Word of God will never fail. He always fulfills His promise... my life is the living evidence.
GLORY TO ALMIGHTY GOD.
Ashok Kumar: India
ReadJesus said, “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.’” Matthew 25:40 (RSV)
One Christmas, my daughter and I were alone. A church friend who worked at an assisted living facility, announced they were having a Christmas Party for the residents and could use some help. We volunteered.
We helped with their gift giving, games they played, and assisted shaky hands while they ate. (Shaky hands and Jello presents a real challenge.) We glued, taped and stapled as they made a Christmas craft and then we all sang Christmas Carols. After one ice cream accident, we decided ice cream was good enough to wear. It was a wonderful afternoon. You could not wipe the smiles off our faces.
After a most rewarding day, we went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner—the only place open on Christmas Day. We shared and laughed again at the happy events of our wonderful day. It gave us a blessing greater than any Christmas gift could.
We could have felt sorry for ourselves and sat around complaining about our circumstances, but we chose to help. No one attends pity parties. The gift really was for us.
Jesus said, “What you do for the least of these, you do it for me.” (Above)
Joshua said, “Choose this day whom you will serve…” Joshua 24:15
Dear Lord. The greatest gift is You. Ignite in us the heart to be a gift to others and choose the Godly way to give—in Your name. Amen.
© 2015 Lois Gosley
ReadDear Friends-
My wife and I begin our day with a reading from OurDailyBread. You have suggested for your readers to offer thoughts or experiences they might have had. I have a personal account that I experienced a while back that you might include in your devotionals. You are free to modify it or edit it any way.
Meeting Jesus
My friend Larry and I are in our eighties. A few months ago before church I was in Fellowship Hall. Larry came up to me and said, "Sit down. I want to talk to you." As we were seated, he said that he had been to the doctor the previous week. The doctor said that he had a life-threatening condition. He then leaned forward toward me and said, "I'm going to meet Jesus before you do." Tears welled in my eyes, and I didn't know how to respond.
As time passed , Larry's condition grew worse. Eventually he was put in Hospice Care, and today (7/17/2016) he died. I think of him now as providing a wonderful expression of a gentle passage from this life to eternity. He has met Jesus face-to-face. "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Php. !:21)
Larry was an Elder in our church, and he continued to serve as long as he was able. He would always follow up with people in need in his own parish as well with others who, needed help.
As the end drew near, Larry made sure that provision was made for his wife. He met with our pastor, and planned the arrangements for his memorial service.
Insight
We all have experienced the death of someone we loved. It's so hard to realize that we'll never see them again - in this life. As Christians we grieve, but we have the assurance that we will be united once again. I sometimes wonder about those who don't know Christ. The void in their lives can't be filled in this life or the next.
ReadI was brought up in a Christian home, by parents who were missionaries to India. I had two brothers and a sister and the four of us were all born in India. Up to the age of 16 I moved back and forth between India and the UK but finally we all remained in the UK.
When I was 5 years old I heard the story retold of the cross of Jesus and how He suffered and died for me. I was very moved and asked Him to come into my heart and to stay there forever. Not knowing a lot, though, at that young age, and perhaps not realising the implications of that decision, my life style didn't change significantly right away.
When I was aged 10 or 11 however, I entered a kind of 'honeymoon' period in my Christian life. I became very enthusiastic about Christian things and keen to tell my friends that they too needed to be 'saved.' Sadly, this did not last. In my early to mid-teens my zeal cooled somewhat and other interests and distractions took over.
However, I don't think I stopped believing. God kept His hand on me and protected me from sliding too far into sin. At age 17, certain scientific facts about the vastness of the universe, the speed of light and distances measured in light years, caught my imagination. Coupled with Scriptures about the wonders of God's creation and what the Bible said in two psalms in particular (8 and 19), this brought me back to outright faith. I rededicated my life to the Lord and was baptised a few months later.
Down the years since then I have experienced many things - supremely happy times and some pretty tough times, including unemployment and mental illness. Through it all God has sustained me, provided for me and gradually strengthened my faith and deepened my relationship with Him. He has proved His love and faithfulness many, many times over! I have often failed Him but He has never let me down. At age 54 I was married to a Christian lady and we have now been together for nearly 14 years. Marriage was and is a life-changing experience and I am still learning and being stretched! I'm sure she is too!
The Lord is good: you should "taste and see" how true that is. He has promised me a glorious future in Heaven with Him; this is a "living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." The alternative, being separated from God for ever, is so awful as to be unthinkable. But it is inevitable if you do not seek Him and receive Him NOW. You don't have to take that route because God's offer of salvation is still open and available and He loves you and longs to welcome you into His family, to share the future He planned and paid such a high price for at Calvary's cross. Come to Him TODAY!
ReadI have been involved in Christianity for 5 years now. A co-worker invited me to church during a moment when I was encountering a problem in my marriage related to a family member. I accepted the offer hoping for Jesus to solve my problem. Weeks later my problem was solved and my married was in the up again towards normality. Today, I am still following Jesus, go to Church and volunteer. During a quick trip to Grand Rapids, MI I said to myself. I am going to stay in my hotel room today and read the Bible. Well, little did I know that the hotel is across the Our Daily Bread main office. I quickly asked if they did tours and they received me with open arms. I saw that ODB was in fact legit and everything they do to continue to pass the Word of God. They even use recycled paper to produce their booklets to reduce cost because sometimes they are short of funds. I have since then been very connected to this ministry and know that they preach and speak directly from the Bible the Word of God. God Bless this ministry and those who help continue their work.
Read God’s Direction
As a discharge planner for almost 5 years in the re-entry department in a large maximum correctional facility, a good portion of my work day includes the filing of disability and medical benefits for offenders that suffer from mental health and medical disabilities before they release back to the community. Through God’s power He has given me the strength to work with some of the roughest individuals and to see me through each situation I encounter. I look into their eyes and see human emotion exhibited flowing to the top as we visit and build trust with each other. It is an important part of the visit to listen, acknowledge and offer the gifts I can give especially myself. I have had many tell me or send me a note of thanks for being there as someone who cared, This work can appear to be uncomfortable for some, but with God, nothing is impossible or uncomfortable, as this is God’s mission field and He has called me. Each day as I enter this facility, I whisper a prayer that I may make a difference in a life of one of His children.
God calls us to go in the direction that He has for us and to the mission field that He has set up to use our gifts and talents for His service. It may be uncomfortable and we do not understand, but God knows and will show Himself if we trust as we take this journey through life. We may not know the final location on this earth, but His final place for us is one with many rooms
Prayer
God lead us in your direction and show us your path each day so that we may glorify your name in all we say and do so others will follow the path of Jesus. Amen
My name is Ann Ferguson and I became a Christian in November 1982, four weeks after moving back to live with my dad in Dunfermline. I never realised as I gave my heart to Jesus that night and got prayed over how my life would change and surprisingly not always for the best.
I started to attend our local church of Scotland church in Abbeyview, Dunfermline and enjoyed the Sunday services. At firstI attended the morning service only and then eventually as God led me to the evening service.
The minister's wife worked at the faith mission bookshop in Dunfermline and got me a job as a volunteer there two days a week. I loved it and eventually, because I was unemployed at the time started to work more hours there.
In the church I started attending the women's guild and helping with the Sunday school. I also helped with the cleaning rota of the church and occasionally with the teas and coffees on a Sunday.
When we had children's missionsI would be helping as well.
Unknown to me my body couldn't take the toll of all the physical activities I was undertaking and in June of 1984 I think, not sure of exact date, I took to my bed with depression and ended up in Strathedene hospital near Cupar, Fife which is about 40 miles away.
I was in hospital for at least a fortnight. I couldn't function at all. I remember thinking that I had let God down and he was angry with me!!!!!!!
I started to read a romance story i had with me and then eventually managed to start reading my bible again.
I had no idea what was going on and was very frightened.
I was afraid of the nurses and doctors and was not willing
to trust them at that time. The only person I truly trusted was Jesus!!!!!!!
Whilst in the hospital I attended the morning services on the Sunday morning. Interestingly the first sermon I have never been to remember but the second was a breath of fresh air to me.
The minister told us the story of the woman with the blood disorder that touched Jesus and Jairus's daughter. Somehow I knew God was talking to me and giving me hope for my healing.
After lunch I went for a walk on the border of the hospital and sat in a cornfield. I had with me my St Ninian's newsletter and my bible. The passage was, wait for it, Jairus's daughter again and about healing.
After I got home from hospital I shared this with my minister. He didn't say anything and neither did I because at that time I wasn't able to ask questions as I had so much fear in me.
It has only been after much Christian counselling, prayer, healing and deliverance that I am able to share my healing.
God is good and has been with me through all my life only I didn't realise that at the time.
My daily bread notes have been a blessing to me over the years and when I have had bouts of depression I used to just read the notes without reading my bible and I got some comfort from them. Thank you for daily bread notes and may they be an inspiration to us all as we continually walk daily with the Lord Jesus.
Yours in Christ,
Ann Ferguson
ReadIt was a beautiful Easter morning and I had attended the Sunrise Easter Service not far from my home. The past year had been very rough due to losing my husband of cancer one year this particular month. His illness and departure had came within a five month period, one I wasn't expecting. I had been struggling to receive answers by going to church, reading my Bible at times, and being around family and friends. This all helped some, but didn't fill the emptiness inside of me. On this particular day after arriving home from church and feeling somewhat better, due to knowing this day was our Remembrance of our Lord's Resurrection. I decided to watch the second service on television after returning home from church. They were showing Jesus carrying the cross in which brought me great sorrow. I started crying and looking up above the television, and then I cried out, I do believe you arose from the dead. At that moment a beautiful presence came in the room and I knew it was him (Jesus) and he let me know, he indeed was alive. Not seeing a person or hearing someone speak out, it was more like a quick presence and inner voice to my heart and soul that he spoke to me. I was filled with love, peace, joy and assurance in knowing that our Dear Lord lives and is with me every moment. My life began to change for the better and I have never been the same. This encounter was so special to me because of all days, He visited me on Easter and at the time I most needed to fill His presence!
ReadToday's reading: Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
I used to always wonder why my neighbor takes up two parking spaces on our block. Aaliyah always had to park in front of her house. So it didn't matter to her if she took up two parking spaces. Aaliyah has a small car, so I didn't understand why she never left space for another car to park. If she received a space when she arrived home from work, she would always park super close to the car behind her. I was debating whether to say something to her about it, but I declined. Instead, I decided to let her witness my actions. Actions speak louder than words. I live in Philadelphia, PA and recently we had an ice storm. It was so bad that it took two hours or more to dig ourselves out of our respective parking spots. Another neighbor helped me to dig my car out of my spot. Aaliyah was outside around the same time we were. I decided after my car was out, to help her. Needless to say, Aaliyah, was so grateful. To this day, she no longer takes up two parking spaces. I learned that day, that a little kindness goes a very long way.
Thank you Father God that it is all about you and never about us!!!!!!!!
ReadIn our daily conversational language, we hardly use this word, "Appropriate".
So, to some of us, its meaning might not be very clear.
The Webster Handy College Dictionary gives the word, "appropriate" as a verb, meaning:
(1) allot (money) for a specific use [such as for, tithing, emergency days, etc.]
(2) take possession of. [citizenship granted to immigrants]
And as an adjective, the meaning is "suitable, applicable".
The subject that I wish to share with you all is, "how to take possession of someone's love for you".
Let me start with a reference to the gospel according to John. In passages of 13:23, 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20, we read a common refrain, "the disciple Jesus loved".
This is an adjective clause of himself, John, the author of the book, Gospel of John.
You would be forgiven, if you were to secretly say to yourself, "Wasn't John a bit thick skinned to self-claim as "...the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved". (John 20:2a)
Some preachers would even emphasize that among the 12 disciples, indeed, John must have been the most loved by Jesus, for that is what the Bible recorded in prints.
I have mulled over this expression, "the disciple Jesus loved ".
Actually, the writer, John could have just written, "myself or I" in those instances. But, no, he wrote 4 words instead of just one word to refer himself to the readers of the book.
Why? Let us find out.
The following are the resultant thoughts of my deliberations.
Firstly, it is erroneous to believe and worse still, to teach an erroneous application that Jesus had loved John more than the other disciples because the Bible has categorically
stated that "For God does not show favoritism." (Romans 2:11).
Therefore, it is very safe to believe and teach that Jesus loved all the disciples equally, even, the very one, who would betray Him with a kiss in the garden of Gethsemane, for the reward of mere thirty pieces of silver.
Secondly, this unique reference of "the disciple Jesus loved" is found only in the gospel of John and not in all the other books.
This shows us that the allusion of John being the especially loved disciple of Jesus, was of his own citation /authority, and not a perception upheld by the other disciples.
In other words, the other disciples did not sense or feel it that way (that Jesus loved John more than others).
Therefore, it has to do with how John appropriated Jesus' love for him, in order, for him to come forth to declare himself as, "the one whom Jesus loved".
Herein is a precious lesson for all of us - how to take possession of love from another person?
Needless to say, John would have known, realized and sensed keenly that Jesus loved equally everybody else. Yet, at the same time, he had felt the full force/weight of Jesus' love, as if, intentionally /calculated just for him alone /solely.
I am inclined to believe that whenever John interacted with Jesus, he must have savored the preciousness and greatness of Jesus' love for him.
John had, in essence, tasted and enjoyed Jesus' love as an invaluable /costly, beyond any price commodity; and the converse consequence was being humbled and felt very undeserving.
[I reckon, when John wrote the book, he had already known that Jesus was the Son of God, sent to be The Sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world. In the same way as declared by Peter, "It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God." (1Peter 1:19)]
And as he grew in appreciation for Jesus' love, he had not for a moment felt that he was a recipient of only a shadow fraction of love from Jesus.
I would not be surprised at all that his experience was similar to the multiplication of the 5 loaves and 2 fish that finally fed over 5,000 men (not counting the women and children).
Or, he could have felt Jesus' love oozing and filling him all over him with warmth, much like the froth that overflows from a mug of beer /lager.
You could be like me, if you give careful thoughts to identify /determine the underlying factors for John to appropriate /take possession of Jesus' love in such awesome manner.
I have no shadow of a doubt that John,
never looked /compared himself with others; for if Jesus were to love someone else more, what is that to him?
would not begrudge Jesus, the benefactor for what He would endow on others; and may even rejoice for them;
was grateful for whatever that was on the receiving end with which he was landed with;
that comes with an attitude/ true sense of being undeserving of Jesus' love; after all, he was just a mere fisherman, while Jesus was Son of God;
probably he would be telling his own soul, that in reality, Jesus did not need to love him, if He does not want to; such a stance would orientate him to appreciate hugely whatever love he could receive from Jesus;
was able to look out, recognize and note tokens of love from every word /action from Jesus in his every day's occurrences.
must have felt so special and exceptional, much akin to what my 2+-year-old granddaughter, Isabelle, who told off her young girl, who came visiting and was coming close to me, she stood and said, "this is my grandma" (with increased tone emphasizing on "my". Implying that I was her grandma and not anybody else's, much less for that girl; and after her declaration, she validated with a gesture. She moved from where she was sitting, walked passed that little girl to where I was sitting on the floor, and took a seat on my lap with her back leaning very close to my chest, much like settling a territorial dispute ritual!
Yes, we ought to feel possessive of Jesus' love for us to the extent that we would declare to the world that "I am the One whom Jesus loved".
God Bless You All!
Best Regards,
mary
Read"And let us be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if you faint not." Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
My grandson Omari had finally achieved his long sought after goal of playing high school football, in which he hoped would one day be the precursor to a great college football career. Every since he could hold a football he trained in the summer's heat, winter's cold, and everything in between for as long as I can remember. Everyone in our family knew Omari would reach his goal one day because of the dedication to his passion. Senior year is important especially for athletes because it's the last opportunity to showcase talent for college scouts looking to recruit for scholarships. During his senior year Omari was not given much playing time because his team had recruited new players. Omari's team made the championship that year but he and other long time teammates would not be playing in the biggest game of the year. The new recruits would play instead and Omari would be among others who would be on the sideline even though their hard work in earlier games had helped get the team to that point. My grandson was hurt beyond words, felt it was unfair and wanted to give up. I prayed and God gave me these words for him. "Omari, this is like a relay race and some are a better fit for positions than others. Someone has to be the first, second, third and fourth leg." "You and others have been the first, second, and third leg to get your team to this point. Now you must gladly hand off the baton to someone else who may be stronger, faster and has a better chance to first cross the finish line. You and the other teammates are still an important part of the team and need to be there to encourage the players when they are tired, weary, and may feel like giving up. " "And if your team wins the championship every team member will get the exact same championship ring." I went to that big game and it bought tears to my eyes to see Omari on the side line yelling, encouraging and motivating his teammates who seemed at one point to be knocked completely out of the water. But in spite of what looked like a losing situation in the beginning, Omari's team pulled through and won the state championship! Omari was estactic and so was I as I watched Omari, his teammates, coaches and fans run onto the field in total hysteria!!!! And in spite of Omari not getting much playing time on the field that year he was recruited by a Christian college and given a scholarship to play college football! Lesson learned.
So it is in our Christian walk when we put our own feelings of hurt and disappointment aside to encourage someone else. We will always reap God's bountiful blessings when we lay aside our own earnest desires to motivate others who may be better at getting the job done. God does not forget our labor of love when we sacrifice through our own tears to applaud the efforts of others. It may seem as though all our hard work has been overlooked by man but they will always be noticed by our God.
Father, when it seems we are overlooked, hurt and disappointed help us to put our own feelings aside to encourage those who may need a kind word or a gentle touch. Help us to push aside our own goals at times to help others reach theirs in Jesus name. Amen.
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