The Rugged Road - OUR DAILY BREAD

Ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16

A fishing buddy of mine told me about an alpine lake located high on the north flank of Jughandle Mountain here in Idaho. Rumor had it that large cutthroat trout lurked up there. My friend got a pencil and scrap of napkin and drew a map for me. Several weeks later I gassed up my truck and set out to follow his directions.

His map put me on one of the worst roads I’ve ever driven! It was an old logging road that had been bulldozed through the forest and never regraded. Washouts, fallen timber, deep ruts, and large rocks battered my spine and bent the undercarriage of my truck. It took half a morning to reach my destination, and when I finally arrived I asked myself, “Why would a friend send me up a road like this?”

But the lake was magnificent and the fish were indeed large and scrappy! My friend had put me on the right road—one I would have chosen myself and patiently endured had I known what I knew at the end.

There is a faithful saying: “All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant” (Ps. 25:10). Some of God’s paths for us are rough and rugged, others tedious and boring, but all are filled with His love and faithfulness. When we come to the end of our journey and know what we then will know, we will say, “God’s path was best for me.”

Father, we don’t see the end of the road, but You do. We trust You for what we can’t see. We know that You are bringing us through it.

Our path may have obstacles, but God will lead us.

God's Direction - OUR DAILY BREAD

God’s Direction

Oct 15, 2015

Read: Proverbs 3:1–8 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 45–46; 1 Thessalonians 3

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In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. —nkjv Proverbs 3:6

A century ago, 41-year-old Oswald Chambers arrived in Egypt to serve as a YMCA chaplain to British Commonwealth troops during World War I. He was assigned to a camp at Zeitoun, six miles north of Cairo. On his first night there, October 27, 1915, Chambers wrote in his diary, “This [area] is absolutely desert in the very heart of the troops and a glorious opportunity for men. It is all immensely unlike anything I have been used to, and I am watching with interest the new things God will do and engineer.”

Chambers believed and practiced the words of Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6 nkjv).

Wherever God puts us, our one great aim is to pour out a whole-hearted devotion to Him.

This is both a comfort and a challenge. There is security in knowing that the Lord will lead us each day, but we must not become so attached to our plans that we resist God’s redirection or His timing.

“We have no right to judge where we should be put, or to have preconceived notions as to what God is fitting us for,” said Chambers. “God engineers everything. Wherever He puts us, our one great aim is to pour out a whole-hearted devotion to Him in that particular work.”

Lord, may I love and serve You with all my heart where You have placed me today.

Read more of Oswald Chambers’ work at utmost.org

As we trust in God, He directs our steps.

Photo by: sixty4pics

Love Comes First - OUR DAILY BREAD

We love [God] because he first loved us.1 John 4:19

One evening my friend showed me one of the three decorative plaques that would be part of a wall arrangement in her living room. “See, I’ve already got Love,” she said, holding up the plaque with the word written on it. “Faith andHope are on order.”

So Love comes first, I thought. Faith and Hope soon follow!

Love did come first. In fact, it originated with God. First John 4:19 reminds us that “We love [God] because he first loved us.” God’s love, described in 1 Corinthians 13 (known as the “love chapter”), explains a characteristic of real love when it says, “Love never fails” (v. 8).

Faith and hope are essential to the believer. It is only because we are justified by faiththat “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). And hope is described in Hebrews 6 as “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (v. 19).

One day we will have no need of faith and hope. Faith will become sight and our hope will be realized when we see our Savior face to face. But love is eternal, for love is ofGod and God is love (1 John 4:7-8). “Now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love”—it’s first and last (1 Cor. 13:13).

Thank You, Lord, for Your faithful love and for the love of family and friends. Please help me find ways to show Your love to others today.

We love because God first loved us.

Unclear Vision - OUR DAILY BREAD

My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Job 42:5

My friend Meaghan is an accomplished equestrian, and I’ve been learning some interesting things about horses from her. For instance, despite having the largest eyes of all land mammals, horses have poor eyesight and can see fewer colors than humans. Because of this, they can’t always identify objects on the ground. When they see a pole, they don’t know if it’s a pole they can easily step over or a large snake that might harm them. For this reason, until they are properly trained horses are easily frightened and quick to run away.

We too may want to run from alarming circumstances. We may feel like Job who misunderstood his troubles and wished he’d never been born. Since he couldn’t see that it was Satan who was trying to break him down, he feared that the Lord, in whom he had trusted, was trying to destroy him. Overwhelmed, he cried out, “God has wronged me and drawn his net around me” (Job 19:6).

Like Job’s vision, ours is limited. We want to run away from the difficult situations that scare us. From God’s perspective, we are not alone. He understands what confuses and frightens us. He knows we are safe with Him by our side. This is our opportunity to trust His understanding rather than our own.

In what ways have you doubted God’s goodness? How have you seen Him working in your life during a difficult time?

Trusting God’s faithfulness dispels our fearfulness.

Being beautiful is nothing if u heart ugly!

SEBUAH JANJI YANG PASTI

Keselamatan Kekal

Yang Harus Saya Lakukan Selanjutnya adalah Mengetahui tentang Keselamatan Kekal dan Tujuan Hidup Saya

Apakah itu Keselamatan Kekal? Apakah Berlaku untuk Saya?

Tuhan mengasihi Anda dan tidak menginginkan Anda binasa untuk selama-lamanya. Setiap manusia, termasuk Anda telah berbuat dosa, dan manusia tidak dapat menyelamatkan dirinya sendiri, bahkan dengan perbuatan baik sekalipun.

Roma 3:23-24 "Karena semua orang telah berbuat dosa dan telah kehilangan kemuliaan Allah, dan oleh kasih karunia telah dibenarkan dengan cuma-cuma karena penebusan dalam Kristus Yesus."

Sejak jaman Adam, manusia telah terputus hubungannya dengan Allah, karena dosa yang diperbuatnya. Allah itu Maha Suci sehingga Ia tidak dapat menerima manusia yang berdosa, dan manusia tidak akan tahan berdiri di depan hadirat Allah.

Roma 5:22 " Sebab itu, sama seperti dosa telah masuk ke dalam dunia oleh satu orang (Adam), dan oleh dosa itu juga maut, demikianlah maut itu telah menjalar kepada semua orang, karena semua orang telah berbuat dosa." 

Namun, karena demikian besar kasih Allah atas manusia ciptaan-Nya itu, maka Ia mengutus AnakNya yang Tunggal, yaitu Yesus Kristus untuk menjadi pengantara manusia dan Allah.

Roma 3:25-26 "Kristus Yesus telah ditentukan Allah menjadi jalan pendamaian karena iman, dalam darah-Nya. Hal ini dibuat-Nya untuk menunjukkan keadilan-Nya, karena Ia telah membiarkan dosa-dosa yang telah terjadi dahulu pada masa kesabaran-Nya. Maksud-Nya ialah untuk menunjukkan keadilan-Nya pada masa ini, supaya nyata, bahwa Ia benar dan juga membenarkan orang yang percaya kepada Yesus."

Roma 6:23 "Sebab upah dosa ialah maut, tetapi karunia Allah ialah hidup yang kekal dalam Kristus Yesus, Tuhan kita."

Hanya dengan PERCAYA kepada Yesus sebagai Juruslamat, yaitu penebus dosa dan pengantara Anda dan saya, maka keselamatan cuma-cuma akan diberikan oleh-Nya. Semudah itukah? Ya, sebuah kepastian di dalam kehidupan Anda atas kehidupan kekal sesudah kematian. Hanya di dalam Nama Yesus.

Yesaya  1:18 "Marilah, baiklah kita beperkara! -- firman TUHAN -- Sekalipun dosamu merah seperti kirmizi, akan menjadi putih seperti salju; sekalipun berwarna merah seperti kain kesumba, akan menjadi putih seperti bulu domba."

Wahyu 3:20 "Lihat, Aku berdiri di muka pintu dan mengetok, jikalau ada orang yang mendengar suaraKu dan membukakan pintu, Aku akan masuk mendapatkannya dan Aku makan bersama-sama dengan dia, dan ia bersama-sama dengan Aku."

Tidak ada perbuatan baik (amal) yang dapat menyelamatkan Anda. Sebab, seberapa banyak amal yang dapat kita lakukan, tidak ada yang dapat mengetahuinya.

Roma 3:27-28 "Jika demikian, apakah dasarnya untuk bermegah? Tidak ada! Berdasarkan apa? Berdasarkan perbuatan? Tidak, melainkan berdasarkan iman! Karena kami yakin, bahwa manusia dibenarkan karena iman, dan bukan karena ia melakukan hukum Taurat."

Ucapkanlah doa di bawah ini: 
Tuhan Yesus, saya tahu saya seorang berdosa yang terhilang. 
Saya mohon agar dosa saya diampuni. 
Masuklah ke dalam hati saya dan jadilah Tuhan dan Juruselamat saya.
Dalam nama Tuhan Yesus Kristus. Amin.

Baca juga: Dasar-dasar Kekristenan >>

 

Apakah Tujuan Hidup Saya?

(1) Ini Bukan Mengenai Anda. Ini Mengenai Hidup untuk Allah

Tujuan hidup Anda jauh lebih besar daripada prestasi pribadi Anda, ketenangan pikiran Anda, atau bahkan kebahagiaan Anda. Ini jauh lebih besar daripada keluarga Anda, karier Anda, atau bahkan mimpi-mimpi terdalam dari ambisi Anda. Jika Anda ingin tahu mengapa Anda ditempatkan di dunia, Anda harus memulainya dengan Allah. Anda dilahirkan oleh tujuan-Nya dan untuk tujuan-Nya.

 

(2) Anda Ada Bukan Karena Kebetulan

Kelahiran Anda bukanlah suatu kesalahan atau kesialan. Orang tua Anda mungkin tidak menginginkan Anda, tetapi Allah merencanakan Anda. Dia tidak terkejut sama sekali dengan kelahiran Anda. Sesungguhnya, Dia mengharapkan Anda.

Jauh sebelum Anda ada dalam benak orang-tua Anda, Anda sudah ada dalam pikiran Allah. Dia memikirkan Anda terlebih dahulu. Bukan karena nasib, bukan karena kesempatan, bukan karena keberuntungan, juga bukan karena kebetulan, Anda bernafas saat ini. Anda hidup karena Allah ingin menciptakan Anda.

“Akulah TUHAN yang menjadikan engkau, yang membentuk engkau sejak dari kandungan dan yang menolong engkau” (Yesaya 44:2 BIS)

 

(3) Anda Ditempatkan di Dunia untuk Bersiap-siap Menghadapi Kekekalan

Banyak orang menghabiskan hidupnya dengan berupaya menciptakan warisan yang tanpa akhir di bumi. Mereka ingin dikenang ketika mereka meninggal. Namun, apa yang akhirnya paling penting bukanlah apa yang orang lain katakan tentang kehidupan Anda, tetapi apa yang Allah katakan.

Apa yang gagal disadari oleh orang-orang adalah bahwa segala pencapaian pada akhirnya lewat, catatan-catatan rusak, reputasi memudar, dan pujian dilupakan.

Hidup untuk menghasilkan warisan dunia adalah sasaran yang sia-sia. Seharusnya orang menggunakan waktunya untuk membangun warisan yang kekal, karena Anda ditempatkan di dunia untuk bersiap-siap menghadapi kekekalan.

Suatu kali nanti, Anda akan berdiri di hadapan Allah, dan Dia akan memeriksa kehidupan Anda, sebelum memasuki kekekalan.

“Sebab kita semua harus menghadap takhta pengadilan Allah… Demikianlah setiap orang di antara kita akan memberi pertanggungan jawab tentang dirinya sendiri kepada Allah” (Roma 14:10b,12)

Ucapkanlah doa di bawah ini:

“Ya Tuhan Yesus, terima kasih karena saya tahu sekarang bahwa saya ada bukan karena kebetulan, dan hidup berdasarkan tujuan adalah jalan menuju damai sejahtera. Walaupun tidak ada yang menginginkan saya di dunia ini, sekalipun orang tua saya sendiri, atau orang terdekat saya sekalipun telah menolak saya, namun Engkau telah menerima saya dan merencanakan saya sejak semula. Untuk itu, saya mau hidup bagi-Mu, Tuhan. Siapkan saya, ya Tuhan, untuk menghadapi kekekalan. Amin.”

Apabila Anda sudah mengerti tentang rencana keselamatan dan tujuan hidup dari Allah kepada diri Anda, maka Anda dapat melangkah kepada Pilar kehidupan Kristen dan meraih kemenangan.

Semua wanita Kristian harus baca! 10 Lelaki Yang Wanita Kristian Tidak Harus Kahwini

Oleh J. Lee Grady:

Saya dan isteri saya telah membesarkan empat orang anak perempuan - dan tiga daripada mereka sudah pun berkahwin. Kami menyayangi anak-anak menantu kami, dan jelas sekali Tuhan sendiri yang telah memilih setiap mereka sehingga sepadan dengan sifat-sifat dan personaliti anak-anak perempuan kami.

Saya selalu percaya bahawa Tuhan terlibat dalam hal menjodohkan. Kalau Dia boleh lakukannya untuk anak-anak perempuan saya, Dia boleh melakukannya untuk anda.

Pada waktu ini, saya ada beberapa kawan perempuan yang sangat ingin bertemu dengan lelaki yang tepat. Ada yang memberitahu saya bahawa calon pilihan tidak banyak di gereja mereka, jadi mereka mencuba di alam maya dengan online dating. Ada yang mengangkat tangan dengan hampa, dan tertanya-tanya samada masih ada lelaki Kristian yang baik untuk mereka. Mereka mula memikirkan samada mereka harus merendahkan standard pilihan mereka untuk mencari seorang pasangan.

Inilah nasihat saya: Jangan sesekali menerima yang bukan terbaik daripada Tuhan! Ramai wanita-wanita Kristian telah berkahwin dengan yang bukan pilihan Tuhan kerana ketidaksabaran telah mendorong mereka ke dalam perkahwinan yang tidak bahagia. Saya harap anda menerima nasihat saya sebagai seorang bapa: Anda lebih baik tidak berkahwin daripada bernikah dengan orang yang salah!

Mengenai "lelaki yang salah," berikut ini ialah 10 lelaki yang paling anda harus jauhi apabila mencari pasangan hidup; 

1. Orang yang tidak percaya. Sila tuliskan 2 Korintus 6:14 di atas sekeping kertas nota dan lekatkannya pada komputer di tempat kerja anda. Katanya, "Janganlah kamu merupakan pasangan yang tidak seimbang dengan orang-orang yang tak percaya. Sebab persamaan apakah terdapat antara kebenaran dan kedurhakaan? Atau bagaimanakah terang dapat bersatu dengan gelap?" Ini bukan suatu peraturan agama yang ketinggalan zaman. Itu adalah Firman Tuhan untuk anda hari ini.

Jangan izinkan daya tarikan, ketampanan, dan kejayaan kewangan seseorang lelaki (atau pun kerelaannya pergi ke gereja bersama anda) menyebabkan anda berkompromi dengan kebenaran yang anda tahu. "Dating penginjilan" tak pernah menjadi strategi yang bijak. Jika lelaki itu bukan seorang Kristian yang sudah dilahirkan kembali, keluarkan dia daripada senarai anda. Dia bukan yang sesuai untuk anda. Saya belum pernah lagi bertemu dengan seorang wanita Kristian yang tidak menyesali berkahwin dengan seorang yang tidak percaya. 

2. Orang  yang penipu. Jika anda mendapati lelaki yang anda sedang berdating telah membohongi anda mengenai masa silamnya ataupun dia selalu membuat helah menutupi kegiatannya untuk menyimpan rahsianya daripada anda, cepat-cepat lari dari dia. Perkahwinan harus dibina atas dasar saling mempercayai. Jika dia tidak boleh bercakap benar, putuskanlah hubungan sekarang sebelum dia mengejutkan anda dengan penipuan yang lebih besar. 

3. Orang yang playboy. Saya ingin untuk mengatakan bahawa jika anda bertemu dengan seorang lelaki yang kelihatan baik di gereja, anda boleh menganggap bahawa dia menjaga kesuciannya dalam hal seks. Tetapi itu bukan hakikatnya pada hari ini. Saya pernah mendengar cerita-cerita seram mengenai lelaki-lelaki bujang yang melayani dalam tim pujian dan penyembahan pada hari Ahad tetapi bertindak seperti Kasanova pada hari-hari lainnya. Jika anda berkahwin dengan seorang lelaki yang kaki perempuan sebelum hari perkahwinan, dia juga akan melakukan yang sama selepas perkahwinan.

4. Orang yang tidak bertanggungjawab.Terdapat ramai lelaki Kristian yang baik yang telah mengalami kegagalan dalam pernikahan bertahun yang lalu. Sejak penceraian mereka, mereka telah mengalami pemulihan daripada Roh Kudus, dan kini mereka mahu berkahwin lagi. Perkahwinan yang kedua boleh menjadi sangat berbahagia. Tetapi jika anda mendapati bahawa orang yang anda sedang dating itu tidak memberi penjagaan kepada anak-anaknya daripada perkahwinan yang lepas, anda sudah menjumpai satu kelemahan yang berbahaya. Sesiapa pun lelaki yang tidak bertanggungjawab akan kesilapan masa lampaunya atau tidak memberi penjagaan kepada anak-anak daripada perkahwinan lamanya tidak akan melayani anda dengan bertanggungjawab.

5. Orang yang penagih. Lelaki-lelaki yang pergi ke gereja tetapi yang ketagihan alkohol atau dadah telah belajar menyembunyikan masalah mereka - tetapi anda tidak mahu menunggu sehingga anda berbulan madu untuk mengetahui bahawa dia seorang peminum. Jangan pernah berkahwin dengan seorang lelaki yang tidak mahu mendapat pertolongan untuk ketagihannya. Anda perlu bertegas dia perlu mendapat pertolongan secara profesional dan putuskan hubungan dengannya. Dan jangan masuk dalam perhubungan bergantungan di mana dia mendakwa bahawa dia memerlukan anda untuk bebas daripada ketagihannya. Anda tidak boleh mengubah dia.

6. Orang yang penganggur. Saya mempunyai seorang kawan perempuan yang menyedari selepas dia berkahwin dengan teman lelakinya bahawa dia tidak mempunyai rancangan untuk mencari kerja yang tetap. Lelaki itu telah membuat strategi yang hebat: Dia akan tinggal di rumah sepanjang hari dan bermain permainan komputer sementara isterinya yang mempunyai kerjaya profesional bekerja dan membayar semua perbelanjaan. Rasul Paulus memberitahu orang-orang di Tesalonika, "Jika seorang tidak mau bekerja, janganlah ia makan" (2 Tes 3:10). Peraturan yang sama juga terpakai di sini: Jika seseorang lelaki tidak mahu bekerja, dia tidak layak berkahwin dengan anda.

7. Orang yang terlalu asyik dengan diri. Saya dengan ikhlas berharap anda mendapat teman lelaki yang kacak. Tetapi berhati-hati: jika teman lelaki anda menghabiskan enam jam di gim setiap hari dan selalu muatkan gambar-gambar otot-ototnya di Facebook, anda mempunyai masalah. Jangan jatuh hati dengan seorang lelaki yang terlalu asyik dengan dirinya sendiri. Dia mungkin nampak tampan, tetapi jika seorang lelaki terlalu terpegun dengan penampilannya sendiri dan keperluan dirinya, dia tidak akan mengasihi anda secara berkorban, seperti Kristus mengasihi gereja (Efesus 5:25). Lelaki yang selalu memandang dirinya di cermin tidak akan memerhatikan anda.

8. Orang yang pendera. Orang lelaki yang mempunyai kecenderungan mendera tidak dapat menguasai kemarahan mereka apabila kemarahan mereka memuncak. Jika lelaki yang anda dating ada kecenderungan melepaskan kemarahannya, samada terhadap anda atau orang lain, jangan memberi alasan untuk kelakuannya. Dia mempunyai masalah, dan jika anda berkahwin dengannya anda perlu sangat berhati-hati setiap hari untuk tidak menimbulkan kemarahannya umpama berjalan di medan perang yang dipasang bom periuk api. Lelaki yang pemarah akan melukakan wanita - melalui kata-katanya dan kadang-kadang secara fizikal. Carilah seorang lelaki yang lemah lembut.

9. Orang yang masih keanak-anakan. Mungkin saya berfikiran kolot, tetapi saya was-was dengan lelaki yang masih tinggal bersama ibubapanya pada usia 35 tahun. Jika ibunya masih memasak untuknya, membersih dan menggosok baju untuknya pada usia itu, anda boleh pasti dia masih terperangkap dalam kepompong emosi. Anda mengundang masalah jika anda berfikir anda boleh menjadi isteri kepada seorang lelaki yang masih keanak-anakan. Undur diri, dan sebagai seorang kawan, galakkan dia mencari seorang mentor yang boleh membantu dia menjadi dewasa.

10. Orang yang terlalu pengongkong. Ada lelaki Kristian masa kini yang menganggap perkahwinan adalah mengenai kelebihan lelaki. Mereka mungkin akan menyebut Firman dan nadanya seperti sangat rohani, tetapi di sebalik wajah otoritas suami terletak ketidakyakinan dan kesombongan yang mendalam yang boleh berubah menjadi penderaan rohani. 1 Petrus 3:17 memerintahkan suami untuk melayan isteri sebagai teman yang setara. Jika lelaki yang anda sedang dating sering merendahkan anda dalam percakapannya, membuat komen menghina terhadap wanita, atau kelihatan menghimpit karunia-karunia rohani anda, undur diri sekarang. Dia hanya suka berkuasa. Wanita yang berkahwin dengan pengongkong tegar keagamaan biasanya berkesudahan dengan mimpi ngeri kemurungan.

Jika anda seorang wanita pilihan Tuhan, janganlah menggadaikan warisan rohani anda dengan berkahwin dengan lelaki yang tidak layak memiliki anda. Keputusan terbijak anda dalam hidup ialah untuk menantikan seorang lelaki yang sepenuh hidupnya untuk Yesus.

(Diterjemah daripada artikel laman Charisma Magazine bertajuk "10 Men Christian Women Should Never Marry" penulisan J. Lee Grady bertarikh 12 Februari 2014)

Walking With The Lord - OUR DAILY BREAD

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. —Psalm 37:23

A small pamphlet I received from a friend was titled “An Attempt to Share the Story of 86 Years of Relationship with the Lord.” In it, Al Ackenheil noted key people and events in his journey of faith over nearly nine decades. What seemed to be ordinary choices at the time—memorizing Bible verses, meeting for prayer with others, telling his neighbors about Jesus—became turning points that changed the direction of his life. It was fascinating to read how God’s hand guided and encouraged Al.

The psalmist wrote, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way” (Ps. 37:23). The passage continues with a beautiful description of God’s faithful care for everyone who wants to walk with Him. “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide” (v. 31).

Each of us could create a record of God’s leading and faithfulness, reflecting on God’s guidance—the people, places, and experiences that are landmarks on our pathway of faith. Every remembrance of the Lord’s goodness encourages us to keep walking with Him and to thank someone who influenced us for good.

The Lord guides and guards all who walk with Him.

Heavenly Father, Your faithfulness to us is unfailing. Thank You for leading, guiding, and providing so many spiritual encouragers and mentors. Bless those today who have helped us so much.

You are headed in the right direction when you walk with God.

Dessert Place - OUR DAILY BREAD

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Desert Places

July 11, 2015

Read: Isaiah 48:16-22 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 1–3; Acts 17:1-15

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They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts. —Isaiah 48:21

Dry. Dusty. Dangerous. A desert. A place where there is little water, a place hostile to life. It’s not surprising, then, that the word deserted describes a place that is uninhabited. Life there is hard. Few people choose it. But sometimes we can’t avoid it.

In Scripture, God’s people were familiar with desert life. Much of the Middle East, including Israel, is desert. But there are lush exceptions, like the Jordan Valley and areas surrounding the Sea of Galilee. God chose to “raise His family” in a place surrounded by wilderness, a place where He could make His goodness known to His children as they trusted Him for protection and daily provision (Isa. 48:17-19).

Today, most of us don’t live in literal deserts, but we often go through desert-like places. Sometimes we go as an act of obedience. Other times we find ourselves there through no conscious choice or action. When someone abandons us, or disease invades our bodies, we end up in desert-like circumstances where resources are scarce and life is hard to sustain.

But the point of going through a desert, whether literally or figuratively, is to remind us that we are dependent on God to sustain us—a lesson we need to remember even when we’re living in a place of plenty.

Are you living in a place of plenty or of need? In what ways is God sustaining you?

In every desert, God has an oasis of grace.

Help For Heavy Load - OUR DAILY BREAD

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Help for a Heavy Load

July 10, 2015

Read: Numbers 11:4-17 | Bible in a Year: Job 41–42; Acts 16:22-40

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[The men] shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone. —Numbers 11:17

It’s amazing what you can haul with a bicycle. An average adult with a specialized trailer (and a bit of determination) can use a bicycle to tow up to 300 pounds at 10 mph. There’s just one problem: Hauling a heavier load means moving more slowly. A person hauling 600 pounds of work equipment or personal possessions would only be able to move at a pace of 8 miles in one hour.

Moses carried another kind of weight in the wilderness—an emotional weight that kept him at a standstill. The Israelites’ intense craving for meat instead of manna had reduced them to tears. Hearing their ongoing lament, an exasperated Moses said to God, “I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me” (Num. 11:14).

On his own, Moses lacked the resources necessary to fix the problem. God responded by telling him to select 70 men to stand with him and share his load. God told Moses, “[The men] shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone” (v. 17).

As followers of Jesus, we don’t have to handle our burdens alone either. We have Jesus Himself, who is always willing and able to help us. And He has given us brothers and sisters in Christ to share the load. When we give Him the things that weigh us down, He gives us wisdom and support in return.

Who has come alongside you? Have you thanked them?

Rescuing The Reluctant - OUR DAILY BREAD

The men took hold of his hand, . . . theLord being merciful to him, and they . . . set him outside the city. —Genesis 19:16

Many years ago during a water safety class, we were taught how to save a drowning person who is resisting rescue. “Approach the person from behind,” the instructor told us. “Place one arm across the person’s chest and flailing arms, and swim toward safety. If you approach from the front, the person may grab you and pull both of you down.” Panic and fear can paralyze the ability to think and act wisely.

When two angels sent by God came to rescue Lot and his family from the impending destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:12-13), they encountered resistance. Lot’s sons-in-law thought the warning was a joke (v. 14). When the angels told Lot to hurry and leave, he hesitated (v. 15). At that point, the two angels “took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters,” and led them safely out of the city because God was merciful toward them (v. 16).

When we reflect on our journey of faith in Christ, we can see God’s faithfulness in overcoming our reluctance and resistance. When we encounter people lashing out in spiritual desperation and fear, may we have God’s wisdom to show His love to them—and to every person who is reluctant to be rescued by Him.

Father, as I look at my own heart, I know I have resisted You and have been reluctant at times to come to You. Thank You for Your mercy. Help me to share with others who You are.

God’s mercy can overcome our resistance.

A Voice In The Night - OUR DAILY BREAD

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord! —Psalm 134:2

Psalm 134 has only three verses, but it is proof that little things can mean a lot. The first two verses are an admonition to the priests who serve in God’s house night after night. The building was dark and empty; nothing of consequence was occurring—or so it seemed. Yet these ministers were encouraged to “lift up [their] hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!” (v. 2 esv). The third verse is a voice from the congregation calling into the darkness and loneliness of the night: “The Lord who made heaven and earth bless you.”

I think of other servants of the Lord today—pastors and their families who serve in small churches in small places. They’re often discouraged, tempted to lose heart, doing their best, serving unnoticed and unrewarded. They wonder if anyone cares what they’re doing; if anyone ever thinks of them, prays for them, or considers them a part of their lives.

I would say to them—and to anyone who is feeling lonely or insignificant: Though your place is small, it is a holy place. The one who made and moves heaven and earth is at work in and through you. “Lift up your hands” and praise Him.

Lord, show me how I can be an encourager of others who might feel they are in a “small” place. Let them know that their lives leave an eternal impact on those they serve.

Anyone doing God’s work in God’s way is important in His sight.

Hidden Mysteries - OUR DAILY BREAD

Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. —2 Kings 6:16

Most of what goes on in the universe we never see. Many things are too small or move too fast or even too slow for us to see. Using modern technology, however, filmmaker Louis Schwartzberg is able to show stunning video images of some of those things—a caterpillar’s mouth, the eye of a fruit fly, the growth of a mushroom.

Our limited ability to see the awesome and intricate detail of things in the physical world reminds us that our ability to see and understand what’s happening in the spiritual realm is equally limited. God is at work all around us doing things more wonderful than we can imagine. But our spiritual vision is limited and we cannot see them. The prophet Elisha, however, actually got to see the supernatural work that God was doing. God also opened the eyes of his fearful colleague so he too could see the heavenly army sent to fight on their behalf (2 Kings 6:17).

Fear makes us feel weak and helpless and causes us to think we are alone in the world. But God has assured us that His Spirit in us is greater than any worldly power (1 John 4:4).

Whenever we become discouraged by the evil we can see, we need to think instead about the good work God is doing that we cannot see.

Lord, I’m tempted to fear what I cannot understand or control. But my security rests in You and not in what happens to me or around me. Help me to rest in Your unfailing love.

Eyes of faith see God at work in everything.

Worth it All -OUR DAILY BREAD

Walking on Water - OUR DAILY BREAD

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. —Matthew 14:27

When I learned to sail, I had to walk along a very unsteady floating platform to reach the little boats in which we had our lessons. I hated it. I don’t have a good sense of balance and was terrified of falling between the platform and the boat as I attempted to get in. I nearly gave up. “Fix your eyes on me,” said the instructor. “I’m here, and I’ll catch you if you slip.” I did what he said, and I am now the proud possessor of a basic sailing proficiency certificate!

Do you avoid taking risks at all costs? Many of us are reluctant to step out of our comfort zones in case we fail, get hurt, or look stupid. But if we allow that fear to bind us, we’ll end up afraid to do anything.

The story of Peter’s water-walking adventure and why it supposedly failed is a popular choice for preachers (Matt. 14:22-33). But I don’t think I’ve ever heard any of them discuss the behavior of the rest of the disciples. In my opinion, Peter was a success. He felt the fear but responded to the call of Jesus anyway. Maybe it was those who never tried at all who failed.

Jesus risked everything for us. What are we prepared to risk for Him?

Father, thank You for stretching out Your hand and saying, “Come.” Help me to get out of the boat, knowing that it is totally safe to walk on water with You.

“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” Helen Keller

What is That To You - OUR DAILY BREAD

Jesus said to him, “. . . You follow Me.” —John 21:22

Social media is useful for many things, but contentment is not one of them. At least not for me. Even when my goals are good, I can become discouraged by continual reminders that others are accomplishing them first or with greater results. I am prone to this kind of discouragement, so I frequently remind myself that God has not short-changed me. He has already given me everything I need to accomplish the work He wants me to do.

This means I don’t need a bigger budget or the assurance of success. I don’t need a better work environment or a different job. I don’t need the approval or permission of others. I don’t need good health or more time. God may give me some of those things, but everything I need I already have, for when He assigns work He provides the resources. My only assignment is to use whatever time and talents He has given in a way that blesses others and gives God the glory.

Jesus and Peter had a conversation that got around to this subject. After making breakfast on the shore of Galilee, Jesus told Peter what would happen at the end of his life. Pointing at another disciple, Peter asked, “What about him?” Jesus responded, “What is that to you?”

That is the question I need to ask myself when I compare myself to others. The answer is, “None of my business.” My business is to follow Jesus and be faithful with the gifts and opportunities He gives to me.

In what ways do I need to learn not to compare myself with others? How has God blessed me to fulfill His purposes?

Share your answers to these questions with others at www.odb.org

Resentment comes from looking at others; contentment comes from looking at God.

The Gift Of Tears - OUR DAILY BREAD

Jesus wept. —John 11:35

I called a longtime friend when his mother died. She had been a close friend of my mother, and now both had passed on. As we spoke, our conversation slipped easily into a cycle of emotion—tears of sorrow now that Beth was gone and tears of laughter as we recalled the caring and fun person she had been.

Many of us have experienced that strange crossover from crying one moment and laughing the next. It’s an amazing gift that emotions of both sorrow and joy can provide a physical release in this way.

Since we are made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26), and humor is such an integral part of almost every culture, I imagine that Jesus must have had a wonderful sense of humor. But we know that He also knew the pain of grief. When his friend Lazarus died, Jesus saw Mary weeping, and “He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.” A short time later, He too began to weep (John 11:33-35).

Our ability to express our emotions with tears is a gift, and God keeps track of each tear we cry. Psalm 56:8 says, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (nlt). But one day—we are promised (Rev. 7:17)—God “will wipe away every tear.”

Lord, You have made us to laugh, to cry, to yearn, to love—and to miss those who have gone before us. Help us to love even more deeply, confident in Your goodness and in the resurrection You promise.

Our loving heavenly Father, who washed away our sins, will also wipe away our tears.

Tinggal ini lg Kek smlm sy bt...mcm Sgt man is...btw,Happy birthday Aunt June ;) this is for u..simple but I baked this with full of love...sarangheayo....

Image Consultants - OUR DAILY BREAD

[You] have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him. —Colossians 3:10

In our media-saturated age, image consultants have become indispensable. Entertainers, athletes, politicians, and business leaders seem desperate to manage the way they are perceived in the eyes of the world. These high-priced consultants work to shape how their clients are viewed—even if sometimes there is a stark contrast between the public image and the real person inside.

In reality, what people need—what all of us need—is not an external makeover but an inner transformation. Our deepest flaws cannot be corrected cosmetically. They are directly related to who we are in heart and mind, and they reveal how far we have fallen from the image of God in which we were created. But such transformation is beyond any human ability to accomplish.

Only Christ offers us true transformation—not just a facelift or an outward adjustment. Paul said that those who have been raised to eternal life in Christ “have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him” (Col. 3:10).

New! What a tremendous word full of hope! Christ transforms us into new people in Him—people with a new heart, not just fixed up to look good on the outside.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. —2 Corinthians 5:17

The Spirit develops in us the clear image of Christ.