by dailyd | Oct 12, 2018 | More
Topic: Safe in His Arms
Read: Isaiah 40:9–11
Bible in a Year: Isaiah 39–40; Colossians 4
Scripture: He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart. Isaiah 40:11
Message: The weather outside was threatening, and the alert on my cell phone warned about the possibility of flash floods. An unusual number of cars were parked in my neighborhood as parents and others gathered to pick up children at the school bus drop-off point. By the time the bus arrived, it had started to rain. That’s when I observed a woman exit her car and retrieve an umbrella from the trunk. She walked towards a little girl and made sure the child was shielded from the rain until they returned to the vehicle. What a beautiful “real time” picture of parental, protective care that reminded me of the care of our heavenly Father.
The prophet Isaiah forecast punishment for disobedience followed by brighter days for God’s people (Isaiah 40:1–8). The heavenly dispatch from the mountain (v. 9) assured the Israelites of God’s mighty presence and tender care. The good news, then and now, is that because of God’s power and ruling authority, anxious hearts need not fear (vv. 9–10). Included in the announcement was news about the Lord’s protection, the kind of protection shepherds provide (v. 11): vulnerable young sheep would find safety in the Shepherd’s arms; nursing ewes would be led gently.
In a world where circumstances aren’t always easy, such images of safety and care compel us to look confidently to the Lord. Those who trust wholeheartedly in the Lord find security and renewed strength in Him (v. 31).
Prayer: Father, in a world where we are sometimes threatened, we are comforted because of Your gracious care for us—in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thought for the Day: The good news is that God cares for us!
Our Daily Bread 12 October 2018 Devotional was written by Arthur Jackson
INSIGHT
We also see the shepherd imagery in the New Testament when Jesus is described as our Good Shepherd. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11) and “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep” (vv. 14–15). Just as a shepherd watched over, provided for, and protected his sheep against danger and death and even pursued them when lost (Psalm 23:1–3; Luke 15:4), Jesus laid down His life for our sins and then rose again so that we would have the opportunity to live forever with Him (John 3:16). By doing so, He freed all who receive Him as Savior from the clutches of our enemy, Satan, and from eternal misery. And in this life, our Shepherd leads and guides us along the way. We need not fear, for He is with us (Psalm 23:4). He loves us and knows us (John 10:14–15).
In what area of your life do you need the comfort of the Good Shepherd?
(INSIGHT by Alyson Kieda)
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by dailyd | Oct 12, 2018 | More
Topic: Tune In to the Spirit of Grace
Scripture: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.(Titus 2:11-12)
Message: Grace teaches us! The “Spirit of grace” instructs us from the inside. Let the Holy Spirit of God counsel you and teach you how to live in this present world.
If you listen to the voice of the world, you will be worldly minded, or carnally minded, which is death. But, if you tune in to the voice of the Spirit of grace, you can become spiritually minded. And, according to the Word, that is life and peace. So, when the Spirit of God speaks to you through that still, small voice inside your heart, listen and obey Him. His way works! Trust Him and remember that He’s got your well-being in mind.
Maybe He’s asking you to eliminate some activity that’s consuming too much of your time and attention. Or maybe He’s prompting you to get up a little earlier and spend more time in the Word and in prayer. Whatever it is He is telling you to do, if you’ll do it, you’ll be stronger in the grace of God, and consequently, in the blessing of God.
Don’t hesitate another moment. Do it! If you want a change, make a change.
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-8
Today’s Daily Devotional was written by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, the leader of the Kenneth Copeland Ministries (www.KCM.org) that specializes in teaching principles of bible faith – prayer, healing, salvation and other biblical topics.
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by dailyd | Oct 12, 2018 | More
Topic: Christianity is Serious
Scripture: Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only . . . – James 1:22
Message: Jesus indicated that there will be a permissive society just before He comes back. “As in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the coming of the Son of man.” The world today is on an immoral binge that has not been known since the days of Rome. We are in a hedonistic society, and what we are seeing is human nature expressing itself without God.
Many have fallen into an antinomianism in which they believe intellectually and then go out and live like the devil, imagining that God will forgive them and take them to heaven. I believe there is an obedience to the Gospel, there is a self-denial and a bearing of the cross, if you are to be a follower of Christ. Being a Christian is serious business.
Prayer for the day:
Teach me to deny my selfish desires and obey Your commandments, Lord Jesus. Cleanse me so that I might be used to penetrate society deeply for You.
Today’s Daily Devotional was written by Billy Graham, Founder of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association(BGEA). BGEA exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by every effective means and to equip the church and others to do the same.
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by dailyd | Oct 12, 2018 | More
Topic: Confronting Falsehood
Text: Jeremiah 26:7-24 (KJV)
Key Verse: “…And all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die. Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD” (JEREMIAH 26:8,9).
MESSAGE:
God sends His servants, the prophets, to bring His message of love and warning to guide the people in the path of rectitude. Jeremiah was one of such prophets. God had instructed him to go to the temple and declare His word to the Jews who were gathered for worship. But his message angered the religious leaders – the priests and prophets who accused him of functioning outside the will of God, saying he was worthy of death, for daring to say the temple would become like Shiloh. Such charges carried capital punishment (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). But God used the people and princes to save his life (verses 16-24). He, however, insisted that what he preached was the truth as given to him by God.
The battle for the souls of men is now at its peak; as Satan is doing everything possible to keep men bound in darkness and error. The infiltration of the Church by worldly-minded preachers who give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils is doing a great harm. So, true and standing Christians must “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3).
In a way, the eternal destiny of all, is in the hands of all believers. If believers fail to reach out to the people, they will perish in their sins.”Son of man, I have made thee a watchman over the house of Israel: therefore, hear the word at my mouth and give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 3:17). Present-day believers with all the advantages of technology cannot have any excuse, but must go forth and preach everywhere, having been assured by the Lord that He will confirm the Word with signs following. What are you waiting for? Rescue the perishing, win the lost to Christ.
Thought For The Day: Preach the word despite persecution.
Bible Reading In One Year: Matthew 11
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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by dailyd | Oct 11, 2018 | More
Topic: Freedom to Be Ourselves
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation. — Psalm 42:5
Ask 21st—century women, “How do you feel about yourself?” and many will confess, “I hate myself.” Or perhaps their opinion of themselves is not that severe, but they will admit they really don’t like themselves.
Our world has created a false, unrealistic image of what women are supposed to look like and act like. But the truth is that every woman was not created by God to be skinny, with a flawless complexion and long flowing hair. Not every woman was intended to juggle a career as well as all of the other duties of being a wife, mother, citizen, and daughter.
Single women should not be made to feel they are missing something because they are not married. Married women should not be made to feel they must have a career to be complete. We must have the freedom to be our individual selves.
Many women hate themselves and have no self-confidence because they have been abused, rejected, abandoned, or in some way damaged emotionally. Women need to experience a revival of knowing their infinite worth and value.
Prayer Starter: Lord, You know exactly how I feel about myself. You know how deeply I’ve been influenced by the messages of our culture and how confusing it is. Help me to discover the truth of my worth and value in Your eyes. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
From Joyce Meyer’s Ministries.
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by dailyd | Oct 11, 2018 | More
Topic: Stories of Jesus
Read: 1 John 1:1–4; John 21:24–25 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 37–38; Colossians 3
Scripture: Jesus did many other things as well. John 21:25
Message: As a girl I loved to visit my small local library. One day, looking at the bookshelves holding the young adult section, I reasoned I could probably read every book. In my enthusiasm I forgot one important fact—new books were regularly added to the shelves. Although I gave it a valiant effort, there were simply too many books.
New books continue to fill more and more bookshelves. The apostle John likely would be amazed with the availability of books today since his five New Testament books, the gospel of John; 1, 2, and 3 John; and Revelation, were handwritten on parchment scrolls. Our Daily Bread Devotional 11 October 2018
John wrote those books because he felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to give Christians an eyewitness account of Jesus’s life and ministry (1 John 1:1–4). But John’s writings contained only a small fraction of all that Jesus did and taught during His ministry. In fact, John said if everything Jesus did were written down “the whole world could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25 nlt).
John’s claim remains true today. Despite all the books that have been written about Jesus, the libraries of the world still cannot contain every story of His love and grace. We can also celebrate that we have our own personal stories to share and rejoice that we will be proclaiming them forever! (Psalm 89:1).
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky. F.M. Lehman
Thought for the Day: Let your life tell the story of Christ’s love and grace.
INSIGHT
Although the Scriptures don’t contain every story about Jesus (in fact John twice admits that he has only recorded a portion of Jesus’s life and ministry—see John 20:30 and 21:25), we have the significant parts. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we have the whole story of Jesus that is necessary for our salvation.
But what about those things that aren’t written down in John’s gospel? There have been attempts to fill the holes. Should John’s admission that “Jesus performed many other miraculous signs” (20:30) make us insecure? Should we try to “fill in the blanks”? Not at all. When John first tells us that what he recorded is only a part of Jesus’s story, he gives us full confidence that what we have is enough: “These are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (20:31).
How can you thank God today that His story is even bigger than we know?
For more on who Jesus is, see Life of Christ at christianuniversity.org/NT111.
J.R. Hudberg
This message was written By Lisa Samra [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]
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