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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Mar 23, 2009 14:19:01 GMT -5
I am going to try out something new for those who don't always keep on schedule with their Bible readings/devotionals and who can't make it to TNBS. Now, I have always been one who has trouble reading my Bible on the daily level and I'm sure that there are those out there who feel the same. So, for your convenience, I will be posting the " Our Daily Bread" readings here that anyone who is in a hurry can easily pop on here and read the quick, encouraging lessons! ;D ~Ben~ ALSO: Feel free to post anything reactions or discussions about the readings here!
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Mar 23, 2009 14:24:27 GMT -5
ODB 3/23/09: Crazy HorseODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: 1 Samuel 7:3-12 In 1876, the Sioux leader Crazy Horse joined forces with Sitting Bull to defeat General Custer and his army at Little Bighorn. Not much later, though, starvation caused Crazy Horse to surrender to US troops. He was killed while trying to escape. Despite this sad conclusion to his life, he became a symbol of heroic leadership of a threatened people. Today in the Black Hills of South Dakota, he is commemorated with a monument being carved into a mountain—the Crazy Horse Memorial. When complete, it will be 641 feet long and 563 feet high. It will show Crazy Horse riding a galloping horse, pointing the way to his people. Thousands of years ago, the prophet Samuel used a much smaller memorial stone in a significant way. In the midst of a crucial battle with the Philistines, Samuel called out to God on Israel’s behalf. The Lord answered his prayer (1 Sam. 7:10). In gratitude, Samuel set up a stone “and called its name Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us’” (v.12). Samuel has set an example for our spiritual journey. We too can use tangible reminders of God’s faithfulness to help us worship and serve Him. It’s good to remember “thus far the Lord has helped us.” — Dennis Fisher Putting It Into Practice * Keep a spiritual journal and record God’s blessings. * Write answers to prayer in your journal. * Tell a friend what God has done in your life. Gratitude is the memory of a glad heart.
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Post by Hillbilly-=Of-God=- (Steve) on Mar 23, 2009 18:04:56 GMT -5
ODB also mails out monthly booklets that can be found on the website. Ive used Our Daily Bread for a few years now, and its really helped me stay in the Word.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Mar 24, 2009 7:52:55 GMT -5
ODB 3/25/09: In All Kinds Of WeatherODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: Acts 18:9-11 (New International Version) When Jesus sent His disciples out, He gave them this promise: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). Literally, the word always means “all the days,” according to Greek scholars Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown. Jesus didn’t simply say, “always,” but “all the days.” That takes into account all our various activities, the good and bad circumstances surrounding us, the varied responsibilities we have through the course of our days, the storm clouds and the sunshine. Our Lord is present with us no matter what each day brings. It may be a day of joy or of sadness, of sickness or of health, of success or of failure. No matter what happens to us today, our Lord is walking beside us, strengthening us, loving us, filling us with faith, hope, and love. As He envelops us with quiet serenity and security, our foes, fears, afflictions, and doubts begin to recede. We can bear up in any setting and circumstance because we know the Lord is at hand, just as He told Paul in Acts 18:10, “I am with you.” Practice God’s presence, stopping in the midst of your busy day to say to yourself, “The Lord is here.” And pray that you will see Him who is invisible—and see Him everywhere. — David H. Roper God’s unseen presence comforts me, I know He’s always near; And when life’s storms besiege my soul, He says, “My child, I’m here.” —D. De Haan Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. —Isaiah 55:6
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Mar 25, 2009 7:34:28 GMT -5
oops... the days reading is posted above. I accidently just edited out yesterdays.... oops.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Mar 27, 2009 7:46:25 GMT -5
ODB 3/27/09: I’m Innocent!ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: James 1:19-25 (New International Version) All of the students at a school in Florida—2,550 in total—were in trouble. A message system notified every parent that their child (or children) had detention that weekend for bad behavior. Many kids pleaded their innocence, yet some parents meted out punishment anyway. One mother, Amy, admitted that she yelled at her son and made sure he showed up for his detention on Saturday. To the relief of 2,534 kids, and to the embarrassment of some parents, they discovered that the automated message was sent in error to the entire student body when only 16 kids actually deserved detention! Amy felt so bad about not listening to and believing her son that she took him out for breakfast that Saturday morning. We all have stories to tell about circumstances that have shown us our need to listen before we speak. We’re naturally tempted to come to quick judgments and react angrily. The book of James gives us these three practical exhortations to deal with life’s stressful situations: “Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). In life’s stresses, let’s be “doers of the Word” (v.22), and take the time to listen and show restraint with our words and anger today. — Anne Cetas A judgment made without the facts Is sure to be unfair, So always listen to both sides— You’ll find the answer there. —Branon Listen to understand, then speak with love.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Mar 28, 2009 8:25:38 GMT -5
ODB 3/28/09: Have You Left A Tip?ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 (New International Version) Key Verse: The practice of tipping is commonly accepted in many countries. But I wonder: Has this courtesy influenced our attitude toward giving money to the church? Many Christians regard their financial giving as little more than a goodwill gesture to God for the service He has rendered us. They think that as long as they have given their tithe to God, the rest is theirs to handle as they please. But the Christian life is about so much more than money! The Bible tells us that our Creator owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” (Ps. 50:10). “The world is Mine,” God says, “and all its fullness” (v.12). Everything comes from Him, and everything we have belongs to Him. God has not only given us every material thing we have, He has also given us His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who provides our very salvation. Paul used the Macedonian Christians as an illustration of what our giving should look like in the light of God’s incredible generosity toward us. The Macedonians, who were in “deep poverty,” gave with “liberality” (2 Cor. 8:2). But “they first gave themselves to the Lord” (v.5). God the Creator of the universe does not need anything from us. He doesn’t want a tip. He wants us! — C. P. Hia Whatever, Lord, we lend to Thee, Repaid a thousand-fold will be; Then gladly will we give to Thee, Who givest all—who givest all. —C. Wordsworth No matter how much you give, you can’t outgive God.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Mar 29, 2009 15:21:11 GMT -5
ODB 3/29/09: ResolveODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: Romans 14:1-13 (New International Version) Key Verse: I once decorated a notebook with definitions of the words idea, thought, opinion, preference, belief, and conviction to remind myself that they do not mean the same thing. The temptation to elevate an opinion to the level of a conviction can be strong, but doing so is wrong, as we learn from Romans 14. In the first century, religious traditions based on the law were so important to religious leaders that they failed to recognize the One who personified the law, Jesus. They were so focused on minor matters that they neglected the important ones (Matt. 23:23). Scripture says that we need to subjugate even our beliefs and convictions to the law of love (Rom. 13:8,10; Gal. 5:14; James 2:8), for love fulfills the law and leads to peace and mutual edification. When opinions and preferences become more important to us than what God says is valuable to Him, we have made idols out of our own beliefs. Idolatry is a serious offense because it violates the first and most important command: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Ex. 20:3). Let’s resolve not to elevate our own opinions above God’s, lest they become a stumbling block and keep others from knowing the love of Jesus. — Julie Ackerman Link A Prayer Lord, help me not to elevate my opinions and make others follow. You are the convicter of hearts. May others learn of Your love through me. The greatest force on earth is not the compulsion of law but the compassion of love.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Mar 30, 2009 7:37:29 GMT -5
ODB 3/30/09: Unclean? Be Cleansed!ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: Mark 1:40-45 (New International Version) Key Verse: As I read Mark 1:40-45, I imagine the following scene: They saw him coming toward them from across the way. He was waving his arms to warn them away. They recognized him by the bandanna covering his nose and mouth. His garments were torn and his skin peeled away from his body. He was a leper—unclean! The crowd around Jesus scattered as the leper charged into their midst. Everyone was afraid of being touched by him because they themselves would then become unclean. Lepers were barred from the religious life of the community, isolated from society, and compelled to mourn their own death by tearing their clothes. But this leper threw himself at Jesus’ feet, appealing to Him out of desperation and faith to restore him to wholeness: “If You are willing, You can make me clean” (v.40). Moved with compassion, Jesus touched the man and said, “I am willing; be cleansed” (v.41). Jesus healed the man of his leprosy and told him to show himself to the temple priest. Jesus has the power to cleanse, forgive, and restore those who are hopelessly and helplessly caught up in their sin and can see no way out. Trust Him to say to you, “I am willing; be cleansed.” — Marvin Williams The Savior is waiting to save you And wash every sin-stain away; By faith you can know full forgiveness And be a new creature today! —Bosch Jesus specializes in restoration.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Mar 31, 2009 7:39:47 GMT -5
ODB 3/31/09: Does God Care?ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: Mark 14:32-42 (New International Version) Key Verse: One dreadful year, three of my friends died in quick succession. My experience of the first two deaths did nothing to prepare me for the third. I could do little but cry. I find it strangely comforting that when Jesus faced pain, He responded much as I do. It comforts me that He cried when His friend Lazarus died (John 11:32-36). That gives a startling clue into how God must have felt about my friends, whom He also loved. And in the garden the night before His crucifixion, Jesus did not pray, “Oh, Lord, I am so grateful that You have chosen Me to suffer on Your behalf.” No, He experienced sorrow, fear, abandonment, even desperation. Hebrews tells us that Jesus appealed with “vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death” (5:7). But He was not saved from death. Is it too much to say that Jesus Himself asked the question that haunts us: Does God care? What else can be the meaning of His quotation from that dark psalm: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Ps. 22:1; Mark 15:34). Jesus endured in His pain because He knew that His Father is a God of love who can be trusted regardless of how things appear to be. He demonstrated faith that the ultimate answer to the question Does God care? is a resounding Yes! — Philip Yancey The aching void, the loneliness, And all the thornclad way, To Thee I turn with faith undimmed And ’mid the darkness pray. —O. J. Smith When we know that God’s hand is in everything, we can leave everything in God’s hand.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Apr 1, 2009 12:44:34 GMT -5
ODB 4/1/09: Servant-FriendshipODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 (New International Version) Key Verse: Don Tack wanted to know what life was like for homeless people. So he concealed his identity and went to live on the streets of his city. He found out that food and shelter were offered by many organizations. At one shelter he could spend the night if he listened to a sermon beforehand. He appreciated the guest speaker’s message and wanted to talk with him afterward. But as Don reached out to shake the man’s hand and asked if he could talk with him, the speaker walked right past him as if he didn’t exist. Don learned that what was missing most in ministry to the homeless in his area were people who were willing to build relationships. So he began an organization called Servants Center to offer help through friendship. What Don encountered at the shelter was the opposite of what the people who heard the apostle Paul experienced. When he shared the gospel, he gave himself too. He testified in his letter to the Thessalonians, “We were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us” (1 Thess. 2:8). He said, “We were gentle among you,” like a mother (v.7). In our service for the Lord, do we share not just our words or money but our time and friendship? — Anne Cetas I want to do service for Christ while I live, And comfort and cheer to poor lonely hearts give; For this is the program approved by the Word, To visit the needy and speak of the Lord. —Bosch One measure of our likeness to Christ is our sensitivity to the suffering of others.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Apr 6, 2009 7:50:26 GMT -5
ODB 4/6/09: Nothing Left But GodODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: 2 Chronicles 20:3-17 (New International Version) Key Verse: A wise Bible teacher once said, “Sooner or later God will bring self-sufficient people to the place where they have no resource but Him—no strength, no answers, nothing but Him. Without God’s help, they’re sunk.” He then told of a despairing man who confessed to his pastor, “My life is really in bad shape.” “How bad?” the pastor inquired. Burying his head in his hands, he moaned, “I’ll tell you how bad—all I’ve got left is God.” The pastor’s face lit up. “I’m happy to assure you that a person with nothing left but God has more than enough for great victory!” In today’s Bible reading, the people of Judah were also in trouble. They admitted their lack of power and wisdom to conquer their foes. All they had left was God! But King Jehoshaphat and the people saw this as reason for hope, not despair. “Our eyes are upon You,” they declared to God (2 Chron. 20:12). And their hope was not disappointed as He fulfilled His promise: “The battle is not yours, but God’s” (v.15). Are you in a position where all self-sufficiency is gone? As you turn your eyes on the Lord and put your hope in Him, you have God’s reassuring promise that you need nothing more. — Joanie Yoder Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace. —Lemmel When all you have is God, you have all you need.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Apr 7, 2009 7:36:40 GMT -5
ODB 4/7/09: Who’s On My Guest List?ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: Luke 14:7-14 (New International Version) Key Verse: I love hosting festive dinners. Sometimes I’ll say: “Tonia, we haven’t had anyone over for dinner in a while. Who do you think we should invite?” We go through our proposed guest list and suggest friends we have never invited or have not invited in a while. And it seems like this list is normally comprised of people who look and sound and live like we do, and who can reciprocate. But if we were to ask Jesus whom we should have over for dinner, He would give us a totally different guest list. One day a prominent Pharisee invited Jesus into his home, probably for table fellowship, but possibly to watch Him closely so he could trap Him. While there, Jesus healed a man and taught the host a significant lesson: When making out your guest list for a dinner party, you should not be exclusive—inviting friends, relatives, rich neighbors, and those who can pay you back. Instead, you should be inclusive—inviting the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Although such people would not be able to pay the host back, Jesus assured him that he would be blessed and that God would reward him (Luke 14:12-14). Just as Jesus loves the less fortunate, He invites us to love them by opening up our hearts and homes. — Marvin Williams The poor and needy everywhere Are objects of God’s love and care, But they will always know despair Unless His love with them we share. —D. De Haan Opening our hearts and homes blesses both us and others.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Apr 9, 2009 7:48:24 GMT -5
ODB 4/9/09: The Honor Of Your FriendshipODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: John 15:9-17 (New International Version) Key Verse: During the marriage ceremony of a British couple, the best man remained motionless. Even after vows were exchanged, he didn’t move. The still figure was a racecar driver who was trying to be in two places at one time. Because of contractual commitments, Andy Priaulx, three-time world touring-car champion, had to break his promise to participate in his friend’s wedding. So he sent a life-size cardboard cutout of himself, as well as a prerecorded speech. The bride said she was moved by his effort to honor their marriage. Priaulx’s gesture was certainly creative, and we shouldn’t second-guess his actions. But Jesus gave us another standard by which to gauge friendship. Jesus asked His disciples to show their friendship to Him by loving one another as He had loved them. Then, He raised the bar. In anticipation of His death on the cross, He said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). This depth of friendship isn’t merely about doing the right thing. It’s about sacrifice, and it springs out of a relationship with the One who truly did lay down His life for us. Are we showing others that we have been loved by Jesus as He is loved by His Father? (v.9). — Mart De Haan For Further Study The Bible describes what real love looks like (1 Cor. 13). Check online for What Is Real Love? at www.discoveryseries.org/q0714 to study this passage. Love is more than a sentiment, it’s putting another’s needs ahead of your own.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Apr 15, 2009 11:17:23 GMT -5
ODB 4/15/09: Check Your AttitudeODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: John 3:22-31 (New International Version) Key Verse: A music professor with a well-trained voice usually sang the major male solo parts in the choir of a large church. A young man named Bob who had no training sometimes took a few shorter solos. As the choir director prepared for the Christmas cantata, she felt that Bob’s voice and style made him a natural for the lead role. However, she didn’t know how she could give it to him without offending the older man. Her anxiety was unnecessary. The professor had the same thoughts as she did, and he told her that Bob should take the part. He continued to sing faithfully in the chorus and was a source of much encouragement to Bob. People who can set aside selfish ambition and genuinely seek the good of others have an attitude that pleases God. Do you remember how John the Baptist reacted when the crowds left him and began following Jesus? He said, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). What did John the Baptist and the music professor have in common? They were able to set aside “selfish ambition.” They were happy to see others elevated above themselves when it was for the common good. Can the same be said about us? — Herbert Vander Lugt This is the highest learning, The hardest and the best— From self to keep still turning And honor all the rest. —MacDonald When we forget about ourselves, we do things others will remember
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Apr 21, 2009 8:08:32 GMT -5
ODB 4/21/09: Thunderstorm ThoughtsODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: Matthew 8:23-27 (New International Version) Key Verse: I laugh every time I hear the radio commercial that has a woman shouting to her friend in conversation. She’s trying to talk above the sounds of the thunderstorm in her own head. Ever since a storm damaged part of her home, that’s all she hears because her insurance company isn’t taking care of her claims. I’ve heard thunderstorms in my head, and maybe you have too. It happens when a tragedy occurs—to us, to someone close to us, or to someone we hear about in the news. Our minds become a tempest of “what if” questions. We focus on all the possible bad outcomes. Our fear, worry, and trust in God fluctuate as we wait, we pray, we grieve, and we wonder what the Lord will do. It’s natural for us to be fearful in a storm (literal or figurative). The disciples had Jesus right there in the boat with them, yet they were afraid (Matt. 8:23-27). He used the calming of the storm as a lesson to show them who He was—a powerful God who also cares for them. We wish that Jesus would always calm the storms of our life as He calmed the storm for the disciples that day. But we can find moments of peace when we’re anchored to the truth that He’s in the boat with us and He cares. — Anne Cetas Fierce drives the storm, but wind and waves Within His hand are held, And trusting His omnipotence My fears are sweetly quelled. —Brown To realize the worth of the anchor, we need to feel the stress of the storm.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on May 21, 2009 7:52:04 GMT -5
ODB 5/21/09: Is He Enough?ODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: Acts 3:1-10 (New International Version) Key Verse: Is Jesus enough? That’s a question many Christians need to ask themselves. They have abundant material possessions. But do these believers depend on Jesus? Or on their stuff? While having wealth is not condemned in Scripture as long as priorities are in order and the needs of others are addressed, those of us with relative wealth must remind ourselves that Jesus—not riches—sustains us. The apostle Peter helps us with this in the story of the lame man begging at the temple gate in Jerusalem. This man asked Peter for money, but Peter replied, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). The man lying at the gate thought the answer to his problems that day was money, but Peter showed him that the answer was Jesus. And He still is. I read about a group of Chinese Christians who have much to teach us as they seek to spread the gospel in their homeland and beyond. These believers say, “We can’t afford any big programs or fancy gospel presentations. All we have to give people is Jesus.” Jesus is enough for our brothers and sisters in China. He is enough for the poor. Is He enough for you? — Dave Branon You may have much gold and grandeur, Yet by God be reckoned poor; He alone has riches truly Who has Christ, though nothing more. —Anon. Our greatest riches are the riches we have in Christ.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on May 25, 2009 21:41:45 GMT -5
ODB 5/25/09: The Arlington LadiesODB RADIO: Listen Now | DownloadREAD: Matthew 26:6-13 (New International Version) Key Verse: In 1948, the US Air Force Chief of Staff noticed that no one attended the funeral of an airman at Arlington National Cemetery, and that deeply disturbed him. He talked with his wife about his concern that each soldier be honored at burial, and she began a group called the Arlington Ladies. Someone from the group honors each deceased soldier by attending his or her funeral. The ladies also write personal notes of sympathy and speak words of gratitude to family members when they are present. If possible, a representative keeps in contact with the family for months afterward. Margaret Mensch, an Arlington Lady, says, “The important thing is to be there for the families. . . . It’s an honor to . . . pay tribute to the everyday heroes that make up the armed forces.” Jesus showed the importance of paying tribute. After a woman poured a costly, fragrant oil on His head, He said that she would be honored for years to come (Matt. 26:13). The disciples were indignant and thought her act was wasteful, but Jesus called it “a good work” (v.10) for which she would be remembered. We know heroes who have given their lives in service to God and their country. Let’s honor them today. — Anne Cetas Lord, help us to appreciate The work that others do, The service given from their hearts, Their sacrifice for You. —Sper
We honor God when we honor one another.
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Post by Endurance-=Of-God=- (Ben) on Mar 4, 2010 15:46:07 GMT -5
I know its not "Our Daily Bread" but its good Truth none the less:
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord...; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." - James 1:5-8
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