Bread Of Everlasting Life

March 16, 2023.

~Daily Devotional~

OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL

"The things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel."-Philippians 1:12

Paul had no idea what would take place when he responded to the Macedonian call (Acts 16:9). But, being led by the Sprit, he was willing to accept whatever happened and to be ready to turn every incident into an advantage for furthering the Gospel. The stopover at Philippi started out as a pleasant experience in the furtherance of the Gospel, when the Lord opened people's hearts and they came to faith (Acts 16:15). However, as time went on, things happened which grieved Paul. Because he obeyed as the Spirit led him, both he and Silas ended up in prison (Acts 16:16-24). Still being led by the Spirit, and wanting to magnify the Lord, Paul and Silas spent their first night in prison praying and singing praises unto God. We can imagine how the hearts of the prisoners who heard them were touched by the Gospel message, which they had never before heard.

After the earthquake which shook the foundation and opened the doors of the prison, another opportunity for the furtherance of the Gospel presented itself, and Paul seized it, too. The jailer, who was intending to commit su***de, became a believer instead, and received baptism, along with all that were in his house (Acts 16:25-32).

Several years later, when Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians, he was again imprisoned, this time at Rome. He undoubtedly took advantage of every opportunity in Rome to further the Gospel as he testified to prison guards and to everyone he met.

May you and I turn the happenings in our lives into opportunities for the furtherance of the Gospel.

BIBLE READING: Philippians 1:8-20

"Only let your conversation be as 8t becometh the gospel of Christ." -Philippians 1:27

March 15, 2023.

~Daily Devotional~

GARDEN MEDITATIONS

After a number of years of less than satisfactory results from her garden, my good wife turned the gardening over to me. Although I am not much of a gardener, I am a compulsive w**d puller. While my hands (and my hoe) may be busy, working in the garden gives opportunities to meditate. It occurred to me that gardens are like people's minds. Some gardens are clean and well-tended. It is obvious that much effort goes into enriching the soil. Things are well-watered, and everything looks lush and green. The rows are straight and neat. Weeds are kept to a minimum. Every effort is made to ensure a good harvest.

So should be the minds of those assuming the name of Christ: clean and well-tended. It is enriching to converse with saints like this. Their outlook is optimistic and uplifting. They keep "w**ds" to a minimum by filling their minds with good things. They are careful to read only uplifting or inspiring material. Their music inspires, and honors the living God. They look forward to everlasting life as their harvest. Your imagination can picture the other type of garden.

Let us tend the gardens of our minds as carefully as we tend the gardens in our yards.

Author: Joe Schmucker

BIBLE READING: Mark 4:3-20

To cultivate a garden is to walk with God.
-Christian Nestell

March 14, 2023.

~Daily Devotional~

RASH WORDS

Jephthah's rash words brought him to a very sad time in life. He made a very wrong vow, because of hastiness and thoughtlessness.

Perhaps Jephthah's poor companions (Judge 11:3) influenced his thoughts and set him up to make his rash statement. The Bible tells us that evil communications (companions) corrupt good manners (morals). By the same token, we also know that good companions help build strong character qualities.

In Jephthah's vow to God, he said, "If thou shalt without fail deliver . . . then it shall be, that . . . I will . . ." Jephthah bargained with God. He promised to do something for God, if God gave him the victory. And yet, it appears that God had already promised Jephthah the victory, and that He had laid out the conditions for that victory. Jephthah would have been much wiser to accept God's promise and to give thanks.

We can learn from Jephthah's example and put into practice what the Bible teaches: not being rash with our mouths, but being slow to speak.

BIBLE READING: Judges 11

Our speech should be like a carpenter's work- measured twice and sawed once.

March 4, 2023.

~Daily Devotional~

THE BLESSEDNESS OF FORGIVENESS

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." - Psalm 32:1

When was the last time you thought about your debt of sin? Who is responsible for that debt? Could you ever "work off" that debt? Has it been paid? What have you done about it? Are you still guilty before God, or are you free?

Praise God, the price has been paid! What a blessing! What a privilege! We could not ever pay off our debt of sin. Never! But the blood of Jesus takes away that sin and sets us free to serve Him.

Psalm 32:9 instructs us to not be as the horse or mule, with no understanding. God desires a willing sacrifice of ourselves and our wills- a complete surrender.

Verse 11 says, "Shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart." Where is our rejoicing? Is it being heard? What is our testimony? Are we shouting with the upright?

Friends, has God blessed His people? Indeed He has! Let us trust in the Lord and be glad in Him. Then our hearts and lives can overflow with His blessing.

Author: Chris Beiler,

"Life has taught me to forgive much, but to seek forgiveness still more." -Otto von Bismarck

BIBLE READING: Psalm 32
ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
•Mark 10:1-31
•Numbers 32, 33

March 3, 2023.

~Daily Devotional~

TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER

"Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord." -Exodus 14:13

In 1939-1940, Admiral Richard E. Byrd headed an expedition into Sulzberger Bay, trying to pe*****te the ice of that bay farther than any vessel had reached before.

But their little ship, the USS Bear, became locked in the ice, and they were not able to move forward or backward. They could not use their sails, and their 600 horsepower auxiliary diesel engine was not powerful enough to free them. After he had studied their case, Admiral Byrd told his lieutenant and navigator that they would need to exercise patience. "What we need in the Antarctic is patienece to wait and let the wind and the tide have a chance to change." And that is what happened. The wind changed, the ice loosened, and they were able to go on.

Sometimes situations arise in our lives- they may be personal, in our families, or in our congregations- and we feel stuck. We cannot see any way through our problem. All our frustrations and struggles do not seem to help. In fact, they may even hinder us and get us in deeper.

But we need not give up. We can wait, and with patience and prayer leave our affairs in the hands of the Lord. He sees our difficulties and hears our prayers. And He is able to get us on the right track again.

Author: Abner Overholt

~BIBLE READING: Exodus 14:8-20
~ONE YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
•Mark 9:30-50
•Numbers 30, 31