Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread

Doubts And Faith

August 12, 2012 — by Dennis Fisher

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Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: John 20:24-31

My Lord and my God! —John 20:28

Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 49-51

Can a believer in Jesus who has occasional doubts about matters of faith ever be effective in serving the Lord? Some people think that mature and growing Christians never question their beliefs. But just as we have experiences that can build our faith, we can also have experiences that cause us to temporarily doubt.

The disciple Thomas had initial doubts about reports of Jesus’ resurrection. He said, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, . . . I will not believe” (John 20:25). Christ did not rebuke Thomas but showed him the evidence he asked for. Amazed at seeing the risen Savior, Thomas exclaimed: “My Lord and my God!” (20:28). After this incident, the New Testament is silent about what happened to Thomas.

A number of early church traditions, however, claim that Thomas went to India as a missionary. It is said that while there he preached the gospel, worked miracles, and planted churches. Some of these churches in India still have active congregations that trace their founding back to Thomas.

A time of doubt doesn’t have to become a life pattern. Allow God to lead you into a deeper understanding of His reality. Renew your faith. You can still accomplish great things for Him.

When faith grows weak and doubts arise,
Recall God’s love and tender care;
Remind yourself of all He’s done
And of those times He answered prayer. —D. De Haan

Learn to doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs.

Forgive - Saturday, August 11, 2012 | Daily Word

Forgive - Saturday, August 11, 2012 | Daily Word

Forgive

WHEN I FORGIVE, I RELEASE THE PAST AND EMBODY THE PRESENT.

A closed heart cannot receive love and joy. A clenched fist cannot accept an outstretched hand. Today I give myself the gift of forgiveness, as I open my heart— myself—to living in love.

I can cling to hurtful experiences from the past or surrender them for a better life now. As I release attachment to a painful memory, I allow myself to replace pain with peace, hurt with joy.

Forgiving does not mean condoning hurtful actions. Forgiveness means releasing the pain and reclaiming my life. When I forgive, I am freed to move beyond the unchangeable past into a new experience of divine possibilities.

Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you.—Colossians 3:13

Envision - Friday, August 10, 2012 | Daily Word

Envision - Friday, August 10, 2012 | Daily Word

Envision

I ENVISION MY LIFE AS I WANT IT TO BE.

I have been given a great gift: the ability to envision and create the life I want. My power of imagination allows me to picture my goals as already achieved, my challenges as already overcome.

I see with my mind’s eye what I want most, and begin to manifest it with the guidance of Spirit. As I envision my dream becoming reality, I also imagine the feelings it will bring— elation, perhaps, or relief, satisfaction or peace. I pray with these thoughts and feelings in mind, and I hold to them despite any outer appearances or inner doubts.

God guides me to my highest good. My faith is renewed as my good comes into manifestation.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory.—Ephesians 3:20-21

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread

Comfort In Captivity

August 9, 2012 — by Dennis Fisher

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Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Isaiah 39:5–40:5

Comfort, yes, comfort My people! —Isaiah 40:1

Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 40-42

On February 10, 1675, 50 colonial families in Lancaster, Massachusetts, feared possible Native American raids. Joseph Rowlandson, the Puritan minister of the village, was in Boston pleading with the government for protection, while Mary, his wife, stayed behind with their children. At sunrise, the settlers were attacked. After some of the settlers were killed, Mary and other survivors were taken captive.

Mary experienced both kindness and cruelty from her captors. The Native Americans, aware of the religious nature of the settlers, gave her a Bible they had confiscated. Later she would write in her memoirs about God’s “goodness in bringing to my hand so many comfortable and suitable Scriptures in my distress.” God’s Word was her great comfort until she was ransomed by the colonists on May 2.

As the nation of Judah waited to be taken into captivity by a foreign power (Isa. 39:5-7), the despair of its people must have been great. But even in that dreadful anticipation, God’s words brought comfort: “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” (v.8).

Have you been taken captive by circumstances beyond your control? If so, read and meditate on the Word. And experience God’s comfort.

Upon Thy Word I rest, so strong, so sure;
So full of comfort blest, so sweet, so pure,
Thy Word that changest not, that faileth never!
My King, I rest upon Thy Word forever. —Havergal

God’s Word is the true source of comfort.

Cooperation - Thursday, August 09, 2012 | Daily Word

Cooperation - Thursday, August 09, 2012 | Daily Word

Cooperation

I JOIN IN A SPIRIT OF LOVE AND COOPERATION WITH ALL PEOPLE.

Nature teaches me the value of cooperation. When I see bees in a hive producing honey, ants working tirelessly to accomplish their task, and animals instinctively teaming to care for their young, I witness natural collaboration.

What a wonderful lesson as I remember I live in partnership with all beings. I embrace our oneness and share in a spirit of cooperation and love. I remember that beyond our differences, lies the truth that we are one, sharing this space and time on our beautiful planet.

I envision all people working together for the common good. Through our collective consciousness, we create a better world.

As we work together with him, we urge you also not to accept the grace of God in vain.—2 Corinthians 6:1

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread

Winners And Losers

August 8, 2012 — by Dave Branon

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Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: 1 Peter 3:8-12

In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. —Philippians 2:3

Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 37-39

As the NFL playoff game ended and the Green Bay Packers celebrated their victory over the Chicago Bears, my daughter Lisa noticed that her little girl, 4-year-old Eliana, was crying. That seemed odd, since neither of Eliana’s parents particularly cared who won the game.

When Lisa asked Eliana why she was crying, she said, “I feel sorry for the Bears. They look so sad.”

Can we learn something from a preschooler about compassion? In a world where winning is so important and losers get rejected, forgotten, and maligned, we need this reminder: People need compassion. When we see others struggling with a loss are we willing to shed tears with them, put our arms around them, and offer to help?

A number of Scripture passages challenge us to treat others with compassion. Philippians 2:1-3 tells us to think of others above ourselves, looking out for their interests—not just ours. First Peter 3:8-12 reminds us that compassion means treating others “as brothers,” and Colossians 3:12-15 says that mercy, kindness, and humility are marks of those God has redeemed.

Look around you. See anyone going through a difficult loss? Go beyond feeling bad for them. Reach out with compassion and God’s love.

Lord, grant me a heart of compassion
So burdened for others’ needs,
That I will show them Your mercy
In attitudes, words, and deeds. —Fitzhugh

One measure of our likeness to Christ is our sensitivity to the suffering of others.

Healing - Wednesday, August 08, 2012 | Daily Word

Healing - Wednesday, August 08, 2012 | Daily Word: "Healing
THE HEALING LIGHT AND LIFE OF GOD FLOW THROUGH ME NOW.
Ease is more natural than dis-ease, and health is more natural than illness. Whenever I have a healing need, I relax, release my fears, and allow the healing light and life of God to flow through me. I affirm the power of God within to heal whatever needs to be healed.

Healing light fills me, permeating every cell and fiber of my being. God is greater than any appearance of illness, and healing light breaks forth as I affirm the power of God working in and through me now. First in mind, then in body, my healing springs up quickly.

Moment to moment, I give thanks for the healing light and life of God within me.

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly.—Isaiah 58:8"

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