Comfort - Monday, January 28, 2013 | Daily Word

Comfort - Monday, January 28, 2013 | Daily Word

Comfort

YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF—THEY COMFORT ME.

When I experience a deep loss, I lean on divine understanding to see me through. The psalmist speaks of the comfort of the “rod and staff,” symbolizing God’s unfailing strength. The presence of God within supports and comforts me when I feel unable to stand alone.

I trust in divine infinite love and in the indwelling power of God to heal my heart and restore my peace. I don’t need to know when or how circumstances will change. I simply open my heart to God’s presence here and now. Strengthened and at peace, I move forward with my life … out of the valley of darkness and into the light. I am grateful for the healing comfort of God’s presence.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.—Psalm 23:4

Comfort - Monday, January 28, 2013 | Daily Word

Comfort - Monday, January 28, 2013 | Daily Word

Comfort

YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF—THEY COMFORT ME.

When I experience a deep loss, I lean on divine understanding to see me through. The psalmist speaks of the comfort of the “rod and staff,” symbolizing God’s unfailing strength. The presence of God within supports and comforts me when I feel unable to stand alone.

I trust in divine infinite love and in the indwelling power of God to heal my heart and restore my peace. I don’t need to know when or how circumstances will change. I simply open my heart to God’s presence here and now. Strengthened and at peace, I move forward with my life … out of the valley of darkness and into the light. I am grateful for the healing comfort of God’s presence.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.—Psalm 23:4

Comfort - Monday, January 28, 2013 | Daily Word

Comfort - Monday, January 28, 2013 | Daily Word

Comfort

YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF—THEY COMFORT ME.

When I experience a deep loss, I lean on divine understanding to see me through. The psalmist speaks of the comfort of the “rod and staff,” symbolizing God’s unfailing strength. The presence of God within supports and comforts me when I feel unable to stand alone.

I trust in divine infinite love and in the indwelling power of God to heal my heart and restore my peace. I don’t need to know when or how circumstances will change. I simply open my heart to God’s presence here and now. Strengthened and at peace, I move forward with my life … out of the valley of darkness and into the light. I am grateful for the healing comfort of God’s presence.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.—Psalm 23:4

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread

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The Mark Of Leadership

January 27, 2013 — by David C. McCasland

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Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

Read: Mark 10:35-45

Whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. —Mark 10:44

Bible in a Year:
Exodus 16-18; Matthew 18:1-20

While visiting the campus of Purdue University on a frigid winter day, I came upon two young men chipping away thick ice on the sidewalk next to a fraternity house. Thinking they must be underclassmen who had been assigned the tough job by older fraternity brothers, I said, “They didn’t tell you about this when you joined, did they?” One looked up with a smile and said, “Well, we’re both upperclassmen. I’m the fraternity vice-president and my friend here is the president.” I thanked them for their hard work and went on my way having been reminded that serving others is the mark of a true leader.

When two of Jesus’ disciples asked Him for positions of honor in His coming kingdom, the Lord gathered His twelve closest followers and told them, “Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all” (Mark 10:43-44). If there was any doubt about what Jesus meant, He reminded them that He had not come to be served but to serve others and to give His life to ransom them from the power of sin (v.45).

The mark of true, godly leadership is not power and privilege, but humble service. God gives us strength to follow Jesus’ example and to lead His way.

The paths of leadership are trod
By those who humbly walk with God,
Their gracious spirit holds a sway
That makes you want to go their way. —D. DeHaan

A qualified leader is one who has learned to serve.

Harmony - Saturday, January 26, 2013 | Daily Word

Harmony - Saturday, January 26, 2013 | Daily Word

Harmony

MY HEART IS AT PEACE, AND I AM IN HARMONY WITH MY WORLD.

Achieving harmony takes practice. A group of singers must practice to harmonize their voices, musicians must rehearse to find the right sound, and athletes on a team must train to work together. I, too, need to practice living in harmony.

Harmony is a state of mind in which I feel peaceful and calm while being a beneficial presence in the world. To enter into this consciousness, I become still in prayer. I relax, let go and trust God to guide me in harmony and love.

Prayer prepares me to interact with others in a peaceful way, to greet others with openness, to serve with love and joy, and to act with kindness and compassion. When my heart is at peace, I am in harmony with the world.

Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have.—1 Samuel 25:6

Home - Friday, January 25, 2013 | Daily Word

Home - Friday, January 25, 2013 | Daily Word

Home

MY SOUL IS AT HOME IN GOD.

Home is a place where all the pieces fit together. I may feel at home at the ocean’s sandy shore or in the heart of the city. I may unexpectedly feel at home in a new place where I immediately fit right in. Familiar places and faces, smells and sounds, can stir up feelings of home in me.

Home can also be an awareness—as when my heart opens into the pure love of Spirit. Just as a key clicks into place to open a lock, my true self emerges as I align my thoughts with Divine Mind. There is a sweet rush of peace and my soul is at home in God.

Wherever I am living, under whatever conditions, I know that I am at home in God. Safe and secure, I rest in God’s presence.

For God alone my soul waits in silence … On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.—Psalm 62:5, 7

Inner Peace - Thursday, January 24, 2013 | Daily Word

Inner Peace - Thursday, January 24, 2013 | Daily Word

Inner Peace

GOD’S PEACE IS WITHIN ME.

I cannot control the weather or the words and actions of others. Sometimes I may feel as though I can’t even control myself. When life seems unmanageable, I look for ways to restore peace within.

I affirm the words Jesus spoke to the stormy sea, “Peace! Be still!” My words invoke the activity of the Holy Spirit. Peace arises to soothe my frazzled emotions and calm my troubled thoughts. With a cleansing breath, I recenter in God’s peace. It is always available to me.

In peace, I have nothing to fear. Resentment and worry dissolve into nothingness. Each situation will resolve and every concern is temporary. God’s peace is established in me.

Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”—John 20:19