Sunday, February 17, 2013

Our Daily Bread Help from God

Crying Out To God

February 15, 2013 — by David H. Roper

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn

By prayer and supplication . . . let your requests be made known to God. —Philippians 4:6

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 17-18; Matthew 27:27-50

After all these years, I still don’t fully understand prayer. It’s something of a mystery to me. But one thing I know: When we’re in desperate need, prayer springs naturally from our lips and from the deepest level of our hearts.

When we’re frightened out of our wits, when we’re pushed beyond our limits, when we’re pulled out of our comfort zones, when our well-being is challenged and endangered, we reflexively and involuntarily resort to prayer. “Help, Lord!” is our natural cry.

Author Eugene Peterson wrote: “The language of prayer is forged in the crucible of trouble. When we can’t help ourselves and call for help, when we don’t like where we are and want out, when we don’t like who we are and want a change, we use primal language, and this language becomes the root language of prayer.”

Prayer begins in trouble, and it continues because we’re always in trouble at some level. It requires no special preparation, no precise vocabulary, no appropriate posture. It springs from us in the face of necessity and, in time, becomes our habitual response to every issue—good and bad—we face in this life (Phil. 4:6). What a privilege it is to carry everything to God in prayer!

What a Friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer. —Scriven

God’s help is only a prayer away.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Inner Peace - Saturday, February 16, 2013 | Daily Word

Inner Peace

PEACE PERMEATES MY BEING. I AM CALM AND SERENE.

I breathe in deeply and slowly exhale. As I repeat this process, I feel all tension and uncertainty melt away. I relax my neck, shoulders, arms and my entire body—all the way down to my toes. I enter an oasis of peace, gently releasing my thoughts as I experience my oneness with God.

I draw strength from my time alone with God. Outwardly, I may be surrounded by the demands of family, work and routine, but as my mind lets go of engagement, peace fills my soul. I feel the love of God and relax in the truth that all is well. With a clear mind and a peaceful heart, I am calm and serene. Wherever I am, peace exists at the core of my being. I emerge from my quiet time whole, refreshed and ready to continue my day.

O Lord, you have searched me and known me … Where can I go from your spirit?—Psalm 139:1, 7

Friday, February 15, 2013

Guidance - Friday, February 15, 2013 | Daily Word

Guidance

I ACT ON DIVINE GUIDANCE.

I may not receive immediate answers to the concerns and questions of my heart when I pray; however, I don’t give up. Each time I pray and meditate, I attune myself to the still small voice within.

Prayer soothes my soul and opens my awareness to divine guidance. At any time, my inner guidance can help me transcend a disturbing situation or release a troubled thought.

A divine idea may come to mind while I’m relaxing in a familiar environment or away from my daily routine. Wherever and however I become aware of my guidance, I know it was within me all along. It became clear at the right time for me to act on it.

When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”—Exodus 3:4

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Give Love - Thursday, February 14, 2013 | Daily Word

Give Love

I START A LOVE CASCADE TODAY.

Today is Valentine’s Day, but every day can be a day of love, and every day I can choose to be loving. The more love I give, the more love I get. So today, I begin a love cascade.

I close my eyes, connect with Spirit and focus on all I am grateful for—from the tiniest blessing to the biggest. I feel gratitude and love grow in my heart.

As I allow the spirit of God to express through me in loving ways, I feel love grow. I smile at a stranger, open the door for someone I meet, run an errand for a neighbor and say a kind and caring word to a friend. As I continuously give love, love is returned to me beyond measure.

Let love be genuine; … hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.—Romans 12:9-10

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Self-Discipline - Wednesday, February 13, 2013 | Daily Word

Self-Discipline

I EMBRACE AND EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE.

Each person has spiritual attributes such as wisdom, understanding, strength, power and discernment. These powers help us reach our divine potential. I grow into fuller expression of my Christ Self as I commit to my spiritual practice.

Self-discipline is my companion on the road to self-discovery, enlightenment and a more fulfilling life. I call upon the power of the indwelling Christ to strengthen my resolve. I keep my divine appointment to commune with God in prayer every day. I gently release that which does not support my spiritual growth and well-being. Today, as I embark on a journey of spiritual renewal, I confidently exercise self-discipline.

God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and … self-discipline.—2 Timothy 1:7

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Friends - Tuesday, February 12, 2013 | Daily Word

Friends

MY FRIENDS ARE TRUE BLESSINGS IN MY LIFE.

In her famous song, singer/songwriter Carole King reminds us what it means to be a friend: “All you have to do is call and I’ll be there. You’ve got a friend.”

My friends and I have been brought together to bless one another. We encourage, uplift and listen to each other. They see qualities in me I don’t easily see in myself. They look past my faults and boost my confidence, and I do the same for them. I let my friends know how important they are to me, because I know to have a good friend, I must be one.

A friend doesn’t care what you have; a friend cares who you are. In times of need, friends are happy to be there for each other. Friendship is an expression of the love of God.

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.—John 15:13

Monday, February 11, 2013

Dreams - Monday, February 11, 2013 | Daily Word

Dreams

I OPEN MY HEART AND MIND TO NEW PERSPECTIVES.

Dreams come from the innermost part of my being. They bring messages of inspiration and encouragement, and influence my future. I nurture my dreams by embracing infinite possibilities.

The wisdom of God guides me as I explore the world within and around me. My hopes and expectations rise as I open my heart and mind to new perspectives.

Whether my dreams come as subtle messages during sleep or as conscious creations as I visualize my potential, each one reflects my oneness with God. As each dream blossoms into reality, I give thanks and look ahead to new adventures, new dreams and new possibilities.

I will pour out my spirit on all flesh … your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.—Joel 2:28

The Joy of Jesus (Church Online)