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OUR DAILY BREAD December 31, ,2017 Sunday FAITH-BUILDING MEMORIES Great is your faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:23 Lamentations 3:19–26 Bible in a year: Malachi 1–4; Revelation 22 As I stepped into the music-filled sanctuary, I looked around at the crowd that had gathered for a New Year’s Eve party. Joy lifted my heart with hope, as I recalled the prayers of the previous year. Our congregation had collectively grieved over wayward children, deaths of loved ones, job losses, and broken relationships. But we’d also experienced God’s grace as we recalled changed hearts and healed personal connections. We’d celebrated victories, weddings, graduations, and baptisms into God’s family. We’d welcomed children born, adopted, or dedicated to the Lord, and more—so much more. Reflecting over the history of trials our church family faced, much like Jeremiah remembered his “affliction” and his “wandering” (Lam. 3:19), I believed that “because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for h

OUR DAILY BREAD December 30 Saturday TIMES OF COMPLETION They sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.  Acts 14:26 Acts 14:21–28 Bible in a year: Zechariah 13–14; Revelation 21 At the end of the year, the burden of uncompleted tasks can weigh us down. Responsibilities at home and work may seem never-ending, and those unfinished today roll into tomorrow. But there are times in our journey of faith when we should pause and celebrate God’s faithfulness and the tasks completed. After the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, “they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed” (Acts 14:26). While much work remained in sharing the message of Jesus with others, they took time to give thanks for what had been done. “They gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gen

OUR DAILY BREAD  December 29, 2017 Friday  WHAT REMAINS IN THE EYE  How many are your works, Lord!  Psalm 104:24 Psalm 104:24–35 Bible in a year: Zechariah 9–12; Revelation 20 The hummingbird gets its English name from the hum made by its rapidly beating wings. In other languages, it is known as the “flower-kisser” (Portuguese) or “flying jewels” (Spanish). One of my favorite names for this bird is  biulu ,  “what remains in the eye” (Mexican Zapotec). In other words, once you see a hummingbird, you’ll never forget it. G. K. Chesterton wrote, “The world will never starve for want of wonders, but only for want of wonder.” The hummingbird is one of those wonders. What is so fascinating about these tiny creatures? Maybe it is their small size (averaging two to three inches) or the speed of their wings that can flap from 50 to 200 times per second. We aren’t sure who wrote Psalm 104, but the psalmist was certainly captivated by nature’s beauty. After describing many of creation’s

OUR DAILY BREAD December 28,2017 Thursday EVERYDAY MOMENTS A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.  Proverbs 15:13 Proverbs 15:13–15 Bible in a year : Zechariah 5–8; Revelation 19 I piled groceries in my car and carefully exited my parking spot. Suddenly a man darted across the pavement just in front of me, not noticing my approach. I slammed on my brakes, just missing him. Startled, he looked up and met my gaze. In that moment, I knew I had a choice: respond with rolled-eye frustration or offer a smiling forgiveness. I smiled. Relief flickered across his face, raising the edges of his own lips in gratefulness. Proverbs 15:13 says, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” Is the writer directing us to cheery grins in the face of every interruption, disappointment, and inconvenience life brings? Surely not! There are times for genuine mourning, despair, and even anger at injustice. But in our everyday moments, a

OUR DAILY BREAD  December 27,2017 wednesday  THANKS JOURNAL Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.  Psalm 117:1 Psalm 117 Bible in a year:  Zechariah 1–4; Revelation 18 When I was a new believer in Jesus, a spiritual mentor encouraged me to keep a thanks journal. It was a little booklet I carried with me everywhere I went. Sometimes I would record a thanksgiving right away. Other times, I would pen it at the end of the week during a time of reflection. Taking note of praise items is a good habit—one I’m considering re-establishing in my life. It would help me to be mindful of God’s presence and grateful for His provision and care. In the shortest of all the psalms, Psalm 117, the writer encourages everyone to praise the Lord because “great is his love toward us” (v. 2). Think about it: How has the Lord shown His love toward you today, this week, this month, and this year? Don’t just look for the spectacular. His love is seen in the ordinary, everyday ci

OUR DAILY BREAD December 26, 2017 Tuesday WHAT ON EARTH? My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19 Matthew 17:24–27 Bible in a year: Haggai 1–2; Revelation 17 When Andrew Cheatle lost his cell phone at the beach, he thought it was gone forever. About a week later, however, fisherman Glen Kerley called him. He had pulled Cheatle’s phone, still functional after it dried, out of a 25-pound cod. Life is full of odd stories, and we find more than a few of them in the Bible. One day tax collectors came to Peter demanding to know, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” (Matt. 17:24). Jesus turned the situation into a teaching moment. He wanted Peter to understand His role as king. Taxes weren’t collected from the children of the king, and the Lord made it clear that neither He nor His children owed any temple tax (vv. 25–26). Yet Jesus wanted to be careful not to “cause offense” (v. 27), so He told Peter to go fishing.

OUR DAILY BREAD December 25, 2017 Monday TRADITIONS AND CHRISTMAS I bring you good news that will cause great joy . . . a Savior has been born to you.  Luke 2:10–11 Luke 2:1–10 Bible in a year: Zephaniah 1–3; Revelation 16 As you savor a candy cane this Christmas, say “danke schön” to the Germans, for that confectionary treat was first created in Cologne. As you admire your poinsettia, say “gracias” to Mexico, where the plant originated. Say “merci beaucoup” to the French for the term  noel , and give a “cheers” to the English for your mistletoe. But as we enjoy our traditions and festivities of the Christmas season—customs that have been collected from around the world—let’s save our most sincere and heartfelt “thank you” for our good, merciful, and loving God. From Him came the reason for our Christmas celebration: the baby born in that Judean manger more than 2,000 years ago. An angel announced the arrival of this gift to mankind by saying, “I bring you good news that will c

OUR DAILY BREAD  December 24, 2017 Sunday  A THRILL OF HOPE Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  Luke 2:11 Luke 2:11–20 Bible in a year:  Habakkuk 1–3; Revelation 15 Reginald Fessenden had been working for years to achieve wireless radio communication. Other scientists found his ideas radical and unorthodox, and doubted he would succeed. But he claims that on December 24, 1906, he became the first person to ever play music over the radio. Fessenden held a contract with a fruit company which had installed wireless systems on roughly a dozen boats to communicate about the harvesting and marketing of bananas. That Christmas Eve, Fessenden said that he told the wireless operators on board all ships to pay attention. At 9 o’clock they heard his voice. He reportedly played a record of an operatic aria, and then he pulled out his violin, playing “O Holy Night” and singing the words to the last verse as he played. Finally, he offered

OUR DAILY BREAD December 23, 2017 Saturday GOD WITH US The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.  Matthew 1:23 Matthew 1:18–23 Bible in a year: Nahum 1–3; Revelation 14 “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left . . .” These hymn lyrics, written by the fifth-century Celtic Christian St. Patrick, echo in my mind when I read Matthew’s account of Jesus’s birth. They feel like a warm embrace, reminding me that I’m never alone. Matthew’s account tells us that God dwelling with His people is at the heart of Christmas. Quoting Isaiah’s prophecy of a child who would be called Immanuel, meaning “God with us” (Isa. 7:14), Matthew points to the ultimate fulfillment of that prophecy—Jesus, the One born by the power of the Holy Spirit to be God with us. This truth is so central that Matthew begins and ends his gospel with it, concluding with Jesus’s

OUR DAILY BREAD December 22, 2017 Friday SILENT NIGHT OF THE SOUL If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone; the new is here!  2 Corinthians 5:17 2 Corinthians 5:14–21 Bible in a year: Micah 6–7; Revelation 13 Long before Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber created the familiar carol “Silent Night,” Angelus Silesius had written: Lo! in the silent night a child to God is born, And all is brought again that ere was lost or lorn. Could but thy soul, O man, become a silent night God would be born in thee and set all things aright. Silesius, a Polish monk, published the poem in 1657 in  The Cherubic Pilgrim. During our church’s annual Christmas Eve service, the choir sang a beautiful rendition of the song titled “Could but Thy Soul Become a Silent Night.” The twofold mystery of Christmas is that God became one of us so that we might become one with Him. Jesus suffered everything that was wrong so that we could be made right. That’s why the apostle Paul could

OUR DAILY BREAD December 21, 2017 Thursday HOME FOR CHRISTMAS I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.  Genesis 28:15 Genesis 28:10–17 Bible in a year: Micah 4–5; Revelation 12 One year Christmas found me on assignment in a place many of my friends couldn’t locate on a map. Trudging from my worksite back to my room, I braced against the chill wind blowing off the bleak Black Sea. I missed home. When I arrived at my room, I opened the door to a magical moment. My artistic roommate had completed his latest project—a nineteen-inch ceramic Christmas tree that now illuminated our darkened room with sparkling dots of color. If only for a moment, I was home again! As Jacob fled from his brother Esau, he found himself in a strange and lonely place too. Asleep on the hard ground, he met God in a dream. And God promised Jacob a home. “I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying,” He told him. “All peoples on

OUR DAILY BREAD December 20, 2017 Wednesday BREAKING THE SILENCE He will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah . . . to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.  Luke 1:17 Luke 1:11–17 Bible in a year: Micah 1–3; Revelation 11 At the end of the Old Testament, God seems to be in hiding. For four centuries, the Jews wait and wonder. God seems passive, unconcerned, and deaf to their prayers. Only one hope remains: the ancient promise of a Messiah. On that promise the Jews stake everything. And then something momentous happens. The birth of a baby is announced. You can catch the excitement just by reading the reactions of people in Luke. Events surrounding Jesus’s birth resemble a joy-filled musical. Characters crowd into the scene: a white-haired great uncle (Luke 1:5–25), an astonished virgin (1:26–38), the old prophetess Anna (2:36). Mary herself lets loose with a beautiful hymn (1:46–55). Even Jesus’s unborn cousin kicks for joy inside his mother’s womb (1:

OUR DAILY BREAD December 19,2017 Tuesday EXTREME MEASURES The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.  Luke 19:10 Luke 19:1–10 Bible in a year: Jonah 1–4; Revelation 10 A few years ago, a friend of mine lost track of her young son while walking through a swarm of people at Union Station in Chicago. Needless to say, it was a terrifying experience. Frantically, she yelled his name and ran back up the escalator, retracing her steps in an effort to find her little boy. The minutes of separation seemed like hours, until suddenly—thankfully—her son emerged from the crowd and ran to the safety of her arms. Thinking of my friend who would have done anything to find her child fills me with a renewed sense of gratitude for the amazing work God did to save us. From the time God’s first image-bearers—Adam and Eve—wandered off in sin, He lamented the loss of fellowship with His people. He went to great lengths to restore the relationship by sending His one and only Son “to seek and to

IMELA IMELA IMELA IMELA IMELA IMELA IMELA IMELA IMELA IMELA IMELA IMELA I WILL SING OF THE LORDS GREAT LOVE FOREVER MORE WITH MY MOUTH I WILL SHOUT FOR JOY FOREVERMORE All of the heavens sing (REPEAT) About the things you do (REPEAT) I WILL SING OF THE LORDS GREAT LOVE FOREVER MORE Tell of your faithfulness (REPEAT) They proclaim that there's no one like you (ALL) All of the nations sing (REAPEAT) Sing of your mighty power (REPEAT) In you we put our our trust (REPEAT) We Proclaim you're our strength and Our shield (REPEAT) (counter) IME IMELA IMELA IMELA IME IMELA IMELA IMELA IME IMELA IMELA IMELA

OUR DAILY BREAD December 17, 2017 Sunday GENTLENESS Be completely humble and gentle.  Ephesians 4:2 Ephesians 4:1–6 Bible in a year : Amos 7–9; Revelation 8 The troubles of life can make us cranky and out of sorts, but we should never excuse these bouts of bad behavior, for they can wither the hearts of those we love and spread misery all around us. We have not fulfilled our duty to others until we have learned to be pleasant. The New Testament has a word for the virtue that corrects our unpleasantness— gentleness , a term that suggests a kind and gracious soul. Ephesians 4:2 reminds us, “Be completely humble and gentle.” Gentleness  is a willingness to accept limitations and ailments without taking out our aggravation on others. It shows gratitude for the smallest service rendered and tolerance for those who do not serve us well. It puts up with bothersome people—especially noisy, boisterous little people; for kindness to children is a crowning mark of a good and gentle pers

OUR DAILY BREAD  December 16, 2017 Saturday  BIG WORLD, BIGGER GOD For by [Jesus] all things were created.  Colossians 1:16  nasb Colossians 1:12–17 Bible in a year:  Amos 4–6; Revelation 7 As we drove through northern Michigan, Marlene exclaimed, “It’s unbelievable how big the world is!” She made her comment as we passed a sign marking the 45th parallel—the point halfway between the equator and the North Pole. We talked about how small we are and how vast our world is. Yet, compared to the size of the universe, our tiny planet is only a speck of dust. If our world is great, and the universe is vastly greater, how big is the One who powerfully created it? The Bible tells us, “For by [Jesus] all things were created,  both  in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16 nasb). This is good news because this same Jesus who created the universe is the One who

OUR DAILY BREAD  December 15, 2017 Friday  MORE THAN A HERO We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14 John 1:1–5, 9–14 Bible in a year :  Amos 1–3; Revelation 6 As  Star Wars  fans around the world eagerly await the release of Episode 8, “The Last Jedi,” people continue to analyze the remarkable success of these films dating back to 1977. Frank Pallotta, media reporter for CNNMoney, said that  Star Wars connects with many who long for “a new hope and a force of good at a time when the world needs heroes.” At the time of Jesus’s birth, the people of Israel were oppressed and longing for their long-promised Messiah. Many anticipated a hero to deliver them from Roman tyranny, but Jesus did not come as a political or military hero. Instead, He came as a baby to the town of Bethlehem. As a result, many missed who He was. The apostle John wrote, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not recei

OUR DAILY BREAD December 14, 2017 Thursday WITH GOD’S HELP So here I am today, eighty-five years old! . . . I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.  Joshua 14:10–11 Joshua 14:7–15 Bible in a year:  Joel 1–3; Revelation 5 As I’ve grown older, I’ve noticed more joint pain, especially when cold weather hits. Some days, I feel less like a conqueror and more like someone conquered by the challenges of becoming a senior citizen. That’s why my hero is an older man named Caleb—the former spy sent by Moses to scout out Canaan, the Promised Land (Num. 13–14). After the other spies gave an unfavorable report, Caleb and Joshua were the only spies out of the twelve whom God favored to enter Canaan. Now, in Joshua 14, the time for Caleb to receive his portion of land had come. But there were enemies still to drive out. Not content to retire and leave the battle to the younger generation, Caleb declared, “You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their citie

OUR DAILY BREAD December 13, 2017 Wednesday IT ISN’T ME I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  Galatians 2:20 1 Corinthians 15:1–11 Bible in a year: Hosea 12–14; Revelation 4 As one of the most celebrated orchestral conductors of the twentieth century, Arturo Toscanini is remembered for his desire to give credit to whom credit is due. In David Ewen’s  Dictators of the Baton,  the author describes how members of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra rose to their feet and cheered Toscanini at the end of a rehearsal of Beethoven’s  Ninth Symphony.  When there was a lull in the ovation, and with tears in his eyes, Arturo’s broken voice could be heard exclaiming as he spoke: “It isn’t me . . . it’s Beethoven! . . . Toscanini is nothing.” In the apostle Paul’s New Testament letters, he also refused to take credit for his spiritual insight and influence. He knew he was like a spiritual father and mother to many who had put their faith in Christ. He admitted he had worked hard and s

OUR DAILY BREAD December 12,2017 Tuesday THE CURE FOR ANXIETY Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Philippians 4:6 Philippians 4:1–9 Bible in a year : Hosea 9–11; Revelation 3 We were excited about moving for my husband’s job. But the unknowns and challenges left me feeling anxious. Thoughts of sorting and packing up belongings. Looking for a place to live. My finding a new job too. Making my way around a new city, and getting settled. It was all . . . unsettling. As I thought about my “to-do” list, words written by the apostle Paul echoed in my mind:  Don’t worry, but pray  (Phil. 4:6–7). If anyone could have been anxious about unknowns and challenges, it would have been Paul. He was shipwrecked. He was beaten. He was jailed. In his letter to the Philippian church, he encouraged his friends who also were facing unknowns, telling them, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every s

OUR DAILY BREAD  December 11, 2017 Monday  IT’S ALL A GIFT! For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.  Ephesians 2:8 Ephesians 2:1–9 Bible in a year:  Hosea 5–8; Revelation 2 London’s Café Rendezvous has nice lighting, comfortable couches, and the smell of coffee in the air. What it doesn’t have are prices. Originally started as a business by a local church, the café was transformed a year after it started. The managers felt that God was calling them to do something radical—make everything on the menu free. Today you can order a coffee, cake, or sandwich without cost. There isn’t even a donation jar. It’s all a gift. I asked the manager why they were so generous. “We’re just trying to treat people the way God treats us,” he said. “God gives to us whether we thank him or not. He’s generous to us beyond our imaginations.” Jesus died to rescue us from our sins and reconcile us with God. He rose from the grave an

At Foursquare Gospel Church, we pay our TITHES AND OFFERINGS. We do not question it because God commanded it, we know it is biblical and God blesses us through it. God keeps His own end of the bargain in tithing, why should we fail on our part? If we obey other scriptures, why should we query tithing? No, we do not and we will not! Again, we did not just become members of Foursquare Gospel Church; we were schooled in the twenty-two (22) tenets of faith of our church; tithes and offering being one of them. We were not coerced to obey and abide by these tenets of faith, we searched the scriptures ourselves, we found them there and were convinced they are biblical and the truth. If we obey all the tenets but one, we will be hypocrites(Matthew 23:23) We don’t question whether tithing is convenient or not. It is a seed we sow not a debt we owe. For us, the baseline is 10% no matter the sum: small or large. After all, it was not convenient for God when He gave us Jesus, but He did anyway.

OUR DAILY BREAD December 8, 2017 Friday UNEXPECTED GRACE In a vision, he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.  Acts 9:12 Acts 9:1–19 Bible in a year: Daniel 8–10; 3 John It was an early Saturday morning in my sophomore year of high school, and I was eager to get to my job at the local bowling lanes. The evening before, I had stayed late to mop the muddy tile floors because the janitor called in sick. I hadn’t bothered to tell the boss about the janitor so I could surprise him. After all,  What could go wrong?  I thought. Plenty, as it turns out. Stepping in the door, I saw inches of standing water, with bowling pins, rolls of toilet paper, and boxes of paper scoresheets bobbing on top. Then I realized what I had done:  While doing the floors, I had left a large faucet running overnight!  Incredibly, my boss greeted me with a huge hug and a big smile—“for trying,” he said. Saul was actively punishing and harassing Christians (Acts

OUR DAILY BREAD December 7, 2017 Thursday FIRST THINGS FIRST Watch your life and doctrine closely.  1 Timothy 4:16 1 Timothy 4:12–16 Bible in a year: Daniel 5–7; 2 John When you travel by air, before the flight takes off an airline employee presents a safety briefing, which explains what to do if there is a loss of cabin pressure. Passengers are told that oxygen masks will drop from the compartment above and they are to put one on themselves before helping others. Why? Because before you can help anyone else, you need to be physically alert yourself. When Paul wrote to Timothy, he stressed the importance of maintaining his own spiritual health before helping and serving others. He reminded Timothy of his many responsibilities as a pastor: There were false teachings to contend with (1 Tim. 4:1–5) and wrong doctrines to correct (vv. 6–8). But to discharge his duties well, what was most important was to “watch [his] life and doctrine closely [and] persevere in them” (v. 16). He ne

OUR DAILY BREAD December 6, 2017 Wednesday TRUSTING GOD EVEN IF The God we serve is able to deliver us.  Daniel 3:17 Bible in a year: Daniel 3:13–25 Daniel 3–4; 1 John 5 Due to an injury that occurred in 1992, I suffer from chronic pain in my upper back, shoulders, and neck. During the most excruciating and disheartening moments, it’s not always easy to trust or praise the Lord. But when my situation feels unbearable, God’s constant presence comforts me. He strengthens me and reassures me of His unchanging goodness, limitless power, and sustaining grace. And when I’m tempted to doubt my Lord, I’m encouraged by the determined faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They worshiped God and trusted He was with them, even when their situation seemed hopeless. When King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them into a blazing furnace if they didn’t turn away from the true God to worship his golden statue (Dan. 3:13–15), these three men displayed courageous and confident faith. They n

OUR DAILY BREAD  December 5, 2017 Tuesday JESUS LOVES MAYSEL This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us.  1 John 4:10 1 John 4:7–16 Bible in a year:  Daniel 1–2; 1 John 4 When my sister Maysel was little, she would sing a familiar song in her own way: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells Maysel.” This irritated me to no end! As one of her older, “wiser” sisters, I knew the words were “me so,” not “Maysel.” Yet she persisted in singing it  her  way. Now I think my sister had it right all along. The Bible does indeed tell Maysel, and all of us, that Jesus loves us. Over and over again we read that truth. Take, for example, the writings of the apostle John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:7, 20). He tells us about God’s love in one of the best-known verses of the Bible: John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John reinforces that message of

OUR DAILY BREAD   December 3, 2017 Sunday  WAITING Bethlehem . . . out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.  Micah 5:2 Micah 5:2–4 Bible in a year:  Ezekiel 45–46; 1 John 2 “How much longer until it’s Christmas?” When my children were little, they asked this question repeatedly. Although we used a daily Advent calendar to count down the days to Christmas, they still found the waiting excruciating. We can easily recognize a child’s struggle with waiting, but we might underestimate the challenge it can involve for all of God’s people. Consider, for instance, those who received the message of the prophet Micah, who promised that out of Bethlehem would come a “ruler over Israel” (5:2) who would “stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord” (v. 4). The initial fulfillment of this prophecy came when Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:1) —after the people had waited some 700 years. But some of the prophecy’s fulfillment is yet to come. For we wait