Some people avoid going to the doctor because they don’t want to find out that anything is wrong with them. Some people avoid going to church for the same reason. But ignorance of our sickness doesn’t make us healthy, and ignorance of our sin doesn’t make us innocent
Friday, June 29, 2012, Part 1
“Submitting to one another in the fear of God. Wives, to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Ephesians 5:21-33).
IDEA: To misinterpret or misapply a passage of Scripture always has consequences.
PURPOSE: To help listeners realize the dangers that may grow out of bad exegesis.
When 33 miners were trapped in a Chilean mine deep under the earth’s surface, I wonder if they felt totally lost and doomed to a slow and painful death. Imagine how they must have been filled with joy when they got a message from above that the rescue team knew exactly where they were and that the process of getting them out had already begun!
By Megan Low, Australia Woke up this morning feeling incomplete, discouraged and extremely lousy. I was thinking about my inabilities. I do not know how to share the gospel in my primary language, or speak a second fluently. I am not good at drawing. I can’t read music. I can only play the drums. But [...]
In James Fenimore Cooper’s book The Last of the Mohicans, we become acquainted with a character named David Gamut. He is a devout Christian who delights in setting the Psalms to music and singing them no matter what circumstances life brings his way. Gamut believes that God can be trusted in crisis as well as in good times. He lives a life in praise of God’s sovereignty—His supreme power, authority, and control over the world.
Thursday, June 28, 2012, Part 2
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
IDEA: The vagueness of Proverbs 22:6 brings us some clarity about the principles of rearing children.
PURPOSE: To help listeners see that the proverbs give us a skill in handling life.
Spend time each day in God’s Word with thought-provoking devotions to strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. The Our Daily Bread devotional is published and distributed in more than 40 languages world-wide, and available in over 15 languages online.
During the months following the death of my wife’s mother, we received a number of cards and letters from the hospice team who had so lovingly cared for Mom and walked with our family along the pathway of loss. One letter offered thoughts on dealing constructively with grief. Another said, “As the date of your mother’s birthday approaches, we remember her, and our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.” These wonderful care- givers know that grieving is an ongoing process that requires continuing help and support. They exhibit deep compassion in all they do.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012, Part 1
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
IDEA: The vagueness of Proverbs 22:6 brings us some clarity about the principles of rearing children.
PURPOSE: To help listeners see that the proverbs give us a skill in handling life.
By Azrine Ajien, Malaysia I recently downloaded Lunar 2: Eternal Blue. It is a role-playing game which I have been longing to play. It was awesome when I started playing it. The graphics was fantastic and the characters were adorable! However, I realized that the sound effects were quite awkward and not as good as [...]
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
IDEA: The proverbs are designed to give us wisdom and insight, but they are not designed as unqualified promises.
PURPOSE: To help listeners make sure that the literature they deal with is interpreted correctly.
Spend time each day in God’s Word with thought-provoking devotions to strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. The Our Daily Bread devotional is published and distributed in more than 40 languages world-wide, and available in over 15 languages online.
One Sunday morning, D. L. Moody entered a house in Chicago to escort some children to Sunday school. During his visit, three men backed him into a corner and threatened him. “Look here,” Moody said. “Give a fellow a chance to say his prayers, won’t you?” The men actually allowed him to call out to God, and Moody prayed for them so earnestly that they left the room.
James was diagnosed with heart problems, and his wife, Becky, was no longer able to care for him or herself very well. They started looking for an assisted living home. One of Becky’s first questions as she visited each home was, “Do you puree your food?” She was concerned that James have the kind of food he needed for his swallowing difficulty. Several places answered “no,” so she kept searching. Finally she heard “yes” at a Christian assisted living home.
Monday, June 25, 2012, Part 2
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6).
IDEA: One reason we misinterpret or misapply a passage is that we often don’t consider the literary genre in which it is written.
PURPOSE: To help listeners be aware that different kinds of biblical literature have to be interpreted in different ways.
