Dangerous Shortcuts
During recent elections in my country, one struggling mom I know exchanged her vote for a bag of diapers. We had discussed the benefits of each candidate, so her choice disappointed me. “But what about your convictions?” I asked. She remained silent. Six months after her candidate won, taxes went even higher. Everything is now more expensive than before . . . even diapers!
Discover the freedom to be honest
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? Not many people would answer with “honesty.” But join us today as we discover how the freedom to be transparent is a precious gift from God, and how we should take full advantage of it.
Unwelcome Visitors
Recently my wife, Marlene, and I received a panicky phone call from our son and his wife. The night before, they had found two bats in their house. I know bats are an important part of the ecosystem, but they are not my favorite among God’s creatures, especially when they are flying around inside.
After 17 years of being addicted to drugs and alcohol, chasing women, dropping out of college, and a failing music career I found comfort in scripture and Narcotics Anonymous. In rehab, a guy started reading Proverbs in groups. Another one of my counselors directed me to Romans 8. Building upon my Christian foundation from childhood, I now have a job, work as an archivist for Alcoholics Anonymous, speak to other addicts, go to church, and have devoted my life to spreading the good news of Jesus's love and forgiveness.
While visiting a local "sober" hang out, I picked up a copy of Our Daily Bread. Its stories help build my spiritual growth every time I read it. I enjoy sending in small donations to help further their cause. I thank God for people who actively spread the word of God to people like me who were once hopeless, desperate, and in need of God's grace and mercy. Today my life has meaning, purpose, and direction. My new life is based on God's love! Thank you for your daily message!! It helped save my life!
Finding Rest in Jesus
There are moments when we simply want to escape from our problems. But as far as we may try to run, our problems always seem to find us! Join us today as we start a brand-new series and discover a better alternative to fleeing our troubles.
A Good Name
Charles Ponzi’s name will be forever associated with the financial fraud scheme he elevated to a way of life. After some minor financial crimes and brief times in jail, in early 1920 he began offering investors a 50 percent return on their money in 45 days and a 100 percent return in 90 days. Although it seemed too good to be true, the money poured in. Ponzi used money from new investors to pay prior investors and fund his lavish lifestyle. By the time his fraud was discovered in August 1920, investors had lost 20 million dollars and five banks…
God Is Listening
The day before Billy Graham’s interview in 1982 on The Today Show, his director of public relations, Larry Ross, requested a private room for Graham to pray in before the interview. But when Mr. Graham arrived at the studio, his assistant informed Ross that Mr. Graham didn’t need the room. He said, “Mr. Graham started praying when he got up this morning, he prayed while eating breakfast, he prayed on the way over in the car, and he’ll probably be praying all the way through the interview.” Ross later said, “That was a great lesson for me to learn as…
The Go-Between
Imagine standing at the bottom of a mountain, elbow-to-elbow with everyone in your community. Thunder and lightning flash; you hear an earsplitting trumpet blast. Amid flames, God descends on the mountaintop. The summit is enveloped in smoke; the entire mountain begins to shake, and so do you (Ex. 19:16-20).
Comforting others with joy
What do you say to a person in the midst of deep, personal pain? How do you comfort someone going through a difficult trial? Today, our special guest Margaret Feinberg challenges us to be a “joy bomber” and offer the hurting the gift of joy!
Giving Up Our Mirrors
When Moses gathered the children of Israel together to begin work on the tabernacle (Ex. 35–39), he called on Bezalel, a gifted artisan, to help make the furnishings. We’re told that certain women were asked to give their precious bronze mirrors to make the bronze basin he was constructing (38:8). They gave them up to help prepare a place where God’s presence would reside.
Helping fight another’s battle
Joy is a powerful weapon in times of trouble. Join our stirring conversation today as we discover how the gift of our presence can help others “Fight Back with Joy.”
Hand Me The Binoculars!
When I was in elementary school my friend Kent and I would often spend time looking at the night sky with a pair of German-made binoculars. We marveled at the stars in the sky and the mountains on the moon. All throughout the evening we took turns saying, “Hand me the binocs!”
Our Daily Bread has been an inspiration in my life as well as the inmates I supervised in the state prison for almost 20yrs. I am a Shift Supervisor for Securitas USA, at Mclaren Hospital in Pontiac. I was put on suspension last week Thursday for no reason given. I prayed, fasted, cried out to Jesus,"What have I done, I cant think of anything to warrant this". For days I went through this, then I received a call to meet with the head of Securitas, Mohammad Rashid, in Dearborn Mi. today at 10:00am. I was told that there were many complaints against me, all of which were proven to be lies on me except one. I was suspended for 5 days pending this meeting, for the one that was true and admitted to. I put several Our Daily Breads in our employee break room, as well as, copies I asked for of, "The Promise of Easter". I walked into this meeting not knowing if I had a job, and walked out with a promotion to Site Supervisor at a different location, a $1/hr raise, and no more 12hr. weekends, but Sat/Sun. off!!! Only our Lord Jesus Christ can do this! The only thing in my file now is, a counseling memo for distributing religious materials. I told Mohammad I would gladly take that memo to my grave. He said, "someone gave me a chance, now I want to give you one". Praise Jesus!! He is worthy of all praise. Stew
William Stewart
