Topic > Christian Beliefs > Salvation >
I was 17, an athlete, a part of the "in crowd", a girl with dreams, and very very lost! The irony though is that I loved to go to bed at night and in the stillness of the dark I would pray to a God that I feared but didn't think I could love. I would pray the same exact prayer every single night, "God, please forgive me for the sins I did today and for the sins I've done ever since I've been born..." looking back I remember trembling with those words because I knew God wouldn't save a wretch like me. My life as I knew it, at 17, came to a screeching halt when I took an EPT test and it showed up positive. I was on a fun vacation with my best friend, visiting my sister in Florida. I remember thinking this can't be happening to me, I'm in my Senior year, softball season is about to start, college next fall, so much to think about, but not this. This was NOT part of MY plan. I was ignorant about pregnancy, this wouldn't happen to a "good" girl like me. How can I make this disappear without anyone knowing? When I returned home from my vacation I told my boyfriend that I was pregnant and that we needed to decide what to do. I knew in my heart what I should NOT do but my head told me it would be better this way and it would be all over soon and life would go on as if nothing happened, a case of just bad luck! From that point, at 17, until I came to know The Lord as my Savior, at 33, is pretty much a blur. I got married to my high school sweetheart and our first five years were pretty reckless. I had two boys in the next years that followed and they were my joy and life. I felt my purpose but little waves of guilt would creep in from time to time about the abortion. Finally, in May of '96, after attending a local Bible believing church for several weeks my husband and I opened our hearts to The Lord. I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders, however I was still carrying a pretty heavy burden. The day after I asked God into my heart I broke. I didn't understand it, "why God?", "why now?"....I buried that awful memory and I didn't want it to surface. But God gently told me, "confess it to me so you can forgive yourself because I've already forgiven you." That was so difficult because I finally realized what I had given up at 17. God had allowed a life to begin in me and I made a decision to end it not even realizing at the time of the shattering consequences that would haunt me later. God did set me free by putting a wonderful friend in my path that had the same sad experience. She guided me through a post abortion Bible study and God revealed Himself to me during that time and I realized that even though I didn't have Him in my heart at 17, He was beside me on that fateful day, the day my unborn child's life ended but came to life in Jesus' arms as He carried it to Heaven. It took me a long time to really believe I could forgive myself because I know that there are always consequences to sin and sometimes memories are the consequences. But now I focus on the memory that God set me free during that Bible study and that one day I will be reunited with this very loved child.
ReadA Deadly Weapon
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali used several ring tactics to defeat his opponents; one tactic was taunting. In his fight with George Foreman in 1974, Ali taunted Foreman, “Hit harder! Show me something, George. That don’t hurt. I thought you were supposed to be bad.” Fuming, Foreman punched away furiously, wasting his energy and weakening his confidence.
I work at a chain of local pharmacies that plays Christian music and at times provides tracks, ministry announcements, small Gideon bibles & the Our Daily Bread (ODB) booklet. The Lord has given me a lot of open doors of opportunity to minister, share the Gospel, and pray for people at work, when they respond to the music and these materials.
Often times, people come in asking for the ODB and are excited to have one, and are disappointed when there are none available. Many of them use the ODB as their only source of hope, comfort, and encouragement.
I am asking the Lord on how I can use these opportunities to fulfill The Great Commission, to make disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to observe all things that He has commanded us. If you have any recommendations, please let me know how I can take these opportunities to the next level of discipleship. I received a request yesterday from someone asking me to teach them how to study the bible, and it has given me an idea to offer, with the ODB booklet, an invitation to pray for them and to learn how to study the bible. I'll also create an invitation to seek further resources by going to your website and to receive your devotions electronically.
The Lord is definitely using ODB where I work, to reach hundreds, if not thousands of souls in my community!!! Thank you Lord, and thank you Our Daily Bread Ministries for your faithfulness in providing this resource.
ReadCatching Up With Us
A pastor told this story on himself in his local newspaper. He was chatting with an older man to whom he had just been introduced. “So, you used to work for a utility company,” the pastor said, naming the organization. “Sure did,” the man responded. The pastor remarked that when he was a kid the cables from that company ran across his parents’ property. “Where did you live?” the man asked. When the pastor told him, the man said, “I remember that property. I had a tough time keeping the cable warning signs up. Kids were always shooting them down.”…
A little over a year ago my Mom Margaret McFarland, who had been a faithful reader of Our Daily Bread for years, lost her vision to the point that she could no longer read. One day in our daily phone conversation she said that she missed reading she especially missed reading her daily devotions from ODB and the Daily Guideposts. I realized that I could make that wish come true by reading them to her during my morning calls. So for this past year or so we have shared our devotions together. Our daily devotion together has opened the door to many discussions about our faith and our love of Jesus. My Mom just moved on to Heaven two weeks ago at the age of 93, and while I miss her so very much I have many wonderful memories of our love for each other and among the tops are our daily devotion times. I have just made a contribution to the ministry of ODB and I want you to know it is because of Mom and her love for you folks that I make that gift to continue your ministry.
Thank you you and may God continue to show favor to you as you minister to so many.
Luella Krieger
ReadLonging For Rescue
The movie Man of Steel, released in 2013, is a fresh imagining of the Superman story. Filled with breathtaking special effects and nonstop action, it drew crowds to movie theaters around the world. Some said that the film’s appeal was rooted in its amazing technology. Others pointed to the enduring appeal of the “Superman mythology.”
Each morning, as I do my morning devotions, I recall the fall of 2011 as my wife Margie lay wasting away at the Springhill Village nursing home.
We were both saved in 1967 but while she stayed close to the Lord, I fell away and drifted, on and off, for many years. But, when Margie became too ill to do her daily devotions, I would help, and eventually do them for her using Our Daily Bread. Then I would try to find Bible passages for her that related to her life.
She was such a great witness, even as she lay suffering and dying she would still praise the Lord every day.
When she would fall asleep during or after devotions, I found I was still reading our Bible. It was as though I could not get enough. God used that experience and Our Daily Bread to draw me back to Him! I cannot even write this without having to choke back tears.
I still use ODB in my morning devotions, and always will. Thank you so much for all you do to bring God’s word with understanding to people everywhere.
David Larimer
12075 S. Carlisle St.
Terre Haute, IN 47802
P.S. You have my permission to edit this and use it (or toss it) any way you wish.
ReadWeighed Down
August 10, 1628, was a dark day in naval history. On that day the royal warship Vasa set out on her maiden voyage. After taking 2 years to build, being lavishly decorated and holding 64 cannons, the pride of the Swedish navy sank only one mile out to sea. What went wrong? The excessive load was too heavy to make her seaworthy. Excess weight pulled the Vasa to the bottom of the ocean.
I came in contact with ODB when I was 12. An older neighbour who had relocated to the US had some of his old books cleaned out by the family and among the trash were copies of ODB from the 70s and very early 80s. This was in 1986. My brother and I picked those and began reading. I cannot tell you how much using the ODB helped my new-found faith and also in forming a habit of daily devotion. Part of the beauty is that one year with ODB would have taken you to almost every book in the bible and touched on many topics that affect the believer. I still use ODB 29 years on (now the 1-year editions) and am still being blessed by the Bread.
God bless the memory of Dr. De Haan and all those who make this devotional possible.
Osaeloka Daniels
Lagos, Nigeria
ReadIt was my lifelong mentor who introduced your great website to me. As a new, self-made and "unofficial" Christian in mainland China, I had felt rather "helpless" to explore and expand the horizon of Christian world. Once taking a glimpse of your vast contents, I knew that I found my family! "Our Daily Bread" is most close to my heart, and I have been too hungry to wait for the update of your daily piece! It turns into a kind of addition. The most amazing thing is that I have even noticed my changes each day, though it might be small and insignificance. Now I come to write the self journal titled "My Daily Recipe", the "brainchild" of your "Bread", where I drop down any good deed I make or any bad habit/deed I eliminate/suppress every day, no matter how tiny it could be. I become happier day by day, because I feel our Holy father is watching me and listening to me, most lovingly every moment. I will never be lonely in our Christian family. I believe I could cook most delicious feast under my recipes inspired by your rich bread!
Our Chinese Spring Festival is fast approaching. Although it is not a Christian holiday, I would like to wish our Father and all our family members happy and peace every day in the Year of Sheep!
ReadLast year my husband retired after 31 years of military service, including time in Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. I took note of a magazine article he was reading this week. It was titled "Alive Day". In it were written the stories of various people who had faced a particular day in their military service when something took place that could have ended their lives. These people recognize the anniversary of this date annually. It was described as the "day they were wounded, and their lives were changed".
Christians have a similar day in our lives, although most of us do not recognize it annually. We may share our testimony from time to time, but it might be a good idea to practice celebrating our own "ALIVE DAY". We would celebrate the time when we came to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and be born into life eternal.
We need to thank all those who serve in our armed forces for their service and protection of the freedoms that we enjoy in this great country. We also need to thank The Lord for his provision of our own individual "Alive Day".
ReadHabits Of A Healthy Mind
There is much said today about improving our health by developing habits of optimism, whether facing a difficult medical diagnosis or a pile of dirty laundry. Barbara Fredrickson, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of North Carolina, says we should try activities that build joy, gratitude, love, and other positive feelings. We know, however, that more is required than a general wish for good feelings. We need a strong conviction that there is a source of joy, peace, and love upon which we can depend.
A Closing Door
Beep, beep, beep, beep. The warning sound and flashing lights alerted commuters that the train door was about to close. Yet a few tardy individuals still made a frenzied scramble across the platform and onto the train. The door closed on one of them. Thankfully, it rebounded and the passenger boarded the train safely. I wondered why people took such risks when the next train would arrive in a mere 4 minutes.
I AM OVERJOYED AND OVERWHELMED BY THE POWER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND WHAT HE HAS DONE IN MY LIFE.
I WAS A DRUG ADDICT, LUST IN THE WORLD , COMMITING CRIMES ON DAILY BASIS. I WAS IN AND OUT OF JAILS FOR OVER TEN YEARS.
SEVEN YEARS AGO I ENDED UP IN A CELL, ALONE, CONFUSED , EMPTY, AND DESPERATE.
WERE I FOR THE FIRST TIME OPENED A BIBLE, AND THE LORD SPOKE TO ME IN JEREMIAH 33:3,
AS MY EYES WENT STRAIGHT TO THIS VERSE I STARTED TO CRY DESPERATELY AND FULL OF JOY KNOWING THAT GOD WAS SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO ME. "CALL ON TO ME, AND I WILL ANSWER YOU, AND SHOW YOU GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS YOU DO NOT KNOW" (JER. 33:3) AS I STARTED TO READ THE BIBLE I COULD'NT
STOP CRYING AND TO KNOW I HAD A SAVIOR THAT LOVED ME SO MUCH, AND I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT HIM.
I FELL IN LOVE WITH JESUS.
I WAS FACING 25 TO LIFE , AND YET THE LORD HAD SET ME FREE. I HAD SURRENDER MY LIFE TO JESUS.
I REMEMBER ASKING HIM, THAT ALL I WANTED WAS TO COME OUT DIFFERENT, TO SERVE HIM, AND IF IT MEANT FOR ME TO STAY IN JAIL FOR LIFE, TO USE ME FOR THE GLORY OF HIS NAME.
AS TIME WENT BY I WAS SENTENCED TO PRISON WERE I ENCOUNTER TO LIVE WITH LIFERS. JOYFUL AND TRUSTING IN MY SAVIOR I WAS RELEASED AFTER SERVING 17 MONTHS.
IT HAS BEEN A HARD WALK AS HE HAS TAUGHT ME TO GROW IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF MY LIFE, BUT I HAVE SUBMMITTED TO DO HIS WILL.
TODAY I VOLUNTEER IN JAILS AND I ALSO SPEAK ON THE RADIO IN A MINISTRY THATS CALLED
"I WAS IN JAIL, AND YOU CAME TO ME"...
THE LORD HAS RESTORE MY CHILDRENS ,AFTER SPENDING TEN YEARS WITHOUT THEM, HE HAS EQUIPT ME TO INSTRUCT THEM IN THE WAYS OF THE LORD, THEY ARE ALL SAVED, AND FOR THE GLORY OF GOD, ONE OF THEM IS GETTING BAPTIZED.
ONE THING I MUST SAY AS I STARTED MY WALK WITH THE LORD IN JAIL, RBC MINISTRY WAS A GREAT PART OF MY WALK. AND WHEN I CAME OUT IT KEPT ON LEADING ME TO MY DAILY SCRIPTURES AND WALK WITH THE LORD.
I MAY NOT HAVE MUCH MY BELOVED BROTHERS AND SISTER, BUT I HAVE A LOT OF LOVE FOR YOUR MINISTRY AND GRATITUDE FOR YOU WERE A GREAT DEAL IN MY WALK. BY GRACE I RECIVED, AND BY GRACE I GIVE WHAT THE LORD HAS STORED IN MY HEART. GOD BLESS YOUR MINISTRY, YOU TOUCH A LOT OF HEARTS IN JAILS, AS I GO TWICE A WEEK, ONE THING I NOTICE IS THE WOMANS IN THERE ALWAYS HAVE A DAILY BREAD FROM RBC. MAY MY TESTIMONY FOR THE GLORY OF GOD ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO CONTINUE IN THE WAYS OF THE LORD. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SHARE MY TESTIMONY, AND MAY THE PEACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ALWAYS BE WITH YOU...
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