Copied From Our Daily Bread 2012-06-07 Uncontrollable Unexpected

Copied From Our Daily Bread

2012-06-07  Uncontrollable Unexpected

— by Bill Crowder

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Read : James 4 :13-17

4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
 

4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. It...: or, For it is
 

4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
 

4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
 

4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” —James 4 :15

Bible in a Year : Psalms 40 - 42

Life is full of surprises—some of which take life in unwelcome directions.

I still remember the shockwave that hit our family several decades ago when my father lost his job through no fault of his own.

With a house full of kids to feed, it was a jarring blow.

But as certainly as Dad’s job loss was beyond his control and unexpected, he still knew he could trust God for his future.

As Jesus’ followers, we must recognize that there are things in life that are the “uncontrollable unexpected,” as I call them.

To help us in those moments, James 4:13-15 offers this wisdom: 

Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; 

whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. . . . Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ ”

The people to whom James was writing were making plans while excluding God’s prerogative to direct their lives.

Is it wrong to plan for the future? Of course not.

It is unwise, however, to forget that God may allow some “uncontrollable unexpected” events as He sees fit.

Ultimately, all that happens is for the best—even when it’s hard to see.

We must trust Him and His plans for our future.

I know who holds the future,
 

And I know who holds my hand;
 

With God things don’t just happen—
 

Everything by Him is planned. —A. Smith

We may not know what the future holds, but we can trust the One who holds the future.

COPIED FROM OUR DAILY BREAD 2012-06-05 JUST THIS ONCE

COPIED FROM OUR DAILY BREAD 

2012-06-05  JUST THIS ONCE

— by Dennis Fisher

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Read : Psalm 19 : 7-14

19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. law: or, doctrine converting: or, restoring
 

19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
 

19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. true: Heb. truth
 

19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. the honeycomb: Heb. the dropping of honeycombs
 

19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults .
 

19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins ; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. the great: or, much
 

19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. strength: Heb. rock

Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins. —Psalms 19 : 13

Bible in a Year :  Psalms 34-36

As a boy, I used to ride a go-cart that was steered with a rope.

On one occasion, as I propelled my way down the driveway, my parents’ warning came to mind: “Always look up and down the street for cars.”

But I rationalized: It’s okay not to do that just this once.

 Then I heard the sound of screeching tires as a car came to an abrupt stop to avoid hitting me.

Thinking I could break my parents’ rule nearly cost me my life.

The Bible has many examples of those who knew better but who chose to break God’s rules. 

From boyhood, David had meditated on the law of God while he tended his sheep.

He knew that the seventh commandment 

condemned adultery, yet when he saw a beautiful woman bathing he used his royal power to take the wife of Uriah for his own.

This sin resulted in terrible consequences ( 2  Samuel  11–12 ).

The psalmist wrote: “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins” (Psalms 19 : 13 ). 

Have you felt tempted to do something “just this once” even though you knew it was wrong?

Glancing at Internet pornography, “borrowing” money from an account at work, or stretching the truth may each seem like an isolated activity but can lead to terrible consequences.

With God’s help, turn from sin and find His way of escape ( 1 Corinthians  10 : 13 ).

Prone to wander—Lord, I feel it;
 

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
 

Seal it for Thy courts above. —Robinson

Temptations will knock at your door; don’t ask them to stay for dinner!

Copied From Our Daily Bread 2012-05-31 Faulty Thinking

Copied From Our Daily Bread 

2012-05-31  Faulty Thinking

— by Anne Cetas

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Read :  Romans  5 : 12 - 21

5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: for that: or, in whom
 

5:13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
 

5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
 

5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
 

5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) by one man's...: or, by one offence
5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. by the offence...: or, by one offence by the righteousness...: or, by one righteousness
 

5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
 

5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
 

5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —Romans 5:8

Bible in a Year :  Psalms  19 - 21

Four people—a pilot, a professor, a pastor, and a hiker—were flying in a small plane when the engines died.

The pilot said, “There are only three parachutes.

Since this is my plane, I’m taking one of them.”

He put it on and jumped out.

The professor said, “I’m brilliant and the world needs me, so I’m taking a parachute,” and he jumped out.

Then the pastor told the hiker, “I don’t want to be selfish, so you take the last parachute.”

 The hiker replied, “There are still two left, so we can each have one.

The professor jumped out with my backpack instead of the parachute!”

Though the professor thought he would land safely, his assurance was based on faulty thinking.

Some people have an assurance of salvation based on faulty thinking.

They believe that church attendance, baptism, or just being good will gain them approval from God.

But our thinking is faulty if it isn’t based on what God says in His Word. 

God says that “all have sinned” and that we are His enemies.

But through the death and resurrection of His Son, we can be made right with God (Romans  3:23; 5:8-10).

Romans  3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

By faith in what Christ has done, we can have peace with God (5:1) 

 and the assurance of eternal life in heaven.

Do you believe it?

Your eternity is at stake.

Don’t trust faulty thinking but put your faith in Christ.

I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus—
 

Trusting only Thee;
 

Trusting Thee for full salvation,
 

Great and free. —Havergal

If we could earn our salvation, Christ would not have died to provide it.

Copied From Our Daily Bread 2012-05-26 Stand Or Go?

Copied From Our Daily Bread

2012-05-26  Stand Or Go?

   — by Dave Branon

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Read: Exodus 14:5-22

14:5 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?
 

14:6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him:
 

14:7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.
 

14:8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an high hand.
 

14:9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.
 

14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
 

14:11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
 

14:12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
 

14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. for the...: or, for whereas ye have seen the Egyptians to day
 

14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
 

14:15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
 

14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
 

14:17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
 

14:18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
 

14:19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
 

14:20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them , but it gave light by night to these : so that the one came not near the other all the night.
 

14:21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land , and the waters were divided.
14:22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground : and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord”—Exodus 14:13

Bible in a Year :  Psalms  1 - 4

The Israelites were trapped.

 Soon after leaving slavery and Egypt behind, they looked up and saw a distressing sight.

A cloud of dust was moving their way, and in that dust was a massive army.

Pharaoh’s “disease” had returned—hardening of the heart (Ex. 14:8).

As a result, he sent his chariots after Moses and his people.

Once the Egyptian army caught up with the Israelites, all seemed lost.

They were trapped between a wall of soldiers and a sea of water.

In panic, they cried out to both Moses and God.

Both of them responded with instructions.

Moses said, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. ” (14:13).

And God told them, “Go forward” (v.15).

 While that may seem to be contradictory advice, both commands were from God and right. 

First, the people had to “stand still” or “firm” long enough to get instructions from God.

What if they had rushed headlong into the Red Sea without consulting the Lord?

But in standing still, they heard God’s instructions, which included both what they were to do—move on, and what Moses was to do—stretch out his hand over the sea in obedience and God would part the waters.

Do circumstances have you trapped?

Stand still.

Take time to consult God and His Word.

Then, using His instructions, move ahead and let God guide you.

It matters not how dark the way,
 

How thick the clouds from day to day,
 

God will direct in all we do
 

If we take time to pray it through. —Mead

If you’re looking for guidance, follow Christ as your guide.

Copy From Our Daily Bread 2012-05-25 Conversion

Copy From  Our Daily Bread 

2012-05-25  Conversion

   — by Julie Ackerman Link

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Read : 2  Corinthians  12 :14 - 21

12:14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
 

12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. for you: Gr. for your souls
 

12:16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
12:17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
 

12:18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
 

12:19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
 

12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
 

12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls. —2 Corinthians 12:15

Bible in a Year :  Job  38 - 42

Before my husband and I travel, we go to the bank and trade in our US dollars for the currency of the country we’ll be visiting.

We do this so we can pay for expenses while we’re away from home.

When we become Christians, another kind of exchange takes place.

Our lives are like currency that we convert from one medium to another.

We trade our old life for a new one so that we can begin “spending” ourselves in a different kingdom.

Instead of spending ourselves for the causes of this world, we are able to start spending ourselves for the cause of Christ.

The apostle Paul is a good example of this difference.

After his dramatic conversion on the way to Damascus (Acts 9),  he began spending his life in a dramatically different way.

Instead of pursuing Christians to imprison and kill them, he began pursuing non-Christians to convert them.

Then he spent the rest of his life for their welfare. 

He wrote to the church at Corinth, “I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls” (2 Cor. 12:15).

Everything he did was for the edification of his spiritual children (vv.14,19).

Conversion is far more than just changing our final destination. 

It’s changing the way we spend each day of our lives.

Lord, help me to spend myself on what will last,
not on what will fade away one day.
 

I give my life to You that I might spend and be spent for others and Your will. Amen.

Conversion takes only a moment—transformation takes a lifetime.