1 post tagged “dailybreadbiblenotes3”

Richly Blessed
Read: Psalm 33:1-9
The maple trees in my front yard are the last to lose their leaves in the autumn. So, on a frigid November day, I was grumbling to myself as I raked and bagged the last of my leaves.
Then a cheery voice said, “Good morning!” The woman who reads our gas meter had walked up unnoticed. I asked, “And how are you on this blustery morning?”
“I’m richly blessed,” she said with a smile. After a quick attitude adjustment, I replied, “So am I. Isn’t God wonderful?”
“He sure is,” she answered. “Are you a believer in Jesus too?” “Yes, I am,” I responded, “and He has filled my life with blessing.”
That brief exchange not only brightened my mood, it reminded me that we who believe in Christ are blessed beyond measure. After this sister in Christ left, the sky didn’t seem to be as dark; the wind lost some of its chill; the leaf raking became less toilsome. The Lord had used a fellow believer to turn my attention to Him to see His goodness (Ps. 33:5).
Christians are part of a community. Let’s encourage one another. We never know when a fellow pilgrim may need a reminder of the goodness of God. Faith in God’s goodness puts a song in your heart and praise on your lips.

Blue Christmas
Read: Isaiah 53:1-6
During the Christmas season, we often read Isaiah’s prophecies of the coming Messiah who would be born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14) and called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (9:6). But perhaps we should also include the words of Isaiah 53: “He is . . . a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. . . . Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows . . . . And by His stripes we are healed” (vv.3-5). The psalmist reminds us that “[The Lord] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps. 147:3).
If you’re hurting this Christmas, remember: Jesus came to save us, to help us, and to heal us. Jesus provides an oasis of grace in the desert of grief.

God's Forgiveness
Read: Hebrews 12:12-17
Neither can we turn back the clock and undo the wrong we have done to ourselves and to others.
Although the past is irrevocable, there can be a new day before us, filled with new chances, new opportunities, and new expectations. God will not redo the past, but when we repent He can and will forgive us and set us on a new path.
The Lord can give us opportunities to show how we have truly repented of the decisions of the past and how much we long to serve Him in the decisions to come. He will never mention the deeds by which we’ve shamed others and ourselves; they are forgiven and forgotten forever.
God will give us a place to begin again—to love, to serve, to touch others profoundly and eternally for His sake. This demonstrates the greatness of our heavenly Father’s forgiving love to us. God’s forgiveness is the door to a new beginning.

The Name of Jesus
Read: Acts 3:1-16
There is a powerful significance attached to the name of Jesus. The apostles performed miracles (Acts 3:6-7,16; 4:10) and cast out demons in His name (Luke 10:17). They spoke and taught in the name of Jesus. They baptized believers in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38). And it is only through the name of Jesus that we gain access to the Father (Acts 4:12).
When we become Christians, we share in that worthy name. And as we follow Christ, we are able to reflect His light to any darkness we encounter, whether in our neighborhood, our workplace, or even our home. Our prayer should be that when people see us—they will see Christ.
Our names may have meaning or significance. But to bear the name Christian is life-transforming.
The name of Jesus is the only name with the power to transform.

God’s Indescribable Gift
Read: 1 John 5:9-13,20
When God sent His Son Jesus to be the Savior of the world, He gave us many gifts within the Gift. Now when people receive the gift of Jesus, they also receive these special gifts, which they could obtain in no other way:
Forgiveness of sin. “In [Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7).
Teaching from the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things” (John 14:26).
Eternal life and a home in heaven. John said, “He who has the Son has life” (1 John 5:12). Jesus promised, “In My Father’s house are many mansions; . . . I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).
A love like no other. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you . . . . Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:9,13).
Have you received God’s indescribable Gift? You only need to ask.
The ABCs Of Salvation-
Admit that you’re a sinner (Rom. 3:23).
Believe on Christ (Acts 16:31).
Confess your faith (Rom. 10:9-10).
Jesus is both the gift and the Giver of every good gift.

Active Compassion
Read: 1 John 3:16-24
In 1 John 3:18, John talked about what we are to do when we see others in need. He told us to have active compassion: “Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed.” When we see a need, it’s good to talk about it, but we must also do something about it. We are instructed: “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Ask the Holy Spirit to place someone on your heart to help in Jesus’ name. Then take action. Make a difference today. Send a card. Give a gift. Offer a ride. Make a call. Love in deed is love indeed. Compassion is Love in action!

Keep Reaching For The Top
Read: Philippians 3:12-21
Temporal goals can never fully satisfy. We see this in the ministry of Paul. He told the believers in Philippi: “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). It is the goal “for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (v.12). He will “transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (v.21).
That goal can provide the most powerful incentive. It inspires us to become more and more like Jesus. Every upward step gives us joyful soul-satisfaction. How diligently are we striving to reach that goal?
Don’t let contentment with earthly goals prevent you from attaining eternal gains.

A Promise Fulfilled
Read: Matthew 1:18-25
No doubt the Jews of Jesus’ day who were living under the oppressive thumb of Rome had to wonder if God would ever make good on His promise to send a Deliverer who would forgive sin and restore the glory of Israel (Isa. 1:26; 53:12; 61). God had long ago promised them a Redeemer, but they hadn’t heard a word from Him in 400 years. But then, at just the right moment, the angel announced to Joseph that Mary would give birth to a Son who would “save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).
Christmas proves that God is a promise-keeping God! He said that He would send a Deliverer, and He did. Your sin is not beyond the reach of this promise. He is ready and waiting to forgive your sins—all of them.

Living In Eternity
Read: 2 Peter 3:1-13
Crisis has a way of shaking us out of complacency. It reminds us this world is not our home and encourages us to be godly (v.11). When it feels as if our personal world is coming to an end, we should focus on living for eternity. Trusting God can turn a crisis into a treasure.

Prayer
Read: Daniel 9:3-19
As he prayed, Daniel focused on worship and confession. His pattern of prayer gives us an important insight into talking to God. We are to recognize that God is “great and awesome” (v.4) and that “we have sinned” (v.15). In prayer, we praise and confess. Let’s follow Daniel’s lead. To him, prayer was as vital as life itself.
No one stands as tall as a Christian on his knees!