Our Daily Bread

Topic:An Old Clay Pot Bible in a Year: Exodus 19–20 Matthew 18:21–35 We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 I’ve acquired a number of old clay pots over the years. My favorite was …

Topic:Friendship Bench Bible in a Year: Exodus 16–18 Matthew 18:1–20 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Exodus 33:11 In the African country of Zimbabwe, war trauma and high unemployment can leave people in despair—until they find hope on a “friendship bench.” …

Topic:Guiding Children to God Bible in a Year: Exodus 14–15 Matthew 17 Continue in what you have learned . . . how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:14–15 An outspoken atheist believes it’s immoral for parents to teach their children religion as though it were …

Topic:The Greatest Mystery Bible in a Year: Exodus 12–13 Matthew 16 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Colossians 1:15 Before I came to faith in Jesus, I’d heard the gospel preached but wrestled with His identity. How could He offer forgiveness for …

Topic:No Line to Love Bible in a Year: Exodus 9–11 Matthew 15:21–39 I have made you and I will carry you. Isaiah 46:4 Sometimes when my Labrador retriever wants attention, he’ll take something of mine and parade it in front of me. One morning as I was writing at the …

Topic:Waiting with the Turtle Bible in a Year: Exodus 7–8 Matthew 15:1–20 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 Every fall, when the painted turtle senses winter coming, she dives to the bottom of her pond, burying herself in the muck …

Topic:Demonstrating Grace Bible in a Year: Exodus 4–6 Matthew 14:22–36 You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19 “In moments where tragedy happens or even hurt, there are opportunities to demonstrate grace or to exact vengeance,” the recently bereaved …

Topic:Where Are You Headed? Bible in a Year: Exodus 1–3 Matthew 14:1–21 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!” 2 Samuel 12:7 In northern Thailand, the Wild Boars youth soccer team decided to explore a cave together. After an hour they turned to go back and found that …

Topic:Clean Containers Bible in a Year: Genesis 49–50 Matthew 13:31–58 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12 “Hatred corrodes the container that carries it.” These words were spoken by former Senator Alan Simpson at the funeral of George H. W. Bush. Attempting to describe his …

Topic:When God Intervenes Bible in a Year: Genesis 46–48 Matthew 13:1–30 Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm. Psalm 105:15 In a poem titled “This Child Is Beloved,” Omawumi Efueye, known affectionately as Pastor O, writes about his parents’ attempts to end the pregnancy that would …