Our Daily Bread

Topic:Divine Diversions Bible in a Year : Job 11–13; Acts 9:1–21 They tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. Acts 16:7 It can be difficult when we’re told “no” or “not now,” especially when we sense God has opened a door for us to serve others. Early in my ministry, two opportunities came …

Topic:Vanity on Fire Bible in a Year : Job 3–4; Acts 7:44–60 Create in me a pure heart, O God. Psalm 51:10 In February 1497, a Monk named Girolamo Savonarola started a fire. Leading up to this, he and his followers spent several months collecting items that they thought might entice people to sin or neglect their religious duties—including artwork, …

Topic:Playing with Joy Bible in a Year : Job 1–2; Acts 7:22–43 The fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy. Galatians 5:22 One of our sons, Brian, is a high school basketball coach. One year, as his team was dribbling its way through the Washington State Basketball Tournament, well-meaning folks around town asked, “Are you going to win …

Topic:The Lord Rejoices Bible in a Year : Esther 9–10; Acts 7:1–21 [God] will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 My grandmother recently sent me a folder full of old photographs, and as I thumbed through them, one caught my eye. In it, I’m two years old, and I’m sitting on one end of a hearth in front of …

Topic:Present in the Storm Bible in a Year: Esther 1–2; Acts 5:1–21 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:7 Fire swept through the home of a family of six from our church. Although the father and son survived, the father was still hospitalized while his wife, mother, and two small children were …

Topic:In Our Weakness Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 12–13; Acts 4:23–37 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. Romans 8:26 Although Anne Sheafe Miller died in 1999 at the age of 90, she nearly passed away in 1942 after developing septicemia following a miscarriage and all treatments proved to be unsuccessful. When a patient at the …

Topic:Rescuing Villains Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 10–11; Acts 4:1–22 Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! Daniel 3:28 The comic book hero is as popular as ever. In 2017 alone, six superhero movies accounted for more than $4 billion (US) in box office sales. But why are …

Topic:Stick-Figure Lesson Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 7–9; Acts 3 What we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present. 2 Corinthians 10:11 A friend of mine—okay, it was my counselor—drew a stick figure on a sheet of paper. She labeled this the “private” self. Then she drew an outline …

Topic:The Savior Who Knows Us Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 4–6; Acts 2:22–47 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. John 1:48 “Dad, what time is it?” my son asked from the back seat. “It’s 5:30.” I knew exactly what he’d say next. “No, it’s 5:28!” I watched his face light up. Gotcha! his beaming smile said. I felt delight …

Topic:Words that Wound Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 1–3; Acts 2:1–21 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 “Skinny bones, skinny bones,” the boy taunted. “Stick,” another chimed. In return, I could have chanted “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But even …