Our Daily Bread

Topic:Surviving the Unbearable Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 4–6; Luke 9:1–17 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13 The Experience Project, one of the largest online communities of the twenty-first century, was once a …

Topic:Situational Awareness Bible in a Year: Judges 19–21; Luke 7:31–50 This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. Philippians 1:9 My family, all five of us, found ourselves in Rome over the Christmas holidays. I don’t know when I’ve ever seen more people jammed together in one place. As we …

Topic:The Greatest Gift Bible in a Year: Judges 11–12; Luke 6:1–26 We have found . . . Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. John 1:45 Over the years, my friend Barbara has given me countless encouraging cards and thoughtful presents. After I told her I’d received Jesus as my Savior, she handed me the greatest gift she’d ever given …

Topic:Creator and Sustainer Bible in a Year: Judges 9–10; Luke 5:17–39 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory . . . sustaining all things by his powerful word. Hebrews 1:3 Working with a magnifying glass and tweezers, Swiss watchmaker Phillipe meticulously explained to me how he takes apart, cleans, and reassembles the tiny parts of specialty mechanical watches. Looking …

Topic:Surrounded by God Bible in a Year: Judges 4–6; Luke 4:31–44 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and for evermore. Psalm 125:2 In a busy airport, a young mother struggled alone. Her toddler was in full tantrum mode—screaming, kicking, and refusing to board their plane. Overwhelmed and heavily pregnant, the burdened young mother …

Topic:Singing in the Spirit Bible in a Year: Joshua 16–18; Luke 2:1–24 Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18–19 During the Welsh Revivals of the early twentieth century, Bible teacher and author G. Campbell Morgan described what he observed. He believed the presence of God’s Holy Spirit was …

Topic:Obscured by Clouds Bible in a Year: Joshua 13–15; Luke 1:57–80 We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. 2 Corinthians 4:18 A rare supermoon appeared in November 2016—the moon in its orbit reached its closest point to the earth in over sixty years and so appeared bigger and brighter than at other times. …

Topic:Keep On Going Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 26–27; Mark 14:27–53 By faith [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. Hebrews 11:27 Working in the corporate world allowed me to interact with many talented and levelheaded people. However, one project led by an out-of-town supervisor was an exception. Regardless of our team’s progress, this manager harshly criticized our work …

Topic:Expect Delays Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 17–19; Mark 13:1–20 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 Are you kidding me? I was already late. But the road sign ahead instructed me to adjust my expectations: “Expect Delays,” it announced. Traffic was slowing down. I had to laugh: I expect things to …

Topic:Swept Away Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 14–16; Mark 12:28–44 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Isaiah 44:22 When he invented the pencil eraser, British engineer Edward Nairne was reaching instead for a piece of bread. Crusts of bread were used then, in 1770, to erase marks on paper. Picking up …