UNEXPECTED GRIEF

UNEXPECTED GRIEF

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does[a] deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our[b] behalf for the gift granted to us through many.
(2 Corinthians 1: 3-11)

Since 1988, I've enjoyed writting several Our Daily Bread articles each month. I've felt blessed to dig into Scripture, observe life, and provide spiritual help in this publication.
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But in June 6, 2002, I found myself unable to offer help. On the last day of her junior year of high school, our 17-year-old daughter Melissa was killed in a car accident.
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In one horrible instant, everything we knew about God and the Bible and heaven was put to the test. We needed the Christian community to guide us toward hope as we stood at the funeral of a beloved young woman who had touched so many lives with her smile, her godliness, her love of life and her care for others.
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For many weeks, I couldn't write. What could I say? How could I find words to help others when my family - when I- needed so much?
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Now, months later I begin to write again, I can say that God has not changed . He is still our loving heavenly Father, the "God of all comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3). He is still the source of hope in the face of unexpected grief. I write of Him with a renewed sense of my need for His touch, His love, His strength. Broken , I write of the only One who can make us whole.
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Written by Dave Branon for Our Daily Bread

I have been through the valley of weeping,

The valley of sorrow and pain;

But the God of all comfort was with me,

At hand to uphold and sustain. - Anon.

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When God permits trials,

He also provides comfort.

YOUR LAST DAY

YOUR LAST DAY

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1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

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What if you were told this morning that today was to be your last day on earth? How would you spend its fleeting hours? Whom would you insist on seeing? Would your behavior differ radically from what it usually is?
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Someone has wisely said," You should treat every day as if it's your last one, because one of these days you're going to be right."
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There's no getting around it. Whether our earthly life ends by accident , illness, the ravages of age, or our Lord's return, one of these days will be our last. That's why we should guard so carefully the things we do and the words we say.
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We ought to be tying up the loose ends of long-neglected matters by expressing our love and gratitude to others, by seeking reconciliation with an alienated friend, or by sharing the gospel with a neighbor.
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Perhaps you've been putting off accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior until some more convenient day. But that day may never come. Since your last day on earth can be so unexpected, heed Paul's inspired words; "Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). Are you living each day as if it were your last?
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Written by Vernon Grounds for Our Daily Bread

Thinking it over

What are the five most important things you

would do if this were you last day on earth?

Would you seek out God?

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What would you change

if this day were your last?

EMPTY PROOF

EMPTY PROOF

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. (1 Corinthians15:1-8)

In the days after the French Revolution, a man tried to start a new religion that he believed was superior to Christianity. But he was disappointed at his lack of success. He revealed his frustrations to a clergyman and asked awhat he could do.
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The clergyman replied that it was no easy task to begin a new religion - so difficult that he had nothing to suggest. But after a moment's reflection, he said," There's one plan that you might want to consider. Why don't you get yourself crucified and rise again on the third day?"
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The firm foundation of the Christian faith is an empty tomb. The New Testament declares that the death of Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. But how can anyone know for sure that Christ's crucifixion was acceptable to God? It doesn't matter much what we think of the death of Jesus; what matters is what God thinks about it.
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God's approval of Christ's sacrifice is proven by the resurrection. It stands as God's signed receipt that He is completely satisfied. Without the resurrection, Christianity has nothing much to offer the world. But the fact that Christ died and then rose from the grave "is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16)
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Written by Haddon Robinson for Our Daily Bread

Thinking it over

Some have said that Christianity is a relationship,

not a religion. Do you have that relationship?

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Because of Christ's empty tomb,

we can be full of hope.

WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW

WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW


8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.[b] 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. ( 2 Timothy 1:8-14)

Do you know an aglet from a tang? Would you recognize duff if you walked on it?

It's not essential to know these terms to make it through life successfully. If you didn't know that an aglet is 'the covering on the end of a shoelace," that a tang is "the projecting prong on a tool," or that duff is "the decaying matter found on the forest floor," it's not all that important. You could always look it up.

We can be glad we don't have to know everything to get by in this world. We often can depend on someone else's knowledge. For instance, I don't know how to fix the brakes of my car - but as long as someone else knows and can fix them, I'm okay.

There is a knowledge, however, for which we are individualy responsible if we expect to enter heaven. I'm talking about knowing Christ personally. Learning about Him and entering into a personal relationship with Him is the only way to live wisely and be prepared to meet God. The apostle Paul had this in mind when he said, "I know whom I have believed" (2Tim. 2:12).

Do you know the One who died for you and can forgive your sins? Unless you know Him, all other knowledge is insignificant.

Written by Dave Branon for Our Daily Bread

Eternal life is knowing God

Through Jesus Christ His only Son;

Such knowledge is life's greatest quest-

Without it life has not begun. - D. De Haan

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To know Christ is the greatest of all knowledge.

THE STAR IN THE WINDOW

THE STAR IN THE WINDOW

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

During World War II, it was the custom in the United States for a family who had a son serving in the military to place a star in the front window of their home. But a gold star indicated that the son had died in support of his country's cause.
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Years ago, Sir Harry Lauder told a touching story about this custom. He said that one night a man was walking down a New York City street accompanied by his 5-year-old son. The little fellow was interested in the brightly lighted windows of the houses and wanted to know why some houses had a star in the window. The father explained that those families had a son fighting in the war. The child would clap his hands as he saw another star in the window and would cry out, " Look, Daddy, there's another family who gave a son for his country."
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At last they came to an empty lot, and a break in the row of houses. Through a gap a star could be seen shining brightly in the sky. The little lad caught his breath, " Oh, Daddy," he cried, "Look at the star in the window of heaven! God must have given His son too."
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Yes there is a star in God's window. Do you realize what He did for you? Out of His love for us, He gave His Son (Eph 2:4). Have you thanked Him?

Written by M. R. De Haan for Our Daily Bread

For God so loved the world, He gave His only Son

To die on Calvary's tree, from sin to set me free;

Someday He' coming back, what glory will that be!

Wonderful His love to me -Townsend

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Many give their lives for their country,

but Jesus gave His life for the world.

UNOPENED TOMORROWS

UNOPENED TOMORROWS

25 Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what will you put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

27 Which of you by worrying can add a cubit to his stature?

28 So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they neither toil nor spin;

29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 Therefore do not worry, saying 'What shall we eat?' or 'Where shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

34 Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

(Matthew 6: 25-34)

We often wish we could see what lies around the corner in life. Then we could prepare for it, control it or avoid it.

A wise person has said, "Though we can't see around corners, God can." How much better and more reassuring it is!

Recently my 10 year old granddaughter Emily and I were boiling eggs for breakfast. As we stared into the boiling water and wondered how long will it take to get the eggs just right, Emily said, "Pity we can't open them up to see how they're doing." I agreed. But that would have spoiled them, so we had to rely on guesswork, woth no guarentee of results.

We began talking about other things we would like to see but can't - like tomorrow. Too bad we can't crack tomorrow open, we said, to see if it's the way we would like it. But meddling with tomorrow before its time, like opening a partly cooked egg, would spoil both today and tomorrow.

Because Jesus has promised to care for us everyday - and that includes tomorrow- we can live by faith one day at a time. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow , for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." ( Mt. 6:34)

Emily and I decided to leave tomorrow safely in God's hands. Have you??

Written by, Joanie Yoder for Our Daily Bread

Though I know not what awaits me,

What the future has in store,

Yet I know the Lord is faithful,

For I've proved Him oft before. - Anon

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Prayer should be our first response rather than our last resort.

HE KNOWS YOUR NAME

HE KNOWS YOUR NAME

Psalm 147: 1-9 (KJV)

1 Praise the Lord!

For it is good ro sing praises to our God;

For it is pleasant , and praise is beautiful.

2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;

He gathers together all the utcasts of Israel.

3 He heals the brokenhearted

And binds up their wounds.

4 He counts the number of the stars;

he calls them all by name.

5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;

His understanding is infinite.

6 The Lord lifts up the humble ;

He casts the wicked down to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;

Sing praises on the harp to our God,

8 Who covers the heaven with clouds,

Who prepares rain for the earth,

Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

9 He gives to the beast its food,

And to the young ravens that cry.

How many stars are there? Astronomers don't know. They simply assure us that the cosmos contains more stars then can be numbered. Billions for sure- probably trillions !!

Figures like that are hard for us to grasp. Even a million is mind-boggling. If you were counting a million $1 bills at the rate of 60 a minute for 8 hours a day 5 days a week, it would take you nearly 7 weeks to complete the task. At the same rate, it would take over 133 years to count a billion dollars.

Scripture declares that God, the Maker of the sun and moon, 'made the stars also' (Gen. 1:16). It likewise declares that He ' brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, not one is missing' (Isaiah 40:26).

So if we ever wonder whether God is able to carry us with all our burdens, let us remember that He is the sovereign of the stars. Surely He who is the guide of the galaxies can deal with our situations.

If the skies are clear tonight, look heavenward and be thankful that the God who calls each star by name knows, loves, and cares for you.

Written by, Vernon Grounds for Our Daily Bread

I sing the wisdom that ordained

The sun to rule by day;

The moon shines full at His command,

And all the stars obey. -Watts

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The One who upholds the universe will never let you down.