Daily Bread Archives

January 1, 2022December 20, 2021

Don’t Dwell On The Hurt

¹⁸ Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. ¹⁹ Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ~ Isaiah 43:18-19

Today is New Year’s Day. Last night we symbolically laid the Old Year to rest. Today is a fresh and new opportunity to correct the errors and make right the wrongs.

God admonished us through the prophet Isaiah not to remember the former things anymore. Don’t dwell on the hurt. Don’t dwell on the missed opportunities, neither dwell on the heartaches and pain of the past. For God, our God is doing a new thing.

He will make a way where, just last year, did not seem to be a way. When you walk through the dry and arid desert, where no water is, God will bring forth streams of water to quench your thirst.

When you are feeling lonely, lo, He will be right beside you. Never will He leave you, and never will He forsake you. But He will take your hand to strengthen you.

Reach out to Him in the spiritual right now. Let Him lead and guide you to places you’ve never been and to heights you’ve never soared before. This is your year. Keep on trusting. Keep on hoping in the LORD, and He will deliver you, and set your feet on the King’s Highway!

Father, thank You for new beginnings. Thank You for new opportunities. Thank You for all Your promises to me. Yours is the truth, and Yours is the way. Help me to keep trusting and let my faith not dwindle. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Back to Hope?

Back to Daily Bread?

Believe God For The Impossible

³⁵As they were emptying their sacks, there in each man’s sack was his pouch of silver! When they and their father saw the money pouches, they were frightened. ³⁶Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me!” ~ Genesis 42:35-36^NIV

The saying goes, ‘It’s always darkest just before the light.’ Jacob found himself in this very position. Everything that could go wrong, had gone wrong.

His favorite son, from his favorite wife, was dead, at least from his perspective. They were in a worldwide famine, and Egypt was the only country with grain. The ruler of Egypt was holding one of his sons, Simeon. And to make matters worse, he wanted Jacob’s youngest son by his now dead, favorite wife whom he really loved before he would sell them any more grain.

Jacob cried, ‘Everything is against me,’ as his head fell into his hands. ‘Everything is against me.’

But what he forgot was that God was for him. God was working everything out for him. God was planning on giving back double for his trouble. Not only would he see his dead son, Joseph, alive again, but he would see Joseph’s two sons as well. Something he never thought possible.

So, in this New Year, remember that God specializes in the impossible. Things that you thought were lost will be found. Things you thought were dead and burned will be raised up. God can do exceedingly, abundantly above that which we can ask or think.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Believe God for the impossible this New Year.

Back to Hope?

Back to Daily Bread?

Don’t Stop Them

“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.” ~ Mark 9:38-41^NIV

Sometimes we see people doing things that we believe are only for us or that we believe are only for a certain person, so we try to stop them. We try to box them in. We try to keep them from accessing power that we don’t believe they deserve. It’s not even necessarily because we think that what they’re doing is wrong, but because we don’t think it’s right for them to do it.

We see this a lot in the Church today. We see Christians tearing down other Christians because of the gifts and calls that God has given them. But as Jesus Himself said, no one working in the power of God can, in the next moment or next breath, speak against Him. Therefore, even if they aren’t your denomination or you differ on minute issues, if they aren’t against your Jesus and what He stands for, then they are with you. Don’t let the Spirit of Religion get in the way of what God is trying to do.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Don’t Stop Them.

Back to Strongholds?

Back to Daily Bread?

Shine

¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:16 ESV

We live in a very secular world, with different beliefs, different thoughts, and very different religious tolerance. Not everyone will accept our message. Not everyone will accept us. So don’t judge or make others feel like we’re condemning them.

Make sure you let your light shine so that they can see your good works because they are watching, evaluating, and making a mental note. If you show intolerance for their beliefs, they will show you likewise.

I always start with a question. What do you believe about…? Or what is your concept of this…? Or thoughts on such and such…? Don’t be afraid to engage people in a conversation. How will they hear if they are not told? And if not you, then who? So, do it now, don’t wait. If you wait, you won’t do it. And before you know it, you’ve lost the moment.

Remember, it’s not our job to save people because it’s not our blood that saves them, nor is it our Spirit that draws them to repentance. It is, however, our job to tell people. So don’t be afraid to have those conversations. Just be mindful, tactful, and sincere. Don’t let fear keep you from sharing the good news. Let God speak through you, just as He spoke through Peter on the day of Pentecost.

Father, give us boldness to proclaim Your word. Stretch forth Your mighty hand to save, heal, and restore. May You receive honor and glory, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Back to Fear?

Back to Daily Bread?

Eat of Its Fruit

⁵⁹So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. ⁶⁰And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you increase to thousands upon thousands; may your offspring possess the cities of their enemies.” ~ Genesis 24:59-60^NIV

Notice how even though they aren’t serving God Almighty, they still understand the weight of words, and they bless Rebekah? We who have the very Spirit of God dwelling in us, the very same power that raised Jesus from the dead living in us, don’t bless our children, siblings, family, and friends the way we should. Instead, we use saying like ‘That’ll kill you’ or ‘They’ll learn when they feel.’ Our words seem to have turned negative from positive.

Maybe it’s just because I grew up in a Caribbean household (that has the influence of Pessimistic England), but it seems our world has become more and more negative. We believe we’ll fail before we succeed. There’s more depression and suicide throughout all the world than in previous years. There’s more bullying and angry children. Where are the blessings and the hope? We have God dwelling with us. Something that the ancient world never experienced, so why don’t we take advantage of it? Why don’t we speak life over our families and friends? Why don’t we speak life over our jobs and our ventures? Why don’t we speak life period?

I challenge you every day to speak at least one positive thing over your family and friends, then pay attention to see how things begin to change. For life and death is in the power of the tongue, and those that love it shall eat of its fruits.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Eat of Its Fruit.

Back to Spiritual Warfare?

Back to Daily Bread?

Celebrate His Birth

¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ¹⁴“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” ~ Luke 2:10–14

I just want to remind you of the good news of great joy, for today, we celebrate the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ, who was born 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, the city of David.

Let’s not get bogged down on the day or the month but let us celebrate and be glad that our LORD got off of His throne to come to this earth to die a vicious and horrible death, to save His people, whosoever will, from their sins.

This tiny little baby, wrapped in swaddling cloths, and lying in a manger, because there was no room for Him in the inn, was the sacrificial Lamb of God, destined to be sacrificed, to take away the sins of the world.

So, celebrate this Christmas, the remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World. Accept His free gift, and rejoice that you have eternal life. Merry Christmas.

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to You this Christmas morning, giving thanks that little baby Jesus did not stay a baby but grew up to become the Savior of the world. Bless all of Your dear Children this Christmas day and help us to remember the real and true meaning of Christmas. In the name of Jesus, I pray, amen.

Back to Thankful?

Back to Daily Bread?

Do You Have Room?

⁷ And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. ~ Luke 2:7

Tomorrow is Christmas Day. The Scripture says that there was no room for them in the inn. This could have happened the day before she was to give birth, which would essentially be what we celebrate as Christmas Eve. Or it could have been days before. Either way, it happened. There was no room for them in the inn.

The Scriptures go on to say that Jesus stands at the door of our hearts and knocks. If we hear Him, we must open the door and invite Him in. Well, today, Christmas Eve, Jesus is standing outside your heart’s door knocking, just like His parents were knocking two thousand years ago.

Will He receive the same answer from you now as He did then from the innkeeper? Will He hear, there’s no room here for You, Jesus? I’m packed tight, with work, schedules, soccer practice, and football games. There is really no space here for You. Maybe You can come back by next time You’re in town when the kids are grown, when I’m retired, when I have more time.

Jesus waits for your answer, but He will not always wait, and He may not make it back around to knock on your heart’s door. Today is the day of repentance; tomorrow is promised to no man.

Do you hear Him knocking? If you do, open your heart’s door, and let Him in this Christmas. Don’t let another day go by; receive the greatest Christmas present of all time today while He still knocks. Accept and receive the gift of life. Have a Merry Christmas, and God bless! Heavenly Father, please bring conviction on those who read this, strength, and bless those who are serving. Grant each person a safe, send merry Christmas. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Back to Cleansing?

Back to Daily Bread?

Be Bethlehem

⁵They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: ⁶‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” ~ Matthew 2:5-6

God doesn’t just use the greatest and the most powerful of people; He uses all people. Great and small. Rich and poor. God does not discriminate. He has a plan for all people. When He sent His one and only Son into the world, He didn’t send Him to the greatest land in the greatest territory. God reminded Bethlehem that it wasn’t insignificant.

This Christmas season, God is calling out to you as well. You are not insignificant or meaningless. The God of the entire universe knows you by name; He keeps count of all of the hairs on your head, He has a purpose and calling for you. You are not insignificant and unimportant. You are called by God Most High. So, be encouraged this Christmas season.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be Bethlehem.

Back to Encouragement?

Back to Daily Bread?