Category: Daily Bread

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The Overcomer Within

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:10-13

In 1914, a woman by the name of Mary Anne Bevan developed a disease called Acromegaly. The condition caused progressive facial and bodily disfigurement due to the overproduction of growth hormone because of a benign tumor on the pituitary gland. This kind of disappointment would set most people back. They would become depressed, repressed, and lock themselves inside their home. Mary Anne, however, was cut from a different cloth.

Mary Anne didn’t let the disease overcome her. She didn’t let the physical or emotional pain keep her down. In order to provide for her family, she entered a “Ugliest Woman” competition and won. She proceeded to work for Barnum and Bailey Circus (as well as other companies) and made around $50,000 (about one million dollars today) and was able to provide for her four children.

In this life, there will be many trials and tribulations. We will experience ups and downs. The enemy will try to take everything from you, but you must overcome. You have to find the strength not give in to the attacks of the enemy. You have to find your strength in Christ Jesus because in Him we can do all things, including overcoming this world and its afflictions.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Find That Overcomer Within.

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A Great Feast

1 Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith. ~ Acts 6:1-7

I always knew today was Boxing Day, but I never knew it was the Feast of Stephen. The Feast of Stephen is most well known for being in the song/hymn “Good King Wenceslas.”

Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.

We all know these words, but the last words I had never heard before. They truly summarize the Feast of Stephen.

Therefore, Christian men, be sure, while God’s gifts possessing,
You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.

See, on the Feast of Stephen, you honored the memory of Stephen the martyr by giving gifts to the poor. Why? Because Stephen was one of the seven chosen by the early Church to oversee daily food distribution to ensure none were being overlooked or missed.

Stephen died not too long after this in 36 AD. He was stoned to death by the Sanhedrin. And with his dying breath, he prayed to the LORD that He wouldn’t hold that sin against them. He used his dying breath to pray for his murderers.

Today, we honor that legacy. A legacy of love, selflessness, forgiveness, and giving. If you, LORD forbid, were to die today, what would your legacy be? What would people remember you for? Today, don’t let it just be another day. Go out of your way for another person. Let today be the day you start leaving a legacy you would be proud of.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Leave A Great Legacy.

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The Real Christmas Story

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Beth-lehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the LORD. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And 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,

Good will toward men. ~ KJV Luke 2:1–14

This is the real and true Christmas story—the greatest story ever told. Why is it so important? Because this is the day we celebrate, the day we commemorate, that a Savior, who is Christ the LORD, was born.

A tiny, helpless baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

The same God who said, “Let there be light,” and light came to be, had now incarnated Himself—becoming a humble, helpless baby, dependent on His earthly parents to provide, protect, and love Him. He took on flesh and came in the form of man so that He might save man through His life, death, and resurrection.

That is what the angel was proclaiming that night to the shepherds who were out in the fields keeping watch over their flock when he said, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.” For a Savior was born in Bethlehem—a Savior who was destined for the cross in order to save mankind from their sins. Every man, woman, and child now has the opportunity to live throughout eternity with Jesus.

There are many so-called facts that claim to be verified by science that are not facts at all, such as evolution. But here is a fact you can depend on, a truth you can believe, because it comes from God Himself: a Savior—Jesus, the Christ—was born over two thousand years ago. He lived and died, was raised to life again on the third day, and is coming back to receive unto Himself all those who believe and take refuge in His great and mighty Name.

This Christmas, let the joy of the new birth take shape in your life. Believe God for great and mighty things—things that only He can provide. It’s Christmas; let us rejoice and be glad. Our LORD and Savior has come.

Father, thank You for the joy of Christmas. Thank You for the hope we have in Jesus. Thank You, LORD Jesus, that You are coming back for us, so that where You are, there we shall be also. In Jesus’ Name we pray, amen.

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Accept The Gift

[26] In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, [27] to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. [28] The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” [29] Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. [30] But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. [31] You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. [32] He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, [33] and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” [34] “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” [35] The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. [36] Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. [37] For no word from God will ever fail.” [38] “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her (Luke 1:26-38).

This passage could be considered Christmas Eve in God’s plan—not the night before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but the moment when the gift of Christ was first offered to the world, nine months before His birth.

There are a few important things to notice.

First, Mary was greatly troubled, but she was not terrified like the shepherds later would be. The word translated as “troubled” means perplexed—deeply thoughtful, puzzled. Mary’s first instinct was not panic but wonder. She tried to understand what God was doing, as shown by her questioning what kind of greeting this might be.

Mary responded with faith seeking understanding.

The shepherds, on the other hand, were sore afraid—terrified. In Scripture, angels often signal judgment or dramatic divine intervention. From their perspective, they may have believed death was imminent. Where Mary wondered, the shepherds feared judgment.

Second, Mary asked questions so she could fully understand what God was asking of her. Her question—“How will this be?”—was not unbelief, but a sincere desire to obey rightly. The shepherds, by contrast, did not speak at all until the angels had departed.

Third, the angel did not leave Mary without getting an answer. She had to choose. She could receive the gift—say yes—or she could refuse—say no. Only after Mary clearly accepted God’s will did the angel depart.

Mary understood who she was before God and said:

“I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Only then did the angel leave.

Mary’s story reminds us that God’s greatest gifts often arrive wrapped in mystery and require a response. Like Mary, we may feel perplexed rather than terrified, uncertain rather than afraid—but God still invites us to trust Him. The question is not whether God has a plan, but whether we are willing to receive it. Faith does not demand complete understanding; it requires surrender. When we, like Mary, recognize who we are before God and say, “I am the LORD’s servant; may Your word be fulfilled in me,” we accept the gift God is offering and allow His purposes to unfold in our lives.

Father, help me understand who I am and what You want me to do. I know You have a plan for everyone, including me. Help me to find, understand, and receive the plans You have for my life, and to say with faith, “Let Your will be fulfilled in me.” Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Be Spiritually Awake

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. ~ Matthew 1:18-25

Mary and Joseph weren’t together at the time of her conception. They were simply betrothed to one another. Joseph, when Mary was found to be with child, was going to divorce her quietly, but an angel came to Joseph in a dream explaining the matter to him.

Joseph then took Mary home as his wife. Joseph could have easily divorced Mary and refused to believe the dream. He could’ve easily just written it off as his heart’s desires and hope of Mary’s innocence, but he didn’t. He awoke from his dream and chose to believe the words spoken to him. Why? I believe it was because he was actively awaiting the Messiah. He was actively seeking God’s promises, so his spirit man was fed and on high alert.

Though his revelation came to him in a dream, Joseph wasn’t asleep. Spiritually, that is. He was on guard. Watching. Waiting. Hoping for the Messiah. If an angel came to you to give you insight, would you be spiritually awake enough to recognize that the dream was from God? Or has slumber taken you, numbing your spiritual awareness?

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be Spiritually Awake.

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Follow The Good Shepherd

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 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.” ~ Luke 2:8-12

The very first people to hear the good news of the long-awaited Messiah were shepherds. Not kings. Not rabbis. Not the teachers, prophets. None that you would expect to be the first to greet the King of kings and LORD of lords. The Great I Am. God Himself. So, this begs the question, why were the shepherds the first to hear?

Jesus, the LORD, is the Good Shepherd, and we, the Church, are His sheep. God told the shepherds first because they represent the head of the Church. Leaders of the Church are shepherds under Christ, the Good Shepherd. The shepherds being the first to hear about and see Jesus isn’t random or strange. It’s setting the stage for the leaders of the Church to take their rightful place and shepherd the flock of Christ.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Follow The Good Shepherd.

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Dwell In The Light

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. ~ Isaiah 9:2

In the ancient world, the darkest and longest night of the year, today/tonight, was often marked by offerings and/or sacrifices to the gods in the hope of bringing the sun back with blessings for the next year. December, a month of coldness, long nights, and short days. A time often associated with mourning, because it’s when the crops die, and there is no harvest, is the time the Church celebrates.

The Church celebrates the birth of Christ. The birth of the God-man, Jesus Christ, the very Light of the World. The ancient world mourned, sacrificed, and brought offerings in hope of gaining favor from the gods, some even going as far as to sacrifice humans during this time, but our God shows His love for us by sending His Son as a gift to the whole world in order that we might be saved.

During a time of deep darkness, God came into our world and brought within Him the Light, which is the life of men. We are no longer in darkness. No. We are now dwelling in the Light of the LORD. No matter how dark the world may get, always remember the Light can never be overcome by it.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Dwell In The Light.

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A Specific Genealogy

6 and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, 8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. 12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. ~ Matthew 1:6-16

23 Jesus, when He began His ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, ~ Luke 3:23-31

Jesus, the son of Mary and Joseph, is the long-awaited Messiah. The son of David. He was a direct descendant of the king of Israel, whom God loved and made a promise to. Both Matthew and Luke give an account of Jesus’ genealogy, one through His mother, Mary, and the other through His earthly father, Joseph. Now, Luke, who gives His father’s genealogy in his account, made it clear that it was only thought to be the son of Joseph. So, what does that mean?

Jesus’ genealogy didn’t come through Joseph, but through Mary because He is the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). Mary was a virgin when she conceived and gave birth to Him (Luke 1:26-38), yet Luke records Joseph’s genealogy instead of Mary’s. Matthew, on the other hand, records Jesus’ genealogy through Mary. Here’s what I find interesting: both Mary and Joseph came through the line of King David. One through King Solomon, the heir to the throne, and the other through Nathan. I find it even more interesting that both of these sons were born to David through Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife, but I’ll leave that for another day.

Jesus, the descendant of kings, was the rightful heir to the throne of His father David. At just the right time, He was born to a virgin, born pure, stainless, and without sin in order to fulfill God’s promise not only to Abraham (Genesis 22:15-18), but to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Now, if Jesus’ genealogy came through Mary, why did Luke record Joseph’s genealogy? That’s because Luke was a gentile writing to a gentile.

See, each Gospel is written from a different perspective for a different purpose. Luke’s Gospel was written to ensure Theophilus, a Roman of high social or official rank, who had heard of Jesus and wanted to know if all that he had heard was true. What does that have to do with anything? Theophilus was a Roman, and in ancient Roman culture, it didn’t matter who the mother was or who the child was or even who the birth father was; it only mattered who the father who accepted and raised the child was.

See, in ancient Rome, if a father didn’t accept their child, the child was abandoned. The baby was left at the wall to die. So, even though Jesus wasn’t Joseph’s biological child, Joseph accepted Jesus as his own and raised Him as such. In the ancient Roman culture, adoption meant more than just being taken in; it meant your past identity was removed, and you now took on the sole identity of your adoptive father. So, Theophilus didn’t care if Jesus came through the line of David through Mary. It only mattered whether Joseph accepted Jesus, and thus Jesus’ genealogy depended solely on Joseph being from the house of David for Theophilus. Whereas Matthew, writing to the Jews, showed that Jesus, being the biological child of the virgin Mary, fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 that they had been waiting for.

Each Gospel, letter, poem, prophecy has a different audience and purpose. When we understand the audience that each writing was intended for, we can truly understand what the author intended their audience to understand. So, with that said, it doesn’t matter which side you look at, whether mother or father, Jesus is the rightful King of the Jews. The rightful heir to David’s throne.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Understand The Author.

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End Well

14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In 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 5:14-16

So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
And a new one just begun

These are the thought-provoking first lines of John Lennon’s most famous Christmas song, “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).” Now, I’m not a Lennon fan, but when I hear these lyrics I really start to think, “Christmas is here, the year is over, New Year is right around the corner and what have I done, really?” each year, each day, is a gift from God, and how do we use our gifts from God? Do we honor Him? Spread the knowledge of His name? Do we complete our New Year’s resolutions? Or do we get distracted? Do we waste the time God has allotted to us?

Though these lyrics are good and make you think, Lennon isn’t quite right. Yes, Christmas has come, but the year isn’t over yet. There is still time to end the year positive and start the New Year on a high note. So, this Christmas, don’t waste the little time you have left this year. Use it to make a difference in your life and in others.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and End Well.

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Let Them Know It’s Christmas

41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). ~ John 1:41

Do They Know It’s Christmas?, performed by some of the biggest stars at the time, was and still is an anthem of compassion. While the lyrics definitely mischaracterize an entire continent, the words do hit a soft spot in our hearts with lines like:

And in our world of plenty
We can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world
At Christmas time

And another:

And the Christmas bells that ring there
Are the clanging chimes of doom
Well, tonight, thank God it’s them
Instead of you

Do they know it’s Christmas time at all? is specifically a line we should all ask ourselves. What do I mean by that? Do they know Jesus, the Messiah, has finally come? No matter how hard the world tries, they can’t separate Christ from Christmas. Christmas will forever be a symbol of hope because it singlehandedly marks the birth of the Messiah—the birth of the Light of the World.

So, this Christmas, ask yourself, “Do my children, family, friends, coworkers, neighbors know it’s Christmas time at all?” Do they know the Messiah, Jesus? Or are they still looking for something? A Messiah? Peace? Freedom? Joy? Hope? Something to fill the emptiness inside? This Christmas, don’t wait to share Jesus with others. Don’t hesitate, be afraid, or intimidated to share Christ with anyone and everyone willing to listen because without Christ, they have no hope.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Let Them Know It’s Christmas.

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