Daily Bread Archives

January 1, 2024December 30, 2023

In the Wilderness

⁸⁰ And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. ~ Luke 1:80

This is speaking of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus the Promised Messiah. The Scriptures say that he was in the wilderness before his public appearance to Israel. You know who else was in the wilderness before His public appearance to Israel? Jesus.

Luke 4:1-2 says,

¹And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness ² for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, He was hungry.

If you notice, before their public ministry, many of the Old Testament heroes spent time in the wilderness. John the Baptist, Jesus, Moses, and Jacob were in the wilderness taking care of his father-in-law’s sheep, Joseph spent time in the prison, and the list goes on. But in the New Testament, the heroes spent time with Jesus.

Acts 4:13 says,

¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Even the great evangelist Paul spent time alone with Jesus before his public ministry. While writing to the Galatians, he described himself as still being largely unknown to the churches in Judea after three years.

But Acts 11:25-26 says,

²⁵ So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.

So, what am saying? The truth and seriousness of the return of Christ is still looming large right in front of us. We don’t have a whole lot of time left to mess around. We must be about the Father’s business. So, this year, determine to spend some time in the wilderness with Jesus, in prayer, fasting, and studying the Scriptures. It is the only way you will grow and the only way to really get to know the one who died for you and is coming back to get you. You don’t want to be a stranger to Him when He comes back in all of His glory. Be sure to set aside time to be alone with the LORD in this coming New Year.

Heavenly Father, thank You that I can spend time alone with You and that You want to be alone with me. There is no greater privilege than spending time with You, the one who purchased my salvation. Now, please help me to serve You with my full heart and with all of my strength; in Jesus’ mighty name, I pray, amen.

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Look For The New Door

¹⁸ Hear then the parable of the sower: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. ²⁰ As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, ²¹ yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. ²² As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. ²³ As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty. ~ Matthew 13:18-23

There’s an old TV show called Reba that addressed the idea of someone going from a Christian to an atheist. One of the main characters, Van, told Reba, his mother-in-law, that he no longer believed in God because he prayed to God that he would be able to continue playing football, and God didn’t answer his prayer. A lot of times, that’s the temperature of the Church. We expect God to answer every prayer exactly as we’ve requested as if God is a magical genie that is around to grant our every desire. When in reality God gives us the desires of our heart if they line up with his good plan for our lives.

See, God knows the beginning and the end. He knows the outcome of every situation and the repercussions of every mistake. He can see things we can’t and understand things we don’t. His ways are higher, and our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Unlike a genie, God doesn’t just give us everything we ask for because not everything we ask for is good for us. This New Year put your faith in God’s plan for your life instead of in the plans you have for yourself. Put your trust in the maker of the universe, who is the Beginning and the End. The God that loves you more than words could ever express.

We may not know every step of every plan God has for us, but what we do know is that God is good. He’s a good, good father who loves us and desires good things for us. So, in those times that God closes a door, look for the new door He’s unlocked for you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Look For The New Door.

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One Breath Away

² For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. ~ 2 Corinthians 6:2^NLT

As people, it’s very easy to put off what we can do today for tomorrow. We procrastinate everything, even our own salvation. It’s difficult for us to comprehend our own mortality when we wake up each and every morning. We expect to wake up each morning just as we expect the sun to rise in the east every morning.

The problem is that tomorrow is promised to no one. One of the hardest pills to swallow is the reality that each and every one of us is only one breath away from eternity. Never put off for tomorrow, what you can do today. Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow may never come.

Dear LORD, please help me to overcome procrastination. Help me to not put things off for tomorrow. Help me to fulfill the call You have for my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Leave Mount Horeb

⁶ The Lord our God said to us in Horeb, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain. ⁷ Turn and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country and in the lowland and in the Negeb and by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. ⁸ See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.’ ~ Deuteronomy 1:6-8

Mount Horeb is the Mountain of God; that’s where God came down to meet them. But they didn’t spend their lives there. No. God told them they had spent enough time in His presence learning His law; now it was time to put that worship into action. Sometimes, we stay in worship and don’t put that worship into action. We don’t do anything with what we have been given. We’re expected to go out into the world and carry the Spirit of the LORD with us in the name of Jesus so that we might spread His light wherever we go. We’re to break up the darkness, not just remain at the mountain. Because the LORD doesn’t just remain on the mountaintop. No. His dwelling is with mankind. He will go before us, behind us, beside us, and in us if we will follow Him.

Dear LORD, please forgive me for remaining in my own comfort zone and not evangelizing all that I meet and come in contact with. Please help me not to ever get caught up in my own little world, instead, help me to be a light in this deep darkness around me. Please shine Your light through me and give me the confidence to always share Your Word with the world. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Be Prepared For War

¹⁷ When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” ¹⁸ But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. ~ Exodus 13:17-18

The people of Israel had just been freed from Egypt. Their spirits were joyful but still fragile. So, what does God do? He leads them in the way that is best for them. When God frees us from our sins, He doesn’t always send us straight into battle. Why?

Because not everyone can take battle immediately. God equipped them for battle, but knowing the weak faith of the people of Israel after 400 years of slavery, God gave them time to grow before they saw war. God promised that He wouldn’t allow us to be tempted beyond what we can withstand but always gives us an escape route so that we can overcome. But I want you to understand that just because you may not see war immediately doesn’t mean you won’t ever see war.

Before Israel was able to settle in the Promised Land, they had to defeat their enemies. We will all face battles; some will be bigger than others, but one thing is for certain we will be able to overcome anything through Christ who gives us strength.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be Prepared For War.

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Nurture Your Faith

¹ “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way to where I am going.” ⁵ Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” ~ John 14:1-7

Thomas is remembered by his one moment of doubt and disbelief. I don’t believe that it was random or even out of character that Thomas doubted the resurrection of Christ. See, Thomas, like the other disciples, didn’t grasp all that Jesus told them. It was to Thomas that Jesus explained that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It was due to Thomas’ lack of understanding of how they would know where Jesus was going and how to follow Him there.

Faith isn’t blind. It doesn’t dwell or grow in ignorance. It has to be planted in good soil, nurtured and watered so that it might grow strong and unshakable. See, if Thomas understood what Jesus said, he wouldn’t have doubted when the others saw the resurrected Christ. So many of us struggle with doubt because we lack the understanding. Paul said, how can they believe if they have never heard? If also said, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ. It’s by our relationship and revelation of Christ and His Word that our faith grows.

James left us with an encouraging statement on understanding. He explained that God doesn’t desire us to remain in ignorance, so if we lack any understanding, we should ask God, and He will give us the wisdom and understanding. This is key to growing your faith. Unless you know and understand what you believe, then you can’t have an unshakeable faith. Instead, you will be double-minded and, therefore, unstable in all of your ways, ready to be blown over at the first sign of trouble or confusion.

So, nurture your faith by reading your Bible, spending time praying, fasting, and worshipping. And when you lack understanding, bring it before God. Don’t allow yourself to become like Thomas and leave a legacy of anything less than God has for you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Nurture Your Faith.

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Even If

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” ~ Daniel 3:16-18

I believe that the lack of answered prayers is one of the biggest reasons that people lose faith. When we pray and pray and pray for something, and we don’t receive whatever it was we prayed for, the Devil begins to cast doubt into our minds. The reason we do this is because our faith is conditional. This is due to a lack of true love.

We want unconditional love from God, but we don’t have to hold ourselves to that same standard. Many of us, including myself, fall prey to the deception that God will answer and give us whatever it is we ask for. This isn’t really the case. God gives us good things that will build us up and further His Kingdom, but not every one of our heart’s desires. Many of us put God up against a wall backed in a corner, threatening that we won’t believe if we don’t see the answer to our prayer. This isn’t true faith because this isn’t true love.

Our heart is stained with sin, and within sin, there is doubt because of fear. We have a fear that God won’t actually come through, so we, oftentimes unknowingly, give God an ultimatum: either answer my prayer, or I will no longer believe in You. We may not say it vocally or even think it in our minds, but it’s in our hearts. We know it is because when that prayer isn’t answered, then we stop believing.

Our prayers will never be answered unless we have faith. Unconditional without threat faith. Faith that says:

I know and believe You can, but even if You don’t, I will still be faithful to You. I will still believe. I will still love You.

Dear LORD, please forgive me for all the times that I backed You into a corner with my conditional faith and love. Please teach me to trust in You and not in my own idea of what’s best. Please replace my heart of some with a heart of flesh and renew a right spirit within me. Please write Your Word on my heart that I might not sin against You. Thank You for Your conditional love; please continue to mold me into Your image and likeness. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Fulfillment Breaks The Silence

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. ~ Luke 2:8-12 (KJV 1900)

The birth announcement of the LORD Jesus was to shepherds who were keeping watch over their flock by night. No doubt, these men were watching, waiting, and looking for the promised Messiah. But they did not expect it to happen that night when all of a sudden, an angel appeared saying, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy.” They were told that the Savior of the whole world was born in Bethlehem that very night.

Understand that when you’ve been diligently waiting on the LORD, He will show up at any moment, especially when you least expect it. There was no word from God for 400 years, but God had not forgotten His promise to Israel or to the world.

So, in the fullness of time, Jesus, being the Word of God, became flesh and dwelt among us. He lived and died, and rose again, and ascended into heaven, and one day, He’s coming back for us. Just like He fulfilled the promise of His first coming, He will fulfill the promise of His second coming. Therefore, I urge you to be ready, watch, and pray.

The Shepherds were taken by surprise at His first coming and still got to go see baby Jesus, but those who are taken by surprise at His second coming will be left behind. Therefore, I warn you, stay awake, watch, and pray.

Father, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for the promise of Christmas fulfilled in the birthday of Your Son, Jesus. Help me to stay vigilant and be ready for His return. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Believe God In The Impossible

⁸Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, ⁹according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. ¹¹And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. ¹²And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. ¹³But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John (Luke 1:8–13).

Notice what the angel of the LORD said to Zechariah, “Do not be afraid, for your prayer has been heard.” Apparently, Zechariah was praying for something, and the LORD had heard his prayer and sent His angel to let him know the prayer he had been praying was being answered. But if you think about Zechariah’s reaction to the angel, one could conclude that he had stopped praying for what it was he was praying for. And what was Zechariah praying for? A son.

See what the angel goes on to say, “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son.” Zachariah did not say, “I wasn’t praying for a son.” He accepted that he was praying for a son, but the problem was God had taken too long to answer his prayer, and now it was too late because he and his wife were too advanced in years to have children.

Although the answer was good, and it was exactly what he was praying for, it came a little too late, at least that was Zechariah’s thoughts, so he did not believe the angel’s words.

And that is how it is with us. We pray so hard for something, but when it falls outside the timeline we set, we lose hope, and unbelief swamps our ship of dreams. But remember, all things are possible for God, who knows no restraints, nor is He bound by any timeline.

Therefore, this Christmas, let unshakeable faith be birthed in you. Let unshakeable faith arise and believe God for the impossible. For the Just shall live by faith and not by sight. We don’t let circumstances nor perceived notions derail our freight train of faith, no, we believe God even when it looks like He hasn’t heard, nor is He answering.

Dear Heavenly Father, increase our faith. Help us to stand firm upon Your Word and believe You will hear, and if You hear, You will answer. Strengthen us in our spirit person so that we will not be easily moved. Thank You, Father, in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

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Give To Others

¹⁶For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ~ John 3:16

Every year, my family and I pack shoeboxes that go all over the world. And every year, I ask my family back home if they’d like to do shoebox as well. Many say yes, but some say no. I’ve noticed over the years that the ones that say no are always the ones that have the most wealth to share. Christmas is a time of giving and receiving, but as Scripture says:

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 20:35

It’s much easier to receive than it is to give. Giving means putting another above ourselves, which is against our very nature, but that’s what we’re called to do. We’re called to give to the poor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. We don’t withhold love or help from others, especially when they are in great need of it.

This Christmas, give to those who are in need. Share the love of Christ with others. Remember the less fortunate. Give as God first gave to us.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Give To Others.

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Tag: Daily Bread

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