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Date Posted: 13:33:37 01/16/24 Tue
Author: c
Subject: Supplementary Teachings 12/2023 (updated)

Our Daily Bread 2/1/24

All-Star humility

(edited)

After a game, a college basketball star stayed behind to help workers throw out empty cups and food wrappers. When a fan posted a video of him in action, more than eighty-thousand people viewed it....It would have been easier for the basketball player to leave with his teammates and celebrate his role in the team's victory. Instead, he volunteered for a thankless job.

The ultimate spirit of humility is seen in Jesus, Who left His position in Heaven to take the role of Servant on earth (Philippians 2:7)....

Although Jesus Christ's example can inspire us to sweep a floor, pick up a hammer, or dish up food, it may be most powerful when it finds its way into our attitude toward others. True humility is an inner quality that not only changes our actions but also changes what's important to us. It motivates us to "value others above [ourselves]" (v. 3).

Author and preacher Andrew Murray said, "Humility is the bloom and the beauty of holiness." May our lives reflect this beauty as through the power of His Spirit, we reflect the heart of Christ (vv. 2 - 5).

Jennifer Benson Schuldt

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Our Daily Bread 2/4/24

Rewired by Gratitude

(edited)

After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, Christina Costa noticed how much of the talk around facing is dominated by the language of fighting. She found that this metaphor quickly started to feel exhausting....She experienced firsthand that no matter how difficult the struggle, practices of gratitude can help us resist depression and "wire our brains to help us build resilience."

Costa's powerful story reminded me that practicing gratitude isn't just something believers do out of duty. Although it's true that God deserves our gratitude, it's also profoundly good for us. When we lift up our hearts to say, "Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all His benefits" (Psalm 103:2), we're reminded of the countless way's God's at work.....

While not all suffering will find complete healing in this lifetime, our hearts can always be renewed by gratitude, for God's love is with us "from everlasting to everlasting" (v. 17).

Monica La Rose

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Our Daily Bread 2/7/24

Angels on the walls

Nehemiah 4:9 But we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

(edited)

When Wallace and Mary Brown moved to an impoverished part of Birmingham, England, to pastor a dying church, they didn't know that a gang had made the grounds of their new church its headquarters....

...Feeling God had used this passage to direct them, the Browns, their children, and a few others walked round their church's walls, praying that He would install angels as guards to protect them....The Browns later heard the gang had given up terrorizing people.

This miraculous answer to prayer isn't a formula for our own protection, but it's a reminder that opposition to God's work will come and must be fought with the weapon of prayer....He can even set violent hearts free.

Sheridan Voysey

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Our Daily Bread 2/8/24

Brought low

(edited)

...When we're filled with pride, we think more highly of ourselves than we should. Jesus once said, "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Matthew 23:12). Both He and Solomon direct us to pursue humility and lowliness....It's being wise and not saying things arrogantly "in haste" (Proverbs 29:20).

Let's ask God to give us the heart and wisdom to humble ourselves to honor Him and avoid humiliation.

Marvin Williams

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Our Daily Bread 2/9/24

A great love cycle

(edited)

As a new believer in Jesus at the age of thirty, I had lots of questions after committing my life to Him...I reached out to a friend. "How can I possibly obey all God's commands?..."

"Just keep reading your Bible," she said, "and ask the Holy Spirit to help you love like Jesus loves you."

After more than twenty years of living as a child of God, that simple but profound truth still helps me embrace the three steps in His great love cycle: First, the apostle Paul affirmed that love is central in the life of a believer in Jesus. Second, by continuing to pay the "debt to love one another," followers of Christ will walk in obedience, "for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8). Finally, we fulfill the law because "love does no harm to a neighbor" (v. 10).

When we experience the depth of God's love for us, demonstrated best through Christ's sacrifice on the cross, we can respond with gratitude. Our grateful devotion to Jesus leads to loving others with our words, actions, and attitudes. Genuine love flows from the one true God Who is love (1 John 4:16, 19).

Loving God, help us get caught up in Your great love cycle!

Xochitl Dixon

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Our Daily Breat 2/10/24

God's transforming Word

(edited)

When Kristin wanted to buy a special book for Xio-Hu, her Chinese husband, the only one she could find in Chinese was a Bible. Although neither of them was a believer in Christ, she hoped he would appreciate the gift anyway. At first sight of the Bible, he was angry, but eventually he picked it up. As he read, he became persuaded by the truth in its pages. Upset at this unforeseen development, Kristin started to read the Scriptures in order to refute Xio-Hu. To her surprise, she also came to faith in Jesus through being convinced by what she read.

The apostle Paul knew the transforming nature of Scripture....

God through His Spirit brings Scripture alive to us. As we dwell in It, He changes us to be more like Him. Even as He did with Xio-Hu and Kristin.

Amy Boucher Pye

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Our Daily Bread 2/17/24

Growing up in Jesus

(edited)

As a child, I viewed grown-ups as wise and incapable of failure. They always know what to do, I'd think. One day, when I'm grown up, I'll always know what to do too. Well, "one day" came many years ago, and all it has taught me is that, many times, I still don't know what to do....

The apostle Paul understood this feeling of helplessness. The "thorn" in his life, which may have been a physical ailment, caused him frustration and pain....He learned that personal weakness and helplessness don't mean defeat. When surrendered to God in trust, they become tools for Him to work in and through these circumstances (2 Corinthians 12:9 - 10).

...Sure, we grow wiser with age, but ultimately our weaknesses often reveal how truly powerless we are. Our true power is in Christ: "For when I am weak, then I am strong" (v. 10). Truly "growing up" means knowing, trusting, and obeying the power that comes when we realize we need God's help.

Karen Huang

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Our Daily Bread 2/20/24

God's wise purposes

(edited)

Sometimes it seems to us that nothing is happening regarding our prayers. We pray and pray, bringing our petitions to our Father with expectation that He'll respond - right now....

However, our God is not only perfect in His wisdom but also in His timing. David was able to say, "I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation" (Psalm 13:5). Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us, "[God] has made everything beautiful in its time." The word beautiful means "appropriate" or "a source of delight." God may not always respond to our prayers when we'd like Him to, but He's always working out His wise purposes. We can take heart that when He does answer, it will be right and good and beautiful.

Bill Crowder

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Our Daily Bread 2/27/24

When Jesus stops

(edited)

For days, the sickly cat cried, huddled in a box near my workplace. Abandoned on the street, the feline went unnoticed by many who passed it by - until Jun came along. The street sweeper carried the animal home, where he lived with two dogs, which were former strays.

"I care for them because they're the creatures no one notices," Jun said. "I see myself in them. No one notices a street sweeper, after all."

Do we feel unnoticed at times? Are our cries drowned out by people who seem to matter more than us? Our Savior notices those the world doesn't care to notice. Call to Him for help! While others may pass us, He'll stop for us.

Karen Huang

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Our Daily Bread 2/28/24

"Help my unbelief!"

(edited)

What do we do with our doubts or feelings of God's absence? These moments may plague some believers more than others. But many faithful believers in Jesus may, at some point in their lives, experience moments or seasons of such doubts.

I'm thankful that Scripture has given us a beautiful, paradoxical prayer that expresses both faith and the lack thereof. In Mark 9, Jesus encounters a father whose son had been demonically tormented since childhood (v. 21). When Jesus said that the man must have faith ("Everything is possible for one who believes," v. 23), the man responded, "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!" (v. 24).

This honest, heartfelt plea invites those of us who struggle with doubt to give it to God, trusting that He can fortify our faith and hold on to us firmly amid the deepest, darkest valleys we'll ever traverse.

Adam R. Holz

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Adult Bible Class - Union Gospel Press

Winter Quarter - December 2023, January, February 2024

12/10/23

Counting all things loss

Daniel J. Estes

(edited)

p 11


Finding true intimacy (Philippians 3:10 - 11).

In verse 10 Paul returned to the ultimate goal of life - to truly know Christ intimately. Intimacy does not come cheap in human relationships, and the same is true in getting to know Christ well. Deep intimacy comes from sharing the full range of life's pleasures and pains.

Paul recognized that intimacy is built on identification. On the one hand, knowing Christ meant coming to experience the power of Christ's resurrection, which enables the believer to live a new life of victory over sin (Romans 6:4 - 11). On the other hand, knowing Christ involves pain. We know Him better when we suffer righteously as He did.

Striving with exertion - Philippians 3:12 - 16

Reaching forward (Philippians 3:12 - 13).

The road to spiritual excellence requires exertion. As Paul spoke of his own path to greater knowledge of God, he described it as an active pursuit of godliness. To come to know God intimately, Paul had to reach toward that goal. That meant that he had to keep moving forward spiritually.

Paul's lofty goal did not blind him to his own spiritual condition. The closer he drew to God, the more he realized his own sinfulness. Paul was painfully aware that he was imperfect, a sinner saved only by God's grace....he knew that he had far to go before he would reach his potential for Christ.

To move forward, Paul had to keep focusing on the future. He refused to look back in the rearview mirror of life to all his supposed credentials before he was saved, nor did he let guilt and regrets for past actions shackle him and impede his spiritual progress.

Pressing upward (Philippians 3:14). Paul continued his athletic picture in verse 14. Like a runner, Paul pressed toward, or pursued, the mark - knowing Christ and being like Him.

-------------------------------------=

Beside the Still Waters 1/5/24

The eye, the hand, the feet

(edit)

We need a strong commitment to give up a job, habit, or relationship that is wrong before God. It may seem painful as removing an eye, a hand, or a foot - which are among our dearest members, and hardest to give up. But the eternal rewards for denying fleshly lusts will far outweigh any pain and loss that we suffer.

Daniel Miller

If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light - Matthew 6:22

-----------------------------=

Beside the Still Waters 1/7/24

Stillness

(edited)

Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. - Psalm 46:10

We should be well aware that if we do not spend quiet time with the ancient Source of time, our day is wasted.

In stillness we draw near to Almighty God.

Simon Martin

----------------------------=

Beside the Still Waters 1/14/24

Encouraging each other

(edted)

It is always enjoyable and inspiring to see God-fearing youth take part in activities like singing, work bees, and outreach projects. We older folks need to be godly examples for them in purity, speech, and conduct, while realizing that we can't do that in our own strength. Let's all strive to bloom in whatever stage of life we find ourselves, regardless of our circumstances, trials, or hardships. Everything we face is part of what God allows for us; we simply need to accept that fact and realize that we are not in control. The sooner we do this, the more fulfilling our life will be.

Omar Fisher

Teach me, O Lord, to number my days.

--------------------------------=

Beside the Still waters 1/18/24

Choices

(edited)

Life has many choices: eternity has only two.....Let's consider some daily choices and what they say about us.

Our associations. "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manner" (1 Corinthians 15:33). Our friends and others with whom we choose to associate will help to shape our character and will ultimately affect our eternal destiny. It is important to choose Christian friends, those who are concerned about right motives and holy living.

Our speech. "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:37)....We should rather be "ready always to give an answer" of the hope within (1 Peter 3:15).

Our thoughts. It is very important to choose right thoughts. "And bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). Thoughts left uncontrolled can be as wrong as actions....God knows our thoughts and will hold us accountable for what we do with them.

Everyday choices reveal what is really in our heart. Where do our eyes go?...God sees and will judge accordingly.

Denver Yoder

We need to choose not only between right and wrong but also between good and best.

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Beside the Still waters 1/22/24

Glorying in tribulation

(edited)

Tribulation speaks of trouble, and it may be likened to fire that can cleanse us from evil and keep us from going astray....We dare not be resentful toward our Heavenly Father, for He uses tribulation to prune us so we become more fruitful....

Tribulation can also be likened to fiery trials. Are we willing to accept such trials and be purified by them? In the midst of great suffering, Job said, "But He knoweth the way I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10)....We should come to the point where we actually look forward to the good things that will result from God's purification.

As we go through tribulations, our endurance is strengthened so that we can move on in the spiritual race and ultimately win the crown of everlasting life. Let's pray earnestly that God will grant us the spiritual vision we need to see the beauty in our pain, so that we endure steadfastly to the end.

Fred Beachy

By faith we see through the present cross, the bliss of our eternal gain.

-------------------------------------=

Beside the Still Waters 1/28/24

Self-Denial: Purpose and effect

(edited)

The true purpose of self-denial is to deliver us from the bondage of corruption (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life), so we can experience the glorious liberty of the children of God. As we submit to the Spirit of God, He will transform us from doing the works of the flesh to bearing the fruit of the Spirit. The effect will be life and peace, freedom from serving self, sin, and satan, and being a servant of righteousness and holiness. We also will have assurance at His coming that all is well.

Daniel Stauffer

------------------------------------=

Beside the Still waters 2/12/24

Vitals

(edited)

There are spiritual vitals that are essential to healthy Christian living....Here are some of those spiritual vitals.

Faith. ....Faith sees light at the end of dark tunnels. Faith endures God's chastening because it believes He is working to produce the peaceable fruit of His righteousness in us.

Trust. God knows what He is doing in our life. We can trust His purposes even when we don't fully understand them. God sees a much larger picture than we can comprehend, and He works all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Submission. This is an important key for drawing near to God and resisting the devil (James 4:7-8). It takes humility to submit, and then God gives grace for endurance and victory. Humble submission to the Lord lifts us above ourselves and our trials.

Other vitals include daily personal devotions and membership in a faithful church. In hard times and easy times, God will see us through.

Daniel Stauffer

---------------------------------------=

Beside the Still Waters 2/21/24

Facts or feeling?

(edited)

Our Creator designed us with a variety of emotions, but He never intended that our feelings overrule the facts taught in His Word....God's Word, not personal feelings or preferences, is the only reliable standard to distinguish right from wrong.

Strong feelings, however, can also result in discouragement for no valid reason....But Jesus is a Lord of compassion and mercy, not a vindictive tyrant like the false gods of heathen peoples....

May we be fully convinced that the facts of God's Word always outweigh personal feelings. And may we allow the Lord to work through us to charitably admonish sinners and reassure saints with the same truth.

Pete Lewis

Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy - Psalms 16:11

------------------------=

Beside The Still Waters 2/27/24

The Chastening of the Lord

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy Word - Psalm 119:67

(edited)

When we encounter affliction, we need to step back and ask, "Is God trying to tell me something?" Not every hardship is chastening from God, neither does God speak to us audibly. But sometimes God does speak through adversity and even through someone who does not love us. Yes, God can use unbelievers to help us stay true to Him.

It is a simple but painful biblical truth that the heat of suffering is like a refiner's fire, purifying the gold of godly character. Can we grasp that? Job said, "When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). And Malachi said that the Lord is "like a refiner's fire," which would purify His servants "as gold and silver" (Malachi 3:2-3). But we would prefer a simpler, more comfortable process for cleansing our hearts.

....Regardless of whether an affliction is actual chastening, it can draw us closer to God when we recognize that He is allowing it for our good. The important thing is that we seek by the Holy Spirit's power to humbly and continually improve our thoughts and actions according to the Word of the Lord. When we earnestly strive for this every day, we follow the example of Enoch and Noah, of whom the Bible says that they walked with God. May we also have that close walk.

Fred Beachy

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. - Hebrews 12:11

---------------------------------=

Today in the Word

February 2024

Today with Mark Jobe

(edited)


Walking Out Our Love

From the President of Moody Bible Institute

"This type of love keeps going when the road gets rocky. it pushes through times of discouragement. It steps up when sacrifice is required. This type of love changes us from the inside out."


But love is more than an emotional high. Following Jesus requires sacrifice. Jesus told His disciples to "take up their cross daily and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). He did not promise this way would be easy. In fact, He taught quite the opposite. We walk out our love for Jesus, step by step, day by day.

Jesus explained this all-in type of love by repeating a Command found in the Old Testament, "to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37).

-------------------=

Today in the Word

February 2024

Practical Theology

Answering Love

(edited)


by Dr. John Koessler


"We cannot separate God's love from all the other aspects of His nature. Love is not the soft side of God that cancels out His "harder" attributes such as justice or righteousness."

....God's love is perfect. God's love reflects His holiness, goodness, and wisdom and exists in harmony with all the other aspects of His nature.


Because genuine love is grounded in God, Jesus points to love as the sum of all God's commandments. The essence of obedience is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind and to love your neighbor as yourself....If we want to increase our love for God, we must look to Him first. If we wish to demonstrate our love for God, we must love our neighbor.

God proved His love for us beyond all doubt by sending Jesus Christ (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10)...When we love one another, "God lives in us and His love is made complete in us" (1 John 4:12).

-----------------=

intouch.org Daily Devotion January 14, 2024

God’s Guide to a Fruitful Life

Is the character of the Savior increasingly evident in you?

Proverbs 3:1-4

Jesus told His disciples, “I am the Vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit” (John 15:5). As we live the Christian life in dependency on the Holy Spirit, two things will become evident in us.

1. We treasure God’s Word. When we value something, we think about it, study it, and learn all we can about it. By studying the Bible, we learn about God’s character, plans, and promises. Scripture meditation develops our ability to think biblically and deepens our relationship with the Lord. One of the indications that we treasure His Word is a change in behavior—decisions will increasingly be guided by His principles, and actions will reflect the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).

2. We adorn ourselves with kindness and truth. These two virtues are to be our constant companions. God’s truth has the power to expose ungodly attitudes and behaviors, not only in us but also in others. When this happens, kindness helps to protect relationships from damage. What’s more, it can prevent discord and division in churches. God wants us to speak the truth to one another—but to make sure we do it with loving compassion.

As we walk with the Lord, He’ll grow His fruit in us and teach us to follow Him.

-----------------------------=

intouch.org Daily devotion January 15, 2024

Living Abundantly

Our best life is found when we trust God completely and live surrendered to His will.

Proverbs 3:5-12

God created us with a longing to know that we matter. He also designed us to find the fulfillment of that desire through His Son.

Dependence on God is central to an abundant life. Trusting Him with all our heart means giving Him control over everything—our family, finances, emotions, and thoughts. Today’s passage emphasizes how essential trust is to a fruitful life: It cautions against being wise in our own eyes and warns not to lean on our own understanding (vv. 5, 7). When faced with decisions, it’s tempting to choose the answer we think is right. But we can’t know all the facts or predict with certainty how others will respond. The Lord, however, does know. He reads our heart and perceives every thought (1 Chron. 28:9). No aspect of our situation escapes His notice (Ps. 11:4), and He cares about everyone. That’s why He alone is certain which decision will be best.

The abundant life also involves acknowledging God in all we do. Speaking about Him is just part of what it means to give Him recognition. As His children, we’re to have a marked resemblance to our Heavenly Father — in thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

Life becomes fruitful as we surrender ourselves to God and carry out His will. When His Spirit lives through us (Gal. 2:20), our life will be characterized by significance and satisfaction.

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