Our Daily Bread Archive Page

An abundance.

7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
8 And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.

One must think of the spiritual message here when reading this scripture and not take things carnal minded , and thus miss the message.
In Monday's daily bread we read where King Ahasuerus had made a feast for all. Here we read of how that those in the King's prescence were given royal wine in abundance. Let us think of the wine of salvation. There is enough salvation for all to drink from. The good samaritan poured in oil and wine to the wounds of the wounded man. We too needed that oil and wine to heal us spiritually. We were wounded in sin and spiritually dying until Jesus, the good samaritan poured in the oil and wine. When Jesus turned the water into wine , the guests told the bridegroom that he had saved the best wine for last. At the Lord's supper he took the cup of wine and told them that it represented his blood and they were to drink of it. So, when I read here about the serving of the wine here in this scripture it just reminds me of the wine of salvation for there was an abundance of it. This wine was served to both the great and small, there was no respect shown here. This scripture says that this was according to the law. It had been prophesied to the Jews before the birth of Christ about the plan of life and salvation. They had been shown and plainly told what was to come and what they must do. Without the messiah they could never enter into the Kingdom. But when Jesus came, many rejected him.Many was his own people and of his own nation. David wrote that the lord prepared a table for him in the prescence of his enemies and he wrote" my cup runneth over". In Elijah's day there came a sound of an abundance of rain.Life giving rain in abundance. Living water, representing the same thing as royal wine. It was coming from the King himself and served in vessels of Gold that were diverse one from another. Gold is pure. The word of God is pure.From it comes life. Wine made the spirit merry. Salvation brings much joy. This in no way form or fashion condones drinking alcohol in any way.As I said, think of the spiritual meaning . I believe that all the word's recorded in the scripture are for a reason. I believe there is a message that is for us to see. Yes, they literally did drink royal wine at this feast but all scriptures are to be interpreted spiritually. There is an abundance at the Kings table and he has invited us to sup with him and him with us. He has an abundance for all so that all may become a part of the great Kingdom of God.
May God bless the reading of his word today!

God will make this trial a blessing

ESTHER CHAPTER 2

1 ¶ After these things, when the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her.
2 Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the king:
3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:
4 And let the maiden which pleaseth the king be queen instead of Vashti. And the thing pleased the king; and he did so.
5 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite;
6 Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
7 And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter.

Mordecai had been taken as a captive years before this King Ahasuerus had ever began to reign. Being taken from his homeland of Jerusalem, no doubt having to endure many years of hardships during this time. Mordecai was a very Kind man and a Godly man. He had chosen to raise his uncle's daughter. She had become an orphan, we know not what happened to her parents but we know that Mordecai raised her as his own daughter.
No doubt, it wasn't an easy task to do. Being brought to a strange land as a captive with a small child would have been very trying on anyone. Physically and Emotionally. But as we read in Esther and what is about to happen. This little girl whom he has raised is suddenly taken away for a year to be presented unto the King. What would become of her depended on the King.
No doubt Mordecai missed her and worried about her. I believe he prayed for her .
Let us read on now:
8 So it came to pass, when the king's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the king's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women.
9 And the maiden pleased him, and she obtained kindness of him; and he speedily gave her her things for purification, with such things as belonged to her, and seven maidens, which were meet to be given her, out of the king's house: and he preferred her and her maids unto the best place of the house of the women.
10 Esther had not shewed her people nor her kindred: for Mordecai had charged her that she should not shew it.
11 And Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women's house, to know how Esther did, and what should become of her.

Just as any devoted and worried Parent would, he went daily to see how she was. This was a time of uncertainty for sure but as we know if we have read the rest of this story, Esther would become queen. The trial would become a blessing. With God all things are possible. No matter what you have been through, how hard it gets , God will make this trial a blessing.

Stay with us in the days to come for more from Esther.

From an orphan to a Queen

Esther 2
15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king's chamberlain, the keeper of the women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour in the sight of all them that looked upon her.
16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.
17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti.
**
Can you see a picture of yourself in this scripture?
Think about when you were lost.
Think about having no Father. When we were lost we were separated from God. We had no heavenly father.We had no inheritance.

This young lady, Esther had been taken in By Mordecai and was taught by him of God's laws.She never forgot this. It is the duty of the church to teach the word of God to the lost.It is the church's duty to cover them with the Love of God. We are to take them and shelter them and nourish them until it is time .

There was a time of uncertainty here during this year while the women were being purified.Mordecai came every day to see what would become of her and see if she was alright. He had a great interest in her well being. The church needs to have a concern for those who haven't entered the Kingdom of God. We need not to forget about them.

When it was Esther's turn to go in before the King , it said she required nothing except what things the King's chambelain appointed her. A sinner requires only to bring themselves in the way and manner it is appointed in the scriptures for them to come. When she did this, she found favour in the King's sight and he loved her. God loves the lost today.

When he see's one come so humbly before him he has compassion. He took just a common ordinary human being and made us a part of the royal family. We now have a royal inheritance. He set the royal crown upon Esther's head just as we received that crown of life when we entered into the kingdom of God through salvation.

If you are lost today, you too can become a part of this royal kingdom. You must come before the throne of Grace just as you are, in the way the bible says to come. With an humble spirit as a child, fully depending On God for your salvation. With faith believing that God will save you and confessing that you know you are a sinner and asking forgiveness and then waiting on the Lord, following his spirit and whatever it tells you to do and you can be saved. It takes more than just believing friends, even the devils in Hell believe and tremble.Ye must be born again.
Notice then what the King did next:He made a royal feast for all his princes and servants, even Esthers feast.You will read about this in verse 18.
When a soul is saved it is a spiritual feast for the soul. We as the church can rejoice and draw strength from that for many day's just as our body draws strength from natural food.
We need to feast more. We need to see more Mordecai's in the world today.
We need to be as he was and take care of those who have no eternal home in heaven, the lost. We need to be concerned.
I hope you have enjoyed today's thoughts on scripture.
I can see myself In Esther when I was lost and when I was given a crown of life. When I had nothing and was given all I ever needed.
When I was a spiritual orphan and became part of the royal Kingdom of God.

May God bless you today!

Watch your step.

Psalm 37:23-27

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
***
We have a road map called the bible which teaches us the way in which we should go. If we are trying to follow his instructions and his leadership this very much pleases the lord.It makes him happy."and he delighteth in his way".
Have you ever thought about this?
Which way are you going?
Is it in the way that God would like for you too , or perhaps you think you will take the scenic route because you have heard that there are many things you wouldn't want to miss. If you go the way that you choose to go instead of the way that God wants you to go then my friend you have already missed it. You are missing out on God's blessings. There are many blessings along the way when we are walking with the Lord.

Even when we are striving to do the best that we can we are going to mess up somewhere, because we are human.We make mistakes. God knows this and he understands. We are not perfect but his word says"Though he fall,he shall not utterly be cast down:for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand". If you are saved , you are in the hands of the Lord my friend. If you make a mistake, you won't lose your salvation. God won't be finished with you. He is holding you up in his hands.
You have heard that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God. If we are saved and we are willingly disobeying then he will chasten us but he will not disown us. The bible teaches us that we can even shorten our days here on Earth by our disobedience so watch your step.
Are you stepping in the way That God has ordered?

Even Paul said that he died daily, meaning he had to repent daily for his short comings but Paul was striving for perfection.He was trying to walk as close as he could and that will delight the Lord. That brings Joy to his heart!
He knows we will fail him but he still loves us.

David failed the Lord and he was a man after God's own heart.
God punished David but He loved him and he forgave him as we read what he wrote in verse 25 "I have been young and now am old;yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread."
Now listen to this in verse 26
"He is ever merciful"

God is ever merciful, no matter what we have done. No matter how long it has been since we walked in that ordered way. God still loves us! He is ever merciful. If he wasn't ,he would not have given us time to repent he would have just destroyed us right then. We are still breathing.Our heart is still beating. Our eyes beheld another sunrise today. God has been merciful.

Which way are you going?
Verse 27 says
"Depart from evil, and do good: and dwell forevermore."
If you have got on the wrong road, don't keep on going.
Make a u turn. Depart from that way and do good and dwell forevermore.
God is saying to you. Even if you have been going the wrong way and you might have done so many things you are ashamed of now and are sorry for , come back, come back he is pleading. His mercy is still here.

Perhaps you have been on the wrong road and the Lord has spoken to you today. Obey his voice.
Perhaps you have been trying your best but you feel you have failed God in some way today, he still loves you.He is holding you up.Don't be discouraged.
Perhaps you are lost and headed down the worst road of all, towards hell.
His mercy is still extended, he loves you.Repent, turn around.He is waiting for you with outstretched arms. You have not been to bad to be saved. Paul said he had been the chiefest of sinners, even persecuting the church.
The theif on the cross was a condemned man. He was being punished for his crime but he called out to Jesus for mercy and Jesus forgave him right there on the cross. You have not been to bad to be saved. God loves you.
Seek God and he will show you what you must do.
Watch your step.

I hope this has been a blessing and a help to you all today!

A light in their dwellings

Exodus 10:21-23

And the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the Land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.
And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven;and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:
They saw not one another,neither rose any from his place for three days;but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

There were two different classes of people here in this scripture. The children of God and the people of Egypt. As we have learned from history, the Egyptians did not serve the one true God, they served many idol God's. They looked to them for everything but they found out that their God's could not help them. They found themselves in a darkness that was so great it could be felt.

That my friends was a very scary position to be in. They could do nothing in this darkness but the children of Israel all had light in their dwellings.
Think about our spiritual dwelling. Our soul dwells within our body. When Jesus saves a soul there is no more darkness but light. He said in one scripture "Ye are the light of the world". A city set upon a hill cannot be hid.

When we were lost, we were in spiritual darkness. Our soul was lost, we were in a very miserable condition. We knew we didn't have any light within, there was no guess work here. You should know whether you are lost or saved.
The Egyptians Knew they were in darkness and they knew that the children of Israel had light, something they did not have..there was no question about this.

It was so dark they could not even see one another. They no doubt were hungry because the locusts had destroyed all their food, everything! But the children of Israel had food. When you are hungry , you can feel that hunger but once you eat and your hunger is filled then you can tell you are full. It is a completely different state of being isn't it? When you are in a dark room and cannot see anything , then suddenly someone flips on a light, you can instantly tell that the darkness is gone.

Same with a lost person. There is a feeling to salvation, it is not simply a change of mind but rather a complete transformation takes place..something you can feel!
Old things are passed away and all things are made new!
We are no longer in darkness but have the Light within us that Jesus can only give.

Is there light in your dwelling today?
Are you in a spiritually dark place?

Today is the day of salvation. The bible says to "harden not your heart".
Pharoah's heart was hardened and he never repented. He would become sorry for what came upon him and he would promise if God would only take away each plague that he would let the people go free. But he never changed.He never kept his word. God set the people free by a great and mighty deliverance. He can still set your soul free today. He can give you that light, for in him there is no darkness. He can fill your hungry soul.
He can and will be all you ever need.
Seek him while there is time and he may be found. None of us have the promise of tomorrow. Be sure of your salvation.
Seek him with all of your heart and all of your soul.
Escape the darkness. Don't be found with no oil in your vessel.
Someday many have said..someday, but their someday never came instead came eternity .An eternity in which they were not prepared for, but it was too late. Don't wait too late. Eternity is forever. Is there light in your dwelling?
Hebrews 4:7...
...Today if ye will hear his voice,harden not your hearts.

John 1:4-5
In him was life:and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness;and the darkness comprehended it not.

MATTHEW CHAPTER 25

1 ¶ Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Has your lamp gone out?
These were all good moral women. Good morals won't get us to heaven.
I believe they were good people and lived a good life but they had not the oil in their vessels. They said unto the wise virgins who had oil, that their lamps had gone out and for them to give them some of theirs but ,you see they couldn't. We cannot give anyone salvation.Only God can do that. The foolish virgins had put things off, their oil had run out.
When we are born into this world, we are innocent of our sin, innocent ,not knowing right from wrong and God does not hold a child resposible in this condition.It is surrounded by that protection. They know not the darkness, their soul has not become accountable yet. Then there will come a time in every person's life and there is no age limit on this, when God's spirit will start revealing himself to a person and through the word they will become accountable and knowledgable of their sins. Then that is when the darkness will be felt that we spoke of in Monday's daily bread, their lamp has gone out.
God is very gracious to sinners and gives every one opportunity to be saved. These five foolish virgins did not take advantage of that time, when the bridegroom came, then , it was too late. The door of mercy was shut. Some people tend to put things off.This is foolish (so the bible says)since we have not the promise of another day nor do we know when Christ will return, but we know that he is. So the thought again today is Be ready. Do not be found without the light of Jesus(salvation) within your soul. When he comes, it will be too late, as it was for these five virgins. This is recorded here for a lesson for the lost today.

Seek and ye shall find

Matthew 7:

7 ¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
***
This thought today is for those who are lost.For those of you who are saved perhaps it will be a reminder of the day you were saved. You can pass this to any of your friends who may not know the Lord as we do.May God bless the reading of his word.

Jesus explains things in a way that even a child can understand it. Think about when a child wants something.It asks. If it doesn't get it usually it gets louder until it gets some kind of response from the adult. Jesus said we must come as a little child, fully dependant upon God for our salvation just as a child depends upon his parents for what it needs.

Ask and it shall be given you. I believe you have to ask for yourself. Just as the wise and foolish virgins we read about, the foolish were told to go and buy for themselves but it was too late. Salvation isn't just a change of mind. We must ask for it.
Seek means to look diligently for something. Think about Kid's on a treasure hunt or an Easter egg hunt. They seek diligently and with all their might to find what they are looking for. A lost soul must look to the Lord for his treasure and for that everlasting life. Ask and it shall be given you. Seek and ye shall find and Knock.
When you go to someone's house you do not know you must knock on the door if you want entrance. Jesus said "I am the door" Let us look at this scripture in John 10:
Jesus's word's:
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

A sinner must ask. A sinner must seek and a sinner must knock.
I'm from the old school. I believe what this word say's. It doesn't say: repeat this prayer, it doesn't say just accept Jesus, It doesn't say :raise your hands, close your eyes and repeat after me. A sinner must ask for themselves.
In the world we live in today there are a lot of ways being presented as salvation but lost person, only believe and follow what his word says not what man says.

This is the promise God makes to us if we come the way in which his word says to come:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Ask and ye shall receive. Let no man deceive you.
You will be able to feel if you have been saved or not.No one will have to tell you that you are alright. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.(Matthew 5:6). Naturally speaking if you are hungry and then you eat, you can feel the difference can't you? Same with your salvation. You will be able to feel that something has happened. A burden has been lifted. The woman with the issue of blood felt in her body that she had been made whole. There is a feeling to salvation. Let no one deceive you with their easy ways. It is a plain way, that even a child can understand but it isn't an easy one. Think of the Literal birth.There is pain, there is sorrow and uncertainty but when the birth takes place, that is all replaced with Joy, right? See this picture? Ye must be born again.
God bless you is my prayer!

Founded upon a rock.

Matthew 7:24-27

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man,which built his house upon a rock;

and the rain descended,and the floods came,and the winds blew,and beat upon that house;and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock.

And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine,and doeth them not,shall be likened unto a foolish man,which built his house upon sand: and the rain descended ,and the floods came,and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell:and great was the fall of it.

If you have salvation, nothing can take that away from you.
If you are founded upon that solid rock which is Jesus Christ then nothing can seperate you from that solid foundation.
So many trials are going to come our way. Many dangers we must face. Possible sickness, loss of loved ones. Through all of these things this rock is my comfort. Even though these things hurt when they come, the rock holds me up. I find it so sad to see some who are trying to make it through this world without God. They are truly all alone. They have not that comfort.
It is a comfort to me to know that if a loved one dies and they are saved that I will see them again someday because I too have salvation. But how sad when a lost person loses a loved one.Unless they are born again and founded upon the rock of ages as their loved ones were then for them it is goodbye forever to that loved one.

It was reflecting on this very thought one time that really got me to thinking about eternity. My Papaw died when I was three but he left a lasting impression on everyone he knew. the bible says " ...Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:yea,saith the spirit,that they may rest from their labours;and their works do follow them."(Rev. 14:13)

I was raised in church and had heard the gospel and it was working on me but my Grandfather's work's was still following him too and they still are.
Just about every where My mom and I go someone will ask us who we are and then they will mention my Grandfather and something that he done for them that they never have forgotten. Person after person and story after story of some way he helped them, it impacted their life in a great way.

I knew I wanted to see him again someday and I feel it was one of the factors that really caused me to think about eternity .Even though he was gone, he was still being a help to me by the life that he lived and the love that he showed. Still I thought I could have things my way and get saved whenever I wanted to but I quickly found out that it doesn't work out that way. We have to come when God says come and we have to be drawn by his spirit and obey what it tells us to do. It was time for me to be born again and I am thankful that I did not turn away that opportunity because God is only required to give us one opportunity. If he gives us more than that then that is his mercy.

I hope that I can live so that my works will follow me too, for my kid's sake, maybe my grandkids if this world lasts that long, kindred or friends.

It gave my Grandfather great joy to help others.That's just who he was. It gives me great joy too, that is just who I am.

He never really knew how his life had impacted so many,
You never know what some small thing you do for someone will last them a life time.Many of the people were children when my Grandfather reached out his kind hand in some way to them or their family and they never forgot it.
I treasure each story from each person we meet that knew him. Every one of them has a smile on their face when they talk about him.He just had that effect on people.

I hope you are founded upon that solid rock today. I hope you know that when you lie down at night you have peace in your soul. I PRAY THAT IF YOU DON'T THAT YOU WILL.

Jesus loves you and so do I.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU TODAY!

Where no one stands alone.

John on the isle of Patmos.

Daniel in the Lions Den.

Acts 7
54 ¶ When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
**
Matthew 28 verse 20... words of Jesus: Lo, I am with you alway,even unto the end of the world.Amen.
**
What a comfort to know: We are never alone. John was put out on the isle of Patmos to be done away with.It was supposed to be a place uninhabited and isolated but the word of God teaches us that nothing can separate us from God's love for us.Little did they know when they dropped John off there that there was two instead of one.He wasn't alone. God keeps his promises to us. No matter what we may face. When we stand for our God and what is right we have someone to stand with us. Daniel spent a peaceful night in the lions den because the one he refused to denounce stood there with Daniel and sent his angel to shut the lion's mouth.
Steven preached a hard sermon here to the Jews.
They killed him for it. They stoned him to death and it even said they gnashed on him with their teeth but not before Steven saw someone stand up for him.That someone was Jesus.
No matter what we may go through in this world The Lord will stand with us.
In one scripture the bible says "If God be for us who can be against us?"
Perhaps you are going through a trial today.Perhaps you sometimes you feel you are all alone, but remember no one stands alone.
I hope that this scripture will be an encouragement to you today.

Colossians 3:2
Set your affection on things above , not on things on the Earth.

In today's world that we live in there are alot of things that can occupy people's mind. Life get's busy with earning a living or perhaps pursuing a career. Mark ch 8 verse 36 in the bible says " For what shall it profit a man,if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" What shall it profit? When life is over and our worldly possessions are gone if we did not have affections on things above while living, it will be too late in eternity.

All things in our life should have their place.Our home and career, there is nothing wrong with pursuing a career as long as you keep things in the proper perspective. Setting your affections on things above. Even for the saved we should have our top one priority on things above, not ceasing to work to help others see the way of salvation.For the Lost the bible says " seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;and all these things shall be added unto you(Matthew 6:33)". Put God first.Set your affections on things up above and not on things of this earth. Our relationship with God is the most important thing.It should come first above all other things.Working for the Lord and wanting to see others saved should be our number one priority. Being a light and an effective witness.Being a help and an encouragement to those who are weak or who have fell by the way.

These are the things we should have our affections on. Affections means our attention and our desires should be on God's will for our life and others. If our attention and goals are being set on things of this world the most then that means we are putting God last and we are not doing as this verse tells us to. The bible gives us instructions to live by . We can follow these instructions and be blessed or we can choose to go our own way and find ourselves at the end of the way with a handful of empty , meaningless treasures. Always put God first in your life and have your affections set upon him. All these other things will fall into place if they are meant to be.
May God bless you is my Prayer.

Ephesians 6:13

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,and having done all, to stand.

Withstand means to bear or tolerate the effects of something it also means to resist or oppose.Armour is something that soldiers wear in combat and warfare and we are in a spiritual warfare every day. We are to have our spiritual armour on and in good shape. Our soldiers today wear the best armour, it is very resistant to alot of things. Spiritually speaking we have an even better armour. We have a breastplate of righteousness.A breast plate covers the heart and protects the lungs from getting punctured. We should be wearing a breastplate of righteousness if you have been saved. The devil cannot get to our soul through that breastplate.
We have the helmet of salvation. A helmet literally speaking protects the head because that is where our brain is which controls all of our members and keeps them in line.It is what we use to think with. Salvation isn't a change of mind, it will change your way of thinking!
Spiritually we are covered by that helmet of salvation and we are not our own anymore. There is a still small voice that directs us which way to go. We have a conscious and a spirit within that tells us when we do wrong.It warns us even before we do it.
In the 14th verse we are told to " Stand therefore having our loins girt about with truth". The truth of God's word. Know your bible, know the truth. Sadly today many people don't know the truth when they hear it. They will amen a preacher preaching a scripture falsely and turn around and amen a preacher who comes by and preaches it in truth. The bible teaches us to study to show ourselves approved.This is part of our armour.
I study for myself and desire God's revelation of the scriptures it is only through his holy spirit that we can see into them. What a blessing it has been when God opens up his word and reveals something to me. Me, a housewife and mother of two, a sinner saved by grace. God is no respect of persons.If we want knowledge, he will give us knowledge.
The 17th verse says to take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
The word can cut. It can heal or it can kill. It is a weapon for us to use, it is an instrumnet of our faith. If a soldier is not familiar with his weapon, he will not be very skilled at using it.
YOU MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH THE WORD OF GOD AND THEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO USE IT. What if someone took all our bibles away? Would you know enough scriptures to meditate upon and feed your soul? You might say, that will never happen, maybe and maybe not but it has been done before.
Something I have always loved to do is study God's word.I have studied since I was a teenager and God's word has stayed with me.
A soldier must practice using his weapon in a literal situation such as in the army or marines but spiritually the more we use God's word every day, the more we can use it when needed!
We can use it to make chopped salad of false doctrines!
.We can use it if a sinner asks us a question that pure mind will get stirred up and we will be able to be an effective witness to them , God's word coming to our mind being directed by his spirit telling us what to say. Our feet being shod with the preparation of the gospel. Walking in the way of truth. Straight is the gate and narrow is the way.. few there be that find it.
Back to our original verse :
The verse is telling us to have all of our armour on and ready.
"That ye may be able to withstand (oppose or resist) in the evil day.
If today is not an evil day then I would hate to see one. Any soldier in any army never just sits by with his armour and taking hits...he can do that but if he wants the victory he will march forth in his armour , unafraid resisting and opposing the enemy. Spiritually, that is what we are. A soldier on a battlefield, we must go forth in this battle fighting for the truth and the right, upholding the gospel, no matter who may oppose us.
No matter what shape or size. We can move mountains the bible teaches me, David told the giant..this battle is the Lord's and he went forth against that old devil and God gave him the victory . David could not stand to see the enemy putting down his God and threatening God's people. One better be careful of making threats because Goliath could tell you AS THE OLD SAYING GOES "THE BIGGER THEY COME THE HARDER THEY FALL".

Have on your whole armour. W e can withstand in the evil day and I like this next part in verse 13 "and having done all, to stand".
We recently mentioned Steven and the stand he took and how he didn't stand alone. When you have done all you can just keep standing. What do we have to fear? If God be for us who can be against us right? Stand!
Be determined. David was, he didn't back down. Neither must we. Go forth. God will give the victory. Fiery darts are all around us in our day and time. They will come at you. If you have that armour do not fear man. If you have that sword, know how to use it. Stand!
I thought today's daily bread would be short but that's what I get for thinking! It came and I hope it has been a help to you today!
It's got me a little fired up, I don't know about you. I feel pretty good!

Verse 19: And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.

Thank you Lord for your word and the promises you give to us. Thank you for sending this scripture for our strength today. I know I can withstand those darts, those fiery ones..it's hard to hit a moving target! My cup that you have made to run over today will put them out if they do hit me!
Thanks for getting me moving today with your word. May It be a strength to all of you on daily bread today because it has been to me. That is why I do this every day.. to be a help and to be a strength. May God bless you all!

I am ready for this day and whatever it may bring.

On Wednesday's daily bread trivia we mentioned Adono Killing 800 men with his spear at one time. His spear being something sharp that he was skilled at using. He used it to win the victory over the enemy. The word of God is sharp. We will be discussing Eleazar today in verse 9 and 10 . We will also feature our thoughts on Shammah on our bonus daily bread that you will find posted on our web site. It will be on our home page below our testimony and it is called " In a field of Lentils" We hope they will be a blessing! If you visit and it is not yet posted, please check back later this afternoon.
Click here: Love Notes From Heaven
-Karen

Cleave unto the sword

2nd Samuel 23:

8 ¶ These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.
9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:
10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.
11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.
12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

There was a battle going on here against the Philistines. I don't know where all the other children of Israel went but this scripture says they were gone away. Eleazar had two choices. One he could have left like the others.Two he could have fought for his King, even though all that he had was his sword. If he fought it would be him against an Army. What did he do? He stood. He fought. I love the part where it says that his hand clave unto the sword. To clave to something means you are holding fast to it. He had a grip on that thing, determined not to turn it loose. It was his weapon.It was his defence.
Praise the Lord when it seems we are all alone, we have a defence!
That defence is the word of God. It can cut and it can kill , it can defeat a devils army. Steven held fast to it and Jesus stood with him. Daniel did. David Did. As God delivered them he can deliver us today.It says that the Lord wrought a great victory. Eleazar stood and God gave the victory. We can never lose when standing for the word of God and battling Satan. God will always fight for us. What an encouraging thought! Because of what he did it said that Israel returned after him only to spoil. They got to benefit from what he did, they got to enjoy some of the blessings.

When we win a spiritual victory it will become a blessing to others.
Hold fast to God's word and his promises. Defend it and it will defend you.
No one ever stands alone in God's army. God's word is like a two edged sword. I believe that Eleazar held onto his sword so tightly that someone would have probably had to have broken his wrist for him to have dropped it, he was that determined to stand up for what he believed in. That is what he lived for and he was willing to die standing for it but God gave the victory.

He fought until his hand was weary but still he held on.
If you are weary today the thought I get from this scripture is :
Hold on. God is going to give you the victory, Just hold on.

Can you just picture this man out there against all these Philistines holding onto that sword and fighting until God gave the victory? Oh how uplifting!
I hope this has been a blessing to you today!
Have a great weekend!

In a field of Lentils

2nd Samuel 23:11-12

And after him was Shammah the son Of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop,where was a piece of ground full of Lentiles; and the people fled from the Philistines. But he stood up in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines; and the Lord wrought a great victory.

***

A good thought from these verses would be: Stand your ground.

Lentils was a plant that was a major crop for the children of Israel as well as in other countries. After the wheat harvest in June it was harvested and threshed in a similar manner. It was used to make pottage or Porridge. It's Hebrew Name Adishim means "to tend a flock" which indicated that it was probably a food for Peasants and herdsmen.It could also be mixed with flour to make Bread. It was Lentils that Jacob had made his pottage from that Esau asked for and sold his birthright for.

The Philistines were gathered together in a troop.There were many of them.They all stood together probably quite a few in number. All of the others fled. Here was the enemy, there was the field and one man.

Faced with the choice he stood in the midst of the ground and defended it. He slew the Philistines and the Lord wrought a great victory. I know if you will pray and meditate upon these scriptures that God will open them up to you and you will be able to see more. I know there is more here to be seen and it is here for our benefit and encouragement.

He fought for the harvest. In the field is where we battle Satan today. There are precious souls that are on the line. The Devil and his army wants to destroy them. It seems sometimes that there are few who are willing to stand up and defend the ground but even though you may seem few in number or as in Shammah's case, you may be the only one facing overwhelming odds, just remember : If God be for us who can be against us?. He can give us the victory over the Devil today just as he did for Shammah in a field of lentils.

May God richly bless you always!

The Lord's prayer

Matthew 6:9

After this Manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

How Beautiful the way Jesus begins this prayer. "Our Father" . His Father is our Father. If we are saved he is "Our" Father not just mine or yours. His name is sacred and Holy.

10: Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done in Earth, as it is in heaven.

When we are lost we must pray for this Kingdom to come down into our hearts. We are made part of that kingdom in Salvation. We are in it and it is in us and we cannot be separated. John saw that kingdom coming down from heaven which was the plan of life and salvation for mankind. If we have been saved we must pray thy kingdom come into the hearts of those that are lost. Salvation came down from God out of heaven as a babe in a manger in Bethlehem. If John had seen heaven coming down here then as a literal kingdom then that would have been an Earthly kingdom. But the kingdom he saw was the kingdom that is set up in the hearts of a saved person in salvation. How beautiful and perfect that plan is. How pure as gold the new way in which our feet walk upon. A highway of holiness! Many still have not ever become a part of that kingdom we must continue to pray "thy kingdom come" for them . In other words that they will be saved and become a part of the lambs bride.

Thy will be done in Earth as it is in heaven.

This should be the desire of us all. That God's will be done in Earth just as in Heaven. There is no sorrow or grief there.No trouble or strife there. All is peace and happiness. It is God's will for us to live together down here here in the same manner but too many times that just doesn't happen.We are still in the flesh. We still sin and come short and when I say we , My friends meaning you and I. I include myself first of all. We will all be together in that perfect harmony in heaven someday. I am afraid I don't understand people's way of thinking sometimes. I am sure that we will be speaking to one another in heaven, I am sure we will be in good fellowship up there because that is God's will .We should try to do the same here.

Is it God's will to turn a cold shoulder to our brother and sister? No. Is it God's will to not even look your brother in the eye, speak, say hello? No. Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven. Thy will be done in this earth clay body we live in . It say's in Earth not on Earth. Speaking of the inside of this clay tabernacle. Now if everything in there is being done according to his will inside we should be able to live more peaceably with all men, Am I right?

Let us , again meaning you and I, pray in this manner. A prayer is a sincere desire of the heart. Jesus was telling us here, this should be the sincere desire of a Christian heart.

11: Give us this day Our daily bread.

What bread is he speaking of here? The bread of life, the word of God. In the beginning was the word and the word was made flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus broke the bread at the last supper and said "This is my body, " The word is the bible, it is Jesus Christ from cover to cover. It will give life and sustain life just as our natural food sustains this body so our daily spiritual bread sustains this inward man. Don't neglect to eat from it daily to grow. When searching for a title to this little email I send out each day I chose Daily bread from this very prayer that Jesus prayed. The word of God is Daily Bread.

I feel like the little lad that brought his lunch one day in the midst of a great multitude. The people were hungry, they were looking to Jesus for the bread of life and he gave that but he took here this boys lunch and increased it and multiplied it and fed the whole multitude. I just feel like the Lord gives me these scriptures each day and gives me the thoughts on them and when I share them with you I feel like the little boy must have felt.

Thank you Lord for using my lunch!
12: And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Our sins are our debts that we have to ask God to forgive us of.No man is without it and we all fail and come short of his glory each day. We must continually ask our Heavenly Father to forgive us for sinning against him. When we do wrong , whether willingly or unwillingly we must ask forgiveness for these debts. A debt is something we are responsible for doing. If we have a natural debt, it is our responsibility to pay it. We will be held accountable for that debt unless it be forgiven us . As we forgive our debtors. Jesus is letting us know here that just as we sin against God and do wrong so others will also sin against us and do us wrong. The bible tells us to forgive them. We must forgive them if we are to be forgiven.

13: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom ,and the power, and the glory forever,Amen God will never tempt us to do anything nor we he lead us into temptation but we must always pray that we be not led that way or easily tempted. .Pray to be delivered from evil. We were delivered from Hell and satan's clutches when we were saved. We all had to pray for our soul to be delivered from that evil.We must continue to pray to be delivered from his traps and evil that may surround is in many different ways or forms so that we become not weak or a stumbling block for others. The last verse says it all doesn't it?

It all belongs to him . All the power belongs to him. He has the power to deliver us from whatever he needs to. To him be all the glory from anything accomplished in our lives. The kingdom belongs to him and we are a part of it forever! All Glory to him forever. Praise his name!

May God add his blessings to the reading of his word today! Amen.

Proverbs 19:8

He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul:he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

*

Verse 20: Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in the latter end.

*

Proverbs 4: 1-2 Hear , ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

**

Proverbs 19:21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord,that shall stand.

**

Hear counsel and receive instruction. Counsel is good advice. Instruction gives direction. The counsel of the Lord shall stand. Israel wanted a King and Samuel tried to warn them and give good counsel unto them straight from the Lord that this would not be good for them but they would not hear it. God told Samuel not to take this personally , that the people had not rejected Samuel they had rejected Him(God).

We must be careful not to reject the message God is sending. God tries to give us good instruction and advice to live by that our way shall prosper. Maybe it is a hard message or finds us short but that is what we need if that is what God sends. If it is God's counsel it will stand. The word of God is God's counsel.It is perfect. If a message comes to us and it is the pure word of God then we should heed to that counsel because it is for our good God is sending it. We should not be like Israel who only wanted things "their way or no way". You see, Israel got into trouble every time they did this and so will we. God tries to warn us.He wants us to be the best that we can be but that depends on whether we take the message or reject it.

Israel had the attitude that they knew what was best for them and they were not going to listen. It offended them. It messed up their plans. They wanted their way. We find however when we go our own way, we get nowhere. We must go straight forward. For Israel's disobedience and willingness to hear the truth they wondered in circles for 40 years. If they had received God's instruction from the beginning this would not have happened.

12 went over to spy out the Land of Cainaan. 10 came back saying we can't do this, the people are like grasshoppers, they will surely overtake us but two came back and told the truth. That was Joshua and Caleb. They said We can take them! God has promised us and they told them of all the good of the land but the people wanted to believe the ten liars and cowards and their false counsels than the two who told the truth.

Be careful my friends to know what truth is.It is not always the majority of what you hear that may be right. It may be the few who are giving the true report. The people liked what they heard, they thought o.k we will believe the ten and we won't have to go anywhere, we won't have to fight, we can have our leisure when God all along was wanting to bless his people .

Joshua and Caleb even brought back proof of what they were saying, I believe it was they two who carried the fruits. You cannot bear fruits if you are not telling the truth now can you? They were the two who came back and tried to give the people God's instruction and God's counsel. Hear counsel God had said but they refused. They refused to hear the truth from God's true messengers choosing rather to believe "The majority" who lied. The proof was with Caleb and Joshua. If a man is telling you the truth then he can prove it .If he is telling fables or opinions then he cannot.It won't stand but God's word will.

What happened then? The ten false witnesses or messengers and all that believed them wondered and died in the wilderness . Two lived and prospered and entered into that land that they had been promised. Who were they? Joshua and Caleb!

The Lord said that straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leadeth unto eternal life and few therebe that find it. Wide and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many therebe that go in thereat.

I think I want to be with the Minority don't you? Those few peculiar people who may be ridiculed for trying to give the advise and counsel God has given them to share. It isn't the popular crowd but it's the right crowd. As long as it is God's counsel it doesn't matter if the whole world won't believe it, you will find me with that crowd and in that number.

All we can do is try to help all we can along the way.Giving that Good counsel . We may be made fun of, we may be made to look like a fool, if so praise be the name of the Lord!

Once a group of disciples had been beaten for trying to share that good counsel.That is all they were guilty of is trying to be a help to the people but instead of hearing that good counsel the people beat them for it and the bible said that they went their way rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer persecution for his name! Praise the name of the Lord! Why be discouraged? They persecuted the prophets and the disciples before us, we should not expect to receive any different.? The blessed part is though, some people will hear and they will be helped and blessed and perhaps they can then go on to help someone else. Praise the name of the Lord! There is no turning back now!

Device means a plan, sometimes a word pattern or a figure of speech. The scripture above says that there are many devices in a man's heart neverthelessThe counsel of the Lord shall stand! Amen! Don't follow man's plan follow God's counsel.

**

Isaiah 21:5 Prepare the table,watch in the watch tower,eat,drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.

**

A table is some thing we can eat from. Naturally when we are hungry we go to the table and eat something that we have prepared or that has been prepared for us. Spiritually we need to have our table prepared. Our life should show forth something to the hungry lost soul. When you have company over for dinner you have everything prepared. As a church , we should be able to rightly divide the word of God. We should have something that we can offer to the hungry that will feed them.We should have some knowledge of God's word. Not only should your table be there for the lost but for your brothers and sisters in Christ, to be a strength to them and a help. The Army doesn't send it's troops into battle without feeding them.

Sometimes even the strongest Christians get weak, we should have something to offer them that would give them strength.Prepare the table. I think also of the scripture in proverbs 31:15 speaking of the virtuous woman (The church is virtuous) -She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portoin to her maidens. Our table should be prepared.

Watch in the watchtower. A watch tower is a place up high where one can go and see for miles around. They can see if an enemy is approaching, They usually have a signal or horn they would blow in some way warning their brothers and sister of trouble they can see coming.

This is called being a help. We are supposed to be on the lookout. We should come out from among the world and be a separate people. We should have our affections set upon things above. If a watchman is doing his job as he should, he will warn the people.of forseen danger. If they heed his warning then by the time the enemy arrives they will be ready for them.

We mentioned Samuel the other day and how he tried to warn Israel about Saul but they would not hear him. Today I am afraid God still has set some watch men and they are trying to warn their fellow man or fellow church goers of forseen danger. They are in a place themselves where they can see it coming and they start sounding the alarm but in the world we live in today many times the people aren't that glad to hear the call coming are they?

Instead of getting prepared as they should they are annoyed and even sometimes will get angry at the person who is trying to be a help and sound the warning. We were having a good time down here, we are comfortable, everything is just fine so just hush up up there why don't you? They don't accept it. Some of them want to run and get an axe and just chop the tower down with you still in it! .Lord help!

This goes on still today my friends . Whenever the preacher is trying to warn you of things that God has shown them that was coming and we don't heed to it we are doing the same thing. The bible is teaching us here to be a watchman and common sense would tell anyone in an army if they heard an alarm sounding to be ready and be on alert wouldn't it?.We think as christians this doesn't apply to us but yes it does, right here it is I am showing it to you today.

Eat.

We must eat every day to keep our strength naturally. The same spiritually. We should open God's word each day and eat. I hope you get a little something to eat when you open these daily bread's each day. To strengthen you my brothers and sisters Is why I do this each day. It is a wonderful thing though I get to eat while doing it each day!

We are in a spiritual battle.The devil is going up and down, to and fro seeking whom he may devour, we need our spirtual food.The daily word of God to feed our souls and give us strength. If you wonder why you are weak stop and think when is the last time you opened his word? Do you just depend on the preacher to do it for you ? Shame on you if you do. Eat and be strong.

Drink.

We need water and liquids to stay alive don't we? When our body is sick the Dr tells us to drink plenty of liquids . If we do not drink before long we dehydrate don't we?. If we are dehydrated we have no strength to help ourselves nor anyone else. Spiritually we too need to do for our spirtual man just as the natural. We have an unending supply if we will just come to the fountain. We must come to that water when we first are thirsting for salvation and like the woman at the well, once we drink from that water we shall never thirst again for salvation. Once Saved always saved. We need to let those spiritual waters be bubbling over in us. We don't need to quench the spirit. If we have that spring bubbling up in us and our cup is running over then the world can see it, it will spill over onto them too. There is nothing worse or more useless than a dried up Christian.

Also what would happen to those fiery darts being shot at you when it hits water, huh? Won't be able to hurt you will they? Drink. Blessed is he that hungereth and thirsteth after righteousness for they shall be filled.

Arise ye princes.

We as the royal family of God need to stand up. There is something we need to be doing.

And anoint the shield

Our shield is a shield of faith. A sheild is something one uses to hold out in front of them , it helps to guard your heart and protect you. The enemy can see it. I believe we should keep our spiritual armour in good shape. We need to exercise our faith so that the world can see it. Without Faith it is impossible to please God. We have this sheild of faith.Too often we let it down, we don't use it as we are supposed to then a dart from the enemy can get through. Hold fast to your faith, keep it anointed through prayer and dedication.It is a sacred thing, it is a needed defence. Our faith is our defence. Keep the faith.

May God add his blessings to the reading of his word.

"Standing by the well of waters"

The answer is on the way

Genesis 24:12-15

And he said,O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.

Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:

And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say,Let down thy pitcher,I pray thee,That I may drink; and she shall say,Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also:let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master

And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder

****

This is the story of where Abraham had sent his servant to his kindred to find a wife for his son Isaac. The servant here had come to a well and there he knelt to pray. He asked that the Lord would show him which one was to be the chosen one for his master's son. He realized how very important this was. Abraham did not just want any kind of wife for his son. He wanted her to be the one God would choose from among his own people.

He had not even finished speaking when here came Rebekah with a pitcher upon her shoulder. Many times when we are seeking God's will in earnest prayer, the answer will be on the way before we even finish speaking. This was the case for Abrahams servant.The answer had been on the way.

She had something with her

Rebekah did not come empty handed. She had came carrying her water pitcher. Something she could use to draw water with.I quote Isaiah 55:1" Ho, EVERY ONE THAT THIRSTETH,COME YE TO THE WATERS.

Here was a well of water. Here was Abraham's servant praying a prayer and looking for a certain special woman for his Master's son. He was asking that when he asked for a drink she would not only give him a drink but also offer to draw water for all of his camels

He had traveled a long way. No doubt he was thirsty. He had a need for a good refreshing drink no doubt. Doesn't this remind you of our Christian Journey sometimes? We are seeking God's will and sometimes the journey seem's long. We get to wanting to see our prayers answered. The bible says in psalms "He leadeth me beside the still waters, he restoreth my soul, my cup runneth over". God is always on time. He will fill our cup until it overflows. That living water will bubble up within us and get stirred up when we see our prayers answered and the blessings come.

She came with something to draw with.If she had not had a water pitcher the servant would never even considered her to be the one would he? No. She came prepared. We as the church are prepared and adorned as a bride for her husband. The word of God, just like a well is deep, it's truth's and word's can give life and sustain it.It can refresh a weary soul and the church (The bride of Christ) should be able to draw it out and dispense it abroad.This woman had a pitcher and she knew how to use it folks! The church should have knowledge to be able to draw out the truth's of God's word and present that word to whoever may be in need of it.

Rebekah is such a beautiful picture of the church here my friends. Notice what kind of compassion she had. She not only offered to give a drink to the servant but to draw for all of his camels. We all know that Camels can drink alot of water! He had ten camels! She was a willing worker wasn't she folks? Do you see this beautiful picture of the church here? Isn't it beautiful? She was a very beautiful woman to look upon. She was pure. She had love and she had compassion .The church is spotless and pure and beautiful in the eyes of God. As part of the church, whether man or woman we should all be carrying a water pitcher with us. The spirit gives knowledge. Through God's holy spirit and prayer we can draw out the water.We can reach out through faith and guidance of his spirit and dip into that deep well of God's holy word and it will not only be enough to give us a refreshing drink but we will have enough to share with others. This is what I try to do on Daily Bread each day. What ever little bit God will allow me to draw out I will share it with you.

I encourage you all to read the entire chapter sometime and just reflect on what a beautiful picture this is! May God add his blessing to the reading of his word today and May God bless you!

Dear friends,

As I stood looking out my window this morning I saw many little birds on the ground eating. Our heavenly Father was feeding them.He had directed their path to where they could find their strength. It immediately brought to my remembrance the scripture in the bible about The sparrows. Matthew 10:31"Fear ye not therefore,ye are of more value than many sparrows."

Our Father see's and cares for even a sparrow when it falls but he cares ever so much more for us. As I read this scripture God directed me back all the way to the first of this chapter so if he will give me his grace and guidance, I will begin at the beginning of this chapter and expalin a few verses each day as God allows.

I know many of you out there on daily Bread are going through many different trials. I too have had my own lately. May God add his blessings and strengthen us all this week so that we may become a stronger soldier in the Lord. -Your friend in Christ,Karen

Matthew chapter 10

1 ¶ And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 5 ¶ These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

**

Here we read how that Jesus called his disciples and here they are all named. They were not men of great wealth. Jesus was no respect of persons.He called the fishermen because who could have more patience than a fisherman right? :) He called the unpopular of society such as Matthew the publican. God can use whoever he chooses to use, no matter of our past life. Even Saul breathed out threatenings against the church and was on his way to put some in bonds and in prison but Jesus spoke to him and revealed himself to him and changed his heart. God chose one time a little Shepherd boy to become king, even though there were other men, bigger and stronger than David. He can take whatever little we can give and do great and mighty things with it. I like the song "God took nothing, and made something of me".

Here he chose these men and he loved them all dearly.He gave them power to do all manner of wonders in his name.It is still from him that we receive our strength and power today. He was betrayed by his own friend.

Have you ever been there? I have and more than once but Jesus suffered these things and told us that we too could expect the same. When we have been betrayed , we know he understands how we are feeling.He can relate to our broken heart and can heal it. No matter what people did to Jesus, some tried to stone him and kill him.Some did not want him in their prescence and asked him to leave.

Some spit upon him and beat him and mocked him.His own people had him crucified but what did he continuously do?

He was still a friend to all he met.He changed not.He still reached out with that same love . We must do the same. He taught us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us and he taught us to love our enemies and to bless those that cursed us, not only did he tell us to do this but he was a living example and put his gospel into action. In this chapter we will read some more advice that Jesus is going to give to these men whom he called and it was not only for them you see, it was for us today as well. If it had not been he would not have inspired the writer to record this.

I hope you will Join me tomorrow as we continue to go through this chapter. We will be starting tomorrow at the 9th verse. A good thought for us all to meditate upon today would be the last Part of verse 8

"Freely ye have received,freely give"

**

For your interest I found this on the web this morning concerning the fate of the disciples. Some were crucified, some beheaded, one was killed with a spear,one even flayed which is skinned alive. Now we think we have endured alot sometimes my friends but truly, we have endured nothing compared to these great men. Click here: Apostles, Disciples, fate and death, Thomas, Bartholomew, John, Peter, Andrew IF THE ABOVE LINK DOES NOT WORK, TRY COPYNG AND PASTING THE URL BELOW. http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CN500APOSTLES%20FATE.htm#simonpeter

Matthew chapter 10:

9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, 10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. 11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. 12 And when ye come into an house, salute it. 13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 16 ¶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

***

Yesterday we started At the beginning of Matthew chapter 10 in our study of this scripture.We read how Jesus was here sending out his disciples. There is still a lesson for us all today in these verses. I believe Jesus was telling these men to put their faith and trust in God and that he would provide for them. "Provide neither Gold, nor silver, not brass in your purses".

They were sent out and they obeyed his voice. He warned them however of some things they might encounter along their journey. He was trying to prepare them to be strong when these things would come.

Just as Jesus suffered rejection, he knew that they would also. Just as they received rejection by some, he knew that we would also, that is why he inspired his men to write this down for us to be able to read today.

We may feel God is speaking to us to do something in his name.Perhaps we don't have much money and we wonder how we can do it. I believe God is speaking to us not to worry about the things we can't do, but to obey what he has told us to do and he will provide for us.

I belive he was also telling his disciples to seek out people wherever they went that could be a help to them and abide with them. The desire of a true Christians heart will be to be a help to their brother's and sisters. Jesus was telling them to seek these out and abide with them.He knew that they would minister to each other this way. I believe those who reached out and helped these disciples physically were blessed spiritually by doing so. As I always say"You can't outgive God". I am thankful for Brothers and sisters that I have been blessed to meet along my christian Journey that have tried to be a help and an encouragement to me. They are truly a strength and a help.

We are all human. It hurts when we suffer rejection but Jesus knew this would happen. Sometimes we can try our best to be a help and minister in the way God has shown us too but we know not everyone will receive us or our words.They didn't the disciples. In some instances they were beaten just for preaching the gospel, some gnashed upon them with their teeth.Some were stoned to death.Some were left for dead.. Jesus knew this would hurt them but he left them and us these words to comfort us and strengthen us in these times. He tells us to shake the dust of our feet off if they will not receive us.I believe he wants us to move on and not hold to anything, just move on. Sadly for those people, God will deal with them in his own way. For when one rejects a servant of God, they are just as same rejecting God.

"And when you come into a house salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it:but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you."

I believe Jesus meant for these men to be friendly and a help to those who took them in but he also knew some would take them in and not be sincere, in this case Jesus knew that there would not be peace. When you do all you can to live peaceably with all men and they do not respond likewise, there cannot be unity so Jesus told them to let their peace return unto them. They had tried to bring peace but were rejected and therfore Jesus wanted them to depart in peace and be at peace.Knowing that they had done all that they could and that God would not hold them responsible. There is only so much one can do if they are not being heard.

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves"

This was a pretty strong and bold statement.We all know what a wolf will do to a sheep.Jesus knew the wolves were there and we still are amongst some today. Still he said to" Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves".

I believe that he spoke this for them to be aware of what was going on around them and telling them to be able to come to recognize danger and to react harmlessly. Be wise. To be wise is to fear God.Solomon said the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Fear God.Follow his commandments, be familiar with his words.These will all help us to be wise.

This wisdom can alert us to "wolves in sheep's clothing". I believe we can come to recognize trouble before it starts. I think the best advice we can take from this scripture is to remove ourselves away. We cannot be a help so we are better off to do as Jesus instructed and shake off the dust of our feet and go. That our peace may return to us. We must leave all the hurt behind.We cannot hold grudges we must shake it all off. We cannot be at peace with ourselves or God and hold grudges. We need to pray for those who do us wrong or persecute us but leave everything else behind. So that we can have peace in our soul and with God.

***

We hope you have enjoyed this scripture today. Lord willing we will start at the 17th verse.We hope that God will add his blessings to the reading of his word today and bring you peace.

**

Matthew 10:17-23

17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

*

The bible teaches us in another place also not to put our confidence in man but put your confidence in God. He starts this verse here with a word of warning again. "Beware" Beware of men, he told them they would even scourge them in their synagogues. Scourging was a painful whipping or beating. He was telling them that the very people who should eagerly embrace them , would sometimes treat them in this manner.

Sometimes it is easier to understand accusations or harsh critical words from an unbeliever but when it comes from the people that is supposed to be of the family of God then it seems the wounds go much deeper. Jesus knew this would happen to his disciples in that day and he knew it would also happen to us in this day, thus it is recorded once again for our benefit as well. Many so called religious leaders rejected Jesus and spoke falsly of him and treated him cruelly. Jesus is telling his disciples and us today that we can expect to receive the same sometimes from what is supposed to be children of God. That is why he tells us to "Beware".

He tells them that when this happens not to worry about what you will say because the spirit will give you the words that are needed in that hour.

If people are in the center of God's will then they will recognize the spirit bearing witness.However Jesus knew that many were not going to be in the center of his will. Some were not even truly children of God. Still when we speak the truth of God's word and the spirit bears witness then we have done all we can. If they reject us then they are rejecting the one who sent us and God will deal with them in his own good time and in his own way for that. We are to go on and shake the dust off our feet as we taught about in yesterday's lesson.

It speaks very plainly how that the brother would deliver up the brother to death and the father the children, children against their parents etc. Now I know that sometimes when there are unbelievers in our family or some out of God's will then this causes a division.They may not want to keep company with us and so on.They may rebel but I believe once again that this is speaking of our "spiritual family". Jesus is using this to reemphasize that alot of the persecution we must endure will come from those of the spiritual household.

Notice in the next verse that he is telling them a hard but honest fact. "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake". This is a hard statement. No one wants to be hated. It hurts to feel hatred from people and rejection, especially from people who are supposed to be your brothers and sisters in Christ. He was telling them they were not going to be popular. The emotional rejection he knew they would have to suffer he was trying his best to prepare them for.This way, when they did face it they would remember his words. He could have told them of all the ones who would believe, he could have told them how their works and words would still be a comfort and light for generations to come.Jesus knew that when these things happened that it would bring Joy to them. He didn't tell them of all these things, perhaps they would have gotten so lifted up that when persecution did come they would be devastated by it.Instead he tried to prepare them for these trials and persecutions that he knew they would face. And his words are still here for us today.

Finally he tells them when you do suffer these persecutions in one city to flee into another. The Lord does not expect us to hang around until we are dead spiritually from being beaten down and trodden underfoot.He expects us to move on. A good thought from this verse my friends would be "Keep on going". He didn't tell them to just go back home and keep everything to themselves did he? He said in other words ,Just keep on going. There will be some who you will help. There will be some who will be a help to you. There are many out there who still need a true witness. There will be blessings along the way.

He had promised to supply thier physical needs along their journey and told them not to worry about these material things but just to keep on going. There is no stopping place. He knew the way would be rough sometimes but he tried to prepare them for this.He knew there would be times that they might wonder where their next meal was going to come from so he tried to prepare them for this. He knew they would also receive extra blessings along the way and he didn't need to prepare them for this.

So our Lord has told us that our Journey won't be an easy one. There will be hard times and persecutions .There will be heartache.But to keep on going because we have a brighter day to look to when all that will be behind us forever. If we can just endure these things then perhaps we can help someone else find that good way that will put them on the road to Heaven.

Do not be discouraged My Brothers and sisters and do not let these things hinder you from continuing the work and following the path that God has put you on. Shake off the dust , and keep on going!

***

Matthew chapter 10:24-27

24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? 26 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. 27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.

***

Thank you for joining us again as we continue to go through Matthew chapter 10.

Here again we are reading Jesus words to his disciples as well as for us today. As you may remember many times Jesus was accused of doing miracles through the power of the devil Other times he was accused of having a devil or being one. These of course were false accusations.

When he said that the disciple is not above his master nor the servant his Lord, he goes on to explain that if they have said such things about him who knew no sin then we too could expect the same to be said about us.

Not everyone will speak well of us. The word of God is sharper than a two edged sword. Sometimes when we are using that sword and explaining the word of God someone may become offended and this is one of the ways in which they may react.

Our advice and the disciples advice given by our Lord was this: Don't be afraid of them. He said there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed nor hid that shall not be made known.

The truth will come out eventually on these people. God himself knows the heart of man. If you are falsly accused and you know that you have done nothing amiss then do not worry about what man may say or accuse you of.They did this to Christ also. It is enough to Know that God knows our hearts and we will not have to pay for something we are innocent of. The ones who have said these things will have to give an account however of all these things. If they are saved they will pay or be chastised for their wrong doings here on Earth. If they are lost they will forever be tormented and I believe one of their torments will be the christian witness that you were before them.

Consider the instance of Lazarus and the rich man. The rich Man remembered Lazarus without his gate each day. I believe Lazarus was a figure of the church. He laid at his gate. A gate is an entrance. The rich man never opened his gate for Lazarus and neither did he open his heart to the witness I believe Lazarus tried to be to him. When he died and went to hell, it was then to late for him. He saw Lazarus being comforted in Abraham's bosom in heaven but he could not reach him. He had confidence in Lazarus as a witness I believe because he begged that Lazarus could be sent back to warn his brothers but it was too late.

Hewas told that his brothers had the prophets and if they did not believe them neither would they believe one though he arose from the dead. We know this to be true for our saviour rose from the grave on the third day just as he said he would but still there are many today who do not believe.

The rich man begged for one drop of water. I believe he was asking for that living water that could have delivered his soul from that torment but it was too late. He could find no comfort there. There was no mercy left for him.

We know of many no doubt around us. Friends, relatives, neighbors, co workers who are headed for that same place that the rich man is still in. We must be as Lazarus and continually beg them to come before it is too late.

Lazarus was poor in this life as far as wealth or material things and the rich man had all these things. But Lazarus was the true rich man for he had salvation but the rich man did not posses the most important thing which was his soul's salvation thus he died a poor sinner.

Therefore do not worry about what men may say about you. This is the work of Satan trying to discourage you from reaching these poor ones. But Jesus said what he would tell us in darkness that speak ye in light. And what you would hear in your ear, that preach ye upon the housetop.

Many times Jesus quotes "he that hath an ear to hear, let him hear." He was speaking of the truth's of his words. The revelation of the scriptures that God gives to you, share that with others. Don't pay any attention if you are persecuted or called a devil.Just rejoice because Jesus told you this would happen. Rejoice because you know you must be doing something that the devil doesn't like.

Sometimes it is nothing more than Jealousy on the part of the accuser and Jealousy is one thing that God hates. Jealousy can ruin a person and their influence. The Devil tries to sow Jealousy in the hearts of even the strongest Christians sometimes but we must recognize it as wrong and not give any room for jealousy in our hearts.

Again , as all this week the thought seems to be: Do not be discouraged when faced with persecutions. They will come. Keep on going. Keep proclaiming that good word.Keep on reaching out to those lost souls or those who are disheartened and have laid down their cross. We do not know how much time we may have.

**
Lord willing we will finish this chapter next week.

Matthew 10 :verses 28-33

28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

*****

In this scripture we are given a picture of just how much we are loved by our heavenly Father but first we want to look at the 28th verse. Jesus is still trying to prepare his disciples for their journeys.He was warning them of what they would face. It is recorded for us also to prepare us for our christian walk and what we too will encounter along this way.

He is telling them here in this verse not to fear ,physically what man could do to them. These disciples would indeed encounter people that would actually inflict bodily injury upon them and many of the disciples died a martyr's death. He told them instead to fear God who could cast both soul and body in Hell. He recorded these words not only for the disciples because they were already in the way and had embraced salvation by their faith but he also wrote this for the lost.

It seems today that our lost just doesn't seem to have a concern for their own soul or where they will spend eternity.This is very sad. We realize that we as Christians have failed alot and this too has had an effect on our lost. The lost need to hear more about Hell.They need to be warned that hell is real.It is not just a place where they will go and burn up and that will be the end of their suffering..no no! They need to be told that they are going to have a body that will last for eternity and it will feel every pain. They need to be told about the lake of fire. To be blunt our lost just aren't hearing much about it today.

Many of us ourselves as Christians perhaps get wrapped up in every day hustle and bustle and how much time do we really spend reaching out to the lost? I myself know I could be doing more.We should always be striving to reach them and warn them to get them concerned.

When you were lost do you remember that fear of going to hell? That uncertainty, that burden? When you were under conviction of your sins? Our lost need to hear more. Don't get me wrong now, I don't believe in scaring someone into being saved but I do believe that the lost need to hear more about hell today.

Are we hearing it alot preached today about hell? Not as much as we used to when I was growing up and sometimes, depending on where you are you may never hear it mentioned.Our lost need to hear about Hell. Most of our lost are not attending church so it is up to us to take the message of warning out to them.

We could even testify about how we were saved to them and about having that fear of going to a place called Hell.A place that is real that the lost are headed for.Perhaps that will get them to thinking about their soul.

If you are reading this today and you are lost this is very much for you too. God is sending you a message through this email. He has sent you his word today because he loves you and someone has thought enough of your soul to send it your way.

Read again the 29-31st verse. Those verses are for the saved and unsaved. Our Father in Heaven created all things. He cares for his creation. He see's even a little sparrow when it falls. He cares for those sparrows as he does all his creation and he provides for them just as he does for mankind. But, he said that we or you are of more value than many sparrows. If he cares even for the smallest animals then just feel the greater love that he must have for you.

He even knows how many hairs are on your head. He knows you better than even you know yourself.He loves you more than your parents, your spouse or your closest friends and that my friend is a great love!

His desire is for you to come to know him too.

In the 32nd and 33rd verses it is put plain and simple. If we are not ashamed of him, he will not be ashamed of us but if we have rejected him and rejected salvation then he cannot acknowledge us as his own before his father in heaven.Without Jesus we have no hope. If we have been saved and have repented of our sins and called out to him for forgiveness of our sins , believing that he is the son of God and the savior of the world and embraced this salvation by faith in him then we have that eternal security.

When you seek him with all of your heart, he will take your fear away and your burden away. You will feel in your heart that the Lord has come in. The burden and fear will be gone and be replaced by Joy. Jesus told Nicodemus:You must be born again.

Just as we are born naturally of our Mother and are given life, so we must be reborn in a spiritual birth to have eternal life in Heaven.Without eternal life the lost will face eternal death. A death that never ends.For the saved death is just a shadow. Nothing at all to fear. When there is a natural birth their is pain and travail and much sorrow but when a child is born all of that is forgotten, we are overwhelmed with Joy. So it is for a soul who is delivered from sin. There is fear, uncertainty, sorrow and anguish but when God saves our soul he gives us that life eternally and we then have joy, security, safety and peace.There will be rejoicing even among the Angels.

If you have experienced that new birth then you have something to be thankful for and what's more...you have something to share with the world! When the shepherds found Jesus that long ago night in Bethlehem they went away rejoicing and praising God and telling everything what had been made known unto them. We have a message to take to the world as well.

I have shared it with you today. Pass it on!

God loves you! Jesus loves you! I love you!

May God send his richest blessings upon you all today!

Matthew 10:34-39

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

**

The sword that Jesus is speaking of is the word of God. This is a sword that can heal or kill. It is sharp.It will cause division, it will separate you from the world. This sword cuts when a person first realizes they are lost. It gives them the knowledge of their conditon and that is painful but it also can give life to the sinner who follows the instruction given by this two edged sword.

The word of God is sharp. It can cut us down when we get exalted.It keeps us pruned well if we will heed to it.

We are to put God first in our life.We are to love him above everything that he has given us because he loved us enough to give his own son.

Carry your cross. Be willing to give your all to him. You will not lose your reward.

May God add his blessing to the reading of his word today and may he richly bless you!

Matthew 10 :40-42

40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

***

I just love the message in these verses! It tells us what reward those who are kind to us will receive.Jesus is acknowledging how the Lord will take notice of these kind acts and reward the giver.

He also said that whoever receiveth you , receiveth me and whosoever receiveth me receiveth the father who sent me. We are ambassadors of Christ and God. Those who try to help us and minister to us along the way will be blessed for their efforts.

This also lets us know that we too will be rewarded for all that we do for the Lord.When we give to someone in his name. Always try and let the people who help you along the way know that you appreciate their love and kindness and encouragement.Let them Know that God loves them for it too!

Many of you are an encouragement to me and I thank God for you always. I pray for you daily.You are my family.My Brothers and sisters in Christ.Some of you I've never met.Some of you I don't even know receives this email as a forward every day.I appreciate all of you and pray that you will be blessed by reading these words of comfort from God's word .

May God bless you all as I know he will!

Your friend and sister in Christ,Karen

Lydia

A seller of Purple.

Acts 16:14-15

And a Certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira,which worshipped God,heard us: whose heart the Lord opened,that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized,and her household, she besought us, saying If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord,come into my house,and abide there.And she constrained us.

**

It seems I was just drawn to this scripture as soon as I read it. It was a great honor for this woman's name to even have been recorded in God's word. We hear her called by her name.

Our name may not be recorded in the bible but if we have been saved,it is recorded in the lambs book of life. Our name is precious to God.Our name is very personal and God calls us by name.He knows us by name and knows everything about us.

Another fact about this woman is recorded.She was a seller of purple. Go to the 31st chapter of proverbs and read the passage about the virtuous woman. Stating in the 1oth verse to the end of the chapter. I think those verses describe Lydia very well by the description that is recorded of her here in Acts.

I believe Lydia was a virtuous woman. She was from The city of Thyatira but she was here in Philippi selling her merchandise.She was a long way from where she was born and raised but providence had brought her here. I think of the journey of a lost person, from the safety of that innocent estate in which they were born to coming to the knowledge of their sins finding themselves far away from that innocent estate.

Lydia was a religious person. She worshipped the only way she knew how. She gathered herself with this group of women believers at the riverside here. Then she heard the gospel.The writer said "she heard us". A sinner has to hear the word of God and be begotten by it. Until now she had done everything she had known to do. She desired to know more. The bible says "he that hath ears to hear let him hear" Her ears was open to these men of God and she attended the services when they preached and then The Lord opened her heart.

She opened her heart to the words these men were saying. The bible teaches us that today is the day of salvation and to "harden not your heart". Before Salvation a sinners heart is closed to the gospel and is shut tight.The doorknob is on the inside and a sinner has to open their heart. It says that the Lord opened her heart.This gospel touched her, she heard it, she was willing to listen then the most important part. Faith without works is dead. It is not the hearer of the word that is justified ,but the doer Notice it says next "she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul". She put her faith into action.She took in the word and applied it to her life. She heeded to the gospel, she obeyed the words that Paul had preached in his message. When we were begotten by the word of God we had to follow that word and obey it and put our faith into action.

Then we read of her baptism and that of her household also. She was testifying to the world here of the change that had taken place. Next she desired them to stay with her. She urged them.I believe she wanted to minister unto their needs. I believe she desired to have them near as much as possible so that perhaps she could learn more from them and grow spiritually.

It should be the desire of every christian to grow in the word and the knowledge of his truths. I am sure she had a lot of questions she wanted to ask them. I am sure she would be strenthened if they would be close to pray with her. She just desired their company.

It seems that by the way this scripture reads that perhaps Paul and his friends may have been reluctant at first to go. Perhaps they didn't want to be a burden. Then she put it in a way that compelled them even more " If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house" so this was a little harder to refuse. Then it said that she constrained us. She had such a desire for them to come, she was very persistant. She wanted the men of God near her. She reminds me of another woman in the old testament.A little Shunamite woman who had her husband to build another room onto her house just so the man of God could stay with them when he passed by their way. She too had a great desire.

Yes Lydia was a virtuous woman. She was a great woman that loved God. She is a great example to the lost as well as the saved. That is all we could ever hope to be! I want to be more like her don't you? I hope that you have enjoyed the reading of God's word today. This was very much a blessing to me to study and teach on. I hope you have been as blessed by it as I have.

Paul and Silas

ACTS 16:16)And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: 17) The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18) And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 19) And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20) And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 )And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22) And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. 23) And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24) Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25) And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26) And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. 27) And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28) But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29) Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 )And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32) And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 )And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34) And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

***

In this chapter we read of Paul's Journey on his way to Macedonia. On the sabbath day they had went down and gathered by the riverside where it was known that certain women gathered to worship and they had baptized a woman named Lydia there and her family. Then as they went to pray a woman who was possessed with a spirit of divination met them and continously followed them and cried after them saying these things. This grieved Paul.he knew she was possessed with a devil and finally he commanded the spirit to come out of her and he came out that same hour.

This was a woman that was a sooth sayer or what you would call a fortune teller, her master's who owned her made much money off of her . This woman was a slave both to these people and to sin but she was set free that day within.When Paul performed this miracle her owners became very angry

Paul and Silas were caught by them and taken into the market place unto the rulers. This had all started with a vision that Paul had to go down to Macedonia to help those people and that is what Paul went to do. He found a place to gather with God's people on the sabbath day and there was a woman and her family who were baptized that day.Paul was doing much good. This woman had come to him as they were about to kneel in prayer. Paul worked a miracle in the name of the Lord for this young girl but it brought anger instead of joy to her owners.All they were concerned with was greed and profit and now they wanted to Make Paul and his companions pay for this.As we read last week in Matthew chapter 10 Jesus warned his disciples that these things would come .They caught them and tore their clothes from them and beat them with man stripes. It was tradition in a jewish scourging that they were given 39 lashes but other nations such as Rome could inflict as many stripes as they pleased.

If you have ever done any studying on their scourgings then you know that these lashes hurt.They cut. They sometimes would bring so much blood that a prisoner could bleed to death. We do not know how many stripes that they gave Paul and Silas but we know it was probably pretty severe.These were angry people. They took Paul and Silas then and put them inside the prison into the inner prison. The inner prison was for more important prisoners no doubt whom they wanted to make sure did not escape.God knows all things. He knew there was a need. Even though Paul and Silas had been beaten and arrested They would allow God to use them even from within those walls while chained in stocks.

Then at midnight Paul and Silas started to pray. Then they started to sing. I don't know what they prayed but I am sure it was a powerful prayer and it was an effectual prayer"The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much". It was having an effect on the prisoners around them who heard it.Then they began to sing. Beaten and hurting and wounded only for doing good but yet they sang and the prisoners listened.Then came the great earthquake.God had heard their prayer.The doors all opened and every man's bonds were loosed but nobody ran. They all stayed right there.Something about these men of God and what they had prayed and the joy in their voices as they sang and then to witness the earthquake, nobody moved.

Then the keeper awoke and saw all the doors standing open and he assumed that all the prisoners had fled because any other time they probably would have but know one had left and Paul saw what he was about to do and cried out to him with a loud voice for him not to take his life, he said we are all here. There had been aneed here in this dark prison.Many men who needed the witness of God who would have never got to hear if Paul and Silas had not been arrested. God can use us wherever we are if we will allow him to. Look How Joseph in the old testament allowed God to use him in prison.

This keeper was a lost man as well as all the prisoners and as well as the keepers whole family. There had been a great need. He called for a light just as every sinner must do .We must ask for the light Of Jesus and want his word and desire as this man did to know how he could be saved.He fell down trembling before Paul.He had a great fear and he humbled himself before him . Paul told him " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved , and thy house". A sinner has to believe from more than just their mind, even the devils tremble and believe but a sinner must believe from their heart and with all their being unto salvation.This man did and his whole family heard the gospel and believed then this man washed their stripes, the same man who had put them in stocks and into the deepest part of the prison and he sat meat before them.I believe they had a wonderful feast that night with all of his family and every one of them believed with all their heart and they rejoiced!
Those men who had laid hands on them had wanted them to suffer and pay the consequences but David said in psalm 23"Thou preparest a table before me in the prescence of mine enemies, my cup runneth over". They were rejoicing and having good fellowship. Paul could have then said that he would have been on his way but he did not do that.He knew if he did that they would certainly kill this keeper of the prison so he went back to the prison. He saved this man's life by doing that. He did not want to see this new convert die, he wanted to be ahelp to him. That should be the desire of us all to be a help to the weak ones and always do all we can to help one another. You can then go on to read the remainder of this chapter where they are released, but what a wonderful encouraging lesson.Let God use you wherever you are. He can even use you in times when you are being persecuted and afflicted. Be a light wherever you are and you too will get to feast on the blessings of God

May God add his blessings to the reading of his word today!

Proverbs 28:27

He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

**

We have heard it quoted in the scriptures "The Lord loveth a cheerful giver". We know that it is indeed his will for us to look after the poor and help in whatever way that we can. Israel was instructed to leave a portion of their fields and crops for the poor, widows and strangers. We read in another place where it says to give when you see someone in need and you have it in your power to give it. This is something that we all should do.It is commanded for us to do but not only does is scripture referring to the physically poor but the spiritually poor.

Who am I referring to that is spiritually poor? The Lost. If they do not have the Lord, they could be very wealthy in life with every thing physically that they need but if they have not salvation they are poor.

We are to give unto these spiritually poor. What do we give? We give them a testimony of a savior who is our dearest friend, who is always there and has never fails us. We give them the gospel message that Jesus loves them and gave his life so they could have it eternally. We must give them a light in their dark world. We must give to these in any way which God will allow us to give. We must give our time, we must give our concern, we must give our prayers.

"But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse".

How many times have we hid our eyes? Perhaps we knew someone didn't go to church, didn't claim a hope of salvation but we made excuses and tell ourselves "When I have time" or "They would be offended" or "I don't know them very well". When we have done this, we have hid our eyes. We have all failed and been guilty of this somewhere in life but we should always be striving to become a more productive Christian and effective witness to those around us.

You will come in contact with many people this week. Have your spiritual eyes open. We do not have the promise of tomorrow to work, neither do they have the promise of tomorrow to be saved.

Give to both the physically and spiritually poor. The spiritually poor truly have the greater need. If you give the bible says you will not lack but if you don't it says you will be cursed with many a curse. You will be a very unhappy,unfulfilled person if you do not do your Christian duty. We know that God chastises those for their disobedience. Let us always be found a giver. Giving Jesus to everyone we meet.

May God add his blessing to the reading of his word!

**

Sign Guestbook View Guestbook
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws