Perfectly Contented

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                           ". . . be content with such things as ye have."    Hebrews  13:5

     A certain evaporated milk has for its slogan,  "From contented cows," and illustrates it with a beautiful picture of a herd of cattle, lying in a luxurious pasture contentedly chewing their cud.  These are contented cows because they are satisfied.  They wish for nothing more.  This morning as I sat in my study I saw another picture of contentment.  It is a dreary, dark day and it is raining.  I watched a fat robin pull three worms from the grass, and then fly up to the telephone wire just outside my window.  And there, ten feet from me, I imagined he gave me a knowing wink and began to sing.  For a full half-hour I sat and enjoyed the robin's rendition of "Praise ye the Lord."  He was content.  He was satisfied with what the Heavenly Father had provided, and did not worry about tomorrow.  He was singing in the rain!

     The robin did not complain about the color or size of the worms, but was satisfied with what he found.  Have you ever heard a robin grumble?  Of course not!  Then why do we?  A little girl whose father was a chronic grumbler said to her mother,  "I know what everybody likes in this family.  Johnny likes hamburgers, Janie likes ice cream, Willie likes bananas, and mommy likes chicken."  Irked because he had not been included in the list, the father grumblingly asked,  "And what about me, what do I like?"  The innocent little one replied,  "You like everything we haven't got!"  Paul could say,  "I have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content."  Read the rest of Hebrews 13:5 - "For He hath said, I will never leave thee, or forsake thee."  Isn't that enough to satisfy anyone?

                               Said the Robin to the Sparrow,  "I should really like to know
                                  Why these anxious human beings rush about and worry so!"
                               Said the Sparrow to the Robin,  "Friend, I think that it must be
                                   That they have no Heavenly Father such as cares for you and me!"
                                                                                                                         E. Cheney

"Bread For Each Day"

TASTE AND SEE THAT I AM GOOD...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

TASTE AND SEE THAT I AM GOOD.  The more intimately you experience Me, the more convinced you become of My goodness.  I am the Living One who sees you and longs to participate in your life.  I am training you to find Me in each moment and to be a channel of My loving Presence.  Sometimes My blessings come to you in mysterious ways:  through pain and trouble.  At such times you can know My goodness only through your trust in Me.  Understanding will fail you, but trust will keep you close to Me.

Thank Me for the gift of My Peace, a gift of such immense proportions that you cannot fathom its depth or breadth.  When I appeared to My disciples after the resurrection, it was Peace that I communicated first of all.  I knew this was their deepest need:  to calm their fears and clear their minds.  I also speak Peace to you, for I know your anxious thoughts.  Listen to Me  Tune out other voices, so that you can hear Me more clearly.  I designed you to dwell in Peace all day, every day.  Draw near to Me; receive My Peace.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Fragrant Christians

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"But he shall wash the inwards and the legs with water: and . . . burn it upon the altar: it is a . . . sweet savour unto the Lord."    Leviticus  1:13
Christ . . . hath given himself . . . a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour."  Ephesians  5:2

     Everything has some distinctive, identifying odor all its own.  We may not be able to detect it with our limited sense of smell but it is there just the same.  A dog can detect the scent of a rabbit or a bird where we notice nothing.  Bees can detect intruders or bees from another hive right next to them by their different odor and immediately put them to death.  Ants will follow the trail of other ants for long distances merely by the scent.  The Christian, too, has a scent all his own.  The spiritual Christian  "smells like Jesus."  Christ is the perfectly fragrant One, and contact with Him determines our fragrance.  In the offering in the first chapter of Leviticus, the inwards and the bowels were to be burnt.  Inwards contain the "offal," the corruption and waste matter of the body.  It is offensive, putrid, and nauseating, to be carefully disposed of in private and never to be touched  (Deuteronomy  23:13).  It represents our sin and defilement.  It must be burned up and destroyed.

     The burnt offering is Jesus.  He became sin for us.  That loathsome, abominable thing - He took upon Himself and consumed it on the cross.  His sacrifice for our putrid, nauseating offal of sin becomes acceptable to God and a "sweet smelling savour."  Jesus is the fragrant One - all His garments  "smell of myrrh"  (Psalm 45:8).  To be much with Him is to  "smell like Him."

     A servant girl was sent into the fields by her mistress to gather myrtle of which she was very fond.  This  "bog myrtle"  was very fragrant, and after she had delivered it to her mistress she exclaimed,  "And didn't I smell lovely myself when I was done?"  The more we gather the flowers of Christ in the field of His Word, the more folks will detect His fragrance in our lives.

"Bread For Each Day"

STOP TRYING TO WORK THINGS OUT...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

STOP TRYING TO WORK THINGS OUT before their times have come.  Accept the limitations of living one day at a time.  When something comes to your attention, ask Me whether or not it is part of today's agenda.  If it isn't, release it into My care and go on about today's duties.  When you follow this practice, there will be a beautiful simplicity about your life:  a time for everything, and everything in its time.

A life lived close to Me is not complicated or cluttered.  When your focus is on My Presence, many things that once troubled you lose their power over you.  Though the world around you is messy and confusing, remember that I have overcome the world.  I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have Peace.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

"Keep Plodding On"

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"And ye shall....go round about the city once.   Thus shalt thou do six days ... and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times ... and the wall of the city shall fall down flat."   Joshua  6:3-5

     The story of the fall of Jericho through the power of God is a thrilling one, rich with lessons for all of us.  The monotonous and apparently useless marching assignment given to Joshua made little sense, but the eye of faith was strong; therefore the Word of the Lord was conscientiously followed, and the miracle occurred. Success in the Christian life too demands that we keep marching faithfully ahead, even though at times we see no results and find little use in going on.  Even when our pathway leads in tiring circles and the walls of difficulty keep standing despite our most earnest prayers and efforts, yet there is no room for standing still when God says:  "Go ye!"  The continuous, roundabout march of Joshua is a good example of the fact that God accomplishes His purposes in mysterious ways.  Seldom does He lead in obvious paths those for whom He intends to perform the greatest miracle!

     God is ever looking for men and women who will bravely do His bidding with unchanging trust in His good purpose and design.  By such the deriding voices on the "Jericho wall of the world" will be disregarded. Trial will not discourage such individuals, nor lack of success daunt them.

     Often before the walls of our difficulty God puts into our hands a trumpet when we think it should be a sword, and still more often He sends us on a long circuitous march when we think He should retain us for a direct assault; yet by faith He wants us to go on in the way that He has planned, trustingly saying,  "One step enough for me!"

     "Keep plodding on for God,"  one dear old pastor used to say,  "and you may be certain that the walls of your Jericho will eventually fall when the dear Lord deems it is time for you to enter the Promised Land!"

"Bread For Each Day"

REJOICE AND BE THANKFUL!

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

REJOICE AND BE THANKFUL!  As you walk with Me through this day, practice trusting and thanking Me all along the way.  Trust is the channel through which My Peace flows into you.  Thankfulness lifts you up above your circumstances.

I do My greatest works through people with grateful, trusting hearts.  Rather than planning and evaluating, practice trusting and thanking Me continually.  This is a paradigm shift that will revolutionize your life.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

"Feeding" The Dead!

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

      "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins."   Ephesians  2:1

     In China many still believe that the dead eat as well as the living!  Besides the memorial rites which have to be held during the "seventh moon" of each  year for the departed, the ancestors must also be provided with feasts two or three days before the most important national festivals.  Especially before the new year this is deemed important, for it is thought that then the dead return seeking earthly food.  Consequently, a banquet, including much food and wine, is dutifully supplied and made ready by the eldest son for the refreshment of "honorable ancestors."  We shake our heads sadly at such an absurd practice; and yet, with equal folly, we often try to feed the "spiritually dead" and then express surprise when there is no growth and little reaction.

     It is necessary to see to it that our children receive doctrinal training regularly; in fact, it is highly commendable, but let us never suppose that this is in any way a substitute for earnestly and personally seeking to bring them to the foot of the cross for salvation.  The implanting of the new life is a pre-requisite for their true growth in grace.

     You too may attend church faithfully, go through a great deal of religious ritualism, and even read your Bible regularly, but unless you have experienced the "new birth," you are just trying to nourish a dead corpse!

     Moody used to say,  "We hear nowadays so much about 'culture.'  Culture is all right when you have something to cultivate.  If I should plant a watch, I shouldn't get any little watches, should I?  Why?  Because the seed of life is not there.  But let me plant some peas or potatoes, and I will get a crop.  Don't let any man or woman rest short of his being born of the Spirit of God.  Don't cultivate a dead and corrupt thing.  First, make sure you have the divine nature, then cultivate it."  Yes, one has to be born into the family of God before he can "grow in grace."

"Bread For Each Day"

The Apple Of His Eye

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                         "Keep me as the apple of the eye."   Psalm  17:8

     None of the five senses is as precious as the sense of sight.  Blindness is one of the greatest misfortunes of life.  For this reason the Creator of the eye has protected it in a most careful and unusual way.  The eyes are placed deep into sockets, surrounded by a wall of hard bone.  In addition they are protected by eyelids, which completely cover the eye when danger approaches.  On these eyelids are the hairy eyelashes to catch dust and other fine objects, and then, most wonderful of all, there is a system of perpetual irrigation or "washing."  The tear glands secrete a soothing, salty solution which keeps the eye moist and clean at all times. To keep the eyes from blurring and the tears from running over, there are provided little channels or "tear ducts" which drain the cleansing fluid into the nose.  All this illustrates how precious is the eye, and how the Creator has provided for its protection.

     The Bible compares us to the eyes of God.  Concerning Israel it says,  "He kept him as the apple of his eye"  (Deuteronomy 32:10).  In Zechariah  2:8 God says concerning His people,  ". . . he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his (the Lord's) eye."  David prays in our text,  "Keep me as the apple of the eye" (Psalm 17:8).  The word "apple" in the Hebrew means literally the "little man."  We can thus read:  "I will keep you as the 'little man' of my eye."  God's eye is on the "little man."  No matter how obscure and forgotten you may be as a humble believer, the Lord watches over you every moment.  Someone has observed that coal miners, after a whole day underground, come out with their entire faces black with dust; but there are two spots on their faces just as clean as when they went in in the morning - their eyes.  Amid all the dirt and filth of this old world the Lord can keep us as clean as the "apple of the eye."  Read and consider our memory verse for today.  "He that planted the ear, shall he not hear?  he that formed the eye, shall he not see?"  (Psalm  94:9).

"Bread For Each Day"

TRUST ME AND DON'T BE AFRAID...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

TRUST ME AND DON'T BE AFRAID, for I am your Strength and Song.  Think what it means to have Me as your Strength.  I spoke the universe into existence; My Power is absolutely unlimited!  Human weakness, consecrated to Me, is like a magnet, drawing My Power into your neediness.  However, fear can block the flow of My Strength into you.  Instead of trying to fight your fears, concentrate on trusting Me. When you relate to Me in confident trust, there is no limit to how much I can strengthen you.

Remember that I am also your Song.  I want you to share My Joy, living in conscious awareness of my Presence.  Rejoice as we journey together toward heaven; join Me in singing My Song.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

He Died For Me!

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath ,and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us . . ."  1 Thessalonians  5:9,10

     Oliver Cromwell once ordered that a soldier should be shot for his crimes at the ringing of the evening curfew bell.  For some reason that night the bell did not toll.  The incident has been immortalized in poetry and song.  It seems that the girl whom the condemned soldier was to marry had climbed up into the belfry and clung to the great clapper of the bell to prevent it from striking.  When she was called by Cromwell to give an account of herself, she only wept and showed him her bruised and bleeding hands.  Cromwell's heart was touched and he said,  "Your lover shall live because of your sacrifice.  Curfew shall not ring tonight!"  So too all of us are rebels against God and under a sentence of death.  Another, Christ, has intervened in our behalf.  We too are saved, but only at the expense of His blessed Person.  When skeptics questioned the truth of substitutionary atonement after His resurrection from the dead, Christ showed them His hands - His bruised, nail-pierced hands!  If you claim Him as the Lover of your soul, the curfew of eternal death will never toll for you!

     A converted Japanese woman was once trapped by a prairie fire.  Seeing that it was going to catch up with her and the child she carried on her back, she laid the little one down, desperately scooped a hole in the earth with her hands, and with trembling haste laid the child in it, covering its body with her own.  Later they found the two.  The poor woman was dead, but the child was saved.  A Christian Japanese who discovered them said with tears,  "So too Jesus died that I might live.  He put His blessed body between me and the everlasting fire."  He had caught the truth of 1 Thessalonians  5:10.

     Can you say with confidence born of faith in Christ and His Word:  "He died for me"?

"Bread For Each Day"

Union And Communion

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                                     ". . . this grace wherein we stand."
                                                                                                          Romans  5:2
                                                     ". . . walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing."
                                                                                                                  Colossians  1:10

     Standing and walking.  These two words describe the ideal relationship of the believer with His Lord. Every believer has a permanent "standing" in Christ, never to be lost.  Positionally by grace, he is complete in Him  (Colossians  2:10).  This settles our salvation and guarantees our security forever in Him.  But after we have received our standing we are to begin walking.  Our "standing" justifies us in God's sight because it is all of grace and does not depend upon the slightest merit or worth or works of our own.  It establishes our union with Christ.

     But those who "stand" in Christ are admonished to walk  (Romans  4:12, 1 Corinthians  7:17, Ephesians 5:15, 1 John 2:6).  Walking means going forward - growth in grace and the knowledge of Christ.  We are told to walk honestly, walk in love, walk in the Spirit.  This walking determines our fellowship, assurance, fruitfulness, joy, and reward.

     Some Christians have been saved 20 to 30 years but are no farther along than they were when they started.  By faith we stand justified in His sight; this is union.  But our communion and fellowship depends on our walk.  Our union is once for all and cannot be broken  (John  10:28), but our communion can be broken by carelessness and sin, and must be restored by confession and repentance.  Christ left us two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.  The baptism speaks of union once for all, never to be repeated.  But communion is to be observed often - "as often as you eat this bread"  (1 Corinthians  11:26).  Union is God's free gift; communion is our responsibility.  "If we walk in the light as He is in the light (then) we have fellowship (communion) one with another"  (1 John  1:17).  "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh"  (Galatians  5:16).  Brother, sister, watch your step today as you walk the pathway of sanctification.

"Bread For Each Day"

THANK ME.....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."   Ephesians  4:31

THANK ME FOR THE GLORIOUS GIFT OF MY SPIRIT.  This is like priming the pump of a well.  As you bring Me the sacrifice of thanksgiving, regardless of your feelings, My Spirit is able to work more freely within you.  This produces more thankfulness and more freedom, until you are overflowing with gratitude.

I shower blessings on you daily, but sometimes you don't perceive them.  When your mind is stuck on a negative focus, you see neither Me nor My gifts.  In faith, thank Me for whatever is preoccupying your mind.  This will clear the blockage so that you can find Me.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

God's Part And Man's Part

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

" . . . take a lamb.
  . . . And ye . . . shall kill it.
And they shall take of the blood.
 . . .  strike the lintel and the two side posts."
                                                    Exodus  12:3,6,7,22

     What a flurry of sudden activity among the slaves of Egypt!  Nine plagues or judgments had fallen upon the Egyptians.  Water into blood, frogs, lice swarms of flies, pestilence among cattle, boils on men and beasts, hail and fire, locusts, and three days darkness.  In all this Israel was safe, though they did nothing to prevent the judgment from touching them.  They just sat still - God did it all for them.  It was not because they were better than the Egyptians, but it was all God's sovereign grace.  It was simply because God had chosen them and put a difference between the Egyptians and the children of Israel.

     Now notice the change in the last and final judgment - the death of the firstborn!  Here it was not a matter of sitting still and letting God do it all.  Now they must do something.  Take a lamb - kill it - take the blood - sprinkle it on the doorposts - stay inside - eat the lamb - and be ready to go.  The first nine judgments speak of sovereign grace.  The last one emphasizes Israel's part - faith.  It all comes down to a matter of faith.  If they did not believe Moses, they would not act, but just sit still as before.  God's grace was their protection, but it must be received by faith.  You can go to Hell by hiding behind the sovereignty of God.  You must believe and act.  We often hear it said, you do nothing to be saved.  The truth is you do nothing to be lost! You are already lost - you do nothing to be lost.  But you must do something about it to be saved.  Not work, but believe.  Listen to Paul in answer to the question:  What must I do to be saved?  "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ!"

"Bread For Each Day"

TRUST AND THANKFULNESS...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

TRUST AND THANKFULNESS WILL get you safely through this day.  Trust protects you from worrying and obsessing.  Thankfulness keeps you from criticizing and complaining:  those "sister sins"  that so easily entangle you.

Keeping your eyes on Me is the same thing as trusting Me.  It is a free choice that you must make thousands of times daily.  The more you choose to trust Me, the easier it becomes.  Thought patterns of trust become etched into your brain.  Relegate troubles to the periphery of your mind, so that I can be central in your thoughts.  Thus you focus on Me, entrusting your concerns into My care.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

IT IS GOOD THAT YOU RECOGNIZE.....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

IT IS GOOD THAT YOU RECOGNIZE YOUR WEAKNESS.  That keeps you looking to Me, your Strength. Abundant life is not necessarily health and wealth; it is living in continual dependence on Me. Instead of trying to fit this day into a preconceived mold, relax and be on the lookout for what I am doing. This mind-set will free you to enjoy Me and to find what I have planned for you to do.  This is far better than trying to make things go according to your own plan.

Don't take yourself so seriously.  Lighten up and laugh with Me.  You have Me on your side, so what are you worried about?  I can equip you to do absolutely anything, as long as it is My will.  The more difficult your day, the more I yearn to help you.  Anxiety wraps you up in yourself, trapping you in your own thoughts.  When you look to Me and whisper My Name, you break free and receive My help.  Focus on Me, and you will find Peace in My Presence.

"Jesus Calling - Finding Peace In His Presence"

Conquered By Christ

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour,and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.  And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched, the hollow of his thigh and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him."       
                                                                                                                          Genesis  32:24, 25

     Jacob's night of wrestling, as recorded in Genesis 32, was a turning point in his life.  If we read the context we see that he is literally at "wit's-end corner."  Up until that time, by scheming and conniving he had craftily tried to direct his own future, but now he has finally come to the end of human devices.  God is seeking by these adverse events to take full control in his life.  The Man who wrestled with Jacob makes him realize what a poor, feeble creature he is by throwing his hip out of joint.  Jacob surrenders, seeks a blessing, and God takes over.

     J. H. McConkey once said to a physician friend of his,  "Doctor, what is the exact significance of God's touching Jacob upon the sinew of his thigh?"  The doctor replied,  "The sinew of the the thigh is the strongest in the human body.  A horse could scarcely tear it apart."  Ah, I see,"  said McConkey.  "God has to break us down at the strongest part of our self-life before He can have His own way of blessing with us."

     God is not looking for brilliant men; He is not dependent upon eloquent men; He is not even shut up to the use of talented men in sending His Gospel out to the world.  As the late Dr. Ironside has remarked, "God is looking for broken men, for men who have judged themselves in the light of the cross of Christ.  When He wants anything done, He takes up men who have come to an end of themselves and whose trust and confidence is not in themselves but in God."  If you will let God touch the strongest part of your "self-life" - the thing that is holding back His full blessing - you too will become a "prince" and a power with God.

"Bread For Each Day"

"My Cup Runneth Over"

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

               ". . . . . thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."  Psalm  23:5

     To fully appreciate the expression,  "My cup runneth over,"  one must understand the oriental way of showing hospitality.  When a generous host poured for his guests, he spared nothing.  No dainty, polite "half measures" would do.  He lavishly filled each vessel to overflowing to demonstrate his hearty friendship.  It is the Good Shepherd's unstinting love for us that is emphasized by the "flooded cup" of blessing.

     Sometimes the wells where shepherds brought their sheep were very deep.  The water then had to be brought up to the surface by a rope with a leather bucket at the end.  This was let down and drawn up hand over hand, by a slow, laborious process, and the water poured into large stone cups beside the well.  If the man had a hundred sheep, he might have to draw for two hours if he allowed the flock to drink all they wanted.  Here is where the hireling shepherd displayed his heartlessness.  As soon as a poor sheep had taken just a few mouthfuls of water he would push it aside in order to save himself work.  But the good shepherd has no such disposition.  He would draw and draw and fill the watering cups to overflowing until all his thirsty sheep were completely satisfied.  So, too, God's giving to us, His children, has always been  "good measure, pressed down, and running over."

     It is interesting to note that the overflowing cup was not provided until the sheep had first been anointed and refreshed with oil.  This is true also in the Christian's life.  There is never a constant stream of overflowing joy until the heart has been surrendered to Christ and anointed by the "oil" of the Holy Spirit.

     God does not make our cup run over simply to give us the selfish joy of superabundance, but more particularly that through us the blessing might overflow to others round about us.  Is your cup running over?  It can, you know!.

"Bread For Each Day"

LEARN TO LIVE...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

LEARN TO LIVE above your circumstances.  This requires focused time with Me, the One who overcame the world.  Trouble and distress are woven into the very fabric of this perishing world.  Only My Life in you can empower you to face this endless flow of problems with good cheer.

As you sit quietly in My Presence, I shine Peace into your troubled mind and heart.  Little by little, you are freed from earthly shackles and lifted up above your circumstances.  You gain My perspective on your life, enabling you to distinguish between what is important and what is not.  Rest in My Presence, receiving Joy that no one can take away from you.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

He May Come Today!

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                            "Be ye therefore ready also."  Luke  12:40

     The surest thing in all the world is the return of Jesus Christ to take His own unto Himself.  The time of His coming is not made known so that we may be constantly looking for Him.  The consciousness of His  "any moment return" is the greatest incentive for holiness, evangelism, revival, and soul-winning.  If you knew Jesus would come today - what would you do?  He may come today!  He is coming some day!

     A gentleman visiting a certain school gave out the information that he would give a prize to the pupil whose desk he found in the best order when he returned.  "But when will you return?" some of them asked.  "That I cannot tell,"  was the answer.  A little girl, who had been noted for her disorderly habits, announced that she meant to win the prize.  "You!"  her schoolmates jeered;  "why your desk is always out of order."  "Oh! but I mean to clean it the first of every week."  "But suppose he should come at the end of the week?" someone asked.  "Then I will clean it every morning."  "But he may come at the end of the day."  For a moment the little girl was silent.  "I know what I'll do,"  she said decidedly;  "I'll just keep it clean."  So it must be with the Lord's servants who would be ready to receive the prize of His coming.  It may be at midnight, at cock-crowing, or in the morning.  The exhortation is not  "Get ye ready,"  but "BE ye ready!"

"Bread For Each Day"

The "Healing" Word

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                              "He sent his word, and healed them. . . ."   Psalm  107:20

     A Christian in the line of duty was once called upon to visit a man in an asylum who had severe mental hallucinations.  Recalling the story in 1 Samuel 16, how David calmed Saul in his demented moments by singing one of his precious, inspired songs to him, and conscious too of the power of the Bible upon his own soul, he decided to read from the Psalms to this one who was mentally tormented.  He found that the Word of God had a soothing and "healing" effect upon the poor fellow.  He therefore returned many times to the asylum to perform this spiritual labor of love - almost invariably with happy results. One day the superintendent, and unconverted man, said,  "Your treatment may be good, but it does no always succeed." "What makes you say that?"  asked the Christian.  "Well,"  said the other,  "in desperation last night I tried to calm the patient by your method, when he was in one of his perturbed and frantic moods, and my efforts failed completely."  The Christian was surprised.  "What portion did you read to him?"  he asked.  "Oh, I just began at the front - all about a most high and mighty king named James . . . !"  Apparently in his ignorance the attendant had read the preface to the King James Bible, which of course was not inspired. No wonder it had no effect!  Only the life-giving Word of God has attached to it the immutable promise:  "It shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please"  (Isaiah  55:11).  No one can read the Scripture and remain unmoved!  The Bible's influence cannot be shaken off.  Every time it comes in contact with us it either increases our doom or draws us graciously toward Heaven!

     What effect does the Bible have upon you?

"Bread For Each Day"

YOU ARE MINE FOR ALL TIME...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

YOU ARE MINE FOR ALL TIME - and beyond time, into eternity.  No power can deny you your inheritance in heaven.  I want you to realize how utterly secure you are!  Even if you falter as you journey through life, I will never let go of your hand.

Knowing that your future is absolutely assured can free you to live abundantly today.  I have prepared this day for you with the most tender concern and attention to detail.  Instead of approaching the day as a blank page that you need to fill up, try living it in a responsive mode:  being on the lookout for all that I am doing.  This sounds easy, but it requires a deep level of trust, based on the knowledge that My way is perfect.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Taste And See

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                  "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good."  Psalm  34:8

     An old proverb goes:  "The proof of the pudding is in the eating thereof."  This is in perfect harmony with the teaching of the Scripture.  Only those who have personally experienced the new birth and have received Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior can talk with any authority about the reality of redemption. To all others the Gospel and the preaching of the cross is foolishness  (1 Corinthians  1:18).

     The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, neither can he receive them until spiritually enlightened.  Most the critics of the Bible have never read the Bible once, and yet they set themselves up as judges of things about which they know nothing.

     An infidel was lecturing one day on the unreasonableness of salvation just by believing on Jesus.  He then invited anyone with a question to come to the platform.  Immediately a man, who before his conversion had been a notorious drunkard in the town, stepped up.  Without asking a question he coolly and quietly peeled an orange and slowly began to eat it.  The exasperated infidel lecturer thundered out,  "Man, stop your acting foolish and tell me your question!"  The man finished his orange and looking him straight in the eye said,  "Tell me, was this orange sweet or sour?"  "How should I know?"  said the infidel.  "I never tasted it."  "Then stop criticizing the Gospel until you too have tasted it.  I have tasted it and know that it is the power of God which is able to transform a Hell-bound drunkard into a saint."  And pointing to his town's folk he concluded,  "And those can testify what it has done for me.  Don't find fault with something you never tasted.  Meeting adjourned!"

"Bread For Each Day"

SAVE YOUR BEST STRIVING FOR SEEKING MY FACE.

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

SAVE YOUR BEST STRIVING FOR SEEKING MY FACE.  I am constantly communicating with you. To find Me and hear My voice, you must seek Me above all else.  Anything that you desire more than Me becomes an idol.  When you are determined to get your own way, you blot Me out of your consciousness. Instead of single-mindedly pursuing some goal, talk with Me about it.  Let the Light of My Presence shine on this pursuit, so that you can see it from My perspective.  If the goal fits into My plans for you, I will help you reach it.  If it is contrary to My will for you, I will gradually change the desire of your heart.  Seek Me first and foremost; then the rest of your life will fall into place, piece by piece.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Ebenezer Comfort

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."  1 Samuel 7:12

     The stone which Samuel erected and which he called "Ebenezer" was a memorial to God's help and faithfulness.  We too as Christians must not fail to remember God's benefits, for there is blessed comfort in taking spiritual inventory.  As we look back over our lives, we recognize that God always came to our rescue no matter how serious the crisis we faced.  It is true that often we did not understand His leading at the time, but in the end we found His way was best.  What comfort and assurance this gives us for the future!

     The late Dr. James M. Gray often related how when he was convalescing from a long illness it was suggested to him that he should plan a visit to the British provinces.  This his doctors thought might bring the change of scenery and relaxation which he sorely needed.  The arrangements were all laboriously made when suddenly, quite unexpectedly, another malady struck him and once again confined him to his bed.  Dr. Gray was greatly disappointed and wondered what God could want of him by continually confining him to a sickroom.  Soon he received a wonderful answer to his doubtful questioning.  Some mornings later, upon picking up the newspaper, he read an account which related the tragic news that the steamer on which he would have sailed had struck a reef upon entering St. John's harbor, and had sunk almost instantly!  The Lord who had helped him in the past had once again perfectly directed his way and protected him from death.

     Christian, as you look back upon God's gracious leading in the past, you too should face the future confidently; for the God who cared for you then is still your divine Protector today.  This is your "Ebenezer comfort."

"Bread For Each Day"

REFUSE TO WORRY!

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

REFUSE TO WORRY!  In this world there will always be something enticing you to worry.  That is the nature of a fallen, fractured world:  Things are not as they should be.  So the temptation to be anxious is constantly with you, trying to worm its way into your mind.  The best defense is continual communication with Me, richly seasoned with thanksgiving.  Awareness of My Presence fills your mind with Light and Peace, leaving no room for fear.  This awareness lifts you to see problems from My perspective.  Live close to Me!  Together we can keep the wolves of worry at bay.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

New Brooms

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

             ". . . here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin."  Luke 19:20

     This unfaithful servant had certainly been "faithful (?)" in watching over his pound.  He had carefully wrapped the precious gift in a clean cloth and placed it in a safe place.  But the pound had been given to him to invest and make additional pounds for the donor.  It was not to be merely preserved, but used as well. The pound represents the gift of salvation, and is given to us to use, not to hide.  Yet, how many prize their salvation for themselves, but never use it to help others.  Our salvation must be utilized, our faith must work. We must not spare it but set it to work.  It reminds one of the silly proverb,  "A new broom sweeps clean." But this is utterly ridiculous, for a new broom never sweeps at all.  How then can they sweep clean?  The moment you sweep with a broom it is not new any more - it is secondhand.  You will never get your house clean by putting a plastic bag over it and then setting it in a corner.

     May I compare your conversion experience with a broom.  God did not save you just to save you.  He saved you to be used in His service and to share your experience.  God gave you your mouth, your hands, your feet, to bring the precious gift to others.  Keeping it to yourself will stunt you and deprive others of the blessing.  You can be so enamored with a new tool that you hesitate to use it.  A woman may be so pleased with her new dress she hesitates to wear it for fear for damaging it.  The Bible says,  "Whosoever will save his life, shall lose it."  What does this mean?  To be concerned with your own comfort and ease is to lose the very essence of life - service to others.

     NO!  A new broom does not sweep clean - it will even get dirty by standing in the corner.  What gifts has God given you?  Use them, brother and sister!  Use them today - or lose them!

"Bread For Each Day"

"Man, Do You Pray?"

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety."  Psalm 4:8

     The verse has been called David's  "Now I Lay Me," because there is little doubt but that this was an  "evening prayer."  Americans take over six tons of aspirins and sleeping pills each night in an attempt to get some rest.  Yet, how much better not only to sleep, but to do so  "peacefully"  because we know our Heavenly Father is watching over us and tenderly guarding our soul!

     Many years ago Robert Morrison, the famous missionary, was anticipating leaving for China.  While still in New York, however, he was taken seriously ill and could not take passage.  A good friend invited him to his home so that he might take care of him.  He decided to let the missionary rest in his own bed.  In the same room was a little child sound asleep in her own seven-year crib.  He decided to leave her there and not awaken her.  Not long after Missionary Morrison had crawled under the sheets, the little girl across the room opened her eyes.  She looked at the bed where she expected to see her father, but he was not there.  She was alarmed to see a strange man in his place.  Who was he?  Where was her father?  In a frightened little voice she asked,  "Man, do you pray to God?"  Mr. Morrison was touched and calmly answered,   "Yes, my dear, I pray God every day.  He is my best Friend."  That answer took the fear out of the child.  She smiled and in a few moments was again sound asleep.  After his recovery from the serious illness the missionary went on to China where he preached the unsearchable riches of Christ.  There, however, he was often in great danger, but no matter how great the difficulties and hardships, he was always able to lie down at night and sleep peacefully.  Secure in the care of his Lord, he often thought of the experience he had had in the home of his friend in New York.  He never forgot the lesson the child had taught him.  What is your answer to the little girl's question:  "Man, do you pray?"

"Bread For Each Day"

I LOVE YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

I LOVE YOU FOR WHO ARE YOU, not for what you do.  Many voices vie for control of your mind, especially when you sit in silence.  You must learn to discern what is My voice and what is not.  Ask My Spirit to give you this discernment.  Many of My children run around in circles, trying to obey the various voices directing their lives.  This results in fragmented, frustrating patterns of living.  Do not fall into this trap. Walk closely with me each moment, listening for My directives and enjoying My Companionship.  Refuse to let other voices tie you up in knots.  My sheep know My voice and follow Me wherever I lead.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

No Shoes

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians 4:31

           ". . . How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel."  Romans  10:15

     Have you ever noticed your pastor's feet?  If he is a God-sent minister you should take a good look at his feet.  People notice the pastor's features, his suit, or tie, or haircut, but if you have overlooked his feet you have missed something important.  No matter how homely or unattractive the preach may be - God says his feet are beautiful.  He says it three times (Isaiah 5:27; Nahum 1:15; Romans 10:15).

     When Jesus sent forth His disciples He said,  "Take no shoes,"  (Matthew 10:10).  Instead they were to wear "sandals"  (Mark 6:9).  Why sandals instead of shoes?  There are several reasons.

     1.  Shoes "hide" the feet.  Sandals reveal the feet, for they consist of little more than a sole held to the foot by a strap.  The preacher must be known as a man who uses his feet as well as his mouth.
     2.  Sandals were for servants.  The noblemen wore ornate shoes - the slaves went barefooted - but servants wore sandals.  The preacher is God's servant.
     3.  Sandals can be quickly removed.  In the presence of God, we must come barefooted as unworthy slaves.  Moses was commanded to take off his shoes (Exodus  3:5).  See also Joshua 5:15 and Ruth 4:7,8.  It was an acknowledgment of unworthiness.
     4.  Sandals can be slipped on in a moment.  They need no buttoning or lacing.  They speak of readiness to obey immediately God's command.  Ready to take off the sandals for revelation alone with God - Ready for the road, to carry the revelation to others?  Ready for either - take no shoes - be shod with sandals.

     Today take a good look at your pastor's feet.  He may not be all you want him to be - but look at his beautiful feet.

"Bread For Each Day"

I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE.....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE; all lasting Life emanates from Me.  People search for life in many wrong ways: chasing after fleeting pleasures, accumulating possessions and wealth, trying to deny the inevitable effects of aging.  Meanwhile, I freely offer abundant Life to everyone who turns toward Me.  As you come to me and take My yoke upon you, I fill you with My very Life.  This is how I choose to live in the world and accomplish My purposes.  This is also how I bless you with Joy unspeakable and full of Glory.  The Joy is Mine, and the Glory is Mine; but I bestow them on you as you live in My Presence, inviting Me to live fully in you.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"