Foursquare Gospel Church Igbosere (Chapel of Blessing)

OUR DAILY BREAD  February 4, Sunday  IT  IS AMAZING! Dave Branon Let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.  Psalm 72:19 nkjv Revelation 21:1–3, 10–11, 23 Bible in a year:  Exodus 34–35; Matthew 22:23–46 In our natural state, we all fall short of  it  (Romans 3:23). Jesus was the radiance of  it  (Hebrews 1:3), and those who knew Him saw  it (John 1:14). In the Old Testament,  it  filled the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34–35), and the Israelites were led by  it . And we are promised that at the end of time, heaven will shine with  it  in splendor so great there will be no need for the sun (Revelation 21:23). What is the “it” in all those statements above? “It” is  the glory of God . And He is amazing! Throughout the Bible we are told that we can enjoy glimpses of God’s magnificent glory as we dwell on this earth He has ...

OUR DAILY BREAD February 3, Saturday HOW TO CHANGE A LIFE Monica Brands Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  Proverbs 16:24 Proverbs 15:4; 16:24; 18:21 Bible in a year: Exodus 31–33; Matthew 22:1–22 Sometimes our lives can change in a moment through the powerful impact of others. For rock ’n’ roll legend Bruce Springsteen, it was the work of musical artists that helped him through a difficult childhood and a persistent struggle with depression. He found meaning in his own work through the truth he’d experienced firsthand, that “You can change someone’s life in three minutes with the right song.” Like a compelling song, others’ well-chosen words can also give us hope, even change the course of our lives. I’m sure most of us could share stories of a conversation that forever impacted our lives—words from a teacher that changed the way we saw the world, words of encou...

OUR DAILY BREAD February 2. Friday STEPPING4 INTO OPPORTUNITY Adam Holz Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Colossians 4:5 Colossians 4:2–6 Bible in a year: Exodus 29–30; Matthew 21:23–46 Like lots of people, I struggle to get enough exercise. So I recently got something to motivate myself to move: a pedometer that counts steps. It’s a simple thinrrg. But it’s amazing how much difference this gadget makes in my motivation. Instead of grumbling when I have to get off the couch, I see it as an opportunity to get a few more steps. Mundane tasks, like getting one of my kids a cup of water, become opportunities that help me work toward a larger goal. In that sense, my pedometer has changed my perspective  and  my motivation. Now I look to get extra steps in whenever possible. I wonder if our Christian life isn’t a bit like that. There are opportunities to love and serve and interact with...

OUR DAILY BREAD February 1, Thursday NATIONAL TREASURE Mart DeHaan Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Matthew 21:9 Matthew 21:12–16 Bible in a year : Exodus 27–28; Matthew 21:1–22 When an advertiser altered a photo of Michelangelo’s famous marble sculpture of the biblical hero David, Italy’s government and gallery officials objected. Picturing David with a military rifle slung over his shoulder (instead of his slingshot) would be a violation—“like taking a hammer to it or worse,” a cultural official said. In first-century Jerusalem, David was remembered as the shepherd-songwriter and soldier-king of Israel’s fondest memories and greatest hopes. Prophets foretold that David’s descendant would finally defeat the enemies of Israel. So, centuries later, when crowds welcomed Jesus as  the Son of David  (Matthew 21:6–9), they were expecting Him to lead the revol...

OUR DAILY BREAD January 31, Wednesday WHITE AS SNOW Keila Ochoa Though yours sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.  Isaiah 1:18 Isaiah 1:16–20 Bible in a year: Exodus 25–26; Matthew 20:17–34 Last December, my family and I went to the mountains. We had lived in a tropical climate all our lives, so it was the first time we could see snow in all its magnificence. As we contemplated the white mantle covering the fields, my husband quoted Isaiah, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). After asking about the meaning of scarlet, our three-year-old daughter asked, “Is the color red bad?” She knows sins are things God dislikes, but this verse is not talking about colors. The prophet was describing the bright red dye obtained from the eggs of a small insect. Clothes would be double-dyed in this bright red so the color became fixed. Neither rain nor washing would remove it. Sin ...

OUR DAILY BREAD January 30, Tuesday Able and Available Xochitl Dixon God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1 Psalm 46 Bible in a year: Exodus 23–24; Matthew 20:1–16 My husband was at work when I received news about my mom’s cancer diagnosis. I left him a message and reached out to friends and family. None were available. Covering my face with trembling hands, I sobbed. “Help me, Lord.” A resulting assurance that God was with me comforted me through those moments when I felt utterly alone. I thanked the Lord when my husband came home and support from friends and family trickled in. Still, the calming awareness of God’s presence I sensed in those first few hours of lonely grieving affirmed that God is readily and faithfully available wherever and whenever I need help. In Psalm 46, the psalmist proclaims God is our sanctuary, strength, and steadfast supporter (v. 1). When it feels as if we’re surro...

OUR DAILY BREAD January 29, Monday LIKE A LITTLE CHILD David C. McCasland Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 18:3 Matthew 18:1–5; 19:13–14 Bible in a year : Exodus 21–22; Matthew 19 One evening many years ago, after saying a goodnight prayer with our two-year-old daughter, my wife was surprised by a question. “Mommy, where is Jesus?” Luann replied, “Jesus is in heaven and He’s everywhere, right here with us. And He can be in your heart if you ask Him to come in.” “I want Jesus to be in my heart.” “One of these days you can ask Him.” “I want to ask Him to be in my heart  now .” So our little girl said, “Jesus, please come into my heart and be with me.” And that started her faith journey with Him. When Jesus’s disciples asked Him who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, He called a little chi...