Foursquare Gospel Church Igbosere (Chapel of Blessing)

OUR DAILY BREAD February 25, Sunday OUR SURE FOUNDATION [The Lord] will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.  Isaiah 33:6 Isaiah 33:2–6 Bible in a year Numbers 12–14; Mark 5:21–43 For many years, people in our city built and bought homes in areas subject to landslides. Some knew about the risk of the unstable land, while others were not told. “Forty years of warnings from geologists and city regulations created to ensure safe homebuilding” were unexplained or ignored ( The Gazette,  Colorado Springs, April 27, 2016). The view from many of those homes was magnificent, but the ground beneath them was a disaster in the making. Many people in ancient Israel ignored the Lord’s warnings to turn from idols and seek Him, the true and living God. The Old Testament records the tragic results of their disobedience. Yet, with the world crumbling around them, the Lo...

OUR DAILY BREAD February 24, Saturday BLOOMING IN THE RIGHT SPOT So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David.  1 Samuel 20:16 1 Samuel 20:30–34 Bible in a year: Numbers 9–11; Mark 5:1–20 “A weed is any plant that grows where you don’t want it,” my father said, handing me the hoe. I wanted to leave the corn plant that had “volunteered” among the peas. But Dad, who had grown up on a farm, instructed me to pull it out. That lone cornstalk would do nothing but choke the peas and rob them of nutrients. Human beings aren’t plants—we have minds of our own and God-given free will. But sometimes we try to bloom where God doesn’t intend us to be. King Saul’s son, the warrior-prince Jonathan, could have done that. He had every reason to expect to be king. But he saw God’s blessing on David, and he recognized the envy and pride of his own father (1 Samuel 18:12–15). So rather than grasping for a throne that would never be his, Jonathan became David’s closest friend , even savin...

OUR DAILY BREAD February 23, Friday Mercy over Judgment Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom.  James 2:12 James 2:1–13 Bible in a year: Numbers 7–8; Mark 4:21–41 When my children were squabbling and came to me to tattle on one another, I took each child aside separately to hear their account of the problem. Since both were guilty, at the end of our chat I asked them each what they felt would be an appropriate, fair consequence for their sibling’s actions. Both suggested swift punishment for the other. To their surprise, I instead gave them each the consequence they had intended for their sibling. Suddenly, each child lamented how “unfair” the sentence seemed now that it was visited upon them—despite having deemed it appropriate when it was intended for the other. My kids had shown the kind of “judgment without mercy” that God warns against (James 2:13). James reminds us that inst...

OUR DAILY BREAD February 22, Thursday BUCKLING UP! Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.  Hebrews 4:16 Hebrews 4:11–16 Bible in a year: Numbers 4–6; Mark 4:1–20 “The captain has turned on the seat belt sign, indicating that we are entering an area of turbulence. Please return to your seats immediately and securely fasten your seat belt.” Flight attendants give that warning when necessary because in rough air, unbuckled passengers can be injured. Secured in their seats, they can safely ride out the turbulence. Most of the time, life doesn’t warn us of the unsettling experiences coming our way. But our loving Father knows and cares about our struggles, and He invites us to bring our cares, hurts, and fears to Him. The Scriptures tell us, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracio...

OUR DAILY BREAD February 21, Wednesday OF SPIDERS AND GOD’S PRESENCE I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.  Ephesians 3:16 Ephesians 3:14–19 Bible in a year: Numbers 1–3; Mark 3 Spiders . I don’t know any kid who likes them. At least not in their rooms . . . at bedtime. But as she was getting ready for bed, my daughter spied one dangerously close to her bed. “Daaaad!!!!! Spiiiderrr!!!!!” she hollered. Despite my determination, I couldn’t find the eight-legged interloper. “He’s not going to hurt you,” I reassured her. She wasn’t convinced. It wasn’t until I told her I’d stay next to her top bunk and stand guard that she agreed to get in bed. As my daughter settled in, I held her hand. I told her, “I love you so much. I’m right here. But you know what? God loves you even more than Daddy and Mommy. And He’s ver...

OUR DAILY BREAD February 20, Tuesday THE GREAT PHYSICIAN Remain in me, as I also remain in you.  John 15:4 Matthew 4:23–5:12 Bible in a year: Leviticus 26–27; Mark 2 When Dr. Rishi Manchanda asks his patients, “Where do you live?” he’s looking for more than an address. He has seen a pattern. Those who come to him for help often live in conditions of environmental stress. Molds, pests, and toxins are making them sick. So Dr. Manchanda has become an advocate of what he calls Upstream Doctors. These are health care workers who, while providing urgent medical care, are working with patients and communities to get to the source of better health. As Jesus healed those who came to Him (Matthew 4:23–24), He lifted their eyes beyond the need for urgent physical and material care. With His Sermon on the Mount He offered more than a medical miracle (5:1–12). Seven times Jesus described attitudes of mind and heart that reflect a well-being that ...

OUR DAILY BREAD February 19, Monday NOT ENOUGH ? Lisa Samra Do not forget to do good and to share with others.  Hebrews 13:16 2 Corinthians 9:10–15 Bible in a year: Leviticus 25; Mark 1:23–45 On the way home from church, my daughter sat in the backseat enjoying Goldfish crackers as my other children implored her to share. Trying to redirect the conversation, I asked the hoarder of snacks, “What did you do in class today?” She said they made a basket of bread and fish because a child gave Jesus five loaves and two fish that Jesus used to feed more than 5,000 people (John 6:1–13). “That was very kind of the little boy to share. Do you think maybe God is asking you to share your fish?” I asked. “No, Momma,” she replied. I tried to encourage her not to keep all the crackers to herself. She was unconvinced. “There is not enough for everyone!” Sharing is hard. It is easier to hold onto what we see in front o...