Foursquare Gospel Church Igbosere (Chapel of Blessing)

OUR DAILY BREAD June 2, Sunday IN GOD’S IMAGE Patricia Raybon God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:27 Genesis 1:26–31 2 Chronicles 17–18; John 13:1–20 When her beautiful brown skin started losing its color, a young woman felt frightened, as if she were disappearing or losing her “self.” With heavy makeup, she covered up “my spots,” as she called them—patches of lighter skin caused by a condition called vitiligo. It’s a loss of skin pigment, melanin, which gives skin its tone. Then one day, she asked herself: Why hide? Relying on God’s strength to accept herself, she stopped wearing heavy makeup. Soon she began gaining attention for her self-confidence. Eventually she became the first spokesmodel with vitiligo for a global cosmetics brand. “It’s such a blessing,” she told a TV news host, adding that her fait...

OUR DAILY BREAD June 1, Saturday OBJECTS in MIRROR Adam Holz I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:14 Philippians 3:7–14 2 Chronicles 15–16; John 12:27–50 “Must. Go. Faster.” That’s what Dr. Ian Malcolm, played by Jeff Goldblum, says in an iconic scene from the 1993 movie  Jurassic Park  as he and two other characters flee in a Jeep from a rampaging tyrannosaurus. When the driver looks in the rearview mirror, he sees the raging reptile’s jaw—right above the words: “OBJECTS IN MIRROR MAY BE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR.” The scene is a masterful combination of intensity and grim humor. But sometimes the “monsters” from our past feel like they’ll never stop pursuing us. We look in the “mirror” of our lives and see mistakes looming right there, threatening to consume us with guilt or shame. The apostle Paul understood the past’s potentially paralyzing power. He’d spent years trying to li...

OUR DAILY BREAD May 31, Friday HERE FOR YOU Kirsten Holmberg I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.  Deuteronomy 15:11 Deuteronomy 15:7–11 2 Chronicles 13–14; John 12:1–26 On the outskirts of Paris, as in other cities around the globe, people are coming to the aid of the homeless in their communities. Clothing, covered in waterproof bags, is hung on designated fences for those living on the streets to take according to their needs. The bags are labeled, “I’m not lost; I’m for you if you’re cold.” The effort not only warms those without shelter, but also teaches those in the community the importance of assisting the needy among them. The Bible highlights the importance of caring for those who are poor, instructing us to be “openhanded” toward them (Deuteronomy 15:11). We might be tempted to avert our eyes to the plight of the poor, holding tightly to our ...

OUR DAILY BREAD May 30, Thursday FEARLESS LOVE Xochitl Dixon We love because he first loved us.  1 John 4:19 1 John 4:7–12 2 Chronicles 10–12; John 11:30–57 For years I wore a shield of fear to protect my heart. It became an excuse to avoid trying new things, following my dreams, and obeying God. But fear of loss, heartache, and rejection hindered me from developing loving relationships with God and others. Fear made me an insecure, anxious, and jealous wife, and an overprotective, worrying mother. As I continue learning how much God loves me, however, He’s changing the way I relate to Him and to others. Because I know God will care for me, I feel more secure and willing to place the needs of others before mine. God is love (1 John 4:7–8). Christ’s death on the cross—the ultimate demonstration of love—displays the depth of His passion for us (vv. 9–10). Because God loves us and lives in us, we can love others bas...

OUR DAILY BREAD May 29, Wednesday THE  EMPTY  BED Dave Branon Go and make disciples of all nations.  Matthew 28:19 Matthew 28:16–20 2 Chronicles 7–9; John 11:1–29 I was eager to return to St. James Infirmary in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and reconnect with Rendell, who two years earlier had learned about Jesus’s love for him. Evie, a teenager in the high school choir I travel with each spring, had read Scripture with Rendell and explained the gospel, and he personally received Jesus as his Savior. When I entered the men’s section of the home and looked toward Rendell’s bed, however, I found it was empty. I went to the nurse’s station, and was told what I didn’t want to hear. He had passed away—just five days before we arrived. Through tears, I texted Evie the sad news. Her response was simple: “Rendell is celebrating with Jesus.” Later she said, “It’s a good thing we told him about Jesus when we did.” Her words reminded me of the importance of being ready to loving...

OUR DAILY BREAD May 28, Tuesday NEVER ALONE Patricia Raybon He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.  John 14:16–17 John 14:15–18 2 Chronicles 4–6; John 10:24–42 While writing a Bible guide for pastors in Indonesia, a writer friend grew fascinated with that nation’s culture of togetherness. Called  gotong royong —meaning “mutual assistance”—the concept is practiced in villages, where neighbors may work together to repair someone’s roof or rebuild a bridge or path. In cities too my friend said, “People always go places with someone else—to a doctor’s appointment, for example. It’s the cultural norm. So you’re never alone.” Worldwide, believers in Jesus rejoice in knowing we also are never alone. Our constant and forever companion is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Far more than a loyal friend, the Spirit of God is given to every follower of Christ by our heavenly Father to “help you and be with you fo...

OUR DAILY BREAD May 27, Monday A LIVING MEMORIAL OF KINDNESS John Blase David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?”  2 Samuel 9:1 2 Samuel 9:1–7 2 Chronicles 1–3; John 10:1–23 I grew up in a church full of traditions. One came into play when a beloved family member or friend died. Often a church pew or possibly a painting in a hallway showed up not long afterward with a brass plate affixed: “ In Memory of . . .” The deceased’s name would be etched there, a shining reminder of a life passed on. I always appreciated those memorials. And I still do. Yet at the same time they’ve always given me pause because they are static, inanimate objects, in a very literal sense something “not alive.” Is there a way to add an element of “life” to the memorial? Following the death of his beloved friend Jonathan, David wanted to remember him and ...