Foursquare Gospel Church Igbosere (Chapel of Blessing)

OUR DAILY BREAD August 2, Sunday KIND CORRECTION Arthur Jackson Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death.  James 5:20 James 5:19–20 Psalms 60–62; Romans 5 The early spring weather was refreshing and my traveling companion, my wife, couldn’t have been better. But the beauty of those moments together could have quickly morphed into tragedy if it weren’t for a red and white warning sign that informed me I was headed in the wrong direction. Because I hadn’t turned wide enough, I momentarily saw a “Do Not Enter” sign staring me in the face. I quickly adjusted, but shudder to think of the harm I could have brought to my wife, myself, and others if I’d ignored the sign that reminded me I was going the wrong way. The closing words of James emphasize the importance of correction. Who among us hasn’t needed to be “brought back” by those who care for us from paths or actions, decisions or desires that could’ve been hurtful? Who knows what har...

OUR DAILY BREAD August 1, Saturday A DIVINE DUET Jennifer Benson Schuldt If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.  John 15:5 John 15:1–11 Psalms 57–59; Romans 4 At a children’s music recital, I watched a teacher and student seat themselves in front of a piano. Before their duet began, the teacher leaned over and whispered some last-minute instructions. As music flowed from the instrument, I noticed that the student played a simple melody while the teacher’s accompaniment added depth and richness to the song. Near the end of the piece, the teacher nodded his approval. Our life in Jesus is much more like a duet than a solo performance. Sometimes, though, I forget that He’s “sitting next to me,” and it’s only by His power and guidance that I can “play” at all. I try to hit all the right notes on my own—to obey God in my own strength, but this usually ends up seeming fake and hollow. I try to handle problems with my limited ability, but the result is often ...

OUR DAILY BREAD July 31, Friday SHINING LIGHT PATRICIA RAYBON Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16 Matthew 5:13–16 Psalms 54–56; Romans 3 I felt nervous about a five-week prayer class I agreed to teach at a local church.  Would the students like it? Would they like me?  My anxiety was ill-focused, leading me to over-prepare lesson plans, presentation slides, and class handouts. Yet with a week to go, I still hadn’t encouraged many people to attend. In prayer, however, I was reminded that the class was a service that shined light on God. Because the Holy Spirit would use the class to point people to our heavenly Father, I could set aside my nervousness about public speaking. When Jesus taught His disciples in His Sermon on the Mount, He told them, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put ...

OUR DAILY BREAD July 30, Thursday TOUCH THE NEEDY Estera Pirosca Escobar He put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.  Luke 13:13 Luke 13:10–17 Psalms 51–53; Romans 2 It wasn’t surprising when Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize. True to form, she received the award “in the name of the hungry, of the naked, of the homeless, of the blind, of the lepers, of all those who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society.” Those were the people she ministered to for most of her life. Jesus modeled how to care for and love the marginalized, regardless of circumstances. Unlike the synagogue leaders who respected the Sabbath law more than the sick (Luke 13:14), when Jesus saw an ill woman at the temple, He was moved with compassion. He looked beyond the physical impairment and saw God’s beautiful creation in bondage. He called her to Him and said she was healed. Then He “put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised G...

OUR DAILY BREAD July 29, Wednesday GRACE OUTSIDE THE BOX Mike Wittmer Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the king’s sons.  2 Samuel 9:11 2 Samuel 9:1–7 Psalms 49–50; Romans 1 Tom worked for a law firm that advised Bob’s company. They became friends—until Tom embezzled thousands of dollars from the company. Bob was hurt and angry when he found out, but he received wise counsel from his vice president, a believer in Christ. The VP noticed Tom was deeply ashamed and repentant, and he advised Bob to drop the charges and hire Tom. “Pay him a modest salary so he can make restitution. You’ll never have a more grateful, loyal employee.” Bob did, and Tom was. Mephibosheth, grandson of King Saul, hadn’t done anything wrong, but he was in a tough spot when David became king. Most kings killed the royal bloodline. But David loved King Saul’s son Jonathan, and treated his surviving son as his own (see 2 Samuel 9:1–13). His grace won a friend for life. Mephibosheth marveled that he “d...

OUR DAILY BREAD July 28, Tuesday TRUSTING GOD IN TIMES OF SORROW Amy Boucher Pye I know whom I have believed.  2 Timothy 1:12 2 Timothy 1:6–12 Psalms 46–48; Acts 28 When a man known as “Papa John” learned he had terminal cancer, he and his wife, Carol, sensed God calling them to share their illness journey online. Believing that God would minister through their vulnerability, they posted their moments of joy  and  their sorrow and pain for two years. When Carol wrote that her husband “went into the outstretched arms of Jesus,” hundreds of people responded, with many thanking Carol for their openness. One person remarked that hearing about dying from a Christian point of view was healthy, for “we all have to die” someday. Another said that although she’d never met the couple personally, she couldn’t express how much encouragement she’d received through their witness of trusting God. Although Papa John sometimes felt excruciating pain, he and Carol shared their story so the...

OUR DAILY BREAD July 27, Monday CULTIVATING GOD’S WORLD Glenn Packiam The  Lord  God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.  Genesis 2:15 Genesis 1:26–27; 2:15 Psalms 43–45; Acts 27:27–44 “Dad, why do you have to go to work?” The question from my young daughter was motivated by her desire to play with me. I would have preferred to skip work and spend time with her, but there was a growing list of things at work that required my attention. The question, nevertheless, is a good one. Why  do  we work? Is it simply to provide for ourselves and for the people we love? What about labor that’s unpaid—why do we do that? Genesis 2 tells us that God placed the first human in the garden to “work it and take care of it” (v. 15). My father-in-law is a farmer, and he often tells me he farms for the sheer love of land and livestock. That’s beautiful, but it leaves lingering questions for those who don’t love their work. Why did God put u...