Foursquare Gospel Church Igbosere (Chapel of Blessing)

OUR DAILY BREAD March 7, Sunday PLEADING WITH GOD Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 3–4   Mark 10:32–52 I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures. . . . So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition. Daniel 9:2–3 Today's Scripture & Insight: Daniel 9:1–5, 17–19 A family’s prayer time ended with a surprising announcement one morning. As soon as Dad said, “Amen,” five-year-old Kaitlyn proclaimed, “And I prayed for Logan, because he had his eyes open during prayer.” I’m pretty sure praying for your ten-year-old brother’s prayer protocol isn’t what Scripture has in mind when it calls us to intercessory prayer, but at least Kaitlyn realized that we can pray for others. Bible teacher Oswald Chambers emphasized the importance of praying for someone else. He said that “intercession is putting yourself in God’s place; it is having His mind and perspective.” It’s praying for others in light of what we know about God and His love for us. We find a great example o...

OUR DAILY BREAD March 6, Saturday MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 1–2   Mark 10:1–31 Mind your own business and work with your hands. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 Today's Scripture & Insight: 1 Thessalonians 4:9–12 Years ago, my son Josh and I were making our way up a mountain trail when we spied a cloud of dust rising in the air. We crept forward and discovered a badger busy making a den in a dirt bank. He had his head and shoulders in the hole and was vigorously digging with his front paws and kicking the dirt out of the hole with his hind feet. He was so invested in his work he didn’t hear us. I couldn’t resist and prodded him from behind with a long stick lying nearby. I didn’t hurt the badger, but he leaped straight up in the air and turned toward us. Josh and I set new world records for the hundred-yard dash. I learned something from my brashness: Sometimes it’s best not to poke around in other people’s business. That’s especially true in relationships w...

OUR DAILY BREAD March 5, Friday WHO KNOWS? Bible in a Year: Numbers 34–36   Mark 9:30–50 When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Ecclesiastes 7:14 Today's Scripture & Insight: Ecclesiastes 6:12; 7:13–14 According to Chinese legend, when Sai Weng lost one of his prized horses, his neighbor expressed sorrow for his loss. But Sai Weng was unconcerned. He said, “Who knows if it may be a good thing for me?” Surprisingly, the lost horse returned home with another horse. As the neighbor congratulated him, Sai Weng said, “Who knows if it may be a bad thing for me?” As it turned out, his son broke his leg when he rode on the new horse. This seemed like a misfortune, until the army arrived at the village to recruit all able-bodied men to fight in the war. Because of the son’s injury, he wasn’t recruited, which ultimately could have spared him from death. This is the story behind the Chinese proverb which teaches tha...

OUR DAILY BREAD March 4, Thursday KNOWING THE FATHER Bible in a Year: Numbers 31–33   Mark 9:1–29 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9 Today's Scripture & Insight: John 14:8–11 According to legend, British conductor Sir Thomas Beecham once saw a distinguished-looking woman in a hotel foyer. Believing he knew her but unable to remember her name, he paused to talk with her. As the two chatted, he vaguely recollected that she had a brother. Hoping for a clue, he asked how her brother was doing and whether he was still working at the same job. “Oh, he’s very well,” she said, “And still  king .” A case of mistaken identity can be embarrassing, as it was for Sir Beecham. But at other times it may be more serious, as it was for Jesus’ disciple Philip. The disciple knew Christ, of course, but he hadn’t fully appreciated who He was. He wanted Jesus to “show [them] t...

OUR DAILY BREAD March 3, Wednesday PRESERVED Bible in a Year: Numbers 28–30   Mark 8:22–38 The Lord himself goes before you. Deuteronomy 31:8 Today's Scripture & Insight: Deuteronomy 31:1–8 While I was clearing out the garden in preparation for spring planting, I pulled up a large clump of winter weeds . . . and leapt into the air! A venomous copperhead snake lay hidden in the undergrowth just below my hand—an inch lower and I would have grabbed it by mistake. I saw its colorful markings as soon as I lifted the clump; the rest of it was coiled in the weeds between my feet. When my feet hit the ground a few feet away, I thanked God I hadn’t been bitten. And I wondered how many other times He had kept me from dangers I never knew were there. God watches over His people. Moses told the Israelites as they prepared to enter the promised land, “The  Lord  himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be ...

OUR DAILY BREAD March 2,  Tuesday SAFE AND STILL Bible in a Year: Numbers 26–27   Mark 8:1–21 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 Today's Scripture & Insight: Psalm 91 As a full-of-energy preschooler, my son Xavier avoided afternoon quiet time. Being still often resulted in an unwanted, though much-needed, nap. So, he’d wiggle in his seat, slide off the sofa, scoot across the hardwood floor, and even roll across the room to evade the quiet. “Mom, I’m hungry . . . I’m thirsty . . . I have to go to the bathroom . . . I want a hug.” Understanding the benefits of stillness, I’d help Xavier settle down by inviting him to snuggle. Leaning into my side, he’d give in to sleep. Early in my spiritual life, I mirrored my son’s desire to remain active. Busyness made me feel accepted, important, and in control, while noise distracted me from fretting over my shortcomings and trials. Surrendering to rest only affirmed my fra...

OUR DAILY BREAD March 1, Monday NEVER GIVE UP Bible in a Year: Numbers 23–25   Mark 7:14–37 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips. Joshua 1:8 Today's Scripture & Insight: Joshua 1:1–9 “Time went by. War came in.” That’s how Bishop Semi Nigo of the Keliko people of South Sudan described delays in his church’s long struggle to get the Bible in their own language. Not one word, in fact, had ever been printed in the Keliko language. Decades earlier, Bishop Nigo’s grandfather had courageously started a Bible translation project, but war and unrest kept halting the effort. Yet, despite repeated attacks on their refugee camps in northern Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the bishop and fellow believers kept the project alive. Their persistence paid off. After nearly three decades, the New Testament Bible in Keliko was delivered to the refugees in a rousing celebration. “The motivation of the Keliko is beyond words,” said one project consultant. The commitment of...