Dial Daily Bread

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread":

No one would dare to say that Jesus Christ is a Pessimist. His name is “‘Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us’” (Matt. 1:23). And “God is love” (1 John 4:8), the divine ultimate in holy Optimism. But Jesus has said some things that do not sound like immediate “good news.” Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 report on a sermon Jesus gave just before He was crucified. He tells of great “distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken” (Luke 21:25, 26). There are now numerous “first-evers” in tragedy.

 

How can we “eat, drink, and be merry” when many thousands of our fellow citizens “next door” are suffering anguish and the fear of death? Even the very water that inundates New Orleans is a brew of death. Is there anguish anywhere in the Third World as distressing? A great and famous city in America is ruined. “Our alabaster cities [should] gleam, Undimmed by human tears,” says the hymn, “O Beautiful for Spacious Skies.” But the combined wisdom and expertise of state and national governments seems perplexed about what to do.

 

In the violence and terror of New Orleans we see prefigured the world itself if and when the Holy Spirit is withdrawn. When the Father gave His only Son, He also gave us the Holy Spirit. He is the representative of Christ; He has been given to the world, to “convict the world of sin” (John 16:8). He will not abandon the world, but the world can abandon Him, reject and banish Him.

 

Let’s thank God for the life and security we have today, and dedicate our all to Him and His service. He has promised, “Not a hair of your head shall be lost” (Luke 21:18).

Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.

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Robert J. Wieland's inspirational "Dial Daily Bread" phone message is available via e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive a daily portion of uplifting Good News. "Dial Daily Bread" is FREE. Due to travel or other circumstances, there may be intervals when "Dial Daily Bread" will not be sent.