Twisting in the Wind of Public Exposure

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

If King David were writing his Psalm 51 today, instead of praying, "Lord, blot out all mine iniquities," he would pray, "Lord, erase all those video and audio TV and Internet clips! Please blot out all the newspaper and magazine reports so I can go down in history with a clean moral record!" But God is not a magician--even He cannot erase electronic media, or at least, He won't. And although David prayed, "Blot out all my iniquities," the fact is that the full sordid record of his sin of adultery and cover-up crime of murder is printed there in the Bible for billions of people to read in all ages since, even for children to see. King David has been twisting in the wind of public exposure ever since.

Didn't God answer his prayer?

It depends on what he meant when he prayed. If he wanted only a divine cover-up so he could be spared the embarrassment, the answer is No. But fortunately, what David really wanted was something better: he craved a clean heart. He was willing to take any punishment, even endure the horror of hell, if only he could be "washed thoroughly" from sin itself. "Deliver me from blood-guiltiness," he begged. Like the famous Prodigal Son, he was tired of wallowing in guilt-filth with the pigs. He wanted a clean conscience, let the record or the consequences be as they may. Don't abandon me alone in outer darkness forever, "take not Thy Holy Spirit from me," he prayed in verse 11.

In full, open, voluntary confession (not forced by evidence!) he found what he was praying for: "I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin" (Psalm 32:5). And then he adds in verse 6 the Good News that every sinner longs for: "the floods of great waters" will not drown the repentant sinner. "He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about" (vs. 10).

If you know anything about what it feels like to be a sinner, you'll rejoice at that Good News!

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: September 25, 1998.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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Time for Thinking to Become Mature

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Most of us have lived our lives serenely unaware of the great cosmic war raging unabated just this side of the threshold of "the door in heaven" (Rev. 4:1). Some like to speak of it as the "great controversy between good and evil," but it is far more than that: it's a battle between two great personalities--Christ and Satan. And more is involved than even this little planet's destiny; ultimately, according to the book of Job, the fate of the universe itself has been involved. Our little planet has become the battleground arena on which these cosmic issues are to be decided.

Little children whose diet is only milk can rest content that "Jesus has won the victory! Relax! Let Him handle the problems!" And indeed, on His cross He won the decisive victory over Satan and his evil hosts. "Rejoice, it's all been done! Smile! The war's over!"

But wait a moment. What does the unfallen universe (that must be rendered secure for all eternity), what do they see as they watch their version of the evening news on the equivalent of TV that they have? (Don't kid yourself--they've got better communication than we have, and yes, they ARE interested!). Do they see the fulfillment of, "He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth"? Do they see that "He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder"? And "burneth the chariot in the fire"? (Psalm 46:9). Yes, they have seen the flaming wrecks of Humvees in the Middle East; but anyone (human or celestial) with open eyes can see that Christ is not yet SEEN to be triumphant on planet earth, however triumphant He is in biblical pages. Too much suffering, too many dying unjustly, too much triumph of sin; not yet has the "earth" been "lightened with His glory," that is, the glory of the fourth angel who "comes down from heaven having great power" (Rev. 18:1-4).

A child can't comprehend the burdens of her father who must provide for the family against great odds; she just rests in the arms of her daddy. But the church can't "rest" there as a "saved" infant forever; she must "grow up unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13). The theme of Ephesians is love (agape), which is beyond childhood; we have to learn something. It's our cross. Agape leads to "the marriage of the Lamb." It's time for our thinking to become mature.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 5, 2004.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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Exhilaration at the "End of the Race"?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

It happened so fast there wasn't a moment to prepare. It was in Nairobi, Kenya. A group of us missionaries was gathered for some committee meeting. It was Sabbath afternoon. We were staying at the home of Hubert Stevenson. For some reason the others were out in the backyard and I was alone in the house. I heard them shouting excitedly and I rushed to the back door, stepped outside to see what was happening. There it was--an African Black Mamba was heading straight for me, its head held high for attack!

Hubert yelled at me to grab a club he had behind his back door, which I did. Instinctively I knew it was one or the other of us: either that deadly poisonous snake or I was going to die. Any one of the other men was physically better qualified for such a fight, but this time it was me not them (there was no time to pray, incidentally). I must have had a rush of adrenalin, for I flailed at that serpent with every ounce of energy the adrenalin inspired. I beat it ferociously on the head, and wonder of wonders, I killed it! (And it was big!)

I think I have never known the flooding sense of exhilaration that came over me. Not only had I killed a poisonous serpent; I had killed one that was intent on killing me. For days I walked on cloud nine. Had I touched upon some primeval instinct? It was in the Garden of Eden that the Lord God had addressed "the serpent" who had "beguiled" Eve: "I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head" (Gen 3:15). I had "bruised the head" of a literal serpent. Jesus knew an infinitely more grand sense of exhilaration when on His cross He drew His last breath and cried out, "It is finished!" He had trampled on the head of the great cosmic Enemy of man and God. He had been triumphant to His last breath. Could He have died at last in ecstasy?

Do you suppose that Joseph knew that sense of exhilaration as he trampled on the head of Satan when Potiphar's wife seductively allured him and he yelled a triumphant "No!" and fled? The Egyptian prison was for him like the Holiday Inn. Could young David have known it when he slew the giant Goliath, who had challenged the God of Israel? Could Paul have known it when the executioner bade him lay his head on the block and the apostle knew "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7)? Exhilaration at death? Yes! At the end of the race.

But you and I will know this exhilaration now as we deny self and follow after Jesus, and "take up [our] cross daily" (Luke 9:23). We don't have to wait until the end to enjoy victory.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 14, 2004.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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What Has Kept God Busy Since Creation?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

There have been no new worlds or planets created in the universe since God kept that first Sabbath. "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them," says Genesis 2:1. What has kept God busy since then? The answer: a work of reconciling heaven and earth, because "there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels" (Rev. 12:7).

The great controversy has involved the universe as well as this fallen planet, for verse 12 says that because of the victory won in this reconciliation, "Rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them." Finally, it will be said: "The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation." (The Great Controversy, p. 678). This blessed harmony will be the result of God's work on His cosmic Day of Atonement--which means simply, His Day of Reconciliation, the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, the ending of alienation.

Is your human heart reconciled to God? Are you alert to realize that your natural human heart "is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7), except through the atonement of Christ? Do you still wrestle with a lingering sense that somehow you must make yourself good before He can be reconciled to you, and before He can really accept you and respect you? Do you have that nagging feeling that He cannot truly be your Friend until you are worthy? While you are sitting in the pigsty, do you wish you had a Father who would forgive and accept the prodigal? If so, you need to know about the Day of Atonement.
As never before in world history the world's attention is directed now to the atoning sacrifice of Christ where "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. ... We beseech you … in Christ's stead, be YE reconciled to God"! (2 Cor. 5:19, 20). But you CAN'T "be" unless you first believe He is reconciled to you! So, "spend a thoughtful hour" contemplating the cross where that reconciliation was accomplished.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: January 28, 1998.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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Can Children Understand Righteousness by Faith?

We want to help children understand the gospel of righteousness by faith. But some Bible words are big for them to grasp--"righteousness," "justification," "sanctification." Does God not care if they understand them or not? Can they understand "justification by faith"? If we say no, then do we unwittingly teach them a "prejudice"? If we avoid teaching them while they are children what it means, is it possible they could carry that "prejudice" all their lives? Could that be a reason why so many grown-ups still can't grasp what justification by faith means?

What does Isaiah 40:11 mean when it says that Jesus "shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom"? What does He mean when He says, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them [get in their way?]; for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 19:14)? Does He actually mean that "little children" CAN understand "the truth of the gospel" (Gal. 2:5, 14)--this true "gospel of the kingdom [that must] be preached in all the world"? Can they see how it's distinguished from those counterfeit gospels of the "false christs" He also warns us against (Matt. 24:14, 24)?

Should children remain spiritual babies eating nothing but "milk" (1 Peter 2:2)? Or, as Paul says, should they start to "grow up" (Eph. 4:13)? "Everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who ... have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:13, 14). To re-phrase our question: can children actually become "skilled in the word of righteousness"? (They become "skilled" in computer use!)

Let's not look only to the differing "experts" for answers; some personal fasting with prayer and waiting on the Lord is in order. He will use and bless YOU and YOUR personality! If you come to Him asking for "bread" to give to others (children!), know of a surety that your prayer will be heard and answered (see Luke 11:5-13).

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 24, 2004.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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How Near Could the Second Coming Be?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

How near could the second coming of Christ be? Someone will say (rightly) that it is as near as our finishing the preaching the gospel in all the world. “This gospel shall be preached in all the world, ... then shall the end come” (Matt. 24:14). But who knows how far it really has gone? Jesus told us to be careful how we estimate what’s happening: “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation” (Luke 17:20). He said it’s like hiding “leaven” in flour for breadmaking. The leaven works silently, unobserved (see Luke 13: 20, 21). Even so it will be with the work of God on the earth.

We are capable of wild guesswork. It’s not always the work that looks the largest or most spectacularly successful. No one can know how rapidly the work of God is progressing on earth. Even those who seek to be doing the work are unconscious of the greater part of it. The kingdom of glory will be ushered in at a time when even Christ’s most faithful workers will think that much remains to be done. They cannot know what hidden agencies God has at work.
And we may misunderstand what the Lord will reckon as the attainment of His goal. The “144,000” of Revelation 14:4, 5 may be people that none of us recognizes as yet. Victories may be won day by day that we know nothing of, because the media (secular or religious) just aren’t tuned in to the work of Christ in the Most Holy Apartment.

This should serve to admonish us never to think that the coming of the Lord is far off, since we can see comparatively little being done. Let us be content to work in quietness and obscurity. Although some may think superficially that our work is effective, and even though we ourselves may think it is ineffective, we have the assurance that our “Father … seeth in secret” (Matt. 6:4).
All the warnings that Jesus gave us about His second coming, to “watch … lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping,” are valid (Mark 13:35, 36). They still are “present truth.”

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 8, 2004.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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What It Means to Follow Jesus Christ

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

What does it mean in these last days to become a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ?

(1) You believe God is, and that He rewards your devotion and hears your prayers; that He is your heavenly Father, that He loves you so much He gave His dearest treasure to become your Savior--His only Son; and that He stays with you forever through the on-going gift of the Holy Spirit.

(2) You have begun an eternity-filled and growing heart-appreciation of the love that led Jesus Christ to die your second death on His cross; that love has begun to "constrain" you to live "henceforth" unto Him and not for "self."

(3) Your baptism is a sign to the world that you turn away from its ways and sinful pleasures; you have now taken up your cross to follow Jesus.

(4) You believe that the One who died for you was resurrected and now lives forever as your personal High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, your Attorney on your side, defending you from the attacks of Satan.

(5) You have begun to love the Bible as God's personal word to you; and you ask Him to deepen that love and confidence from now on forever.

(6) You have begun to love God's law, His ten commandments as ten promises of victory over temptation Satan may bring against you; you love obedience to the fourth, keeping holy His blessed seventh-day Sabbath as a precious gift from Him.

(7) The "blessed hope" you cherish is the imminent personal, literal, visible second coming of Jesus and you want to help others also to get ready.

(8) You thank the Lord for the "gifts" He has given to His "body" on earth, the church--one of which is the living gift of prophecy, evidence of His on-going love.

(9) Since His church is His "body" on earth, you want to remain forever one of its loyal members, supporting it with tithes and offerings returned to the Lord.

(10) You believe that your physical body is the "temple" the Holy Spirit dwells in; you choose to keep it in health and purity, for it was purchased by the sacrifice of Christ.

(11) You ask to be baptized by being buried in the water as a declaration to the world that you are now "crucified with Christ" and you are risen with Him to a new life.

(12) You seek fellowship in that "church" that Revelation singles out as "the remnant" which "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

(13) You are happy forever "in Christ" living under His new covenant of grace.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 10, 2007.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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Who Are the "Blessed" Ones in the Bible?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The word "beatitude" is a big word which in the Bible is rendered as "blessed," and that simply means "happy." It means that certain people enjoy a happiness that is the natural result of their faith and obedience; it can also mean that God in a supernatural way gives happiness to such people. But we hasten to add that He does not show respect of persons, favoring one person over another (James 2:1).

Don't let Satan discourage you with his suggestion that you are not one of God's favored ones. You may feel that way, but that doesn't mean that his suggestion is true. Even Jesus as He hung on His cross cried out, "My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" No, because of Christ's sacrifice, you must believe that the Lord loves you and has chosen you to be His child. That's what the "believing" in John 3:16 means. So, who are the "blessed" ones in the Bible? The answer has to be: those who believe God's gracious Good News. Their faith works, and that is why they obey, and the natural result is "blessedness."

There are well over 100 "beatitudes" in the Bible. But when Jesus came, He surprised the Jews of His day with "blessings" that seemed directly the opposite of their ideas: "blessed are the poor in spirit," "Blessed are they that mourn," "Blessed are the meek," "Blessed are they who are hungry and thirsty," "Blessed are they which are persecuted," "Blessed are you when people revile you and say all manner of evil against you falsely," etc., etc. Stunning!

Those words awoke a class of people who had been educated to feel left out of the kingdom of God! Surely Jesus must have been impressed by that "beatitude" in Psalm 94:12 which says: "Blessed is the person whom you chasten, O Lord, and teach him out of Your law; that You may give him rest from the days of adversity." A happiness to be found in the most unexpected place! And Paul adds, "Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son [daughter] whom He receiveth" (Heb. 12:6). Do you really want some evidence that He loves and receives you?

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 12,1998.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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The Most Joyous Period in World History

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The world's great Day of Atonement is the most exciting, the most joyous period of all the thousands of years of world history. Millions from past ages would have given anything just to live one day during this period of the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary--what's happening right now. It's the time when the great High Priest, humanity's Savior, prepares the body of His people, His church, to be ready for the climax of the ages--His second coming in glory.

It's the time when the Bethlehem song of the angels at the birth of Jesus is finally realized: "good tidings of great joy ... to all people. .. On earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:10-14). The word "atonement" means very simply "at-one-with." There is nothing mysterious or complicated about it. (To attach the word "eschatological" to it bewilders common people.) To be "at-one-with" is to experience the joy of reconciliation, which is sweeter than honey if you have known the pain of alienation.

It's "at-one-ment" first with God, which every human heart in the world craves. We are born in a state of being alienated, separated from Him. "The carnal mind [it's natural!] is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7). Imagine the life-long misery of being on the outs with God! You look through the windows into God's house and you see the light, the joy and merriment within, and feel yourself thrust out into outer darkness. You long to be in on the party, no longer alienated.

The world's Day of Atonement is when the High Priest, the Savior, takes the initiative to bridge that awful gap, to bring you in, to reconcile you. He performed this feat in Himself, when on the cross He drank down our bitter cup of alienation, crying, "My God why have You forsaken Me?!" Finally, on this great Day of Atonement, we learn to appreciate what He accomplished for us. We are at last "one" with Him. Simple! Yet profound.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 15, 2002.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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Keep Close to Jesus

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The Bible tells us over and over to “fear not” as we get closer to the final events of time. “I will fear no evil,” says the person who believes that the “the Lord is [his] Shepherd” (Psalm 23). “Do not fear, little flock,” says Jesus, “for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). In common language it means the Father has fun giving you the inheritance of His kingdom while the world has despised you.

All who believe the Good News of the gospel of Jesus will be tested as Daniel and his faithful friends were tested by the fiery furnace, the challenge of Belshazzar, and the lions’ den (chapters 3, 5, 6). There will be those who believe the 23rd Psalm, and there will be those who don’t. “All who dwell on the earth will worship [the beast], whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). But the Lord Jesus will have a people true to Him!

For such faith in “the Lamb of God” to be established in us will mean an appreciation of what it cost Him to save us by His death on His cross. Those “who follow [Him] wherever He goes” (14:4) will indeed be a “little flock” compared to the majority; Jesus is jealous for His honor. He says, “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. ... He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 10:32-34, 38, 39).
Does it make you tremble? Don’t fear! Keep close to Jesus in His closing hours; let self be “crucified with Him” and then “perfect love [agape will] cast out [your] fear” (1 John 4:18).

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 1, 2004.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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The Inspired Bible Formula

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The inspired Bible formula has to be true: Listening to God's New Covenant promises + believing them = a changed heart and life (John 3:16, etc.). It's like a simple recipe in cooking: when God's promises are "mixed with faith." What comes out of the oven is genuine conversion (Heb. 4:2). That was the miracle of "the hearing of faith" that the Galatians experienced when Paul preached Christ's sacrifice so clearly that they saw Him "crucified before them" (3:1-5). And it was the miracle of sour, bitter Sarai's melting of heart and repentance (Abraham's wife) by hearing God's Good News that made it possible for her at last "by faith" to receive the miracle from God, to get pregnant with Isaac (Gen. 16:2; 17:15, 16; 18:9, 10; Heb. 11:11).

But there are counterfeits! How can we tell the difference? Why are so many preaching "love, love, love," yet the listeners sense no need to overcome sin itself? What's wrong? There's nothing wrong with love itself if they just knew the right idea of it when the Bible says that "God is love" (1 John 4:8). They assume our natural egocentric human idea. The New Testament word is agape, and it's a totally different kind of love than we humans know naturally. It's impossible for an honest heart to hear, to understand, to contemplate, to "survey" that agape displayed in the "wondrous cross," and then go on in captivity to sin.

There are many contrasts between the two loves, but the greatest is this: that agape-love of Christ led Him to choose to go to hell, to die the equivalent of the hopeless second death, because of His love for us. "He poured out His soul unto death," He "was made to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (Isa. 53:12; 2 Cor. 5:21).

You can never understand the cross of Christ (it's something far greater than a gold or silver symbol!) unless you understand Galatians 3:13: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree." He voluntarily took that "curse" upon Himself, gave up all thought of life eternal, "poured out His soul" completely. Contemplating that love plants it in our hearts; and lives are changed. Just be sure the Good News is not distorted by an intrusion of false doctrine, such as the non-biblical natural immortality of the soul.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 10, 2003.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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The "Mother of All Questions"

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

It's the "mother of all questions," and salvation from sin depends on getting the right answer: Is it possible that just listening to God speak His New Covenant promises can save a person (or a church) FROM sin?

The Bible answer is clear as sunlight: YES, a thousand times YES, if the mere listening is "... being mixed with faith in them that heard it" (see Heb. 4:2). This is why Romans 1:16 is so true for all time: "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." The word "gospel" has no other meaning than "Good News." Thus the true definition of "gospel" is the New Covenant promises of God in Christ--nothing less. The formula is clear: this "gospel" + "faith" = "the power of God unto salvation."
We see this formula demonstrated in the Galatians. Like the Ephesians, they were pagans "dead in trespasses and sins, ... [walking] according to the course of this world, ... the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience; ... fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others" (cf. Eph. 2:1-3). All the addictions of today--alcoholism, drug abuse, sexual perversion, pornography, hatred--these pagans had them all.

But Paul, in great weakness, proclaimed to them this New Covenant Good News, and all they did was LISTEN WITH FAITH: "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, ... before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? ... Received ye the Spirit by the ... hearing of faith" (Gal. 3:1, 2). That was one time in history when the "formula" was proven completely true: "the gospel preached ... profit[ed] them, ... being mixed with faith in them that heard it."

Another time in history when the same "gospel preached" was "mixed with faith": Abraham's experience. All that God did was simply proclaim to him His marvelous promises known as the New Covenant, no threatened "curses" mixed in on pain of disobedience. Abraham simply "listened with faith" to this almost incredible Good News (just what Paul told the Galatians was "the hearing of faith"). He too, like the Galatians, "received the Spirit." His faith was counted to him for righteousness (Gen. 15:6).

But how can we avoid the "love, love, love" counterfeits that don't produce righteousness? Please tune in again tomorrow.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 9, 2003.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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The Most Persistent Addiction to Overcome

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

It's a truism said by many that the world is morally becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah. What God has created holy, an image of Himself, is dragged in the mud. Entertainment is sex-permeated, and for many, sex has become an obsession, the only thing to live for, an idolatry. Pornography has become an addiction.

Of all addictions, sex is probably the most persistent to overcome because the allurement remains forever. But the Savior of the world has not abandoned us. He became one of us, "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15). This means that He has power to deliver from even a sexual addiction.

He has left for us in the Bible the story of one who was so terribly addicted that way that she is described as being possessed by "seven devils." The "seven" indicates she was so far gone that she was beyond anyone's therapeutic help. A cast-off wreck of humanity. Her name: Mary Magdalene.

It's obvious she didn't know herself. She thought she wanted sex, but what she wanted was love. Not infatuation, not idolatry, but love. She had concluded that there was not a man in the world who knew what true love is, hence her extreme bitterness of soul. She must have particularly hated the man who had originally led her into sin and then abandoned her, or rather, had driven her into exile in order to save his own "holy" reputation. In her despair, she saw herself as nothing; other people trampled her in the mud; she hated herself, too, and lowered herself as far down as she could go. The seven devils swirled about in her soul, captivating every thought.

Then she met Jesus, and discovered agape, an unselfish love, a love that leads its possessor to die on a cross. Her soul had almost been totally obliterated, but there was a tiny remnant left that responded: she wanted what Jesus had! He can reveal His agape to everyone for He loves us all alike, but there has to be on our part some response of recognition. Some connection deep down has to be made, something reciprocal. Some switch has to be turned on or the electrical power cannot flood the house. It was a long battle Mary had--seven prayer sessions with Jesus Himself. At last the "seventh" devil was cast out, and she was free. He still saves, today. But all seven devils must be let go!

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 7, 2004.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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What Does It Mean to Believe in Jesus?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

What does it mean to believe in Jesus? Sometimes we spend a lifetime searching for an understanding. "Faith works by love" says Galatians 5:6, which must obviously mean the change of heart and life that is so essential for inheriting a place in God's eternal kingdom. The gospel is the power of God to salvation, but it's only through "faith" that it can "work" (Rom. 1:16). So, again, what is faith?

The helpless addict of whatever devilish slavery to sin is the "pit" into which we have fallen cries out to understand what it means to have "faith." Jesus tells the distraught father in Mark 9 that "all things are possible to the one who believes," that is, exercises faith (vs. 23), and the poor disheartened man cries out in his tears, "I believe; help my unbelief," or my failure to exercise or to have faith (vs. 24, and the Lord heard that prayer!).

Is faith the same as "trust"? Many so define it; but there are different words in the original Greek of the New Testament to define either faith or trust. They are not identical. "Trust" implies a self-centered concern, like you trust your bank or you trust the police; to "trust" or "believe" in Jesus in order to escape hell or to obtain the reward of "mansions in the sky" cannot be the meaning of "faith which works by love [agape]."

To understand what is "faith" we need therefore to explore the meaning of agape, otherwise we shall be imprisoned in the lukewarmness of the "church of Laodicea" (Rev. 3:14-17). That seventh church needs above all else to understand what is "the gold tried in the fire" that Jesus says we need above all else … which is "faith." But empty words don't help. Must we spend a lifetime without discovering soul-saving truth? We must not! We must not hear the Lord tell us at last, Sorry, "I never knew you" (Matt. 7:23).

In reading the treasures of Second Corinthians we come upon a guide: 9:15 says, "Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!" That outburst of gratitude is revealing. Gratitude is not a prayer asking for something; gratitude is the response of the heart for having received something, or having learned something. The Greek word "unspeakable" includes the negative "a" followed by "expressible," a heart appreciation for something that is beyond suitable expression of understanding.

Agape is the love that drove the Son of God in His incarnation to "taste death for every man," to "taste" the accumulated crime, iniquity, sin, disgrace, depravity of "all men" when He was "made to be sin for us, who knew no sin" (2 Cor. 5:21). It was painful.

The conclusion would be that faith is a heart appreciation of the love of a Savior who would and who did die your second death; who "poured out His soul unto death" (Isa. 53:12), who "emptied Himself" (Phil. 2:8). If that is the genuine thing, then it is understandable how "the agape of Christ constraineth us ... henceforth [not] to live unto ourselves but unto Him who died for [us]" (2 Cor. 5:14, 15). You still have your free will, but it's joyously captive in a sense more sublime than when you "fall in love" in our earthly sense. Now it's your eternal joy to be His slave, a constant, eternal willingness motivated by love.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 23, 2006.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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Healing for Addictions

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Is there someone out there around the world battling with an addiction who is crying out to God for deliverance? It may be alcohol, or pornography (a real addiction if ever there was one!), drugs, tobacco, illicit sex, unclean thoughts and imaginings, on and on.

Yes, and appetite!

(1) There is power in the actual words of the Bible, in the Bible itself rather than in some book about the Bible, for “the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12). Get your own Bible, invest in a good one with center markings, a Bible you can mark up as your own personal Book. Treat God in a business-like way; buy the Bible that will be your life-long companion. Let God see that you are serious. He is more than willing to listen to you call on Him for help and respond; but it’s only fair that you be serious.

(2) Sinful as you are, weak and in captivity to your addiction, “come” to Him and be honest; tell Him exactly how you feel. Very likely you have also, together with your addiction, a hatred for someone whom you blame for your problems. Tell God all about it; lay it all out before Him. He won’t zap you; an honest visit with Him will give you evidence that He is real. And for sure, He will convict you deep in your soul of your wrongs, your wrong attitude, let Him lay it on. If you go see a doctor you usually wait around in the waiting room for a while; give the Lord Jesus some time, “waiting” on Him. He is the Divine Psychiatrist. Don’t run from Him. He can “tell” you more in a few minutes than you can learn from books in many hours.

(3) He has promised to heal you of your addictions, your obsessions, your fears; but He must have your cooperation. There comes the time when you MUST make the choice; choose to give the evil thing up forever. But note carefully: not promise, no, but choose. You realize that of yourself you are powerless to gain this victory. You must confess the truth. You’ve floundered around up and down for decades, constantly making resolutions, breaking them all and sinking your soul deeper and deeper in despair. God never asks you to make good-for-nothing promises! God made seven grand promises to Abraham but did not ask him to promise anything in return; what God wanted was for Abraham to believe His promises! (cf. Gen. 12:2,

3). Then ask the Lord Jesus to accept your choice, ask Him to save you.

(4) The hardest thing you will ever have to do is to BELIEVE the truth: (a) He loves you even if your parents never did; (b) He hears you; (c) He is faithful and won’t forsake you; (d) He wants you to address Him as “Father” (Rom. 8:15; Matt. 6:6-13).

Some dear soul will tell you no, the hardest thing you will have to do is to obey the Ten Commandments. Take a look: there is a Preamble in verse 2 of Exodus 20. Believe that Preamble, and then the Ten Commandments become ten promises. The Law is not there to punish you, but it is a “Schoolmaster” whose job will be to lead you as by the hand around to Jesus, that you might experience justification by faith (Gal. 3:22-24). That makes you obedient to all the commandments of God.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: January 3, 2007.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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How Can We Get God to Smile at Us?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Are you troubled about your acceptance with God? If you knew that He is pleased with you, that He smiles at you approvingly, would you be happy? I am always happy if someone I respect smiles at me with warm acceptance as though he/she really likes me and wants me to be nearby. It gives such a good feeling inside to know that you are chosen, to be appreciated for what you are.

Now, my question is: do you have the assurance that God feels that way about you? Or are you afraid that He frowns at you?

When you feel that way, everything seems to go wrong. The Psalmist prays to God saying, "We are consumed by Thine anger, and by Thy wrath are we troubled. Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance" (Psalm 90:7, 8). That is a statement of universal human feelings. So much so that most people simply banish from their minds any thoughts of God at all. They want to avoid Him like you would avoid a cantankerous neighbor.
How can we get God to smile at us? The pagan says, "Offer Him sacrifices! That will make Him pleased with you." In fact, ancient Israel thought the same way, because Amos tried to straighten them out, telling them in the name of the Lord, "Though ye offer Me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them" (5:22). Not far away from the pagans is our hope that all our righteous works will get Him to smile at us.

For God to smile at us with approval is the same as for Him to justify us, for that is its meaning. If your friend smiles at you with approval, it simply means that he/she justifies you. Now the question is: Are we justified in God's sight by our good works, or by grace through faith? We find the beginning of the answer in Matthew 3:17: when Jesus was baptized, the Father said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." That's what we want! When the Father said that, He included you! He accepted the human race, "in Christ." If you find that hard to believe, read what the author of The Desire of Ages says on page 113. It's true!

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 27, 1998.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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Objective," Subjective"--What's the Difference?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The words bother some people, but they are important to understand: they are, "objective" and "subjective." They are only another way of distinguishing between "faith" and "feeling," but they give a needed depth of understanding.

The "subjective gospel" is either your personal experience of conversion, or the experience of someone else you hear or read about. It can be very good Good News. You may live on cloud nine because of it. The joyous experience can go on and on. Your skies may be blue and the breeze balmy, maybe even for most of your lifetime. It's like an ocean-side cabin, such a delightful place to live in. 

But you'd better remember that no matter how much fun it is to live in a house built on the sand, sometime for sure a storm is going to come. Then you will need a rock foundation stronger than your own feelings.

The "objective gospel" is the truth of what Jesus has done to save you, quite apart from your own experience of personal conversion or good works. You may in all sincerity believe you are converted; but when the storms arise and a deeper sense of repentance causes you to realize your sinfulness as you never before discerned it, you can be badly shaken. You need a foundation stronger than your personal feelings; you need faith. Faith is the solid rock that is there even when you can't see or feel anything.

Don't kid yourself into thinking that no storm will ever cloud your blue skies--not if God loves you. Storms and rain are necessary for character growth.

So, what is the "objective gospel"? God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; He redeemed you; the Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all; He tasted your second death, paid the penalty for your sins; He died and rose again for your justification (Rom. 4:25). It's true--not because you feel it, but because the Bible tells it. Build your "house" upon that Rock.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 20, 1998 Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland. Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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King Saul--The Tragedy of Jealous Hatred

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Old King Saul had rebelled against the Lord continually for much of his reign as Israel's monarch.

Then when the Lord raised up young David to be his successor, Saul became possessed of an insane jealousy which motivated him to try to kill the youth. (Thus in the books of heaven Saul was now listed as a "murderer," because the books of heaven record the sins which we would have committed if we had had the opportunity.)

Time and again the dear Lord had appealed to Saul to repent of this murderous hatred; and sometimes Saul had made a feeble effort to respond; he even apologized to David and thanked him for sparing his life in the cave of Engedi where David and his men were hiding when the king innocently came in to go the bathroom (the dramatic story is in 1 Samuel 24:1-22).
But King Saul held on to his jealous hatred.

Then finally the old king comes to Endor where he faces the last challenge of his life.
A vast military host of the Philistines is gathered against the feeble armies of Israel; national disaster looms. Saul prays an empty prayer, minus repentance. The thrilling story is in 1 Samuel 28:1-6, but there was no change of heart in Saul's "inquiry" of the Lord.

Then King Saul did the unforgivable thing: he prayed to Satan for wisdom and salvation--a desperately wicked thing to do. This now put himself and his kingdom into the hands of Satan.
But even yet the Lord has no bad news to tell King Saul: it is not too late for the king to repent and to cast himself and his kingdom on to the mercy of the Lord; it is not too late for jealousy-ridden Saul to humble his heart and save both himself and his kingdom. If Saul had been willing to humble his heart in repentance and prayer to the Lord, the Lord would have received him and forgiven him; but his prayer was repentance-empty--still the Lord had no bad news for the man.
But Satan, through the witch of Endor, poured a ton of bricks in bad news on the poor king's head, and the result was that he died in utter despair at his own hand (31:1-6). The Lord never drives a despairing soul to suicide!

The only "news" the Lord has for anyone--at any time--is good news.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 28, 2008.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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The Ball's in Your Court

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

It’s a serious question to ask and very important: are we saved by faith or are we saved by discipline? You ask, “What do you mean?” Let’s try again: do you eat because the doctor tells you that you must; or do you eat because you’re hungry? If you’re never hungry, you’ve got a problem, and you’d better discipline yourself and force some nourishment down or you’ll starve. A healthy person has an appetite that drives him or her to breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Do we discipline ourselves to read the Bible and pray just because of the stern voice of duty? If so, if we sense no “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matt. 5:6), that means we are in God’s hospital in His critical care unit where we are sustained by intravenous feeding. Yes, if the only reason why you pray or read the Bible is discipline fueled by fear, DO IT. The Old Covenant kept ancient Israel alive for a time (but oh what a dismal up and down life they had under it).

Let Jesus help you: He says, “Blessed [happy] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” He went on to warn against doing good things just because of a selfish motivation: “Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven” (6:1). Could we read the Bible and pray for a selfish reason? Millions do or at least have done so, for Old Covenant reasons; and they hope to get to heaven. God bless them. (The Old Covenant was better than heathenism; still, it led to crucifying Christ.)

But Jesus begs you to let Him, permit Him, allow Him, grant Him, stop resisting Him, let Him give you His New Covenant promises, and then you believe them. He has spent thousands of years trying to teach His people, and still today we can be right back where Israel was when they fastened themselves under the Old Covenant (Ex. 19).

To answer our question, let’s let the Bible speak: “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of discipline, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8, 9; this liberty with the text is correct--that’s what self-centered “works” means). You don’t have to beg the Lord to give you the gift--He’s already done so and keeps trying. Do the only common sense thing possible: repent for resisting so long. The ball’s in your court.

P.S.: He is still your Great Physician on duty 24/7 in His Intensive Care Unit, for you alone.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 3, 2004.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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How Should We Feel (and Speak) About Ourselves?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

It's scary to read Jesus' accounts in Matthew about the last judgment. According to Him, almost everybody is going to be surprised to discover finally where he really belongs:

(1) "Many" who have been sure they are "saved" and have their tickets to heaven ready will hear Him say, "I never knew you." Sorry; He represents Himself as telling them, the one you thought you knew was someone else. "Depart from Me, you who work iniquity" (7:23). In reading the account in Revelation 20, we see that they will want to run (vss. 12-14); one very perceptive writer has said that they will "welcome destruction."

(2) Then, in contrast, those to whom "the King" will say, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world," will remonstrate with Him, look behind them to see if it must be someone else He is telling to "come," we don't deserve this, You must mean someone else. No, He says; I mean you: "Come" (see Matt. 25:31ff.).
Neither group, widely separated in faith, expected what their fate would be.

Jesus has tried to help us get ready for that day. He says, "'When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, "Give place to this man," and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, "Friend, go up higher." Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted'" (Luke14:8-11).

So, how should we feel (and speak) about ourselves? How about: "Less than the least of all saints," "the chief of sinners," "unworthy servants." That will be the true language of our hearts if (a) we comprehend what our sin is--that we share the corporate guilt of the murderous crucifixion of the Son of God, and (b) we appreciate what it cost Him to save us--that He died our second death.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 4, 2007.Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland.

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The Long Delayed "Marriage of the Lamb"

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

How can we believe in "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" unless we also are loyal to "His wife," who must "make herself ready" for "the marriage of the Lamb"?

Can we trust "the Lamb" (which means the crucified Christ) if He ultimately suffers shame and defeat in His nuptial choice? We read in Revelation that "the marriage of the Lamb" has been long delayed for the obvious reason that "the Lamb's wife" has not yet "made herself ready" (19:1-8). "The Lamb" wants to return in His grand second coming, and "take [her] to [Himself], that where [He is, she] may be also" (see John 14:3).

There is no shame a man can suffer quite as painful as to be "stood up" at his wedding. All the guests have assembled, and to his embarrassment the woman he loves is a "no show"; she is not "ready."

Why? She proclaims loud and clear that she doesn't want to say "I do." What will they think of him as a bridegroom? He may be great in his career, whatever it is, but failure to win his bride is an embarrassment he can never overcome.

Is our "Lamb of God" unable to woo and win the "woman" of His choice? What reason can she have for not making herself "ready" except that she has not been "won"?

That's "her" problem, and He cannot force her to "make herself ready." When Abraham Lincoln gave Mary Todd a ring inscribed, "Love is eternal," he was recognizing the nature of true love; Christ's love for His Bride-to-be is eternal--He can't flippantly select another; He doesn't dare compromise in the eyes of the world and of the universe the very nature of love itself.

Faith in the Lamb of God must also require confidence that "His wife" (His church) will "make herself ready" through accepting the gift of repentance appropriate for her (cf. Acts 5:31). Don't give up on the church!

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 20, 2006. Copyright © 2011 by Robert J. Wieland. 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" messages are availalbe 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.