Daily Bread: January 2012

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Something All the Devils in Hell Can't Undo

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The Bible does not encourage self-esteem, but it does teach a genuine self-respect--the solid kind that all the devils in hell can't undo.

It's learned from believing the following story: At the age of 30, Jesus of Nazareth got the news that John the Baptist was preaching repentance at the Jordan River. He told His mother Mary, "Mother, I've got to go. I'm laying down my saws, hammers, chisels, and I'll never touch them again: I am going on My mission My Father has told me of, that I've told you about since I was 12" (Luke 2:49).

John refused to baptize Him. "I am ordained to baptize only people who have repented, and You have no sins to repent of." Then Jesus told him how He was taking the sins of the whole world upon Himself, making Himself guilty of them all, "made to be sin for us" [2 Cor. 5:21]. "And yes, I have repented of them all." So John relented.

When Jesus came out of the water dripping wet, He knelt on the Jordan's banks and prayed such a prayer as the world had never heard before, nor had the angels in heaven. And something wonderful happened: the Father Himself answered Jesus verbally and audibly so the whole world could hear Him (except they didn't recognize the Voice): "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17). And, you remember, the dove descended, as the visible Holy Spirit.

As the Father put His arms around Jesus before the whole world, He also put His arms around you, and said those same words.

"But I am a sinner," you say; "He couldn't do that to me!" When you go to a shop and buy something for say $10, you exchange your $10 for an item which you believe is equivalent in value. We read that the Father "so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son … " You are "the world."

In other words, when the Father thinks of you with all your sins and unworthiness, He thinks of you as of equivalent value; He loves you Two equally (I use a capital T for His sake). You'll spend the rest of your life here (and over there) trying to understand that.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 24, 2007.

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.

Monday, January 30, 2012

A Serious Question About the Judgment

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The question is, will God be judged by the universe, or is "judgment" all one-sided with Him arbitrarily judging us? This is a serious issue because a mistaken idea here can influence a person's spiritual experience and motivate him or her to serve "God" because of fear. If such craven fear becomes the deepest motivation of our hearts, then our "Christianity" degenerates to become little more than paganism.

Someone may ask, What difference does it make whether "obedience" is motivated by fear or by love so long as it "obeys the law"? The difference will show up in the final test of the "mark of the beast." All fear-motivation will then program us to accept the mark of the beast rather than the seal of God because the mark of the beast (Rev. 13:13-18; 16:2) will be based entirely on fear (the ultimate root of paganism). We MUST find a better motivation. And that will require a clearer understanding of the character of God.

He does not want anyone to serve Him because of fear, because such fear would be for Him a hollow victory. Billions of people bowing low before Him because they are afraid of Him and His retributive judgment would bring Him no joy. He wants deep sincerity. Therefore Christ as the Son of God must humble Himself, make Himself vulnerable, become open and transparent, surrender Himself to the judgment of His creatures, in short, die upon a cross apparently forsaken by God, suffer the pangs of hell itself, drain the last drop of fear in order to disarm and condemn it forever.

According to Revelation 14:6-15, God must submit Himself to the judgment of the universe, "for the hour of His judgment is come." Only thus can Satan, sin, and fear be finally and totally conquered, "because fear hath torment." The universe at last will see that "God is agape," and "agape casteth out fear" (1 John 4:8, 18). You and I can overcome it only by permitting the Holy Spirit to "shed abroad in our hearts" this "agape of God" (Rom. 5:5). Each must ask himself, Am I pagan or Christian?

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 27, 2000.

Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Please forward these messages to your friends and encourage them to subscribe. The "Dial Daily Bread" Web site resides at:http://1888message.org/dailybread/
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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.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

The Man of Romans 7, and 8

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

In reading Romans 7 and 8, you will see that in chapter 7 Paul is sad. He tells how he is "the purchased slave of sin. … What I do is not what I want to do, but what I detest. … I agree with the law [of God] and hold it to be admirable. But as things are, it is no longer I who perform the bad action, but sin that lodges in me. … Nothing good lodges in me--in my unspiritual nature, I mean--for though the will to do good is there, the deed is not. The good which I want to do, I fail to do; but what I do is the wrong which is against my will. … I discover this principle, then: that when I want to do the right, only the wrong is within my reach. In my inmost self I delight in the law of God, but I perceive there is in my bodily members a different law, fighting against the law that my reason approves and making me a prisoner under the law that is in my members, the law of sin. Miserable creature that I am, who is there to rescue me?" (vss. 14-25, New English Bible).

People have argued for many years as to who Paul is talking about. Does he mean he himself before he was converted? Or is he talking about himself while converted? Well, he ends the chapter by saying, in the King James Version (which is quite accurate here), "With the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin" (vs. 25).

It's difficult to believe that while Paul was writing those words he was still wallowing in alcoholism, drug addiction, adultery, or even envy and jealousy and hatred. No, at this time Paul was living a life of victory in Christ. Therefore it is clear that Paul is describing himself as a representative of the entire human race. His "I" is the corporate "I" of humanity in general--anybody who wants to do what is right but who realizes that his nature prompts him to do wrong. That is all of us, by nature!

But in chapter 8 Paul answers his own question. There is somebody to deliver him, and that is Christ Jesus. There is a new law in Him, a new principle at work--of triumph over sin and evil. And as a human being you are a part of His purchased possession--the freedom and victory are already yours. Now believe it and act upon that faith.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: 1994 Phone Message.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Children and Answers to Prayer

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Many times we tell stories to the children about wonderful answers to prayer. We tell about Daniel in the lions' den, of David fighting Goliath, of Peter saved from prison, and of course many modern stories of people's marvelous answers to prayer.

That's all good, and I do not doubt the truth of those stories. But I am concerned about something else--sometimes there are children who have prayed for something but did not get it. I knew one little boy whose grandmother was very sick, and he prayed that she might get well; but she did not get well. She died. When children ask the Lord for something, but don't get it, then hear all these wonderful stories, they wonder what's wrong with them. Why doesn't the Lord answer their prayers too?

Well, we must think about this. We must be honest. Not all prayers get a marvelous YES answer. First, if you don't get what you asked for, that does not mean that God does not love you, or that He did not hear your prayer. He said NO instead of YES. And often His NO is more loving toward us than a YES would be. If a baby asks for a sharp knife, a loving father or mother will say NO.

Second, God's richest blessing may be in the disappointment that we suffer. If God was like a Santa Claus to Christians, giving them every trinket and luxury they ask for, many people would join the church who are not at all converted, and that would not be good at all. God's people suffer in this world along with those who are not His people.

Third, when they suffer, God suffers with them. He never forsakes them. We must remember Jesus on His cross--He prayed to the Father but He says God did not hear Him (that's in Psalm 22). Jesus felt that His Father had turned His back on Him, because He prayed, "My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matt. 27:46). There are many people in the world who have to suffer, not because God doesn't love them, but because they are faithful servants of Jesus, who honor Him by enduring their suffering.

The Good News is that God will NEVER forsake you; He does hear every prayer you pray; and He will give you what is best for you and what is best for others. Even the little boy's grandmother who died--someday we will know why the Lord permitted that--and we will love the Lord more because we will know that His answer was because He loves us. We can trust Him, because He died for us on His cross.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: 1994 Phone Message.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

What Did Jesus Accomplish on His Cross?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

What did Jesus accomplish on His cross? The light that will yet "lighten the earth with glory” (cf. Rev. 18:1-4) will make it clear to every honest heart. It's a self-humbling truth that is cataclysmic.

In John 12:47 He said He didn't come to pronounce condemnation on the world, "but to save the world.” "God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). So the Father sent Him to save the world; that was His allotted task.

In 17:4 He claims He accomplished the work the Father gave Him to do. He did not say, Father, I tried to save the world, I did the best I could do, but they wouldn't let me do it! I gave everybody the offer of salvation, but the majority wouldn't have it! Sorry!

No, He said, "Father, ... I have finished the work which You have given Me to do,” I brought it to completion. And in His last breath on His cross He said, "It is finished, " the work is done, complete. To that last breath He had "condemned sin in the flesh,” said "No!” to self, as our "last Adam” (1 Cor. 15:45); He had reversed what the fallen "first Adam” did to the human race, and transformed his legal condemnation into a judicial "verdict of acquittal” (cf. Rom. 5:15-18, New English Bible).

Christ built a bridge over the chasm sin had made for the human race, and rejected the most awful temptation Satan could invent--the temptation to despair when He felt the curse of God to its uttermost, "My God, ... You have forsaken Me!” (read Psalm 22 all the way through--there's the story!). For every human soul Jesus made despair unnecessary and obsolete.

He (a) "saved the world,” or (b) He only tried to? Let's believe Him when He tells us what He did.

And if He did, then He saved you--five things, says Paul in Ephesians 1: "blessed” you, "chose” you, "predestinated” you, "adopted” you, "made [you] accepted in the Beloved” (vss. 3-6). The "us” means the whole world,you. When at the Jordan John baptized Jesus, the Father proclaimed Him "My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17; fine). But you must believe that He also threw His arms around you! You can resist and reject all that He did for you through the awful sin of unbelief. Respond to Him, thank Him! Pray, "Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief!” (Mark 9:24).

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread” Archive: April 9, 2006.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

The Work of a Defeated Foe

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

When Jesus was resurrected, Satan was mortally wounded. Genesis 3:15 was fulfilled: the serpent (Satan) had indeed "bruised" Christ's "heel" through the crucifixion; but Christ "bruised" his "head." When you smash a serpent's head, you've killed it. So, since the resurrection, Satan has been crushed.

But immediately the question arises in thoughtful minds, "Then why 2000 years of continued sin, cruelty, misery, created by this same 'serpent' who is supposed to be crushed? Why have global dictators flourished, and why do crime and violence plague the world as it was in the days before the Flood of Noah? Why is Paul's prophecy so terribly fulfilled, that 'evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse'"? (2 Tim. 3:13). "Does all this look like the work of a defeated foe?"

Other questions arise: "Why doesn't Jesus come the second time as He promised to do, and put an end to all this work of Satan? Is God indifferent? Is He just procrastinating until He Himself finally gets enough of it all and decides to blow the trumpet and ring the curtain down arbitrarily?" We can search the world for an answer, and must come back to what the Bible says: "A man scatters seed in his field. ... When the grain is ripe, the man starts cutting it with his sickle, because harvest time has come" (Mark 4:26-29). God's people must grow up out of their childishness and appreciate--"believe"--what Christ accomplished in His death, burial, and resurrection, that Satan has been defeated.

Hebrews 2:14 says that he has been "paralyzed," as when wildlife experts shoot darts into a rhino or a fierce lion and paralyze it so they can examine its teeth. Satan cannot force you to continue to sin unless we willingly choose to let him do so, to permit him to deceive us. The victory of Christ over Satan in His resurrection was wonderful; now, says Revelation 12:11, God's people must also "overcome him by the blood of the Lamb."

Satan still claims that it is impossible for any human being to keep God's law of love; it's our privilege to share in Christ's glorious victory. That's something worth living for!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 14, 1998.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Personal Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Sometime, for family worship simply read from the inspired Book the story of how Jesus healed the first leper in Israel since the Gentile Syrian, Naaman, was healed by the prophet Elisha. Read it word for word slowly, letting the Holy Spirit arouse your imagination according as the story is written in the Holy Word (Matt. 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-15).

Then read the simple story of the paralyzed man who had committed bad sins and was now about to die of despair in his sickness. The great and "holy" priests had coldly told him, "There's no cure for you; God has cursed you for all your sins! Our great Moses said so!"

He had four friends who carried him on a pallet to Capernaum where he had heard that Jesus was healing people. But they couldn't get through the crowd. So he begged them, Get me up on the roof, take up the tiles, let me down in front of the Great Healer, maybe He won't curse me like the rabbis did.

Jesus did not heal him at first, just told him the Gospel message that his sins were forgiven, told him what justification by faith is, all which made the rabbis and priests angry. He was a Blasphemer! This made Jesus angry. He fixed His burning eyes on them and asked, "Which would be easier to do--tell this paralyzed man his sins are forgiven, or tell him, Get up, tell your four friends they are fired, pick up your heavy pallet yourself, and WALK home?" (Matt. 9:1-8;Mark 2:3-12; Luke 5:18-26). And that's what He told him.

The Holy Spirit will make these scenes from the life of Jesus "come alive." No Hollywood movie could ever be as vivid as the Bible story when it comes "alive" through the personal ministry of the living Holy Spirit.

There is power in the word of God, the Bible only. Fortunate the child who gets to sit under "live" Bible teaching.

And what the Holy Spirit does is permanent; it changes hearts forever. Children never forget it.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 13, 2004.

Friday, January 20, 2012

A Powerful Gospel Punch in Daniel

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Can you find the gospel in the Bible book of Daniel? Or is it all about "beasts” and world empires?

The first chapter packs a powerful gospel punch: here are four young men in university training where their scholarships provide them access to the elitist dining rooms or cafeterias. They will be served the same gourmet bill of fare from the same kitchens that serve royalty.

The delicacies set before them arouse the envy of wealthy Babylonians. The meats come from the fabled outreaches of the empire, and the desserts are super mouthwatering. But Good News saved them from health disaster.

These four young servants of the God of Israel petition the authorities for a simple, low-fat, low-sugar vegetarian diet. With the hearty appetite of all teens, these four "purpose” in their hearts to deny their natural cravings for rich food and choose the simple diet. They will not patronize the McDonalds, Burger Kings, pancake houses, or steak houses of their day. Their goal is not merely to live seven years longer and take more holiday trips; they want to keep their minds clear to comprehend the teaching of the Holy Spirit in an era of solemn significance.

We're in that kind of era today, on a world scale. It's great Good News that the same world Savior who blessed Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego will give (not merely offer) you and me the victory over runaway appetite. The Holy Spirit will be your teacher; you won't be able to transgress without His convicting you of truth: now don't silence His voice, don't deny His loving reminders of truth. "Purpose in your heart” to follow the Savior on this great Day of Atonement.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 20, 2004.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

"Gift" or "Offer"--Which Is It?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The world is spiritually dark no matter where you look, but the bright light of Jesus shines: "We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels … that He by the grace of God might taste death for everyone" (Heb. 2:9).

Here is a brilliant revelation of salvation through "much more abounding grace" (cf. Rom. 5:20). Satan may try to foist on us enormous, impenetrable darkness, but here the light shines beautifully: "Jesus tasted [the second] death for everyone."

No matter who you are or where you are sitting in your darkness of despair, this simple but brief revelation of truth is like a shaft of lightning on midnight darkness. Christ has already died your second death! That's the biggest truth you will ever confront. That's what Hebrews 2:9 says, a million highly trained theologians to the contrary notwithstanding.

Note what Hebrews 2:9 does NOT say: By the grace of God Jesusoffered to taste your second death if you first do something to please Him. No! The Bible is clear: "God so loved the world, that He gave [not merely offered to give!] His only begotten Son" (John 3:16); the Father actually GAVE His Son to you as your Savior; and He "tasted [your second] death" when He "tasted" it for "everyone."

Now, simply believe this real, solid truth. Of course, that does not mean that He will force you against your will to enter the New Jerusalem; along with the gift of Himself to you He has given you the freedom of your own choice to refuse the gift of Himself as your Savior, if you want to make that choice (it will break His heart if you do). Only one text comes to mind as soon as we say that: "But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation" (Heb. 6:9).

A heart appreciation of what Christ suffered for you when He "tasted" your second death will motivate you "henceforth" to live unto His glory forever. You will never tire of saying "Thank You!" This faith delivers you forever from that "fear of death" which has kept you "in bondage all [your] life."

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 29, 2007.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

"Agape Never Faileth"

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

If you love, you love forever, for as Abraham Lincoln said, "Love is eternal." Love has its source in God, for the Bible says that "God is love" (1 John 4:8), and He is eternal. And even love of man for woman and vice versa is a gift from God, for "God created man in His own image. In the image of God created He him; male and female created He them" (Gen. 1:27).

Those simple one-syllable Anglo-Saxon words convey a wealth of meaning: our maleness and femaleness are in the image of God, and since God is love, our male/female love is of God. It is God-intended, God-given. But such love is regulated by law, just as electricity is regulated by law. Transgress the law of electricity and you have disaster. Transgress God's law of male/female love, and you have disaster instead of the happiness that the Creator/Redeemer has intended for us.

And what is the law of male/female love as God intended? It is built-in to the very nature of love itself: love is eternal. Therefore love makes infidelity impossible. The seventh commandment of God's ten has its own inherent promise: Adam and Eve will not, cannot, commit adultery! But, you say, times have changed; now "Adam" has multitudes of females to whom he can be attracted when the first Adam didn't have but one--that's why it was impossible for him to commit adultery. But wait a moment: the love that Adam had for Eve was God-given, and thus would have kept Adam faithful to her forever even if there had been a million females in the Garden of Eden.

But there is a second factor that does make a difference: after sin came in, man/woman became unfaithful by their very nature. Now both Adam and Eve can rove. And now a new definition of love is necessary--agape, a love that loves sinners, bad people, ugly people. Now sinful "Adam" loves sinful "Eve" with the same love wherewith the Savior has loved him in his unworthiness and sinfulness. In the Garden, Adam loved a perfect Eve; now, because of Jesus, he loves an imperfect spouse, and vice versa.

Read 1 Corinthians 7 and you will discover that sexual love is still faithful, even after sin has come, and it is agape. Satan wants you to think that your spouse's unlovableness warrants divorce. Before you take that step, think of why and how a patient Savior still loves you. Then read Hosea, and think of how He loves a Bride who has been very unlovable. And remember, "agape never faileth" (1 Cor. 13:8).

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: July 12, 1999.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

A New Chapter in Righteousness by Faith

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The closer we come to what the Bible speaks of as "the end of the world” (Matt. 24:3), the more intimate will the people of God become with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Their acquaintance will become like that of a couple who meet, get slightly acquainted, then fall in love, become engaged, and finally marry; no woman on earth will become the "bride of Christ,” but there is a body of people known as "the church” who will "make herself ready” for that epochal "wedding” (cf. Rev. 19:7, 8; Eph. 5:23-27).

A "paradigm shift” in understanding is a mild term to describe the upheaval that will occur in the spiritual experience of God's people as they near when Christ closes His High Priestly ministry in the Most Holy Apartment. The grand antitypical Day of Atonement will be a reconciliation with Him that can only be described as a bride yielding herself joyously at last to her long-loved but never yet "known” bridegroom.

The tremendous spiritual upheaval will be a new motivation supplanting our old egocentric one. We have always responded to the desire to be saved--a very wholesome one, indeed; a thousand times better than acquiring worldly wealth. But it's still the desire for a reward; we have sung the ditty, "I Shall Wear a Crown in My Father's House,” we have contemplated exchanging "the cross for a crown,” we have widely taught that "securing our own salvation is the highest duty of life.” Again, wonderfully true; but still puerile.

In the closing up of the Day of Atonement, a new motivation begins to take over: a concern for Christ that He receive His reward, that He be crowned King of kings and Lord of lords; our concern for Him eclipses that old one of egocentricity.

This won't be righteousness by works; it will be a new chapter in righteousness by faith. At last, "perfect agape [will] cast out fear” (1 John 4:18). A new heart-appreciation of what it cost the Son of God to die for us will be grasped.

But this will not be the prized possession of the saints; it will be their communication to the world of "Christ and Him crucified” as the world has never before heard it in such clarity since Pentecost.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 26, 2007.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Refreshing News in Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

There is some refreshing news in Peter's sermon at Pentecost: "It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh. ... Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:17, 21). That sounds like Good News, but is it too good?

The words "all flesh" surely mean everybody in the world. How can it be true? Note that Peter does not say that everybody will RECEIVE the Holy Spirit; he only says that God will give the gift to everybody. Jesus can help us understand. He says that "when He [the Holy Spirit] is come, He will reprove [convict] the world of sin, … because they believe not on Me" (John 16:7-9). The Father "so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son" (3:16). Christ "was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (1:9).

The ancient Jews wouldn't believe this, for they thought that only they are "lighted." But Gentiles are also included! The Holy Spirit sheds light on every human heart; that person may not RECEIVE the light, but in the last great judgment day, no one can accuse God of not letting some light shine upon his pathway, some evidence on which that soul could make a choice. In every human heart the Holy Spirit has brought a conviction of sin, a sense of right and wrong. And blessed are those who respond to that conviction the Holy Spirit gives.

But there's another statement in Peter's sermon that arrests our attention: "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Of course, that must mean, "in sincerity" (Eph. 6:24). God pays attention to "all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours" (1 Cor. 1:2). Here is His "much more abounding grace": "the same Lord … is rich unto all that call upon Him" (Rom. 10:12). David says, "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles" (Psalm 34:6).

Do you feel sinful and unworthy? Call upon the Lord, and believe that in His mercy He will hear you. Yes, He will convict you of sin; but thank Him for that with all your heart!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 23, 1999.