Daily Bread: November 2012

Friday, November 30, 2012

Not Too Late to Stand Alone

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Is it too late in history for God to have men and women who stand loyally for what is right, all alone, in the face of opposition? The Bible tells of many such heroes: Noah, Abraham, Joseph, David hunted by King Saul like a wild beast, Jeremiah, and yes, Jesus Himself (“Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on Him?” John 7:48). Jeremiah was “shut up” in prison, silenced, tortured, despised by the kings of Judah; but he was right and they were dead wrong. In the final judgment day, which would you rather be--lonely Jeremiah in his dungeon or King Jehoikim or King Zedekiah on his throne?

There is a story of William Penn, a foppish, worldly young man of London who became converted to the most active, self-sacrificing Christlike group of Christians of that day. He published a tract criticizing the Church of England, so that the Bishop of London threw him into the Tower. But God’s providence provided for him after his famous and wealthy father’s death to “purchase” from the King of England the largest real estate deal then known: the entire tract of land in the New World that is known as Pennsylvania. And he went on to write a wonderful book entitled, No Cross, No Crown. He helped enormously to prepare the way for the establishment of the United States of America as a refuge for persecuted people where they could find religious liberty. In the final judgment, which would you rather be? William Penn, or the lordly Bishop of London?

You may today stand all alone for Christ and for His truth in your school, your office, your home, your neighborhood; but take courage. The dear Saviour has promised: “Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32). No, it’s not too late to stand alone for Him!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 13, 1998.

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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.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Why Don't I Feel Anything in My Heart?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Often people have said, "I just don't feel anything in my heart! I try to obey everything the Bible says to do, but I wish I could 'survey the wondrous cross' and have that love for Jesus that Paul talks about so much. Why do I feel so cold? I'd be willing to wash Jesus' feet but I don't have any tears like Mary Magdalene had. Why does nothing happen when I read my Bible and pray?"

Well, a wise pastor will tell you not to depend on emotional feelings. True. We are saved by grace through faith, not by feelings. But, was there something the New Testament writers saw that we don't see? If God were to give us a video of the crucifixion of Jesus would that help? (If the answer is yes, then it's God's fault that we are left so cold-hearted).

Could it be that living under the Roman Empire they were privileged to witness genuine crucifixions (they were common), which thank God we don't have to watch? Then they projected onto the Son of God their feelings of sympathy for those helpless (and maybe often innocent) victims writhing in their anguish, and that did it for them? Why do we read that John "wept much" and was moved in his heart to sing with all his soul, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain" (Rev. 5:4, 12)? Something MUST have moved him deeply!

Says Paul, "If we have become incorporate with [Christ] in a death like His, we shall also be one with Him in a resurrection like His. … The man we once were has been crucified with Christ, for the destruction of ... self" (Rom. 6:5, 6, New English Bible). But in the Revised English Bible it's clearer: "If we have become identified with Him in His death, we shall also be identified with Him in His resurrection." Other translators say, "become united with Him," "one with Him," etc., but that word "identified" helps. No, we don't need a movie or a video; the Holy Spirit will do very nicely. Give Him "a thoughtful hour" in prayer, and "identify."

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 25, 2002.

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.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

A More Exciting, More Joyous Alternative

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

If you had been living 2000 years ago, what kind of a life would you have chosen? The world was much like it is today--full of selfish people bent on pleasure and sensual delight and amusement. There were the Roman overlords living in luxury in their fancy villas on the Mediterranean, flocking to sports events in the amphitheaters, eating luxury food, employing poor people to work for them. These upper crust people got the most out of life--or did they?

And now here comes that Man from Galilee who had not where to lay His head (Matt. 8:20), and He says to you, "Take up your cross and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). Will you do so gladly? Will you turn your back on the pleasures and wealth of the Roman world, and follow Jesus through a life of self-denial and loving labor for others, spreading the news of justification by faith? Will you join His eleven surviving apostles and others?

Of the two ways of life anciently, which would be the more enjoyable to you? Well, that's exactly where you are today. You have exactly the same choice. Nothing has changed: (1) the same selfish mind-set has captured the world today, and (2) the same pure Gospel of righteousness by faith offers the same alternative to selfish living.

The Bible clearly teaches that we are today living in the antitypical Day of Atonement, the grand climax to the drama of the ages, the great controversy between Christ and Satan. It's the war of all wars. It's not a matter merely of personal survival or personal happiness: it's the honor of God Himself that is at stake. Unless He has a people on earth who "give glory to Him" in this final battle, He will be embarrassed.

Every one on earth will be drawn into this conflict on one side or the other. I suggest that taking up that cross to follow Jesus is by far the more exciting, more joyous alternative. Do you agree?

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 6, 1998.

Monday, November 26, 2012

What Does It Mean to Be Ready to Be Baptized?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Right now, there are thousands of people around the world who are thinking seriously about being baptized as followers of Jesus. But some thoughtful ones are disturbed, asking questions: How do I know I can hold out? Suppose I make promises to God that I find I can't keep? Suppose I fall back again into sin? Won't this make Him angry? And some, because of these fears, shy away. What does it mean to be ready to be baptized?

Forget me or any preacher for the moment, and look at what Jesus Himself says: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). And lest you doubt that He really said that (some people do), then what about what the apostle Paul said to the jailer who asked him at midnight, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul's answer was: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:30, 31). And then you take a deep breath, and you wonder, Is it really that easy? You've heard so many people talk about doing this or that, and these two texts have you confused. "Don't I have to keep the ten commandments?" you ask.

Well, let's be careful and see what the ten commandments really say. Many preachers misquote them by leaving out the beginning of what the Lord said: "I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage" (Ex. 20:2). If you leave out that precious Good News you misconstrue all "ten" commandments! If you choose to believe that, then they suddenly change color, and become ten promises.

If you will choose to believe that the Lord has saved you from the darkness, the death, the horror that is "Egypt," the sin of the world, that He has delivered you by means of His great sacrifice for you, that you have been delivered from that "house of slavery," that by His blood He has given you freedom (if you do believe this your heart is melted and is reconciled to God!), then the Lord promises that you will never bear false witness, never steal, never commit adultery, never kill (includes hating people!), etc., etc. And yes, you will keep the Sabbath, the Lord's day. All because you have chosen to believe, to appreciate, what He has done for you! "Why do you tarry?" (Acts 22:16).

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 11, 1998.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

"That News Is So Good!"

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

A new believer in Christ who had just been baptized asked, "I've been reading something from the Book of Daniel about a 'cleansing of the sanctuary' (8:14). What does it mean?"

I responded in part: "Christ's 'sanctuary' is His hospital where He labors as the Great Physician. Millions of angels serve Him as His 'nurses' in caring for people sick, not only of physical ailments, but sick of sin. They need to be healed. He is on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And you are the only patient He has in that vast hospital which is His 'sanctuary.' So He devotes His full time to your case, as if there were not another person on earth, for He is infinite.

"For nearly 2000 years He served in the 'first apartment' of that heavenly sanctuary where His primary work was to prepare people to die and come up in the first resurrection, to everlasting life. And that was a wonderful work. But now in His special work in the Most Holy Apartment where He is performing that new ministry Daniel speaks of as 'cleansing the sanctuary,' He has a special work. He is preparing a body of people all over the earth to be ready to be translated without tasting death, as 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 describes, when He returns. And that is His purpose for you.

"He will accomplish that work if you do not interpose a rebellious will to hinder Him. It's not your work to save yourself, but you are to cooperate with Him in His work of saving you. He will hold your hand if you do not wriggle your hand out of His (Isa. 41:13).

"This wonderful ministry of cleansing the sanctuary is being accomplished all over the earth as people from 'every nation, kindred, tongue, and people' (Rev. 14:6-12) are responding to His ministry being done through Christ's Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Welcome to that happy body of people whose purpose is to stay close to Christ in His unique High Priestly ministry!"

When I finished, she sat back, smiled, and drew a deep breath. I asked, "Why did you take that deep breath?"

She replied, "Because that News is so Good!"

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 15, 2004.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Has Jesus Resigned as True Head of His Church?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Has Jesus Christ resigned as the true Head and Leader of His church on earth? Has He left its management in the hands of some incompetent "vicar of Christ" or vice-president (the word "vicar" is related to vice-president)? Or, instead of one man being "the vicar of Christ on earth," has Christ resigned the leadership of His church into the hands of a committee or an organization, so that fallible people have taken His place on earth?

If the answer is "yes," then it would follow logically and reasonably that the Roman Catholic idea of the "vicar of Christ" is basically true. Whether that "vicar" is one man or an organizational hierarchy is irrelevant--the basic idea remains that Christ must be away on business and has left His church in the hands of His "vice-president."

There is a clear Bible answer to all these questions: the true "vicar of Christ" is neither one man nor an assembly of fallible people--that Vicar is the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-14; 14:16-18). Christ is not on vacation nor away on celestial business; He is present with us through the Holy Spirit.

Sincere people often worry about what's happening to their beloved church; and history is clear--that "vicar of Christ" has indeed often been "resisted," "rejected," even sometimes "insulted." But Christ's last message to His church (Rev. 3:14-21) indicates clearly that "injured and insulted Deity will speak." All He needs are agents through whom He can work, people who "have understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" (1 Chron. 12:32), in whom self has finally been "crucified with Christ" (Gal. 2:20).

The combination is clear: "informed intelligence" + self-crucified = leadership whom the Holy Spirit will use to right every wrong, and in cooperation with Christ "bring in everlasting righteousness" (Dan. 9:24). Informed intelligence includes a knowledge of the gospel (not merely refined legalism), and "self-crucified" means boldness and readiness to die for that "truth of the gospel" (Gal. 2:5-11).

There is Good News!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 31, 2000.

Monday, November 19, 2012

How Closely Did Christ Identify With Us?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Does your heart crave the joy that filled the hearts of the early apostles?

Yes! We are not satisfied with a dull, unenthusiastic, leaden kind of spiritual experience, common as it may be. What did the apostles have that we don't seem to have? They saw the significance of the cross of Christ! Yes, they also believed the resurrection of Christ; but the resurrection meant nothing without appreciating what He had accomplished by His cross.

Billions of Christians around the world all glibly profess that "Christ died for our sins." But how and why did He die?

To study for the answer is not an exercise in futility or riding a hobby horse. Paul says, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal. 6:14); and he told the Corinthians that he knew nothing, save Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:1-3). The light which will yet lighten the earth with its glory will be a revelation of the significance of that love revealed at the cross. Something about the cross will yet stir Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, yes those billions of lukewarm Christians.

Did Christ die (1) only as an alien millionaire stepping in briefly to pay our legal debt? The word used to describe this view is "vicarious." It's like someone who might offer to spend someone's time in jail or pay his fine--so he could go free instead. Or (2) did Christ actually become one of us, the second Adam, and die as us? How closely did He identify with us?

#1 is an exchanged transaction; #2 is a shared experience. #1 leaves the human heart cold, or at best, lukewarm; #2 lights the soul with unending joy. According to their testimony in the New Testament, the apostles clearly were fired with #2.

If you want that kind of joy, know nothing but Christ and Him crucified; then His resurrection will mean new life for you in Him.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 13, 1997.

Friday, November 16, 2012

How Can You Distinguish Between Faith and Presumption?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

How can you distinguish between faith and presumption? Between "obeying the voice of the LORD" and fanaticism? Everything depends on the answer, because if you don't have "faith," you will "perish" (John 3:16).

Noah had it, building a boat on dry land "at the word of the LORD." Abraham had it, leaving his "Beverly Hills" home in Ur of the Chaldees to live in a tent the rest of his life. David had it, a mere stripling armed with a slingshot and five pebbles facing "in the name of the LORD" the well-armored Goliath. Elijah had it, drenching with water the altar on Mt. Carmel, facing certain death at the hands of Ahab if the Lord let him down with no fire to consume his sacrifice.

Was Elijah a man of great physical stature and personality, or was he a shy, retiring, trembling human like we are? It would be interesting to see a video actually shot on location on Mt. Carmel, but the best we have is what the Bible says about him, and that is that he was like you and me: "Elijah was the same kind of person as we are" (James 5:17). Tempted to be afraid to stand alone? Yes!

The faith of Elijah is a million miles away from presumption; he trembled a long time before the LORD, knelt to pray about the situation, day after day, year after year until finally the Lord strengthened his conviction to distinguish between Baal and Jehovah (precious few in Israel had that discernment!), and then courage enough to go to Ahab and give him the Lord's ultimatum--take your choice, O king: Baal worship and famine, or repentance and God's blessing. And all during those 3-1/2 years he had to "pray earnestly" (James 5:17) continually every day or he could never have taken the stand he did on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18). There were "7000" who had "not bowed the knee to Baal," yet not one had the courage to stand up when Elijah made his challenge, Who is on the Lord's side?! "The people answered him not a word" (vs. 21). Blessed be the "7000," yet all apparently still had some cowardice deep in their souls!

Revelation tells us "144,000" Elijahs will each "bloom" alone where he/she is "planted," in the last days. O Lord, give us discernment to distinguish between fanaticism and faith, and then courage to stand for the right though the heavens fall!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 7, 2009.

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.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

The Day of Atonement Is NOW!

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The Lord's great cosmic Day of Atonement is NOW.

It's the grand fulfillment of what ancient Israel were taught to observe in a typical way once a year when the people were commanded to fast on that one day--"the tenth day of the seventh month." Their high priest risked his life in their behalf by going into the presence of God in the Most Holy part of the ancient sanctuary.

It was the one day of the year when the people were invited--summoned--to lift their thoughts and concerns above their earthly life to enter into the feelings of God on a personal level. Year after year this one great Day was observed, century after century, with the emphasis on personal and national judgment on themselves. It became the most egocentric Day of their year. Little did they actually enter into the feelings of God and share with Him His concern and His love for a world lost in sin. The "judgment" was a personal final exam; and if at its end they felt they had "passed," great was the rejoicing that their day of atonement was over for another year.

But now since the world has passed the 2300-year prophecy of Daniel 8:14, "then shall the sanctuary be cleansed," we as the world have entered into our great antitypical Day of Atonement. It's beyond our own personal individual salvation. We have reached the time when Revelation 3:20 must reach its fulfillment by sensing a concern for Christ that He receive Hisreward!

The Lord says, "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." It's time for more than a childish grasp; that's an invitation to share with Him the government of God, to bring to a close the "great controversy" now raging between Christ and Satan, not perpetuating it for centuries more.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 26, 2006.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The Prophetic Drama Is Starkly Simple

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

During the greater part of two centuries there has been a group of Christians who see in the Bible a vast cosmic "controversy" between Christ and Satan--Christ in Daniel spotlighted as "the Son of man," and in Revelation as "the Lamb." World history is symbolized by seven angels sounding "seven trumpets." Under the sixth, Islam is pictured as a torment and torture to apostate Western Christianity, but not as gaining a final ascendancy over it.

Under the seventh trumpet God's love is highlighted in a final message of mercy and warning for "every nation, kindred, tongue and people" just before the second coming of "the Son of man." Revelation 14 introduces the final scene as a conflict between the pure, true "everlasting gospel" and a massive counterfeit known as "Babylon." The prophetic drama is starkly simple; even a child can grasp its overall significance. The special enlightenment of the Holy Spirit is what God solemnly promises to anyone who will seek to understand (see Dan. 12:4, 10; Rev. 1:1-3).

The mysterious machinations of Islamic terrorism are seen in Revelation as simple compared with the subtle religious deceptions foisted on the world by "Babylon." It will all end with a final confrontation between "the mark of the beast" and "the seal of God."

But there is great Good News: (a) a "remnant" "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth"; (b) their "names are … written in the book of life of the Lamb"; and (c) "they that are with [the Lamb, on His side] are called, and chosen, and faithful." What does it take to be in that blessed group? You "survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died"; your heart is moved by Hisagape (He died your second death). As His love motivates you, self is crucified with Him. You can't help but live to His glory.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 6, 2001.

Monday, November 12, 2012

A New Mind in Old Flesh

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

What we need is not new flesh, but a new mind in our old flesh. God doesn't zap the flesh and make it sinless; He does give us a new mind that triumphs over the sinful flesh. (The Bible word for "sinful nature" is "flesh.")

But someone asks, "Well, the bottom line must be: how do we get that 'new mind'"?

Not by working; not by DOING. The answer is in Philippians 2:5-8: "LET this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." The grace of God GIVES that "mind" to you; don't resist. As great High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary (don't think of it as millions of light years away!) Christ works to impart that "mind" to us. The process is ministered by "grace," an appreciation of His gift to us.

The story is in those seven steps of condescension the Son of God took in coming to where we are, to save us--here's His "mind": (1) He gave up His "equality" with God; (2) "emptied Himself" like you turn a bottle upside down to drain it; (3) gave up His "reputation"; (4) was "made in the likeness of men," lower than the angels; (5) "humbled Himself," became a slave washing people's dirty feet (John 13); (6) "became obedient unto death," the only one in 6000 years to do so (a suicide is running away from reality, but this "death" that Christ was "obedient" to is the real thing--the "second death," the "curse of the law" (Gal. 3:13; Rev. 20:15); (7) He died "the death of the cross," the curse being "forsaken" by God forever.

Where did Jesus have to go to find us lost sheep? There, to hell; to dying the death that sin "pays" as "wages," eternal separation from the Father, from life and light and love. You ponder, you begin to appreciate the dimensions of the agape that drove Him there. And His "mind" begins to be imparted to you. And you "overcome even as [He] overcame."

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: September 6, 2001.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Why Do Many Youth Become Isolated From the Church?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Why is it that so many youth who sincerely choose to follow Jesus and are baptized later grow cold and isolated from the church? It's easy to blame them, "They didn't hold on, they didn't persevere, they didn't obey, they didn't read the Bible enough, they didn't pray enough," etc. But they were sincere in their initial youthful devotion! And being young they were of impressionable minds.

Somewhere they picked up ideas that germinated and led to spiritual discouragement. All the socials, parties, campouts, and fellowship sports that were intended to wed them emotionally with the church, failed to hold them in their late teens. A ten-day stint in "missionary work" in places like Mexico or Honduras encouraged them to think they had done their duty, like they had done their geometry class.

Paul's letter to the Galatians gives a hint of what has gone wrong: somewhere they have imbibed old covenant ideas into their impressionable minds. And that may not be their fault! In Galatians Paul reduces the gospel "trigonometry" to a crystal clear idea: The New Covenant was God's one-sided promise to Abraham and his descendants to give them the entire earth made new for "an everlasting possession" and the righteousness necessary to inherit it "in Christ." The Old Covenant was the promise of the people at Mount Sinai to perform faithful obedience: "all that the Lord hath spoken we will do" (Ex. 19:8).

That Old Covenant became the fundamental thesis of Israel's understanding of God's truth, which culminated eventually in the murder of their Messiah. Thus Israel's history demonstrates that the covenant "from mount Sinai ... gendereth to bondage" (Gal. 4:24). All efforts to fasten old covenant "promises" on children and youth are bound to "gender to bondage" in their spiritual experience. One wise writer says, "The knowledge of your broken promises and forfeited pledges weakens your confidence in your own sincerity and causes you to feel that God cannot accept you" (Steps to Christ, p. 47).

God doesn't ask us to promise Him righteousness; He asks us to believe His promises to us.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 5, 2000.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Were Jesus' Prayers Always Answered?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

I wonder if anyone reading this message has ever had the experience of praying for something special, and not getting what you asked for. I've talked with someone who prayed and prayed and prayed for a blessing, something that everybody needs, not a luxury, just something down to earth--a job where he could earn enough to support the family with the barest necessities of life, and the kind of work he is trained to do and is competent to do. It seemed that his prayers had not been answered.

Were Jesus' prayers always answered? It seems so, as we read the gospel stories. One day He saw a fig tree all decked out with leaves--a sign that it should have had some delicious figs ready to eat, and He was hungry. But there was no fruit, only leaves; and He said, "Let no fruit grow on you ever again"--because you have deceived us with the pretense of having leaves without fruit. And immediately the tree withered away from its roots.

The disciples marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so soon?" (Matt. 21:19-20). Then Jesus answered, "If you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive" (vss. 21, 22).

When we pray, let us (1) believe that the Lord hears us, (2) believe that He loves us and is fair, and (3) be patient to wait for the answer if it is delayed (Daniel prayed a long time for a blessing, but all that while the angel was wrestling with the King of Persia who was hindering the answer from coming). Let us (4) remember that wars are not always won in a day or two, (5) thank the Lord for what blessings we do have, and (6) remember that others are suffering too, and the Lord is teaching us to be compassionate for them.

--Robert J. Wieland

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

Friday, November 09, 2012

How to Live Those "Six Working Days"

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

For our happiness, our Creator and Savior has told us that "six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God" (Ex. 20:9, 10). Granted, we believe that. We gladly give Him that "seventh day."

But is there another bit of what may be seen as "holy time"? The remaining "six days" of the week are not an escapade from God; seven days a week we are to "abide" in Christ and we are to invite, to welcome Him to "abide" in us (John 15:4). After the toil of each of "the six working days" the dear Lord "gives His beloved sleep" (Psalm 127:2). Thus we awaken each new morning refreshed to "abide" another day in Christ, while we go about our lives. Jesus gave us an example for our encouragement about how to live those "six working days" of the week:

"In the morning, having risen a long time before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed" (Mark 1:35). This is not an example of deprivation of needed sleep which the Lord "gives His beloved," no; it's just a healthy way to live; it was His habit to go to bed early so He could do this (unless someone like Nicodemus would come and keep Him up late, see John 3:2).

In God's plan, each new day begins at sundown (Gen. 1:5). It was Roman paganism that changed this so it begins at midnight. On this cosmc Day of Atonement, those who follow our great High Priest in His cleansing His sanctuary, choose to "abide" in Him; we jealously guard that morning time when He awakens us (see Isa. 50:4, 5). Guard that evening hour too.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 19, 2005.

Thursday, November 08, 2012

One More Job For Elijah

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Some have criticized Elijah for being so abrupt and confrontational in dealing with his majesty King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Weren't the two the appointed leaders of God's work of that day? Hadn't the Lord wonderfully blessed Ahab's leadership of Israel with great success economically and militarily? Hadn't King Jehoshaphat, David's faithful successor, cooperated publicly with King Ahab? Shouldn't Elijah have worked more tactfully, become maybe "prophet #451," and ministered quietly within the structure to bring about a gradual reformation? His was a very independent ministry, maybe offensive.

Above all, Elijah is faulted for a grievous "holier-than-thou" attitude--he thought he was the only one loyal to the true God. The Lord had to dress him down for that--God had seven thousand hiding in the closet who hadn't "bowed the knee to Baal" (1 Kings 19:18; fearful?).

Wait a moment! The Bible gives Elijah great support: (a) His prayers were answered; that's something! (James 5:16-18). (b) God sent ravens to provide his board in the wilderness; (c) God appointed a pagan widow outside of Israel's borders to cook for him and provide him a guest room; (d) God honored him with fire from heaven--wow! (e) God sent him an angel to cook his meals for him in the desert when he was discouraged; (f) to top it all, God granted him a privilege only one other human in history (Enoch) has ever had--he was translated to heaven without tasting death. And better even than that, Elijah was entrusted with the honor of encouraging the Son of God as He faced His crucifixion (Matt. 17:3).

We'd better be careful what we say; Elijah is alive somewhere in God's great universe--maybe even reading this little essay! We don't want to knock a man so highly honored by God. Malachi 4:5, 6 seems to indicate that God has entrusted him with one more job: to lead or direct a vast reformation among God's people just before the second coming of Christ.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 12, 2002.

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

The "Elijah" Message--What Will It Do?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

When the "Elijah message" comes, what will it do? How can we recognize it, so we don't treat it as the Jews treated John the Baptist? (cf. Matt. 17:10-13).

It will not be a revival of legalism, harsh, vindictive, condemnatory. Just the opposite: "He ["Elijah"] shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers" (Mal 4:6). A message of reconciliation! And that means "atonement"--the cosmic Day of Atonement ministry centered in the sanctuary's Most Holy Apartment.

Elijah had no patience with the "prophets of Baal," but he had enormous patience and tenderness for the people. The people were sheep who had been led astray by their shepherds who had been supported from the national treasury. (Anyone who gains his livelihood administered from the sacred tithe should tremble before God.) Elijah's indignation was inspired by the Holy Spirit. It was the "righteous indignation" God expresses in Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 22 and 34 where He says "Woe be unto the pastors," the "shepherds," who are "profane," "who do feed themselves." Self-worship disguised as the worship, the ministry, of Christ! That is the essence of Baal worship. God hates it.

But His heart yearns toward the people who are led astray, especially the youth and the children. "Elijah's" message will heal alienated hearts. Hardness will be melted. Through "the grace of God," not through harsh legalism, buried "roots of bitterness" will be exposed for what they are and a people will realize a precious oneness with Jesus (cf. Zech 13:1; Heb 12:15).

And, of course therefore, a precious oneness with one another! "Elijah's" message will do for God's people what it did for him--it prepared him for translation. Don't kid yourself: Satan will oppose that message hell-bound. But "the grace of God" will be much more abounding. God's people will respond to their High Priest.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 18, 1002.

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

The "Elijah" Message Is Here Somewhere

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

God's promise regarding Baal worship is tremendous Good News because it means He "will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord" (Mal. 4:5). Israel was in a terrible condition spiritually when the Lord sent him to King Ahab with his terrible news of drought and famine. But there was no other way to arouse the apostate people of God. Elijah was sent to them in love.

We want to be very careful that we know how to recognize "Elijah" when the Lord sends him again. Every one of us without exception should walk in fear and trembling lest we make the same mistake the Jews did in the days of John the Baptist. Their "Elijah" came and went and they had no idea what had happened! God always loves His people but He seems to take delight in taking them by surprise: ancient apostate Israel hated the messenger of the Lord when He sent him--Ahab and Jezebel wanted to kill him and when the leaders of the Jewish church saw the new "Elijah" in John the Baptist they didn't recognize him. They said, "He has a devil" (Matt. 11:18).

Wouldn't it be terrible if, in these last days we treated our new "Elijah" that way and didn't know what we were doing? Their "Elijah" was a humble man notably not dressed in "soft raiment" as "in kings' houses" (vs. 8). Someone very humble, "despised and rejected of men" as was Jesus, may be "come already, and [we] knew him not, but [do] to him whatever [we] wish" (17:12). Let's study the story of John the Baptist.

God is faithful. Many people today "sigh and cry for all the abominations" they see in the "land" (cf. Ezek. 9:4), but let them not yield to sinful despair and "smite" their "fellowservants" in their frustration (cf. Matt. 24:48, 49). The "Elijah" message is here somewhere. Don't misunderstand and overlook it!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 12, 2004.