Dial Daily Bread: Stay Closer to the Lord Than to the Crowd at Times Square

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Everything God has told us in the Bible is plain common sense. God is reasonable, and fair. For example, the United States of America is taking extreme precautions because of possible terrorist threats, and many people are afraid. In such a time of crisis, we want to remember the promises that God has given us in the Bible of His protection in times of danger.

For example there is Psalm 91:5, 7: "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, ... A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you." Very comforting words! But is it fair for God to protect you miraculously when a "thousand" or "ten thousands" of people all around you perish? Where is the common sense or fairness in Psalm 91?

The context makes the promise plain and fair: "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (vs. 1). Note that the word "dwells" means that he makes his home there every day. He doesn't run to that "secret place" only when the emergency comes; he has been staying there all along. It means that the Lord will lock the doors and windows when the "terror" comes, to protect him; he will "stay" in that secret place of safety.

God is merciful and gracious, but He is also fair and devoted to common sense. We can't deceive Him. If you wait until a forest fire is bearing down on your house to take out an insurance policy, you're too late. You must "dwell" in the insurance company's policy in order to be safe in the emergency.

It's only fair that God can see some evidence in your life that you really like to "dwell" in His "secret place." It has become your habit to say, "I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress.' ... Because you have made the Lord ... your habitation, ... no evil shall befall you" (vss. 2, 9, 10). God is faithful: when terror threatens, "He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways" (vs. 11; Jesus made plain to us that "all your ways" means paths of duty and service; Matt. 4:6, 7).

Is this trying to build up an insurance policy? No; it's common sense in God's great economy. It's simply being fair and honest with the Lord. What is "the secret place"? Not a sudden works-trip-Bible-study-prayer exercise; no, it's simply loving and daily choosing to stay closer to the Lord than to the crowds in Times Square or at the Space Needle.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 26, 1999.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: What's Wrong With the World?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

What's wrong with the world?

The Lord Jesus Christ has the answer: "Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold" (Matt. 24:12). Is love the problem? Or the lack of it? Could we translate that to mean that people are disobeying the holy law of God? Yes, of course that's true. And do they need to be warned?

But is it wiser to say that people are disregarding the holy law of God because they do not truly know what that "love of God" means? Could it be that instead of needing to be warned, people need to be won?

If we had a meter that could determine the extent of our true obedience, it would register the awareness there is in our soul of the love of Christ; and that would directly correlate with the extent of our obedience to the law of God.

The reason? "He who loves another has fulfilled the law. ... If there is any other commandment, [it is] all summed up in this saying, namely, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Rom. 13:8-10). That is not teaching we should love self. Luther got that right long ago; now you love others as you have always previously, naturally, loved yourself.

Our "love-meter" is not to measure our love for Christ; it is to measure our appreciation of His love for us. We are not saved by our love for Jesus. We are saved by His love for us.

We will gain an incalculable blessing if we will get on our knees, and, as a wise writer has said, "spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ, especially the closing scenes." Let His love, not yours, wash through your soul. Don't begrudge the time!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 12, 2007.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The Happiest Mother of All Time

Dear Friends of “Dial Daily Bread,”

What was it that made the virgin Mary to be the happiest mother of all time? (That is, before that huge “sword” pierced her soul.) The happiness that Mary experienced is shared by many mothers, for God made woman to feel happy becoming a mother--we praise Him for that thoughtfulness and kindness!

But aside from that natural happiness that every woman is intended to know in motherhood, the virgin Mary was especially happy! We read of it in Luke 1:45: Mary has just learned that she is to become pregnant with the Messiah, and in her joyous enthusiasm she dashes off to “the hill country” to have a visit with a cousin, an elderly woman named Elizabeth, the priest Zacharia’s wife, who is 6 months pregnant with John the Baptist.

Elizabeth greets her and bestows upon her this supreme benediction: “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Every mother may share that blessing that comes from believing the Good News that the Lord is communicating to her.

Successful child-training comes from a mother believing the promises of God, but to believe requires a calm, thoughtful heart, free from fretfulness and impatience. Your child may annoy you or exasperate you. Now comes the real crisis: will you believe the Good News that God loves your child more than you do, and if you don’t get in His way, He will give you wisdom to train the child aright? Or will you doubt and disbelieve and allow Satan to put discouraging, fretful words in your mouth that will confuse your child?

Blessed is the mother who immediately reacts to every crisis, every problem, by believing the word of the Lord! A good prayer to pray every day is the one a distraught father once prayed: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). This dark world needs more mothers who will believe like Mary did, and refuse to speak unbelieving words!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 11, 1998.
Copyright © 2017 by “Dial Daily Bread.”

 

Note: Next week many of you will begin studying the new Sabbath School quarterly on "Stewardship: Motives of the Heart." For those who are not already receiving “Sabbath School Today” (SST) we would like to invite you to subscribe (SST is free). You will receive weekly essays on the lessons, some of which are prepared from the writings of Robert J. Wieland, author of “Dial Daily Bread.”

To begin a new subscription please reply to this e-mail with “Subscribe SST” in the body of the e-mail or in the heading. If you are already receiving “Sabbath School Today” there is no need to resubscribe; your subscription will continue.

Dial Daily Bread: A Case of Mistaken Identity?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Jesus tells us that in the Final Day some dear people will stand "before the judgment seat of Christ" expecting Him to praise them for their lives of hard missionary work in serving Him, only to hear Him say sadly, "I never knew you"--a case of mistaken identity? (2 Cor. 5:10; Matt. 7:21-23).

Their whole lives have been a failure while they thought they were riding high on success. Didn't people praise them highly and "all men speak well of" them (Luke 6:26)? But the Father was not the one answering their prayers, and He was not the one "well pleased" with them all this while. Their motivation was self; and human pride; and works.

What a blessing it could be if before they stand before Jesus in final judgment they could pause long enough to pray Psalm 141. David is concerned lest he presume upon the mercy of the Lord: "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips," that is, I fear for myself! (vs. 3). I (that is, self) am my own worst enemy!

David wants someone who truly knows the Lord to rebuke and correct him. That's never fun, is it? "Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him reprove me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it" (vs. 5; the King James Version has the idea that his reproof "shall not break my head," that is, injure me).

Knowing the truth about ourselves is "excellent" Christian experience--and the sooner the better. The first work of the true Holy Spirit is to "convict [us] of sin" (John 16:8). Let's welcome Him! Then the truest joy can come.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 19, 2005.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: How to Brighten the Lives of Children Now and Forever

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

I remember as a child the festive excitement from Thanksgiving on through Christmas. Then I remember the letdown feeling that came with December 26--how dreary the future seemed--364 boring days until another Christmas can come again!

It wasn't only that there would be no more presents: we didn't have much in those days anyway. It was the joylessness of no more Christmas songs about the birth of Jesus until late next year, no more telling of the Bethlehem story; we must put the shepherds and the Wise Men away from our focus of attention; the "Star in the East" won't shine again for a year. It was going to be a bleak eleven months. For this child, life revolved around Christmas.

No one in my little circle seemed to know how to tell really what were the "good tidings of great joy" that the angels told the shepherds the night when Jesus was born. The theological definitions were of course in words beyond my childhood grasp--atonement, justification, righteousness by faith, reconciliation; they all were over my head.

But what I would have loved to hear would have been the story told in simple words, how Jesus by His life and death had already given me eternal happiness that would brighten all my 365 days in the year to come. Each day would be a better-than-Christmas "in Christ." I needed to understand the character of the Father and of His Son (there were shadows in the non-Christmas preaching I had heard about the wrath of God and an ever-burning hell). Once my thankfulness for my few Christmas presents wore off, I frankly didn't know what to be thankful for any more. The somber non-Christmas life I was facing from December 26 on was not very bright.

I suspect that there are still other children as bewildered as I was. Even though we can "put away childish things" (1 Cor. 13:11), I pray that the Lord Jesus may teach us through His Holy Spirit how to tell the pure Good News to children in an intelligible way that will brighten their lives now and forever.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 24, 2004.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Thank God We Can Receive a "New Mind"

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

In telling us the story of the birth of Jesus, Luke tells how, when Joseph and Mary (great with Child) came to the inn in Bethlehem, the innkeeper told them there was "no room in the inn." (If the Innkeeper had known, he could have given them his room and gone down in history as the greatest Innkeeper of all time!)

We never know what marvelous opportunity has come to us at any moment each new day; only if we are moment by moment connected with the Holy Spirit by faith can we be prepared.

There is never any "room" for Jesus anywhere in this sinful earth. Jesus was the target of violence more than any other children, for He was hated when He was a Baby. King Herod sent soldiers to kill all the babies in the environs of Bethlehem in his hatred of the one Baby--Jesus (Matt. 2:16-18).

Paul reminds us that "the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7). We don't like that word "carnal mind," but we all have it by nature. We inherited it from our fallen father Adam; it is our nature to be at "enmity" with God, and therefore at enmity with the Lord Jesus.

But thank God we can be converted, and we can receive a "new mind," for Paul says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5). Paul would never say "Let this or that be," unless it were possible for it to be!

And this "new mind" is not something we have to work for or attain to, for Paul says, "Let" it be; don't stop the Holy Spirit from giving you this "new mind." There is nothing He wants to do greater than that! On your knees, ask Him for it.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 23, 2008.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: God's Demonstration of His Love for the Lowly and Humble

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

In the Bible story of the birth of Jesus, the Lord has demonstrated His love for the lowly and humble of earth.

It was two lowly shepherds camping out in the fields, watching over their flocks by night, to protect them from lions and other predatory animals, that the angels appeared.

Doubtless the brilliant light and the loud singing of the angels may have frightened the humble creatures--although as soon as I say that I think that the Lord would not want to frighten these creatures with His presence. Lambs are a symbol of Christ, "the Lamb of God" (John 1:29).

And the holy angels did not want to intrude upon the lowly shepherds, for they were discussing the prophecies of the Bible that predicted the coming of the world's Savior. Doubtless some of them wondered, "Wouldn't it be great if that world's Savior should be born now? The prophecies of Daniel (9:24-27) tell us of His coming; and the time has come!"

The angels of the Lord come only when they are welcomed, and these humble shepherds welcomed them through their love of the Bible prophecies!

And the Virgin Mary herself proclaimed her humility in life when she said of herself, "[The Lord] has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant" (Luke 1:48).

The Lord spoke well of the Reality of humility: "Thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, with him [or her] who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones'" (Isa. 57:15).

There are some crumbs of truth there even for us to enjoy at this late date.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 11, 2008.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Blessed Indebtedness

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

In this age it is often considered foolish to pay your bills and keep out of debt, to avoid living on borrowed capital. Romans 13:8 says, "Owe no one anything except to love one another." It's good sense indeed to owe nothing except what you have collateral to cover (for example, a home for your family to live in).

A rather common expression in the King James Version is "gird up your loins" (1 Peter 1:13; Eph. 6:14). Even Jesus said we should have our "loins girded about," meaning, Be ready to go almost on a moment's notice (Luke 12:35). Don't let yourself be entangled with worldliness, "lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting [which means too much of anything], and drunkenness [anything that weakens your clear judgment], and cares of this life [credit card debt?], and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them [including even the elders, pastors, and Bible class teachers??] that dwell on the face of the whole earth" (Luke 21:34, 35).

In simple language, what does it all mean? It's now true, more than any time in the past, that "there is not much time left, ... For this world, as it is now, will not last much longer. I would like you to be free from worry" (1 Cor. 7:29-32, Good News Bible). In other words, right now is "borrowed time." (Even a nation that lives on borrowed capital is in danger.)

Here's a morsel of Good News: that text again in Romans 13:8--yes, you are in debt, to love someone today with the love wherewith the Son of God has loved you. Blessed indebtedness, for He has "capital," "collateral," to cover you.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: January 21, 1999.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Luke’s Intimate Details of the Birth of Jesus

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Have you ever noticed how many intimate details of the birth of Jesus that Luke tells? Neither Mark nor John say anything about His birth; yet Luke, a Gentile, gives us a clearer picture than even Matthew. Do you suppose in later years he sought out the Virgin Mary and interviewed her as a reporter would? If so, thank God she told it all to him! And could it be that Luke wants us Gentiles to feel welcomed into God's family?

(1) He alone tells the story of the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-25);

(2) and of Gabriel's announcement to Mary (vss. 26-37). Very intimate details.

(3) Luke alone tells of Mary's ready faith-response, and of that giant sword of Goliath yet to be thrust through her heart (vss. 38; 2:35). Let your heart be pained in sympathy for her!

(4) Luke alone tells of Mary's almost breathless journey up the hills to Elizabeth's home, so she could confide her gigantic secret with her closest friend (vss. 1:39-45).

(5) We thank Luke for sharing her exquisite poem of thanksgiving (vss. 46-55), that seems so like the heartbroken Hannah's psalm of gratitude (1 Sam. 2:1-10). Mary shared some special "humiliation" with Hannah that made them kindred spirits. Luke discloses a very literate, sensitive, and polished lady of exceptional abilities.

(6) Only Luke provides us a fitting entrée to the thrilling story behind the birth of the world's Savior. A totally selfless man must prepare His way (Luke 1:57-80; John 3:28-30; only a selfless people can prepare the way of His second coming; Rev. 14:1-5, 14, 15).

(7) Only Luke tells the beautiful story of the shepherds ready to welcome Him (2:1-18). It humbles our pride just to think of it.

The raucous din of the Season almost drowns out the precious story. Linger over it.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 21, 2003.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Let's Listen to the Angels

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The beautiful song says, "O pause beside the weary road / And hear the angels sing." Let's listen to what they said to the shepherds at Bethlehem (Luke 2:9-14):

(1) "Fear not." But you say, "I do fear, and I can't help it!" "Fear hath torment" (1 John 4:18). You can choose to believe and to fear not! Listen on for the reasons.

(2) "I bring you good tidings." God never brings you Bad News. The bad news that King Saul heard the night he died was not from the Lord, but from Satan. Even if you're on your deathbed, the Lord has only "good tidings" for you!

(3) "Of great joy." Not ordinary joy. The "good tidings" is objective; you cannot make good news or "do" it, but if you believe the objective good tidings, then the joy becomes subjective--a part of your experience.

(4) "Which shall be to all people." Sinners?? "All people" are! Yes, the good tidings are for you, unworthy as you feel yourself to be. The gospel is universal. Christ died the second death "for every man" (Heb. 2:9). "The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isa. 53:6).

(5) "Unto you is born this day ..." Christ is born "unto you," as surely as when a mother delivers a child, the nurse says, "to you is born" this child. The child belongs to the mother. Jesus belongs to you.

(6) "In the city of David ..." There must come that name of the sinful king; he must be remembered, not for his sin, but for his repentance.

(7) "A Saviour." Not a possible, maybe, perhaps, offer of a Saviour if, if, if ... but in fact "the Saviour of the world" (John 4:42), "the Saviour of all men" (1 Tim. 4:10). Some Christian people argue against the angel's message, insisting that He is not "the Saviour of all men," He merely would like to be, if, if, if ... Are you a sinner? Then the truth is, He is now (present tense) your Saviour.

(8) "Which is Christ the Lord." Eternal Son of God, once crucified, soon to be the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 25, 1998.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: In Thanks, What Will You Do for Him?

Dear Friends of “Dial Daily Bread,”

That divine cry of dereliction on Christ's cross, "My God. Why have You forsaken Me?" is the world's moment of truth. In becoming the Son of man, the Son of God became our second Adam, the new corporate Head of the human race.

When the first Adam sinned in Eden, "we" sinned in him, because each of us is "adam"--that is our name. Each of us is his fallen descendant; he could do nothing other than pass on to us his fallen, sinful nature in alienation from his Creator, destined to "perish" eternally.

From Christ's birth in Bethlehem, He lived in the sunshine of oneness with God. "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government [of the world and of the universe] shall be upon His shoulder" (Isa. 9:6, KJV). But He took on His sinless nature our sinful nature that He might meet the awful problem of sin in our flesh, sin's last lair; God sent Him "unto us" "in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, [He] condemned sin in the flesh" (Rom. 8:3). As our second Adam, Christ won the awful battle.

But now as Head of the human race He enters into the darkness of hell on His cross, dying our death, doing what in John 3:16 He says He doesn't want us to do--He tastes what it means to "perish." It's terrible beyond any words. We can't grasp it unless we understand Galatians 3:13: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written [quoting Moses], Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (cf. Deut. 21:22, 23).

Thus He was "made to be sin for us, who knew no sin" (2 Cor. 5:21). For you personally, intimately, not only instead of you but as you, He dies your second death. Now in thanks what will you do for Him?

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 17, 2005.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: "Knocking at the Door"

Dear Friends of “Dial Daily Bread,”

Have you ever been despised and rejected by someone important in your life, whom you deeply loved? You remember the pain was wrenching.

Can we conceive of Jesus Christ experiencing that? On an infinitely grander scale? For millennia our human souls have been concerned for our own salvation; in my youth I remember sincere, grey-haired ordained elders declaring to me that the most important issue in life is the salvation of our own souls. This is almost universally accepted as the essence of orthodoxy. "Evangelism" is crafted on that premise. But there's a more important issue.

In undertaking the salvation of this world, Jesus took our humanity upon Himself; He knows how we can love; the “one” so deeply loved by Him as His bride-to-be is His church.

Has He known the bitterness of unrequited love, as we can know it--only on a cosmic scale? Can the companionship of multitudes of holy angels compensate for what His heart yearns for in the absence of His church's response to His love?

The pain of Calvary was for only a few hours (we think); indeed, it was intense. But the Hosea-like pain of extended nuptial alienation is Calvary's pain extended.

Christ declares Himself as endlessly "knocking on the door" of His Beloved (Rev. 3:20), waiting for a "certain one" (tis, Gr.) to respond as a satisfaction to His own lonely divine-human soul. He is still the One "despised and rejected." He wants to be with His people on earth, even though earth rejected and expelled Him; heaven is simply no longer "home" for Him.

On this grand Day of Atonement, a change has come: the most important question in life is now for us to honor and vindicate Him. He deserves His reward; it is He who must be "crowned," no longer we who seek that honor.

 —Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 15, 2006.
Copyright © 2017 by “Dial Daily Bread.”

Dial Daily Bread: God’s Richest Blessing May Be in the Disappointment We Suffer

Dear Friends of “Dial Daily Bread,”

Many times we tell stories to the children about wonderful answers to prayer. We tell them 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. 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 young child asks for a sharp knife, a loving father or mother will say “No.”

God's richest blessing may be in the disappointment that we suffer. If God is like a Santa Claus to Christians, giving them everything 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. 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.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: "Grafting" Back Into the Vine

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The world is in turmoil. Fear of terrorism is everywhere. And what's the main root cause of this terrible fear? Basically, America's fervent support of the state of Israel. This has been encouraged, almost dictated, by Protestant Christians who believe that the Bible teaches that God's promises to Abraham will be fulfilled by His blessings on a literal, political modern Israel.

Such a vision encouraged President Truman's initial endorsement. That state must eventually recover the boundaries of ancient Israel in the time of Kings David and Solomon, yes, achieve world domination. Theology, true or false, has immense consequences.

But for many centuries Bible-reading Christians also have believed that Abraham's true descendants have always been (and still are) those who have his faith, not just his DNA. They see in the Bible how ancient national Israel rejected their political nationhood when they rejected their true Messiah. "We have no king but Caesar!" they proclaimed officially (John 19:15).

God's New Covenant promises to Israel will be fulfilled by "grafting" individuals back into the Vine, along with believing Gentiles who are "grafted" in--all by faith in Christ, who is the true Vine. "And so," in this way, "all Israel will be saved" (Rom. 11:1-26).

Just now, on this grand cosmic Day of Atonement, the Holy Spirit is working diligently "grafting in" repentant sinners from the ranks of literal Jews and from the myriads of "Gentiles" everywhere. "Therefore consider," says Paul, "the goodness and severity of God" (vs. 22). Let the Holy Spirit "graft" you in; don't "resist Him in His office work."

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 14, 2003.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Can We Find Some Good News in the Southern California Fires?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

[This "Dial Daily Bread" was written during the October 2007 wildfires in Southern California, so evacuation numbers are for 2007 (if interested, you may find details at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_2007_California_wildfires

Similar weather conditions were in place then as with the current situation in Southern California. This "DDB" seems relevant today.]

___________________________________________________                       

This daily mini-Bible study likes to concentrate on happy subjects, and find good things to say about discouraging topics. But we're struggling to find something good to say about the calamity in Southern California.

Imagine--over 350,000 people evacuated from their homes! Imagine what "evacuation" means--how do you "evacuate" without getting on the freeway to get out, and can you imagine 350,000 people clogging the freeways? They can be one vast parking lot.

I used to live in the San Diego area; I never dreamed I would see things like this before the Bible's "seven last plagues" of Revelation 16. Can we find some good news? Yes:

(1) Innumerable acts of kindness are being done by people, even strangers; the Holy Spirit has not yet been withdrawn completely from the earth!

(2) There is evidence that the love of God is still active; in wrath He has remembered mercy (Hab. 3:2).

(3) In the disasters described by the prophet Ezekiel his "woes" usually ended with the promise, "you shall know that I am the Lord" (35:9, for example).

(4) It's always, yes always, good news to learn to "know the Lord." Even the final "lake of fire" at the end of the millennium (the 1000 years of Revelation 20:11-15) demonstrates the mercy of the Lord. The lost will say "Thank You" for that "Lake" rather than exist forever in tortured consciousness of their own utter self-condemnation. They will "welcome destruction," says a very wise writer.

(5) Is God sending these terrible disasters? Is Southern California more wicked than any place else, thus deserves them? This same question was asked Jesus after a local disaster: "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things?" He answered: "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:2). Jesus didn't bring that disaster but He brought good out of it, for all the world to learn.

(6) There is precious good news in this remark of Jesus: it's possible for all of us to "repent" because repentance is a universal gift that the Holy Spirit tries to give us (if we will believe and receive the gift; John 16:8).

(7) This painful disaster, with world news coverage, educates us all in a happy lesson about Reality; it's another proof of God's love: "We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out [when we "evacuate" we probably won't even carry our important personal papers with us]. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content" (1 Tim 6:7, 8). Precious contentment! Enjoy it today.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 23, 2007.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: What God Wants More Than Anything to Give You

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

When we read Matthew 24 or Luke 21, the conviction is overwhelming that we're living in what Daniel says is "the time of the end" (Dan. 11:35; 12:4).

At the same time, the conviction overwhelms us that the last message Revelation says must "lighten the earth with glory" will be the lifting up of Christ on His cross (18:1-4; John 12:32, 33). God has honest-hearted people all over the world. Lifting up their Savior on the cross will "draw" them all to Him.

"The Lord will make a short work upon the earth" (Rom. 9:28). It won't take a long time for the Lord to "finish the work" once He has a people whose hearts are moved and melted by His agape-love seen at the cross.

That "short work" will accomplish not only the proclamation of "the truth of the gospel" to all the world in one generation (Gal. 2:5; Matt. 24:34), what we have thought must take decades or even centuries to prepare God's people to meet Christ when He returns. First Thessalonians 4:16, 17 will be completely fulfilled. God's people will get ready to be "translated" as Hebrews 11:5 describes Enoch's experience. All done in "a short work"!

Now is the time when the Lord's "beatitude" is being fulfilled: "Blessed [happy] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matt. 5:6).

Are you hungry and thirsty? There's nothing the God of heaven wants more than to give you that hunger and thirst. Ask for it!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 4, 2004.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The Ancient Struggle Between Esau and Isaac

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

When the Titanic plowed into the jagged edge of an iceberg, everybody on board suddenly realized his corporate involvement in the ship. No little group or individual could go on feasting and partying to the jazz music; a common fate now faced everyone.

What the captain and crew had done intimately involved everyone--captain, crew, millionaire and steerage passenger. Flooded compartments below deck meant your first class stateroom would soon be flooded. The lights were going out.

Some of us live in lands of peace and prosperity. Can we go on partying while the Middle East is locked in a human struggle that involves an "old covenant" bondage universal in principle? Abraham's family was in reality the human race, for in an "everlasting covenant" God gave him the whole world as "an everlasting possession" (Rom. 4:13; Gen. 17:8, 7).

The Israelis and Arabs epitomize the ancient struggle between Esau and Isaac, both sons of Abraham--one by "the flesh," the other by "promise." But fleshly Jews or Arabs are not Abraham's true "seed": "Those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted as the seed" (Rom 9:8).

"If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise [covenant]" (Gal. 3:29). That is: neither fleshly "Isaac" nor "Esau" has a divine advantage over the other. The Israelis and Arabs contend for a land and a Temple Mount too small for both; their conflict points to the universal struggle for the domination of this planet. Of the common father both claim, Acts 7:5 says, "God gave him no inheritance in [Canaan], not even enough to set his foot on."

If the Lord and Master of us all had also "nowhere to lay His head" (Matt. 8:20), it's time we should each realize that by right we don't "own" even a "foot" of this present earth. Real security is only "in Christ," "the Savior of the world" (John 4:42). Below decks are already flooded; don't set your heart on a stateroom.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 21, 2000.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: "Look to Me"--Too Easy and Simple to Be True

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

It seems too easy and simple to be true, but there it is in Isaiah 45:22. The Lord says, "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other." Could we have misunderstood? Verse 21 confirms it: "There is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior." If He were only just, we would all perish; but He is also a Savior! And there is our hope.

Could the translation be wrong, it seems so simple? The Hebrew word panah means to "turn the face" and is translated as "look" over 40 times in the Old Testament, and the idea of "turn the face" over 50 times. It involves a choice to face reality, not merely a passing, involuntary glimpse. Is it possible that there is salvation in turning your face towards God? That's what Isaiah says!

In Numbers 21 we find the story of the snakes that bit the murmuring Israelites. The Lord told Moses to make a snake out of brass and lift it up on a pole so that those who looked at it earnestly would be healed. And Jesus tells us in John 3:14, 15 that Christ crucified on His cross is the fulfillment of that type. And in the familiar 16th verse He explains further, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish [from the bite of the serpent of sin] but have everlasting life." In other words, to "believe" and to "look" are the same--a choice to face reality.

In Ephesians 3:14-21 Paul explains that the looking and the believing are the same as "comprehending with all the saints" the grand dimensions of the love (agape) of Christ. This is true, because John says that God is agape (1 John 4:8).

So our text, "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth" means, comprehend the amazing character of God, who could destroy us because of His justice, but who is our Savior because of His agape. Yes, comprehending that character of unearthly love will heal you of the poisonous bite of sin. It will change you, from the inside out. "Look!"

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 5, 1998.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Jesus' Solution to John 6:28

Dear Friends of “Dial Daily Bread,”

After 2000+ years, how much progress have "we" made as God's people? Think of them then: expecting their Messiah to come “almost any time,” just as we are expecting the same Messiah to return "almost any time now." At least, "soon." They knew 2000 years ago, just as we know now, that there must come a great reformatory movement among God's people in order to be ready for the Messiah.

There was an atmosphere of expectancy among God's people then, as there is now. And uppermost in their minds was a question that, frankly speaking, is in ours today: "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" (John 6:28).

Today there are seminars and sermons presented in the churches that are variations of that question. "What program, what duty, what plan, shall we do that we might have that great reformatory movement of revival in preparation for the return of our Messiah?"

There is diligent study in the Bible and inspired writings that yield a multitude of quotations about duties to "do"--about health reform, diet, good works, tithes, offerings, witnessing, devotionals--ad infinitum. And some sincere people are brilliant and have re-phrased the question, so it reads: "What shall we not do, to work the works of God?" "What worldly habit must we give up in order to have that great reformation?”

Each "expert" has a new program that this time will "work," if only we will "do" it, or give up doing this or that which is "worldly." There must be something we can "do" (or not do) to cure the worldwide disease of lukewarmness that everybody agrees afflicts the church. We long for some program, some new idea, some plan from some fertile minds.

Could it be that Jesus had the solution 2000 years ago? "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom [God] sent" (vs. 29). The solution is not doing something, but seeing something.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 1, 2001.
Copyright © 2017 by "Dial Daily Bread."