Dial Daily Bread: Whom Do We Truly Worship?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

It was the greatest love affair that has ever been on this earth: a man had met the woman of his dreams. His loneliness had been the most painful ever felt on earth; his life a profound emptiness until he came face to face with her--then suddenly his life was thrilled with meaning. She was the perfect fulfillment of his dreams, every cell of his being in love with her. There was "no rose in all the world" until she came, no star that shone until her light arose on him.

The one man who has known the most of what it means to be a man in love was Adam, and the woman whom he loved was Eve. She was indeed God'sgift to him, as the Hebrew tries to tell us, "an help meet for him" (Gen. 2:18, King James Version), or "answering to him." Just perfectly what his soul longed for.

And then she had transgressed the holy law of God, her sin the prototype of billions of sins on earth to come. And she seemed to be so happy in her new found freedom of rebellion against God; a new life, a new freedom, a new wonderment. That gorgeous creature, the glorified serpent had introduced her to real lifeand she became an instant "missionary" for her new life treasure. She longed to share it with her husband. So Eve became thetemptress of all time.

In a flash Adam knew what had happened when she handed him the forbidden fruit; God had not forbidden them to touchit--only to eat it. Holding it in his hand, Adam had not sinned. He knew what was involved; he saw these 6000+ years of anguish stretching before them. But oh, how could he separate himself from her, the woman of his dreams, his love? Seizing the fruit he thrust it into his mouth--love for her must win this struggle, not devotion to God. And so sin entered this world.

Has any man ever sacrificed the love of woman for fellowship with Christ? Christ Himself knows love for a "woman," love that absorbs Hissoul. We sinful humans can only pray, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9: 24), or transliterated, "Lord, I love You, but help my weakness in my love for her (or him)!"

None of us can be "worthy" of Christ; but He says the truth: there comes a time when we must yield "the dearest idol I have known, whate'er that idol be" in devotion to the One who went to hell for us, for He alone is agape(Matt. 10:37; Luke 14:26). We're closer to Eden than we may have thought. Whom do we truly worship?

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 20, 2007.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: What Has Kept God Busy Since Creation?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

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

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

Is your human heart reconciled to God? Are you alert to realize that your natural human heart "is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7), except through the atonement of Christ? Do you still wrestle with a lingering sense that somehow you must make yourself good before He can be reconciled to you, and before He can really accept you and respect you? Do you have that nagging feeling that He cannot truly be your Friend until you are worthy? While you are sitting in the pigsty, do you wish you had a Father who would forgive and accept the prodigal? If so, you need to know about the Day of Atonement.

As never before in world history the world's attention is directed now to the atoning sacrifice of Christ where "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. ... We implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:19, 20). But you can't"be" unless you first believe He is reconciled to you!

So, "spend a thoughtful hour" contemplating the cross where that reconciliation was accomplished.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: January 28, 1998.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: You Must Take Time to "Look"

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The people in Corinth were wealthy, busy, and cultured, and many were educated, but they were obsessed by sensual pleasure. There was even a temple devoted to sensual pleasure as a religion, with (it is reported) 1,000 girls and women serving as temple prostitutes, and men as well. A huge city of 600,000 people, like a modern New York, London, Tokyo, or San Francisco. Even today the exact same problems of money and sensual pleasure obsess people. And they are both cruel deceptions, for neither can satisfy the deep longings in the human heart.

Do you hunger for money and wealth? You are looking for heaven on earth, and you won't find it here--only disappointment. Do you hunger for human love? This is a natural, God-given hunger. But you won't find its satisfaction in sensual pleasure; all you'll get is a momentary thrill and an empty sense of guilt and self-condemnation afterwards.

What you hunger for is the real thing--which is genuine love. And that is the love of Christ. Paul discovered that the love of Christ was the answer to the heart-cry of Corinth. He said, "The message of the cross ... is the power of God. ... I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Cor. 1:18; 2:2).

The people saw themselves on that cross with Jesus; He was not only dying in their place, He was dying as them; they identified with Him. The revelation of that love as agapeproved to be the only medicine that could heal human hearts and souls poisoned with the disease of sensuality. That love, agape, conquers sin at its deepest roots.

The Bible says you get it by looking--in other words, opening your eyes. "Behold! [Take a good long look at] The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). You think that's too simple? Well, it does take time. You must take time to "look."

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: January 6, 1998.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The Heavenly Father Will Never Give Us a "Stone"

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

In His delightful little story in Luke 11 Jesus tells how the man who begged his neighbor for some bread for his unexpected guests kept on begging at midnight until the wearied neighbor finally got up and gave him all he needed. Then comes the heart-warming assurance from Jesus: if we continually "beg" the heavenly Father for some "bread," He will never give us a "stone" (vss. 5-11).

Continual praying for the gift of the Holy Spirit means continual hunger and thirst for "bread" and the "water of life." It means continually feeling in need, feeling wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked (Rev. 3:17); continually sensing that our "pantry" is empty. There is no point in continually "asking" unless we have that continual hunger and thirst, otherwise our prayers are like the Tibetan prayer-wheels where the prayers flap in the breeze 24 hours a day. God has trouble "feeding" anyone who isn't hungry.

Perhaps before we beg for the "bread," we should ask Him to give us an appetite that feels our emptiness; makes us aware that entertainment only masks the unconscious malnutrition of our souls. Often we pray for answers that it seems the Lord wisely delays to give us; but for certain, a prayer, "Lord, show me my need! Reveal to me my selfishness, my hypocrisy, my buried sin,"--that prayer will be answered quickly because it is the kind of prayer John says must be answered for it is "according to [God's] will" (1 John 5:14).

Lastly, Jesus' little story tells a secret: when you ask for "bread" in order to give it to someone else (not yourself!) that is what brings a guaranteed answer in the positive. What a thrill of joy we experience when we learn to "ask to give."

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 19, 2000.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: You Have Been Given Your "Measure of Faith"

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The Lord Jesus Christ has said it plainly--"whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Sounds like He wants everybody to be saved, doesn't it? And yes, specifically, He does, for we read, He "desires all men to be saved" (1 Tim. 2:4).

But "all have sinned" (Rom. 3:23); and by nature all are alienated from God so that the call is to us all, "We implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20). How can we believe while we're "alienated"?

And for many people, that idea of "believing" seems difficult; for them, that is the one great hurdle in the way of salvation: they don't know how to believe. They think they can't.

But right here is where everything comes into focus: "God has dealt to each one the measure [metron, Gr.] of faith" (Rom. 12:3).

Here's the idea: no matter how badly you have been mis-educated, or have sinned, or been perverted, or wandered away, or how deeply against Him you have rebelled, God has given you that "measure [metron] of faith." Yes; He doesn't say that He has offeredyou a measure of faith--, He has "dealt" to you that measure of faith. The original word means to "part," "deal," "distribute," "divide," "give part."

You have been given your "metron"of faith. You have already received the ability to "believe." God has "put enmity between [the serpent] and the woman" (Gen. 3:15). Now face up to reality: nothing but your own perverse choice to deny, to expel, to crush, to trample upon that "measure of faith" God has already given you, can keep you out of the eternal kingdom of God.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 11, 2006.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Christ's Bride-to-be--Can He Trust Her to Be "With Him" in That Last Trying Hour?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

We know we're living in the last days. The "time of trouble" is coming (Dan. 12:1), and "the bowls of the wrath of God" ["the seven last plagues"] (Rev. 16:1), and "days of vengeance" (Luke 21:22) when "men's hearts [are] failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth" (vs. 26). With Peter each of us cries out, "Lord, save me!" (Matt. 14:30).

But what will He save us to, being only one in "a great multitude which no one could number"? (Rev. 7:9). More than that! "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne," says Jesus (3:21). That's not an honorary decoration--that's executive responsibility in bringing to a close the great controversy between Christ and Satan! No simplistic trust. It's obvious: the Lamb needsthem to stand "with Him" in this final "war" (17:14). They have a serious contribution to make!

An example of the kind of trust the Lamb will repose in them can be seen in the career of Elijah. The 3-1/2 year famine in Israel in the time of Ahab's and Jezebel's Baal worship was the result of the initiative that Elijah took. The Bible record is interesting; God threatened to write Israel off (Assyria would soon conquer them into captivity anyway; see the book of Hosea, for example). But the Lord allowed Elijah to express his heart of love for Israel (as with Moses, Ex. 32:31, 32). The famine was the last possible way to arrest their attention in their "rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing" attitude (Rev. 3:17, King James Version).

As we read 1 Kings 17:1 and James 5:17, 18, the famine was Elijah's idea! The Lord simply responded to his initiative in prayer both beginning the famine, and ending it. We need to re-evaluate Elijah; God put the nation of Israel in his hands, as it were, because He did more than love him. He trusted him.

Christ's Bride-to-be ("the Lamb's wife," Rev. 19:7, 8) has something to do on her own in closing the great controversy. She "must make herself ready" for "the marriage." The Lamb can't do that. She must do it! He not only desires her; He needs her. Can He trust her to be "with Him" in that last trying hour?

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 14, 2006.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The Last Soul-winning Ministry of All Time

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

In his chapter 60, Isaiah is overjoyed to write about the time when the earth will be drenched with a special "light" of "the truth of the gospel." He says to God's people, "Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you" (vs. 1). We have usually thought of this as the time when we will have greater media outlets for increased volume, so everybody in the world will at last hear what has been our traditional understanding of the message.

There is an identical "loud voice" in Revelation 14:9 and 18:1-4 that characterizes the last soul-winning ministry of all time. Will it be a greater noise level that will command the world's attention? We have talked, and prayed, and sung about it for generations. Have we assumed it will be a glorious and triumphant success for the church, to validate all our past labors? Millions who have gone to "sleep in Jesus" have dreamed of living in those awe-inspiring days when the earth will be "lighted."

But wait a moment: The Bible is not talking about an increased noise level, but of increased "light." It's to be a clearer grasp of what Paul repeatedly calls "the truth of the gospel" (Gal. 2:5,14). Jesus said "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Greater light in understanding the gospel of righteousness by faith brings that freedom.

But if someone feels "rich and increased with goods" in his understanding of the message, it could mean he has no "hunger and thirst for righteousness" (see Matt. 5:6). Emotionalism can easily be mistaken for truth. The "glory" spoken of in Isaiah 60:2 and Revelation 18:1-4 will be a clearer grasp of justification by faith. We don't want to be blinded to the light when the Lord sends it as the Jews were blinded to their Messiah when He came. You can "follow" Jesus only if you "take up [your] cross daily" to be "crucified with Him" (Luke 9:23, Gal. 2:20).

Living is serious business now. Be serious in coming to the Lord.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 19, 2004.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Faith AND Works or Faith WHICH Works?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Conservative Christians for hundreds of years have discussed (even argued) the relationship between faith and works. Their favorite word used to describe it is "balance." The popular idea is that one must hold faith and works in "balance." If you talk about faith for 10 minutes then you must also talk about works for 10 minutes. However, a check of the concordance reveals that nowhere in the Bible is the word "balance" used to describe this relationship.

In inspired writings, there is practically nothing to suggest the use of that word as being appropriate. Scripture and inspired writings are clear "beyond question" that salvation is totally by grace through faith, and Paul even goes out of his way to add, "Not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8, 9). The "balance" idea strongly suggests that salvation is by faith and by works, a 50/50 deal. Which if true, would certainly give the saved ones something to boast about: "yes, Jesus saved me, but look, I did my part too!"

One popular little book is entitled, Faith and Works, the title having been added by editors long after the author's death. Yet inside the covers, the original author repeatedly speaks of the correct formula as being "faith whichworks."

Yes, the Bible is true; there is only one Savior, Jesus; none of us is a co-savior. It's not a 50/50 salvation trip; it's 100 percent salvation by Christ, received by faith. But the faith is not the "dead faith" that the apostle James decries (James 2:20). A "dead faith" can do nothing except self-righteousness (which doesn't have a very nice fragrance!). A living faith works; it has to work; it will work; it always works. The "works" is a verb and not a noun.

What is faith itself? How does the Bible define it? It is not a synonym for works! The devil hates the idea of salvation by faith alone, by faith which works; if in any way he can inject into our thinking the idea that faith is itself works, then he has us deceived.

John 3:16 has it: "God loved," "God gave," and we "believe" (the same in Greek as have faith). Faith is a human heart response to God's loving and giving. "With the heartone believes to righteousness" (Rom. 10:10). "Beware, ... lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief" (Heb. 3:12).

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 28, 1999.
Copyright © 2019 by “Dial Daily Bread.”

Dial Daily Bread: God's Ideal for His Church

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

There is a connection between 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and Acts 18:1-17. Two outstanding details there are intriguing: (1) the fierce hatred of the Jews who heard Paul preach in Corinth and (2) Paul's plea for the Corinthian church members to be in total, perfect theological harmony.

(1) Paul proclaimed Jesus with the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Honest hearts were deeply impressed, and moved, as he presented the cross of Christ and told of what the Son of God accomplished for the human race. But the unbelieving Jews had hearts like stone and were totally unimpressed by the evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit; "they opposed themselves, and blasphemed" (Acts 18:6; the Greek word means "stupid talk"). Their legalistic hearts were impervious to all reasonable, logical evidence of gospel truth. This fantastic phenomenon is evident even today as again hard hearts refuse "most precious" Good News.

(2) Paul's plea for the church members to "speak [teach] the same thing, and that there be no divisions," that they "be perfectly joined together in the same mind" is not idle talk (1 Cor. 1:10). This is God's ideal for His church, and a little known prediction in an out-of-date book entitled Historical Sketches states categorically that such blessed heart-and mind-unity will be realized in the church before Jesus returns: "They will see eye to eye in all matters of religious belief. They will speak [teach] the same things."

Did you catch that? That's Good News! But hard hearts will never know it!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: January 3, 1998.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: A Statement That Was Revolutionary

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

A prolific, mature writer had come to her mid-60s when she first said it--a statement that was revolutionary. It reversed the centuries-old thinking of countless Christian people. Many times she called her readers to "behold" what happened on the cross when Jesus died for "the sins of the world." He had said, "I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all to Myself" (John 12:32). Then came this mature writer's blockbuster, first-ever statement: "The sinner may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he does not resist he will be drawn to Jesus; a knowledge of the plan of salvation will lead him to the foot of the cross in repentance for his sins."

Popular Christian thinking had understood the opposite. Our "condemnation" had been seen to be the norm; unless the sinner takes the initiative to procure "this love," to acquire it, to first do the right thing by his own will, he was automatically lost. God has done His part, the ball's in the sinner's court, he must take the first "step to Christ" by his own action. You've got to do something to be saved. Good orthodox teaching.

Now this statement maintained that you must believe something to be saved; in fact, more than that, you've got to "resist" this "drawing" of the love of Christ in order to be lost. Backwards!?

To this day, people marvel at this breakthrough insight into "the plan of redemption." Is the agape character of the love of Christ that powerful? Has "the Savior of the world" actually already given something to the sinner? Multitudes worldwide have been driven back to the Bible to see if this statement could possibly be its true teaching. Was this "mature" writer beginning to slip? The Bible has something to say:

(1) Christ has already done something for "every man"--died his final punishment for sin (Heb. 2:9). By redeeming humanity He has given humanity a title to eternal life (but the "title" can be despised and sold as Esau despised and sold his birthright--Gen. 25:33, 34).

(2) Christ's love (agape) does constrain every responsive heart to a total dedication to the One who died his and her second death (2 Cor. 5:14, 15).

(3) It's not craven fear that does this, but His much more abounding grace--stronger motivation than all our natural and acquired sin can be (Rom. 5:15-20).

(4) That "grace" is moment by moment teaching us to respond to Christ's powerful love (Titus 2:11-14); you must block your heart against it in order to be lost. (Too many do!)

(5) It's easier to live a life responsive to that love than to keep on resisting it (Matt. 11:28-30).

(6) It's true--the hardest thing one can do is to wear yourself out resisting it (Acts 26:14).

That writer in her mid-60s turns out to have been right: It's totally by grace that any of us is saved (Eph. 2:4-9). Tell the Lord "Thank You!" for giving you a heart that can respond.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 5, 2004.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Do We Really Believe in Three Gods?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

One of the problems that is like a wall keeping Muslims from even considering Christianity is their idea that we worship "three gods." They cite as evidence the Christian doctrine of the Trinity (is that word in the Bible?). Do we really believe in "three gods"?

The Bible is clear: "Hear, O Israel: The LORDour God, the LORDis one!" (Deut. 6:4). Jesus agreed: "Jesus answered him [one of the scribes], 'The first of all the commandments is: "Hear, O Israel, the LORDour God, the LORDis one"'" (Mark 12:29). Paul said, "There is ... one Lord, ... one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph 4:4-6). "For us there is only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 8:6; "there is but one God," New International Version). We are monotheists. But Jesus commanded us to baptize believers "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19).

How can we explain to Muslims that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, are not three Gods (or two!), but one? Long, complex theological and philosophical treatises are usually over their heads. And we can use only the Bible for evidence. (As one who lived among Muslims with frequent contact, for 24 years in East Africa, I often pondered how.)

(1) Jesus directs us how to pray, "Our Father in heaven" (Matt. 6:9).

(2) A perhaps-too-simple illustration is H₂O, one substance. If you see it first as ice, you don't know what it is. But melt it down and it becomes water that you can drink and bathe in. But it still must stay in one place. Heat it some more and it becomes steam, vapor, or clouds, and is everywhere. But it is all still H₂O.

Helpful? Maybe not; but pray for wisdom!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 28, 2001.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Is the Bible as a Book Destined to Become Outdated?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Is the Bible as a book (composed of pages bound as a “biblos”) destined to become outdated and supplanted by computerized versions? Does our heavenly Father still regard the Bible (as a book) His message to the human race? We hear it said often that reading books is going out of date. “People just don’t read anymore! They watch movies and videos.”

The last words of John’s Gospel speak of “books that would be written” about Jesus as the divine Son of God (21:25). He commended the practice of “searching the Scriptures,” meaning the books or scrolls they possessed (5:39). He rebuked those who did not study and believe “the Scriptures,” saying, “You are mistaken” (Matt. 22:29).

On the day He was resurrected He gave a Bible study to two of His disciples, “beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27). He upheld actual Bible study.

We have no reason to doubt that He has the same burden of heart for us today--that we read, study, learn, what His Holy Spirit has inspired prophets and apostles to write “for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Cor. 10:11).

Many inhabitants of the earth still are not computer or Internet literate. And of those who are, they still love real books. What you take to bed to read before you go to sleep is a book. What most people take to church or Sabbath School is a literal Book. The ease of finding things in the Bible through flipping pages cannot be bettered, and for sure the practice of marking salient passages for future reference is efficient. Your Bible becomes your own intimately personal “word of God.” Fits you better than your shoes do. (Write in your margins dates and places where the Holy Spirit was very close to you!)

A prayer the Father loves to hear and answer is the request that the Holy Spirit “make known” His words to you (Prov. 1:23). Plead that He gives you a "hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matt. 5:6)--that’s the way of “happiness” (which is what it means to be “blessed”).

You’ll be surprised how often the Lord will open doors for you to share treasures of truth you have discovered in your personal reading of the Bible. One thing, please: be modest about them; don’t drive sincere people away by being proud.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 27, 2005.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Insignificant “Self” Choices Today Build Up a Massive Case of Self-condemnation

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

What practical down-to-earth difference does it make in one's daily living what he believes about Christ? Is He ministering as High Priest in the Most Holy Apartment of the heavenly sanctuary (the second), or is He still absorbed in His first apartment work? Where is He?

A Christian writer with keen perception says it means everything. It's either getting ensnared in Satan's clever last-days' counterfeit, or getting involved with Christ's genuine work of preparing a people to receive the seal of God versus the mark of the beast. The latter will become an extremely subtle imitation. The issue will end up either bowing down to the false "christ" in the final test, or bowing before the true Christ.

In other words, those who finally decide to receive the alluring "mark of the beast" are even now day by day preparing. Apparently insignificant "self" choices today build up a massive case ending in a judgment of intense ultimate self-condemnation.

Likewise, those who finally choose to receive what Revelation calls "the seal of God," "let this mind be in [them] which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5). They choose this way of thinking now, day by day. They "let the word of Christ dwell in [them] richly in all wisdom" (Col. 3:16). They choose moment by moment to let the Holy Spirit hold them by the hand as they "walk in the Spirit" (see Gal. 5:16; Isa. 41:10, 13).

It's simply choosing to surrender one's natural selfish alienation from God in order to "be reconciled" to Him. It all comes through the final ministry of the Lamb of God, your true High Priest.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 25, 2002.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Can Children Understand Righteousness by Faith?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

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

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

Should children remain spiritual babies consuming nothing but "milk" (1 Peter 2:2)? Or, as Paul says, should they start to "grow up" (Eph. 4:13-15)? "Everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who ... have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:13, 14).

To re-phrase our question: can children actually become "skilled in the word of righteousness"? (They become "skilled" in computer use!)

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

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 24, 2004.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Are We Mature Enough to "Sympathize" with Jesus?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Nine of Christ's disciples had failed miserably, and in full view of the crowd. It was severely embarrassing, and the episode as told in Mark 9 is one of the most dramatic moments in the gospel story.

We identify with those nine, for often we too have failed to help people in distress as we have wanted to do; our prayers have appeared to be unanswered. We have fasted and prayed in behalf of people dying of cancer, and they have died. We have prayed for alcoholics, and they have gone on drinking. We have pleaded for wayward youth, and they have still wandered.

Jesus has been glorified on the Mount of Transfiguration, visiting with Moses and Elijah. Heavenly light. But now He returns to His daily life of ministry for suffering people. The nine disciples He had left in the valley have prayed for the demon to be cast out of a suffering boy, and to their acute shame, nothing has happened. Jesus told them that their problem was their "unbelief," and that "this kind" of demon problem can be healed only by "prayer and fasting" (Mark 9:29). We empathize with them. The demons in effect tell us as they told "the seven sons of Sceva," "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?" (Acts 19:14, 15).

A very thoughtful writer has suggested that their "unbelief" was actually a lack of "sympathy" with Jesus in His work. Their faith was not childlike, it was childish. And the question arises: are we today mature enough in our thinking to "sympathize" with Jesus in His heart-burdened work He is doing on this grand Day of Atonement? Or are we infants still absorbed in our natural spiritual egoism, concerned just for our "reward"?

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 16, 2005.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: What Exactly Is This Great “Day of Atonement"?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Some have asked about this great Day of Atonement, when God calls for a special repentance from His people. What exactly is it?

Simply put, it's His final work in the Most Holy Apartment of the heavenly sanctuary. Christ Himself as great High Priest is totally dedicated to bringing an end to the sin and suffering on this earth. We are called to understand, to be in full sympathy with Him.

The cosmic Day of Atonement is just what its name says--the Day of final reconciliation ("atonement" means at-one-with). It is not a difficult idea to grasp. It's when the alienated heart of humanity is at last fully reconciled to God and His holy law. Not that every human will submit to this work of "at-one-with"; many will refuse to the bitter end. But the Lord will succeed in winning a "remnant" to full oneness with Himself.

This "remnant" will demonstrate what "all men" could experience if only they would. They will at last fully appreciate Christ for what He is. They will "grow up" out of the immaturity of "children" "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ," "speaking the truth in love [agape]" (Eph. 4:13-15). Thus, in principle, they will "judge" all humanity.

Opposed and ridiculed, they will "follow the Lamb [the crucified Christ] wherever He goes. ... In their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God" (Rev. 14:1-5). This is generally thought of as just an illusion, but if it doesn't happen, Christ will forever remain embarrassed and discredited. He died specifically to achieve this goal.

The "remnant" will never be conscious that they honor Christ. The more like Him they grow to be through sanctification of the Spirit, the more unworthy will they feel themselves to be. In the final judgment they will not assume that Christ is inviting them, "Come, you blessed of My Father." They will look around expecting Him to call others, not themselves (see Matt. 25:31-40).

Fully at-one with Him, a group will overcome "even as [He] also overcame" (Rev. 3:21, King James Version). His Bride will have "made herself ready" for "the marriage of the Lamb" (19:1-8). Finally, His triumph! Then at last the sacrifice of Christ will have been fully vindicated--He, not they, will be glorified.

Daniel and Revelation clearly teach that the hour of this great Day of Atonement is now.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 25, 2003.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Invitation to Subscribe

April 4, 2019

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Many of you are beginning to study the new Sabbath School quarterly, “Family Seasons.” 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 in the context of the "most precious" 1888 message. Some of the essays 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 the words "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.

Sincerely,

The "Dial Daily Bread" Staff

Dial Daily Bread: A Glimpse of Brighter Scenes to Come

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Have you learned to appreciate, to enjoy, to welcome, the holy Sabbath day each week? If so, you have also begun to appreciate the Lord Jesus Christ, because His presence is in the holy Sabbath. And that's Good News!

To love the Sabbath, not only because it is a day of physical rest from the week's hard work and stress, but because--well, let's look at a beautiful hymn that crystallizes the joy of the Sabbath: "O day of rest and gladness, O day of joy and light." Yes, one day in the hectic week of cares, of pure joy!

"O balm of care and sadness, most beautiful, most bright." Here we have a metaphor,--the Sabbath is like soothing ointment for a wound.

"Thou art a port, protected from storms that round us rise." Have you ever been in a wild storm at sea with the ship tossing dangerously, and then felt the unutterable joy of gliding into a quiet harbor? "[Thou art] a garden, intersected with streams of paradise," says the poet Christopher Wordsworth, further.

And then, "Thou art a cooling fountain in life's dry, dreary sand; [and] from thee, like Pisgah's mountain, we view our promised land." That's a reference to the lofty top of what is also spoken of in the Bible as Mount Nebo, where the Lord led Moses to view the glories of the Promised Land before he went to sleep in the arms of God. From Mount Pisgah today you can see far south to the Dead Sea as far as En-gedi, to the north as far as the snow-covered peak of Mount Hermon, and to the west to encompass what was in Moses' day the land the Lord gave to Israel.

And so, on each holy Sabbath day it is our privilege to catch a glimpse of brighter scenes to come, another poet says, to feel the thrill deep in our souls of a joyous eternal life "in Christ" our Life-giver. Don't miss out on this joy; it's free, just for the believing. "Remember" it all through the week!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 21, 1998.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The New Covenant for Your Soul

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

If you could hear a Voice from heaven declaring unto you, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17), and could see the face of Jesus actually smiling upon you, you could probably be happy enduring any trial or disappointment. When we long for some human face to smile upon us, what we really want deep down is to see the smile of the Son of God.

But we are so conscious of our shortcomings, our failures, and yes, our sins, that we endure unhappy days. Clouds cover the sunlight we seek. In these last days of God's great antitypical Day of Atonement, the Lord wants us to understand more clearly how good is the Good News of His "everlasting gospel" that is to be preached "to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people" (Rev. 14:6). And Revelation describes a further message which will "lighten the earth with glory" which obviously will make the gospel truth crystal clear to every heart that's willing to listen to truth (18:1-4).

But you don't have to worry and wish you could hear that assurance spoken from heaven to you. When Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan and came out of the water, the Holy Spirit like a dove came down upon Him and the Voice spoke from heaven, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." But the Father was putting His arms around you too! The Bible makes it clear that when the Father accepted His Son, He accepted us "in Him." When He "gave His only begotten Son" for us, He bought us with that Price; which means that he loves us identically as He loves His Son (compare Eph. 1:6).

You may think that is hard to believe. But wait a moment: suppose you go to a store and pay $20 for an item that you think is a good value. By doing what you did, you are declaring that you love that item equally with your love for the $20 you gave for it. The Father loves you as much as He loves His Son! He is "well pleased" with the purchase He has made. In Christ you are one of Abraham's descendants, and the seven promises God made to him in Genesis 12:2, 3 are made equally to you!

Those promises and that declaration are the New Covenant to your soul. When you come to the end of your way, the only regret you will have is that you didn't believe them as wholeheartedly as you should! Jesus believed the assurance given Him that day of His baptism; that's why He succeeded in overcoming all of Satan's temptations to Him in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11).

Get the point? That kind of faith is your victory, too. You get that faith from Him. Open your heart to receive the gift.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 6, 2006.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Perfect Theological Harmony

Dear Friends of “Dial Daily Bread,”

In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, we must take a look at his plea that we let the Holy Spirit do something special: bring us into perfect theological harmony. His plea is in 4:11-16. God has given the church "apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers." To preach and teach confusion, tearing the flock asunder with conflicting theology, perplexing lay members so they don't know which end is up? No, but to "perfect the saints, ... building up the body of Christ, till we all come in the unityof the faith ... unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Yes! theological harmony! Paul's illustration is vivid--he compares all these "gifts" of the Holy Spirit to a human body "fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth" (vs. 16).

A good violinist's fingers and wrists and joints dowhat the "head" desires, thus making beautiful music. A basketball team functions in perfect unity. Paul never heard a symphony orchestra like the London Philharmonic; each musician with his unique instrument plays from a different score; if all played the same note it would be boring; but they make harmony in unison with differing parts. No discord! No confusion!

But such perfect theological harmony is widely disparaged as "impossible." "We can't all see alike!" is what we hear. "We must preach and teach contradictory views of this or that theology, differing in understanding the prophecies, trying to silence each other even in understanding what Christ accomplished by His sacrifice." Like a bus load of passengers all telling the driver to take different routes. Canwe achieve "perfecting ... unity of the faith," "unity of the Spirit" (vs. 3)?

A visitor walks into church Sabbath morning, sees the class torn with conflicting theology. He leaves confused. Will he come back? Ephesians gives us the key to finding true harmony: "speaking the truth in agape" (vs. 15). A different kind of love that listens to each other carefully so as not to misrepresent each other, "endeavoring to keep the unity of the [Holy] Spirit in the bond of peace" (vs. 3). No more misquoting each other so as to win an argument.

Yes! At last, self is crucified "with Christ"! Now the church, like a symphony orchestra, is making beautiful music. Will the visitor come back? Yes! It will be "the loud cry."

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 25, 2001.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Let Your Speech Be Full of Grace

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

There is one thing that most of us do every day, whether we are young or old--we talk to other people. Maybe members of our families, or neighbors, people at work, or just meeting people at the post office or at school.

Here's a word for us today. It's in Colossians 4:6: "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."

Paul says, "Letyour speech, your words, be full of grace." In other words, if you let the Holy Spirit direct you, your spirit will always be gracious. And if your spirit, your inner feeling, is gracious, then for sure your words will be gracious.

Grace in our words is like a little salt in bland food. We don't have to be sharp and "sandpapery" in our words. Why should we hurt people? Everyone has enough trouble, why should we add to people's burdens by speaking bitterly?

Please remember that the Lord Jesus Christ is a Savior--not only when we die, but now, day by day, He will save us from bad habits that we have formed. You can become known as someone whose words are always pleasant to hear, uplifting. You can be a peacemaker, spiritual nurse or doctor, bringing healing to people who are wounded spiritually. The Lord has promised to teach you and make you such a person--if you will letHim do so.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: 1994 Phone Message.
Copyright © 2019 by "Dial Daily Bread."