Dial Daily Bread: Turn Your Thoughts to the Cross of Christ

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Turn your thoughts today to the cross of Christ, in a special sense. Contemplate what crucifixion meant in the days of the old Roman Empire. It was the utmost humiliation that could be inflicted on a human being. Dear old Moses didn't help in that regard, for he had said that "if a man ... is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, ... he who is hanged is accursed of God" (Deut. 21:22, 23).

How many innocent people have been crucified in ancient times under the impression that they were "cursed of God"? No one knows. But that was exactly what the leaders of the true church in the time of Jesus projected onto Him. Those Sanhedrin members, the scribes and Pharisees, couldn't wait to get Him on that pole, and when He was crucified they probably laughed and congratulated each other, "See, this is proof, even the great Moses said that anyone 'hanged on a tree is cursed of God.' Hooray, now we know for sure that this Jesus of Nazareth is 'cursed of God.'" In the Roman Empire, their victims were subjected to the utmost ridicule and indignity possible--they were invariably crucified naked.

And the disciples had to fan out around the world with the message of "Christ and Him crucified," a message that to Jews seemed a "stumbling block" and to the Gentile world, "foolishness." The apostles therefore had everything against them, everything that is, except the Holy Spirit. When Paul said to everyone, "I have been crucified with Christ" (Gal. 2:20), he was proclaiming a message that seemed to be utter nonsense.

When the divine Son of God came to this world incarnate, "we" humans could think of nothing better to do to Him! Paul says that "the carnal mind is enmity against God" (Rom. 8:7), and the apostle John says that "enmity" equals murder (1 John 3:15), so the inspired conclusion is that we all have had our share in the crucifixion of the Son of God. We have not finished "confessing our sins" until we confess that one!

But Jesus says that "[we] know not what [we] do" (cf. Luke 23:34), and therefore He prayed to the Father to forgive us, and He did.

Pray that the Holy Spirit may arrest us with the genuine conviction of guilt in truth! Because with it comes the inestimable gift of repentance and forgiveness.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 5, 2009.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: A Bright Spot in Witnessing

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Probably all of us have studied about how weshould witness more, how it is ourduty to do so, and what wemust do, possibly resulting in guilt for not doing more.

But there is a bright spot: Christ's death was complete for the whole world--for every human being. As a wise writer has said, "The atonement for a lost world was ... exceedingly abundant to reach every soul that God had created. It could not be restricted so as not to exceed the number who would accept the great Gift. ... There [is] enough and to spare."

Thank God for this truth that Christ accomplished something for every human soul. He died for the world. You can tell anyone, "Christ died for you; He paid the price for your sins; He died your second death; there is no reason under heaven why you must die the second death--He died it for you! What He accomplished is a blessed gift, it's far more than an 'offer' that depends on yourgoodness."

There are many in the world who will respond when they hear the message clearly and simply so they can understand. The bottleneck right now is our own failure to understand how good the Good News really is!

Jesus made one of His most profound statements when He said that if anyone truly believes in Him, he or she will become a source of the Good News. In His deepest soul will flow a well of living water.

You won't be consuming precious time lamenting how little you have done; or dreading the final judgment day because you haven't done more. The "truth of the gospel" (Gal. 2:5) will captivate your interest and your enthusiasm; it will flow out from you to others without your realizing what's happening.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: September 19, 2004.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Thousands of "Elijahs" All Around the World

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

In studying the story of Elijah many misread that Elijah walked into Ahab's office and told him there would be no rain nor dew until the Lordchose to send it. But the Bible says that the prophet told the king, "There shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at myword" (1 Kings 17:1). (The Hebrew says, myword, and several translations agree.)

And in the New Testament, James agrees. He tells how the famine was Elijah's idea: Elijah "prayed earnestly that it would not rain: and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months" (5:17). Elijah loved Israel and saw they were going down to utter destruction unless something should happen to wake them up. His love for Israel was actually a love for the plan of redemption, for God had chosen Israel to be His missionary nation to the world. Elijah's love for Israel was the same kind as God's love for them--a love mixed with discipline. It seems that God had entrusted the fate of the nation to Elijah.

The lesson for us is that in the close of time God entrusts to His people a partnership with Him which will bring to a close the great controversy that has raged so long: "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" (Rev. 3:21). That's not just for photographs to be taken; it's to share with Him executive authority for bringing an end to the great controversy.

There will be thousands of "Elijahs" all around the world (cf. Mal. 4:5, 6; maybe 144,000?), whose hearts have at last become totally reconciled (at-one) with Him in His ministry and in His plan of salvation. Respect yourself as He respects you; you're somebody important! You have something to live for.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: September 15, 2007.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Does God Take Young People Seriously?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Does the Lord respect the prayerful commitment of a teenager? Or, because he or she is so young, does He trivialize it?

The Lord very seriously noticed the devotion of teenage Abraham in Ur of the Chaldees when the boy insisted on worshipping the one true God, the God who made the moon rather than worship the moon itself, as his father Terah did. It could be that young Abraham was the only teenager in the world at the time who worshipped the one true God (Gen. 11:27-12:3).

When teenage Joseph wept his eyes out the night after he had been sold as a slave to the Midianites, he resolved in solemn prayer to dedicate himself heart and soul to God; his prayer was respected in heaven. Even though great trials of faith followed, the Lord never trivialized Joseph's teenage devotion. He loves to interact with serious-minded teenagers!

Samuel hadn't even reached his teen years when the Lord chose him as the only person in Israel He could entrust with a serous message for Eli (and thus for the nation; 1 Samuel 3). And even as a teen, Samuel's words were not permitted to "fall to the ground" (vs. 19).

David was a teenage shepherd boy when a "lion ... took a lamb out of the flock, and [he] went out after it and struck it, ... caught it by its beard, and ... killed it." He also killed a bear! (1 Sam. 17:34-36). Whether David had time to pray during these exploits we do not know; but his devotion to duty was total; God respected him. During his teen years David set his course for life.

Daniel was another teen who committed himself heart and soul to the Lord, and the Lord respected his commitment and the boy grew to be a man "greatly beloved" in heaven (9:23). Wouldn't you like to hear an angel tell you that?

Jesus wasn't quite a teenager when He watched His first Passover. When it dawned on Him that Someone sinless must die for the sins of the world as "the Lamb of God," His young heart thrilled with the resolve that He would surrender himself to be that Lamb. The Father noticed His prayer and took Him seriously.

Teens, you are very important in the economy of God, especially on this cosmic Day of Atonement. The Heavenly Father takes you seriously!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: July 4, 2007.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: There IS "Word From the Lord"

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

King Zedekiah in terror asked the prophet Jeremiah, "Is there any word from the Lord?" The prophet's answer was succinct: "There is" (37:17; 38:2, 3). The Lord had a solution for them that would be Good News: surrender to the king of Babylon and accept the humiliating chastisement of the Lord for their good, and at least your lives can be saved and you can live in order to repent.

As the world reels from wars, and the threat of wars, if they should ask, "Is there any word from the God of heaven who is above all the nations?," the answer is, there is. "The hour of God's judgment is come" (Rev. 14:6, 7). The grand, final Day of Atonement is on us. We're in it.

"Atonement" means reconciliation; it's the final hour of earth's long history, the hour in which at last a corporate body of believers gathered from all humanity become fully, finally reconciled to God. It's never happened in all our 6000 years; the blessed result will be the fruitage of the "cleansing of the sanctuary" prophesied in Daniel 8:13, 14.

It's not a time for sorrow and sadness, no; to "him who overcomes" (that is, to those who overcome) the time has come when Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God and Savior of the world, invites them to "sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (Rev. 3:20). They are given executive authority, sharing with Him the final ending of the great controversy between Christ and Satan.

At last hearts are at one with the heart of Christ, as a bride's heart is at one with her bridegroom's. Pride and arrogance are gone forever; now at last the church kneels contrite before the cross of Christ, sharing with Him the corporate burden that the sins of the world have laid on Him. Yes, "there IS" word from the Lord!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 18, 2006.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Can You Know for Sure That God Has Chosen You to Be Saved?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Can you know for sure that God has chosen youto be saved? Many sincere Christians believe that He has chosen some to be saved and left others to be lost. What does He say to us in the Bible?

On its very last page, He makes it clear that no one has been left out of God's gift of eternal life, so He says once more as His parting word, just to be doubly sure: "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17). And then immediately the Holy Spirit warns us not to "add" to what He has just said, nor lessen in any degree that "whoever desires" invitation (vss. 18, 19).

If we have even an ounce of common sense, we must get the message: "God [is] our Savior, who desires all men to be saved" (1 Tim. 2:3, 4). The only ones therefore who can possibly be lost will be those who "desire" not to be saved; they have chosen not to "thirst"; they have resisted everyone who has ever said to them, "Come," maybe thousands of times.

Each new morning that the sun arose gave them a new opportunity to say "Yes," and "come." They have made a deliberate choice to reject that invitation written on the last page of God's Book, and furthermore, because the Holy Spirit is so persistent in pressing the invitation upon us each new sunrise, they have reiterated that fateful choice, all the way from childhood to the last bitter days of life. They have chosen "darkness rather than light" so often that at last they have grown to "love" it (John 3:19).

Jesus explains the entire phenomenon with one simple, single word: unbelief, which is disbelief, a perverse refusal to appreciate the truth of God's love (agape) (vs. 18). Does God tell them at last, "I don't like you; I don't want you in heaven; I'm locking the gate against you"? A wise writer has said, "It is no arbitrary decree on the part of God that excludes the wicked from heaven; they are shut out by their own unfitness for its companionship." They'd be miserable there, so God in love gives them what they have always wanted--darkness forever.

Because "let him who hears say, 'Come!'" Dial Daily Bread is a tiny voice that says, "Believe." Please "hear," and tell someone else to "come."

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 27, 1999.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The Hardest Step We’ve Ever Had to Take

Dear Friends of “Dial Daily Bread,”

You'd think it would be the easiest thing in the world to do--just believe, "God loves me." Actually, it's hard to believe, maybe the hardest step we've ever had to take.

People much wiser than I am say so. Paul says, "The carnal [natural] mind is enmity against God" (Rom. 8:7). And yes, everybody has the problem for he also says that the whole world is alienated from God for he begs everybody, "Be reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20). He adds, there is "none" of us who "understands," who is naturally "at one" with God; we've every one of us strayed out of the path (Rom. 3:11-12). The father in Mark 9 burst into tears, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief" (vs. 24). He is us.

We're afraid to pray, "Lord, take charge of my life," for we think He will lead us where we won't be happy. Don't kid yourself into thinking you're naturally better than all the rest of us; you and I need to be changed from the inside out so we can be "reconciled to God." Then and only then can we pray without being a hypocrite, "Lord, please take charge of my life." You won't be afraid to let Him hold you by your hand as He has promised, "I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not’" (Isa. 41:13).

A very wise writer once wrote that we hesitate to consecrate ourselves to Him because we fear the consequences of a total surrender to Him. Deep down inside, there lurks that inarticulate idea that our Savior is Mr. Kill-joy. Ever since we were born some people have unconsciously taught us that--they didn't mean to do it but they did.

What to do? Take a day off for prayer. But if you think you're too busy, you can't, then take an hour. Yes, give Him an hour--alone. An hour, not five minutes. Kneel. Read a Psalm of David. Ask, seek, find. An hour--alone. Wait for Him.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 3, 2002.
Copyright © 2020 by “Dial Daily Bread.”

Dial Daily Bread: Two Lifestyles--What's the Difference?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

You take your temperature when you think you have a fever, but can you take a self-test to see if you are living under the Old Covenant, or under the New? At Mount Sinai, ancient Israel voluntarily enslaved themselves under Old Covenant darkness that shadowed their history thereafter until finally they destroyed their nation and crucified their Messiah, the world's Redeemer.

What's the difference between the two lifestyles today?

Old Covenant living is constantly trying to do everything right, motivated by fear of the judgment, concerned because Christ has not already done all of this for you but is waiting for you to do something first that would make it possible for Him to do all this for you.

New Covenant living is believing the promises of God, rejoicing in the salvation already achieved for you, saying Thank You to God for saving you from the second death by the sacrifice of Christ's blood. It's realizing consciously that the bread you ate today is stamped with the cross of Christ, that every breath you draw is a gift of His much more abounding grace, that you're infinitely and eternally in debt to Him. It's reading Ephesians 1 and believing that you have been adopted into the family of God, thanks to something the Savior already did and not what you have ever done.

It's joyously, willingly, happily, surrendering yourself to follow Him in service today, counting not your life dear unto yourself, but gladly consecrating yourself to listen obediently to everything the Holy Spirit says to you, to "comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the agape-love of Christ, which passes knowledge" (Eph. 3:18, 19), the love that drove Him as far as hell to save you from hell. Yes, it's total obedience motivated by His abounding grace.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: July 24, 2002.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Do You Have Jesus on Board in Your Life?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Perfect love, which is agapein the New Testament, works a miracle in every human heart where it finds residence--it casts out anxiety and fear. This is stated in 1 John 4:17, 18: "Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love."

That statement is like a stick of dynamite, yes, like a nuclear bomb. It blows all kinds of dust and cobwebs and confusion out of our minds. If you and I will let that special kind of love get into our hearts, the fear and anxiety that have shadowed us all our lives will be driven out.

Jesus is an example of no fear. Remember when His disciples were trying to keep their boat afloat in the Sea of Galilee the night the terrible storm swept waves over them and threatened to drown them all? They were actually terrified, for they cried out, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" (Mark 4:38).

Jesus was calm, unafraid. We read that "He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?'" (vss. 39, 40). When you are facing death as you are about to be drowned, is it wrong to be "fearful"? Jesus told them, Yes. Why? Because He was on board with them; and it is a sin to be afraid when you have Jesus on board.

Do you have Jesus on board in your little ship--your life? He won't force Himself on board, but if you invite Him, He will join you. Even if you are sinful, and unworthy, He tells us He came to save sinners, not the righteous. Have confidence in Him. Learn the lesson. Let the fear go!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: 1994 Phone Message.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Does the Lord Need Our Help?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Does the Lord need humans to do things that He wants done "on earth as it is in heaven"?

When we pray the Lord's prayer, we are confessing that His will be done "on earth as it is in heaven"; but who is to accomplish that? Angels are His "ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation" (Heb. 1:14). But their ministry is not to do things that those "who will inherit salvation" should do themselves. The Father's will never will be done "in earth as it is in heaven" until His own people get busy and do it.

A prayer that will always be answered is this: "Father in heaven, what do You want me to do?" It may be a phone call that you have shied away from; to make the call will require laying self aside! It may be a letter that you have been impressed that it is your duty to write; that too will require a denial of self. It may be a personal visit likewise that you need to make.

Welcome to the joyous thrill that is yours when you know you have done what the heavenly Father wants you to do. That means you have become a fellow-laborer with Him!

Can you think of a higher honor you could have but that--as the holy angels all step aside in deep respect as you do what the Father has appointed you to do?

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 17, 2008.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The Day the Whole World Died

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

There was a day when the whole world died, and we need to understand how and why it happened. We usually don't see it that way: we think only One man died on that Friday. Here's the story: "We judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died" (2 Cor. 5:14). How could this be?

The Son of God became man, "Immanuel, ... 'God with us'" (Matt. 1:23).

He took upon Himself our humanity, became one with us, even to the point of being "not ashamed to call [us] brethren, ... My brethren" (Heb. 2:11, 12, King James Version).

Back up a bit: the former head of the human race was Adam; his name is our name; we were all "in him" for he is the common ancestor of every human being in the world (1 Cor. 15:22); no one of us was born on the planet Mars, or of a non-human race. Because Adam sinned, "all have sinned [past tense of the Greek verb] and fall short [present tense] of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). "There is none righteous, no, not one" (vs. 10).

When the Son of God became incarnate, He fired Adam from his job of being head of the human race, and took over as the new Head of the human race. Paul describes the transaction as "the first man Adam" being in contrast with "the last Adam, ... the first man was of the earth, made of dust: the second Man is the Lord from heaven" (1 Cor. 15:45-47).

Thus when Christ died on His cross, He died as the "last Adam," the second Adam. He died the same death that God had warned Adam he would die, "In the day that you eat of it [the wrong tree] you shall surely die" (Gen. 2:17). That was not merely the sleep we all know--it was the real death, "the second death" (see Rev. 2:11). Christ didn't go to sleep for our sins, He "died for our sins" (1 Cor. 15:3).

As by nature we are all "in Adam," so now because our second Adam became one of us and died our death, we are "in Him" by virtue of His identity with us. This is why Paul could say that when "One died," then "all died."

You and I don't even begin to "live" in the truest joyous sense until we realize, appreciate, sense the gratitude, of how "I [am] crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith [of] the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20).

Don't ever forget "the day" when you "died," for it is also the day when you began to live "in Him."

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 12, 2000.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: A Soul-winning Ministry Going on That We Don't Know About

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

As the sun rises for another day, it looks down upon billions of people, each created in the image of God, each redeemed by the blood of the Son of God, but so few who understand His great sacrifice. The world is dark with misapprehension of God. And the statistics tell us that the percentage of Christians to world population is steadily shrinking. People wonder how the gospel can ever be effectively proclaimed to these billions.

But as surely as the sun rises upon the earth this morning, so does "the Sun of righteousness ... arise with healing in His wings," says Malachi (4:2). That is, to those who "fear [His] name," and they are many. Christ is "the light [that] shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it [does not overcome it]" (John 1:5). He is "the true Light which gives light to every person who comes into the world" (vs. 9).

We feel a burden for these billions who misapprehend God, but how much more did the apostle Paul feel the same burden. "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" (Rom. 10:14,15).

Great questions! But Paul says there is a soul-winning ministry going on that we don't know about: "Have they not heard? Yes indeed" (vs. 18). Then Paul quotes Psalm 19:4 where David directly compares the sunrise with the light of the gospel that shines--no, that's not the word--"reflected" is better (vs. 6). Everyone who will look, who "fears His name," can find today some evidence of the love of God for lost souls.

We are not headlights; but we can be like the reflectors on bicycles that glow in the dark when even a little light shines on them. And you, one of earth's billions, can light someone's path today with that reflected light from the Sun of righteousness. Then when evening comes you can be happy!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 22, 1998.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The Greatest Temptation Jesus Had to Face

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

What do you suppose was the greatest temptation Jesus had to face? You know of course He was tempted--the Bible says "in all points like as we are" (Heb. 4:15; King James Version). His temptations were real--they bored in to His inmost soul. Well, the greatest temptation He had to face was the temptation to doubt who He was. And if the truth were known, that's the greatest temptation you have to face also--to doubt who you are.

For example, think back to Jesus' temptation in the wilderness after His baptism. Three times the wily old enemy, Satan, zeroed in on Him at the deepest core of His being--"If You are the Son of God," command these stones to be bread; "If You are the Son of God," do a hang-glide from the top of the temple tower; "If You are the Son of God," claim the empires of the world as Yours and I'll give them to You, for they are mine, the devil said; just play ball with me, be reasonable, let's cooperate (Matt. 4:2-10).

Do you think that was a temptation? "If You are who You think You are"--You have delusions of grandeur like a mental patient who thinks he is Napoleon. Yes, Jesus gained a victory then, but remember that the enemy came back again and again on this point of doubting His real identity as the Son of God.

Finally at the very end, something happened that helped to crystallize it all in Jesus' mind and heart when Mary washed His feet with tears (Luke 7:37, 38). He realized that He was the only person in all of world history to be so honored; no one, not even Alexander the Great, had ever had his feet washed with human tears. Yes, Jesus realized, He was the King of kings and Lord of lords. Now He was ready for John 13.

At that last supper, He got up, stretched Himself to His full height, laid aside His robe, and knowing fully that He had come from God and went to God, He humbled Himself to wash His disciples' feet. He could not have done that until He had known for sure, and felt for sure, who He was. He could never have faced the cross until He had that assurance; and even on the cross that last temptation was flung at Him--"Save Yourself and come down from the cross!" (Mark 15:30).

Who are you? Do you know? You cannot be truly humble until you realize your true identity in Christ, redeemed by His blood.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: July 12, 1997.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: One of the Strangest Anomalies of History

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

One of the strangest anomalies of history is the fate of Israel held in Egyptian slavery. That was something that was not supposed to be! How could it ever have happened?

The Lord told Abraham that his descendants "will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. ... [And] afterward they shall come out with great possessions" (Gen. 15:13, 14). Yes, they were to be slaves all that time! But was it the Lord's will for them?

The Lord had made those seven glorious New Covenant promises to Abraham (Gen. 12:2, 3), which applied not only to him, but to his descendants after him: "Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. ... The law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect" (Gal. 3:16, 17). God's promise is always firm and solid!

Why then should Israel be slaves in Egypt? Jeremiah was shown that it should never have been: "Is Israel a servant? Is he a homeborn slave? Why is he plundered?" (Jer. 2:14; the Good News Biblerenders it, "Israel is not a slave, he was not born into slavery"!).

There can be only one answer: Abraham's descendants forgot the New Covenant promises that God had made to their father Abraham. Even the patriarch had trouble believing how good the Good News is when he agreed to take that second wife, Hagar, and thus to doubt and disbelieve the Lord's promises that "in Isaac your seed shall be called"! (Gen. 21:12).

Have you forgotten those promises? Then confess that you are in that distraught father's place when he begged Jesus, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24). That should have been Israel's prayer all during those 430 years! Let it be ours now.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: July 8, 2006.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Allow Christ to Join You in Your “Walk”

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Behold the compassion of the resurrected Jesus! One might think that in the enthusiasm of His newly resurrected life He is eager to be off on His new assignment in the heavenly sanctuary, but His heart is with His disappointed, discouraged ones here. His name is still "Immanuel, which is translated, 'God with us'" (Matt. 1:23).

Two men who believed He was the true Messiah are on their walk to Emmaus that afternoon of the "first day of the week" of the resurrection. Never have they known such crushing heart pain. It goes deeper than any human can fathom, for it is the pain of defeat in the great controversy with Satan; the death of Christ means the ultimate victory for Satan.

These two men feel they must conclude this: they are not mourning the loss of their own personal salvation so much as they mourn the grand defeat of God. The world (yes, the universe) is now to be plunged into hopeless despair! "We were hoping that [Jesus of Nazareth] was going to redeem Israel" (Luke 24:21)--and to them "Israel" was the only hope of the world.

The heart of the resurrected Jesus is with them as they trudge disconsolately toward Emmaus. He now teaches us that His heart is with all disappointed people all over the world, in all time. He joins these two men incognito and gently encourages them with Bible truth: "Beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (vs. 27).

He is already doing His work as our High Priest! And so He ministers to you today--if you will allow Him to join you in your "walk."

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 22, 2005.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Heaven's Final Call

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The Bible is revered by both Muslims and Christians, the latter accepting it as the inspired Word of God. Its clear teaching is that for more than 170 years we have been living in the cosmic Day of Atonement, the grand original of which the ancient Israelite day of atonement was a type or symbol. This was the most solemn day of their year, the only one when the Lord commanded His people to fast.

The day of atonement was an object lesson of the final Day of Judgment; ordinary pursuits were to be laid aside; it was to be kept as a holy sabbath, a day of heart-searching, of repentance, a day on which at last the people as a corporate body or nation were to become fully "at-one" with God. In this way it was an object lesson of what it means for us today to become "at-one" with God in a heart-preparation for the second coming of Christ, not merely for death but for meeting Jesus in person-- translation (Heb. 11:5).

The "fast" that was required of Israel on that typical day of atonement symbolized the simple, self-denying Christian life appropriate for us today. Every meal we eat becomes "a sacrament." "Baruch the son of Neriah" lived when his world was falling apart, as ours is today. God asked him, "Do you seek great things for yourself?" The world around you is collapsing, "adversity" [evil] is coming "on all flesh." Be thankful I give you the simple gift of life as a "prize"--forget seeking "great things" more than Jesus had (Jeremiah 45).

In Isaiah 22:12-14 the Lord is disappointed when His people disregard His call to humble repentance: "the Lord God of hosts called for weeping and for mourning," but the response of His people was partying and entertainment-seeking, as though He had never spoken. Then He said: "Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, even to your death." The Day of Atonement brings Heaven's final call; to disregard it becomes the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 12:31, 32.

Why is this so serious? Because Jesus, the world's Good Shepherd, feels the agony of the millions who suffer today. To refuse to live in sympathy with Him in His concern for them is to refuse to be "at-one" with Him. The Day of Atonement is what has been lacking in the kind of "Christianity" that Muslims have known. There is light yet to "lighten the earth with glory" (Rev. 18:1-4). It will illuminate Day of Atonement truths now neglected. Many will respond.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 26, 2004.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Can We Make the Good News Too Good?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Can we make the Good News of the gospel too good? When Jesus says, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matt. 11:30), can we be naïve and take Him too seriously? Do we need some special intelligence not to be misled?

To challenge us further, He tells Saul of Tarsus that it's "hard" to go on being lost (Acts 26:14). And yes, we must "strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able," which implies that it's not "easy" to be saved (Luke 13:24). And He warns anyone who may want to follow Him that he must "take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (9:23). Being crucified on a cross is just about the hardest thing any human can experience!

And yet Jesus seems to tantalize us with that word, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light"! And Paul adds that His grace abounds "much more" than all the sin the devil can invent (Rom. 5:20). If you believe anything in the Bible you must admit that grace is stronger than sin, and surely, you can't be a Christian unless you believe that Christ is stronger than Satan. Can you be intelligent unless you believe that light is stronger than darkness? And finally, you're out in the dark forever unless you believe that love [agape] is stronger than hatred. So what's the truth?

Here's the question: could it be that the Holy Spirit is stronger than our fallen, sinful flesh that is always alluring and tempting us? That's exactly what Paul says in Galatians 5:16-18! First, the Lord has promised in Isaiah 41:13 that He will hold us by our right hand; now--if you will go for a walk with the Holy Spirit and let Him hold your hand you'll find you can't "fulfill the lust of the flesh" or "do the [evil] things" that your sinful nature would prompt you to do (don't read it backwards!).

If you believe John 3:16, self is "crucified with Christ," and "he who has died [with Him] has been freed from sin" (Gal. 2:20; Rom. 6:6, 7). We can't be Christians and be content to go on giving in to sinful impulses!

This is the Day of Atonement; Christ is tired being "the minister of sin" (Gal. 2:17). Living now is serious business.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 29, 2003.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Let Your Soul Feast on the Psalms

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

As we face the tumultuous events of the last days of earth's history, our Savior feels for us. He says, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me" (John 14:1). Psalm 23:4 says, "I will fear no evil; for You are with me." What the Bible means is don't give your permission for your heart to "be troubled." Choose to trust Him by setting your will on His side; Satan cannot terrify you unless you give him your permission. Make your choice to believe!

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" decides David in Psalm 27:1. We want practical, common sense counsel on how to control our emotions in time of trouble. "Come to Me," says the Savior (Matt. 11:28). Saturate your soul with the story of His cross.

Comedians tell us to laugh our fears away, but that's a lie; we're living in the great Day of Atonement when peace of heart comes through serious-minded fasting and prayer. But genuine faith always lifts up the heart with a joy that actually triumphs over your emotions. Your soul sings, "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psalm 27:13). Let your soul feast on the psalms that tell of Jesus' struggles with the temptation to be afraid and to doubt (Psalms 22, 40, 69--and many more). He overcame!

Immense Good News is yet to flood the world with light even though evil is everywhere, for "another angel" comes with "great authority, and the earth [is to be] illuminated with his glory" (Rev. 18:1). His message will be "Christ and Him crucified," for Jesus said that when He is "lifted up" (that is, on His cross), He "will draw all peoples to [Himself]" (John 12:32). Not all will let themselves be "drawn," but all will sense the drawing. You do, don't you?

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 20, 2005.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: An Island of Refuge in a Stormy Sea

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

In His love and mercy, Jesus described for His followers what life would be like in the last days, where we live today: "And because lawlessness will abound, the love [agape] of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matt. 24:12, 13).

Thoughtful observers have noted that foul language is accepted and popular in the media. "Baby Boomers" and more recent generations (at least most of them) have never had the privilege of knowing there was something in the world known as agape, the once-sacred "sweet mystery of life." For them, love is a physical attraction. They have a "relationship," not agape love.

Parents and grandparents who know a little about agapeare appalled; children and youth are growing up in a world where "the agape of many [has] grown cold," where as one wise writer has often stated it, "The Holy Spirit is being withdrawn." Where formerly God's people looked forward to spending the biblical millennium in heaven, now they apparently face the bleak prospect of spending it on earth with the Holy Spirit withdrawn. Many even lament that they don't find that Spirit in church.

But there is some precious Good News: there are those who will "endure to the end." They will cherish agapein their hearts; they will love the Holy Spirit, not drive Him away. God has never withdrawn His Holy seventh-day Sabbath in which we can realize His presence. The Sabbath is an island of refuge in a stormy sea where we can still experience the calm of heaven and the refreshment that comes in communion with God.

The Holy Spirit may be withdrawn from the wicked world, but He will not withdraw Himself from even one humble soul who welcomes His presence.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 22, 1999.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation Illustrates What Christ Has Done

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Abraham Lincoln was always opposed to slavery and wanted to set all slaves free. But as President he had to abide by the political system that constituted the government. He himself was not "free." Therefore his Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, left much to be desired; it applied only to the slaves held within the Confederate States.

Still, the historical reality of that "proclamation" illustrated Leviticus 25:10, "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants."

Christ's purpose in His sacrifice on His cross was to set free allthe slaves of sin in the earth. Thus Lincoln's "proclamation" illustrated what Christ had done:

(1) The slaves of sin in the earth did not know they had been set free--they had to hear the good news of the gospel to inform them.

(2) They had to believe the news, otherwise their slavery would be permanent.

(3) They could continue in servitude only through unbelief.

(4) They had to act on the news and walk out into liberty, demanding it as their right and assert it (Psalm 116:16).

Ephesians one is a statement of Christ's "emancipation proclamation" to us all:

(1) The Father "has blessed us [all] with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (vs. 3). That includes liberty from the cruel bondage of Satan.

(2) The Father has "predestined us [all] to adoption as [children]" (vs. 5; cf. 1 Tim. 2:4).

(3) He "chose us [all] in [Christ] ... that we should be holy and without blame" (vs. 4). 

(4) He has "made us accepted in the Beloved" (vs. 6).

When He acknowledged Jesus at His baptism in the Jordan ("This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased," Matt. 3:17), He was throwing His arms around the entire human race "in Christ." As He loved His only Son, so He has loved us.

When He "gave" Him (John 3:16), the Father placed His Son's value to Himself on a par with our value to Himself. !!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 12, 2005.
Copyright © 2020 by "Dial Daily Bread."