A beautiful family and a strong one to have handled so well the ugly accusations.

Indeed, Jane!

How beautiful!

Thank you, (((LUV)))!

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He Carried Our Burden

October 13, 2018

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24

It’s not unusual for utility bills to be surprisingly high. But Kieran Healy of North Carolina received a water bill that would make your heart stop. The notification said that he owed 100 million dollars! Confident he hadn’t used that much water the previous month, Healy jokingly asked if he could pay the bill in installments.

Owing a 100-million-dollar debt would be an overwhelming burden, but that pales in comparison to the real—and immeasurable—burden sin causes us to carry. Attempting to carry the burden and consequences of our own sins ultimately leaves us feeling tired and riddled with guilt and shame. The truth is we are incapable of carrying this load.

And we were never meant to. As Peter reminded believers, only Jesus, the sinless Son of God, could carry the heavy burden of our sin and its weighty consequences (1 Peter 2:24). In His death on the cross, Jesus took all our wrongdoing on Himself and offered us His forgiveness. Because He carried our burden, we don’t have to suffer the punishment we deserve.

Instead of living in fear or guilt, the “empty way of life handed down to” us (1:18), we can enjoy a new life of love and freedom (vv. 22–23).

Lord, sometimes our guilt and shame can feel so heavy. Help us to release our past and its pain to You and experience Your peace, knowing You have carried it all and have set us free.

Jesus carried the burden of our sin so He could give us the blessing of life.

INSIGHT

Our natural instinct is to lash out against injustice. But Jesus’s example (which is what Peter called it in 1 Peter 2:21) calls us to higher ground. Notice verse 23: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” Rather than returning what, arguably, His tormenters deserved, Jesus refused. In a sense, He chose to look up to the Father rather than down to those who caused His pain. Perhaps that was behind His prayer, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). In entrusting Himself to the Father, Jesus felt no need for retaliation.

For more on the cross, read The Mockery and Majesty of the Cross at discoveryseries.org/hp081.

Dog Kisses

Messy dog kisses:
Most likely are full of germs,
But make me happy.

Mark J. Halliday

Happy Caturday, Dogurday and Bunnyday!

Happiness is a
crisp fall day!
Happy Caturday!

Happy Cat/Dogerday!

Ahem. That's pronounced "Bee-SHAWN Free Zay". NOT "Bi-Chen-Frizzy".

(((((HUGS))))

ML/LTOS

LOL! I’m glad he cleared that up! [I actually pronounce it correctly. I’ve watched the dog show. LOL]

The Shih-Tzu is even more offended by mispronunciation of his name. :-)

Happy Caturday***Dogurday!

Have A Relaxin' Weekend!

Awwwwwwww.....

Very tempting! LOL!

No kidding! LOL!

Hi Meg! Cute doggie! I saw a black lab puppy today at a Target store. He was dressed in a service dog vest and a man was training him. I remembered to not bother any service dog and just said “oh so cute, he’s working so I won’t bother him.” That was a really adorable puppy. My sister was with me. It was difficult to just say he was cute and keep walking.

In other news I saw 4 bald eagles today on my parent’s farm in their marshes. Two in each marsh area. That is the first time in 45 years I’ve seen 4 at a time. They perch in dead trees and look down into the flood water from our excessive rain, looking for fish. They are so beautiful.

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Ask the Animals

October 14, 2018

Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you. Job 12:7

Our grandkids, enraptured, got a close-up look at a rescued bald eagle. They were even allowed to touch him. As the zoo volunteer told about the powerful bird perched on her arm, I was surprised to learn this male had a wingspan of about six and one-half feet, yet because of its hollow bones it weighed only about eight pounds.

This reminded me of the majestic eagle I had seen soaring above a lake, ready to swoop down and snatch its prey in its talons. And I pictured in my mind another big bird—the spindly legged blue heron I had spied standing motionless on the edge of a pond. It was poised to dart its long beak into the water. They’re just two among the nearly 10,000 species of birds that can direct our thoughts to our Creator.

In the book of Job, Job’s friends are debating the reasons for his suffering and ask, “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?” (see 11:5–9). In response Job declares, “Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you” (Job 12:7). Animals testify to the truth that God designed, cares for, and controls His creation: “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind” (v. 10).

Since God cares for birds (Matthew 6:26; 10:29), we can be assured He loves and cares for you and me, even when we don’t understand our circumstances. Look around and learn of Him.

Where is your favorite place in God’s world? Share your photos with others on Facebook.com/ourdailybread.

God’s world teaches us about Him.

INSIGHT

Gaining a good grasp of the book of Job requires us to understand its literary structure. Though the book begins (chs. 1–2) and ends (42:7–16) in narrative format, the bulk of the book is comprised of speeches packaged in poetry (3:1–42:6), including the stunning monologue of the Almighty Himself (38:1–41:34). By the time the reader comes to chapter 12, all three of Job’s friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—have spoken once. Two more series of speeches follow, and in the last series a fourth counselor (Elihu) enters the picture (chs. 32–37). In their well-ordered and reasoned speeches, each friend offers explanations for Job’s calamities and prescriptions for a remedy. Job himself is the speaker in chapter 12, where he indicts the denseness of his first three accusers. He directs them to nature which teaches us about the supremacy and sovereignty of God. In verses 7–8, the language of instruction is quite clear: Animals “will teach”; birds “will tell”; the earth “will teach”; the fish will “inform.” Without a word they witness to the wisdom and greatness of God.

Can you recall a time when you were prompted to reflect on God’s greatness by something in nature?

Daniel O'Donnel~Church In The Wildwood

Waylon Jennings/Jessi Colter~Precious Memories

Cathedrals~Wonderful Grace of Jesus

Glad~Arise My Soul, Arise

Gaither Vocal Band~Heaven's Joy Awaits

Ray Walker~Master The Tempest Is Raging

Vocal Majority~Deep River

Have a blessed Sunday
God bless our troops!

~Good Sunday Morning To Amy's Place~

Numbers 6:
24 The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be
gracious to you;
26 the LORD turn his face towards you and give you peace.
Lord's Day Blessings To All

Amen..Thank you for this beautiful devotion, Rus,

;o)
What a glorious day you had!