Our Daily Bread ~ Winners All

June 24, 2010

Winners All

READ: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

God loves a cheerful giver. —2 Corinthians 9:7

When the Los Angeles Times covered a 2008 conference championship soccer match between two Christian schools, Azusa Pacific University and Westmont College, it was about far more than winning the game. Three days earlier, a wildfire had swept through the Westmont campus, destroying several academic buildings, faculty homes, and student rooms. Unable to host the game, the rules required Westmont to forfeit. Instead, Azusa invited their opponents to play at their campus where they welcomed Westmont fans with free admission and lunch.

On the field, Westmont won an emotional 2-0 victory, while Azusa Pacific won admiration for their good will. LA Times reporter Bill Plaschke wrote: “Rarely in Southern California sports has there been a better show of sportsmanship than this, Azusa Pacific sacrificing its chance at a title defense to give Westmont a fair shot at taking it. As impressive as the resilience of the conquerors was the kindness of the conquered.”

So often we think only of money when the Bible calls us to give willingly and bountifully, “for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Giving others a chance and offering hospitality to those who hurt is generosity that makes winners of everyone involved. —David McCasland

The gifts that we may give,
The deeds that we may do,
Most truly honor Christ
When self is given too. —D. De Haan

The manner of giving shows the character of the giver more than the gift itself.

God is Good, even at Bad Times :)

Sometimes when unfortunate things happen on us, we tend to ask a lot of questions and try to think WHY such a thing happen on us? However, there are a lot of times also we forego an opportunity to see the beautiful things that happen behind the unfortunate events.

I have had a bad experience last Friday; at first I was wondering WHY such thing could happen, especially when I was doing the right thing; well, at least I thought I was doing the right thing...

Few seconds before the incident, my inner voice asked me to forego my intention of doing the "right" thing, but I just chose to ignore the voice. As a result, something unfortunate happened...

Although I was facing such a situation, I must THANK GOD for His PROTECTION and His PRESENCE. I felt PEACE throughout the whole process and I must PRAISE GOD that He sent His Angels to protect me. There were a lot of friends who are helpful and supportive, in particular, my Brother's colleague, MF, who came to accompany me until the arrival of my Brother. Also, not to forget, my Church Members; although they have no idea what to pray for, I believe they kept me in their prayers.

God is GOOD at all times! We must always be thankful for whatever that happens because we just live once in this world. Sometimes we learn more from these unfortunate events, and these events will help us grow.

We grow in His Presence and under His Protection, lead by His Wisdom and Guidance, filled with His Love, Joy and Peace, blessed by His Grace and Mercy, AND His Strength, Courage, Compassion (and the list never ends)...

Praise the Lord!! =)

Our Daily Bread ~ An Imaginary Threat

June 21, 2010

An Imaginary Threat

READ: Genesis 33:1-4

Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him. —Genesis 33:4

Last spring the window to one of the rooms in our house was repeatedly attacked by a robin. The bird would perch at the base of the window, ruffle its feathers, chirp loudly, and then fly headfirst into the glass.

I did some research and learned that robins are territorial. While nesting, they drive out any competing robins. This bird apparently saw its reflection in our window and thought it was another robin. The threat was not real; it was only an illusion.

In the Old Testament, we see an instance when Jacob imagined a threat that wasn’t really there. Years earlier, Jacob had stolen his brother Esau’s blessing by their father. Now, after many years of separation, they were going to meet again. Jacob thought Esau would harm him, so he sent gifts ahead as a peace offering of sorts. Then, when he saw Esau approaching with 400 men, Jacob panicked. Yet what Jacob thought was an attack force turned out to be a welcoming committee. “Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept” (Gen. 33:4).

In interpersonal relationships, we sometimes misinterpret a situation. We must ask the Lord for discernment so we don’t miss a friendship because of an imaginary threat. —Dennis Fisher

I went outside to find a friend

But could not find one there;

I went outside to be a friend,

And friends were everywhere! —Payne

Don’t be afraid of a presumed enemy, but trust in the Lord to make a new friend.