Jesus told us to pray for daily bread because it is the only kind of bread He offers. Life comes to us a moment at a time, and God promises to provide for it. He invites us to sit down and gratefully eat at His table.
"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna... to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD"
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I do not like driving in heavy traffic. In fact, I get physically sick if I am required to do it for very long, even as a passenger. Now, I believe that calmness can be the natural state of the soul. But, what does one do if i have to drive to work in terrible traffic every day. I can acknowledge the value of fight or flight mode and still do this.
“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” 1Pt.5 Conversations Within” ts 7/10/
There are people who have lived long lives without following Van Dyke's positive disposition and example. Of course
“All the days of the oppressed are miserable, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.” Prov.15 Conversations Within” ts 7/10/26
God's knowledge is absolute. He knows everything that is uncertain to us, but His knowledge of everything is perfect and certain. There is no future possible happening that is unknown to Him and that is not ordered by His sovereignty. Coupled with the knowledge that God is love, is to find that greatest security.
“...and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.” Ecc.11 Conversations Within” ts 7/8/26
Jesus told us to pray for daily bread. Some things need repeating everyday to affect the goodness that God intends. In truth I need to remind myself every hour to keep in step with the Spirit. My feet stray off the path so easily. The
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 Conversations Within” ts 7/8/26
I wake up some mornings feeling really dumb about some of the stuff I do, and more often than I should. There are many things I do not like about myself, I am acquiring a new taste for how I want to live life. Thank you Lord Jesus, “The page is still turning. The ink isn’t dry.”
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
I have unanswered questions, but can truthfully say that most if not all of them do not stress me. I ask for daily bread each day, and when God chooses not to explain certain things to me, I take it that what I don’t understand I do not need in my present circumstances.
“Give us this
I want to be grateful to You Lord. This is how I want to experience each day. When I eat, or drink, work, or play, grant in me a sincere appreciation for what You put on my plate, so that a grateful heart will govern every experience I share with You.
“Only
Grace and grace alone defines my standing before God. I merit nothing, because any good I do is also due to His grace working in me. My sins are ever before me, but so too are His daily expressions of grace.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through
Admitting I have tendencies toward overthinking a problem, is a good first step toward changing it. “Just do it” is more than a slogan. Wisdom is understanding but action matters most! Sometimes you just got to go for it.
“Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler.” Prov.6 Conversations Within” ts 6/29/
Vanity has many expressions, all of them empty of value. The buzz words of our day: unique, authentic, open minded, etc, often echo back the hollow sound of pride. Admit it, some people try to look cool, others are cool. Some people try to look Christlike, others are Christlike. We must each discover Christ within, before others will authentically see Christ without.
“Love does not boast or brag.” 1Cor.
The quiet life begins in the quiet soul, and the soul is made quiet in the satisfaction of all that God is for us in the present moment. Come to the quiet. Cop a squat on the green grass of reflection, and lay down in the stillness of His leading.
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life…” 1Thess.4
I recently saw a post showing a man standing on Mt. Everest holding a marine fossil in his hand stating that the mountain was once at the bottom of the sea. My first thought was, just like the Good Book said, recording the story of Noah’s flood, “And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered.”
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Is.40 Conversations Within” ts 6/
I am grateful that pain accompanies bad decisions. This is the grace of God teaching us to abandon choices that are not good for us. Wisdom teaches us to walk by streets that have brought us no joy and rewards us when we turn down streets that do.
“The fear of the
When God’s garden needs tending, often it is our prayers that become His tools. There are a number of stories in the Bible where God looked for His people to intercede for others, but sadly He did not find anyone. If you feel the urge to pray for someone, you may be the only person who does.
“I looked for someone among
In light of the fact that many in the United States do not believe in the God of Jesus, I celebrate that I have freedom to do so. The US did not grant me this freedom. The God of Christ did. I respect the right of others to not believe simply because the God of Jesus does. He knows that love cannot exist without this freedom. Here is the only path to a
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” Ps.33.12 Conversations Within” ts 7/3/26
Jack Sparrow's compass always pointed to what he wanted most. I think it is important to know not only what brings us joy, but lasting, even eternal joy. According to Jesus, His joy springs from sitting at His Father’s right hand, living for His pleasure. Living in the favor of God, sounds good enough to me.
“Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Heb.12
What a wonderful way to live each day, to simply cop a squat right where you are, and be there.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” Ps.23 Conversations Within” ts 6/21/26
