Our Daily Bread 7 February 2018 Devotional – A Blanket for Everyone

Topic: A Blanket for Everyone [Our Daily Bread 7 Wednesday February, 2018]

Read: John 18:15–27, Bible in a Year: Leviticus 1–3; Matthew 24:1–28

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

Linus Van Pelt, better known as simply “Linus,” was a mainstay in the Peanuts comic strip. Witty and wise, yet insecure, Linus constantly carried a security blanket. We can identify. We have our fears and insecurities too.

The disciple Peter knew something about fear. When Jesus was arrested, Peter displayed courage by following the Lord into the courtyard of the high priest. But then he began to show his fear by lying to protect his identity (John 18:15–26). He spoke disgraceful words that denied his Lord. But Jesus never stopped loving Peter and ultimately restored him (see John 21:15–19).

Peter’s emphasis on love in 1 Peter 4:8 came from one who had experienced the deep love of Jesus. And he, in turn, stressed the importance of love in our relationships with the words “above all.” The intensity of the verse continues with the encouragement to “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Have you ever needed that kind of “blanket”? I have! After saying or doing something I later regretted, I have felt the chilly draft of guilt and shame. I have needed to be “covered” in the manner that Jesus covered disgraced, shame-filled people in the Gospels.

To followers of Jesus, love is a blanket to be graciously and courageously given away for the comfort and reclamation of others. As recipients of such great love, let us be givers of the same.

Prayer: Father, Your love, in and through Jesus, has rescued us time and time again. Help me to be an instrument of Your saving love for others.

God loves you and me—let’s love each other.

Insight:

We may wonder how Peter could deny his Lord (John 18:15–27). One reason was that Peter’s security was shaken. He had just seen Jesus beaten, falsely accused, and mocked; and now feared for his own life. He was also spiritually weak. Just hours before, Jesus had warned Peter that he would betray Him (13:31–38). Yet when Jesus led His disciples to the garden and urged them to watch and pray, Peter and the others slept. Despite Peter’s denial, Jesus forgave him and restored him (John 21:15–19). Alyson Kieda

This message was written By Arthur Jackson [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]


Will Costa Rica’s Newest President Be a Famous Christian Singer? .

Fabricio Alvarado, presidential candidate of the National Restoration party (PRN), greets supporters next to his wife and daughter before delivering a speech during a rally after Costa Rica's presidential election in San Jose, Costa Rica, Feb. 4, 2018.
Fabricio Alvarado, presidential candidate of the National Restoration party (PRN), greets supporters next to his wife and daughter before delivering a speech during a rally after Costa Rica’s presidential election in San Jose, Costa Rica, Feb. 4, 2018. (Reuters/Juan Carlos Ulate)

We have an interesting story, well told, from .. . charismapodcastnetwork.com.


Christian singer Fabricio Alvarado Munoz will face a center-left fiction writer in Costa…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Chrisma News.

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Here’s What You Need to Know about the FBI Memo Controversy

Here’s What You Need to Know about the FBI Memo Controversy



A House Republican intelligence memo released last week says that the FBI abused the FISA process to obtain a surveillance warrant on a member of Trump’s campaign team.


The memo was released Friday after President Trump authorized its release.


The FBI and Justice Department deny any wrongdoing, with the FBI saying it had “grave concerns” about the “accuracy” of the document.


Devin Nunes, a House Republican from California, drafted the memo. The memo says that a “biased” FBI and Justice Department abused their powers to launch an inquiry into the Trump’s campaign potential link to Russia’s alleged influence on the 2016 election.


Those inquiries led to the discovery of the “Steele dossier,” a collection of memos compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele. The unverified documents show collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.


With the Steele dossier, the FBI was allegedly able to obtain a warrant to spy on Carter Page, who had served as an adviser in Trump’s bid for the White House.


In 2016, Page traveled to Russia. National security officials questioned some of Page’s meetings in Russia and whether he met with Russian government to discuss influencing the U.S. presidential election.


The House Republican memo released last week says that the FBI abused its power to investigate Page.


“This memo totally vindicates…

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Guantanamo Bay Still Open .

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, detention facility (Reuters file photo/Michelle Shepard)

Last week, President Trump signed an executive order indicating his intention of keeping the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GITMO) open. The move reverses an Obama-era executive order to close the military prison—a goal that the former president was unable to achieve before leaving office in 2017.

Forty-one inmates—enemy combatants in the war on terror—still remain at the facility.

This is a major victory that…

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Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Chrisma News.

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7 Things You Should Know about Ash Wednesday


Chances are you’ll see a bunch of folks walking around with shmutz on their foreheads this Wednesday (Feb. 14). What does having a dirty forehead have to do with being a Christian and why this ritual is gaining in popularity? What is the significance behind Ash Wednesday and why do Christians still attend Ash Wednesday services? Even if you attend one at your church you may not know the history behind it. Well, here is what you need to know:Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/azerberber

1. Why you may see people with dirt on their foreheads


Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the day many Christians mark as the first day of Lent, the time of reflection and penitence leading up to Easter Sunday. Clergy all over the world dispense ashes, usually made by burning the palm fronds distributed on last year’s Palm Sunday, making the sign of the cross on the bowed…

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Why This Christian Ministry Went to an Adult Film Conference in Las Vegas .

Victor Marx
Victor Marx (CBN News Video Capture)

We have an interesting story, well told, from .. . charismapodcastnetwork.com.


A Christian ministry’s display is the last thing you’d expect to see at an international adult film conference in Las Vegas, but for Victor Marx it’s the perfect place to reach those trapped in one of the darkest industries.

Marx founded All Things Possible Ministries (ATP), which helps broken, troubled and trafficked youth around…

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Oklahoma Central University Bans Creation Museum’s Ken Ham from Speaking

Oklahoma Central University Bans Creation Museum’s Ken Ham from Speaking


In another example of free speech being denied on a university campus, Ken Ham, founder of the popular Creation Museum and Ark Encounter attractions, has been booted from speaking at Oklahoma Central University next month.


 


Ham’s presentation in the school’s Constitution Hall was objectionable to a campus LGBT group, which put heavy pressure on the UCO Student Association (UCOSA) and university officials to cancel the March 5 speaking engagement. In his proposed talk at UCO, Ham would have discussed the two different worldviews and their starting points when interpreting scientific evidence, as he did in his evolution/creation debate with Bill Nye “The Science Guy” four years ago.


 


Ham noted: “Free speech in America is under increasing attack by some very intolerant people. In this case of discrimination, I find it highly ironic that after being booked to speak in the school’s Constitution Hall, our constitutional right to free speech and the free exercise of religion, guaranteed under the First Amendment, have been denied.”


 


Ham added: “A small but vocal group on campus put up a fuss about my talk and the university caved in, tearing up the contract and contradicting its policies of promoting ‘free inquiry’ and ‘inclusiveness’ on campus.”


 


Answers in Genesis has posted a web article with more details about the cancellation.


 


Local…

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