Joseph combed the job listings frustratedly. Previous jobs as a waiter had paid well, but regular weekend shifts typical of the restaurant industry made it hard for him as a new believer in Jesus to attend church regularly. “Why doesn’t God answer my prayer?” he lamented. “Wouldn’t He want me to attend church?”

It took a year before Joseph saw that he had to adjust his expectations and try a different industry where he finally found a job with regular weekday shifts. Thanking God, he realized how the long wait had made him more mature in making decisions. This job change process had also taught Joseph what it means to persevere in life and trust in God to reveal His plans in His time.

That’s what James told a church facing trials. Encouraging them not to give up, he said: “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete” (James 1:4). The process of asking God for wisdom, waiting, and standing firm (vv. 5-6) would not only nurture their patience and trust in God, but also help them grow in maturity as they learned more about themselves and God.

Waiting for God’s answer can be tough, but it makes us more mature and steadfast, strengthens our faith, and gives us a deeper understanding of what it means to trust God.

As you prepare for sleep, be reminded of your secure place in God’s family. Tonight’s Our Daily Bread Evening Meditation invites you to rest in the promise that the Holy Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing your eternal inheritance.

Love in a Minor Key Spiritual Living / Family-Relationships / Love in a Minor Key Love in a Minor Key  Hosea 3 The so-called “minor prophets” are somewhat misnamed. They’re labeled “minor” simply because they’re shorter than the major prophets (1). What can we learn from these smaller prophetic books? Much more than we might think. So […]

When my husband, Alan, and I decided to move across the country to Philadelphia to further his education, I didn’t have a job lined up, and we had no idea how we would afford student housing. On a Sunday, shortly before we were to leave, a church acquaintance introduced us to a former student of the university Alan was to attend who knew of an affordable apartment. Then, before we left, a workmate gave me the name of a contact at a Christian ministry. God answered our prayers and gave us opportunities—including an apartment and a job—through His people. Friends and family helped us move and ushered us on with prayer.

The author of Ecclesiastes wrote about the benefits of not going through life alone: “Two are better than one” (4:9). Two get more work done, can help each other through struggles, offer companionship, and ward against danger (vv. 9-11). He went on to say, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (v. 12). A community has even greater benefits. More resources, more support.

Alan and I benefited from the community we left behind. And God helped us to build a new community to help us feel at home in the big city. If you feel alone, ask God to help you find a friend, a good church, or a place to serve in a community.

As the day closes, reflect on God’s power and love. Tonight’s Our Daily Bread Evening Meditation invites you to surrender your worries and stresses to the One who reigns over all.

Ministry Ambassador Application Building Faith. Building Community. Join a growing network of passionate volunteers who share the hope of God’s Word in their communities. As a Ministry Ambassador, you’ll help connect people to resources that strengthen faith and build meaningful relationships. This is a free program with a minimal time commitment but with a big […]

Ministry Ambassador Program APPLY TODAY Building Faith. Building Community. Join a growing network of passionate volunteers who share the hope of God’s Word in their communities. As a Ministry Ambassador, you’ll help connect people to resources that strengthen faith and build meaningful relationships. This is a free program with a minimal time commitment but with […]

Our Daily Bread Ambassadors Join thousands of volunteers who faithfully share Our Daily Bread devotionals every 3 months, by receiving a quantity of booklets and passing them out to friends, family, coworkers, or neighbours. Do you want to… Faithfully share Our Daily Bread devotionals every 3 months on a volunteer basis?Distribute Our Daily Bread devotionals in various […]

In the African American home I was raised in, meals often included scrumptious “soul food.” The term originated in the mid-1960s when “soul” was a common term used to describe African American culture. Soul food menu items included  fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens, sweet potatoes, corn bread, and more. Desserts were a bonus; the “tastebud-tickling” peach cobbler was the most satisfying to me. What a feast!

Feasting in different cultures looks different but, because food is essential for life, Jesus’ words in John 6:35 are significant for all people. “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Such claims as these would be outrageous if they were made by a mere human being. But Jesus, the Christ, could make such astounding claims because He’s the very Son of God. He told “sign-seekers”—those seeking immediate, short-term benefit (see vv. 2, 14, 26)—that satisfaction of physical hunger wasn’t enough. As the Son of God, Jesus is the source of true life (14:6) and the sustainer of life. All those who believe in Him for the forgiveness of sins through His death and resurrection (11:25-26) share His life. Jesus is the essential food for the soul. Life, nourishment, and true satisfaction are found in Him alone.