Daily Bread April 30

We Are Holy Ground
Gary Piper of Gratiot, MI, USA


But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” -Matthew 13:23

If you are reading this, you are the “good ground” Jesus was talking about in the parable of the sower. Anyone who has planted a vegetable or flower garden knows the time between planting and harvesting is crucial to a good yield. Don’t forget, during the growing season most of the nurturing work is done to the ground, not to the plants.

In a garden the ground cannot do anything by itself. The gardener does all the work. That is not the case with us. We need time in the “wilderness”-personal devotional and Bible study time, time with other Christians, and most importantly 24/7 time spent with the Holy Spirit. While all times are equally important, perhaps time spent in the “wilderness” edges out others by the narrowest of margins, because, according to Peter, those times contain great blessings.

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT).

I don’t know about you, but times of “testing” bring out my impatience-probably the reason for being tested in the first place! My belief is, if God is going to get me through this, then let God shorten my time here. But God’s response is always the same: “Not by your timeline, but by My timeline.”

And we all know who prevails, don’t we? I am blessed because in that case I am both loser and winner. God is the GREATEST!

Prayer Phrase

“Every breath is a resurrection” (Gregory Orr).

Spiritual Practice

Breath of Life

Take a few moments right now to breathe. Simply observe each inhale and exhale. Pay attention to how it feels in your body. Notice the rise and fall of your chest. Notice how you breathe even when you aren’t thinking about it, how your body instinctively knows how to keep you alive without your thought or effort. In this moment, you are alive. Receive this awareness as an expression of divine grace. In joy or despair, loss or celebration, your body continues breathing. How is your breath a resurrection this day?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

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