Category Archives: Daily Bread Devotional

Watch and Pray
Julie Conway Sword of Gainesville, FL, USA

“…watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe to keep the commandments of God… -Mosiah 2:49

Humble yourselves and continue in prayer to him; cry to him when you are in your fields, and over all your flocks; cry to him in your houses, and over all your household . . .let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer to him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you. -Alma 16:219, 222

Be clean, be frugal…take sleep in the hours set apart by God for the rebuilding and strengthening of the body and mind…and in cheerfulness do whatever may be permitted you to perform that the blessing of peace may be upon all. -Doctrine and Covenants 119:9a, c

During this time when we are staying in our homes observing “social distancing,” I am addressing two overdue home projects: cleaning my kitchen cupboards (discarding, organizing, and rearranging) and repotting my purple violet, whose leaves were flopping over the sides of its too-small container. Now cupboard doors reveal neatness and orderliness, while the new soil in a larger pot is giving the violet an air of freedom to expand.

These two physical activities have opened my eyes, a revelation on self, to a need for clearing, expanding, and growing spiritually. Apostle Arthur Oakman often quoted, “There’s a world within and a world without.” In prayer the Spirit impressed me to expand my scripture study, develop better listening habits, and focus on positive thinking.

Now my prayer is, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

Prayer Phrase

Let your world of beauty capture me.

Spiritual Practice

Growing a Gracious, Generous Heart

Open your heart to God’s grace and generosity with a “breath prayer.” Let your breathing slow and deepen. Be aware of God’s breath moving in and out of your heart. Spend several minutes focusing on breathing in God’s generosity. With each breath, silently name one gift for which you are thankful. Let your heart expand to contain God’s gracious outpouring of love. With each breath out, name one gift you want to share from the overflow of your heart.

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.

Click here to comment or read online.

Watch and Pray
Julie Conway Sword of Gainesville, FL, USA

“…watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe to keep the commandments of God… -Mosiah 2:49

Humble yourselves and continue in prayer to him; cry to him when you are in your fields, and over all your flocks; cry to him in your houses, and over all your household . . .let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer to him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you. -Alma 16:219, 222

Be clean, be frugal…take sleep in the hours set apart by God for the rebuilding and strengthening of the body and mind…and in cheerfulness do whatever may be permitted you to perform that the blessing of peace may be upon all. -Doctrine and Covenants 119:9a, c

During this time when we are staying in our homes observing “social distancing,” I am addressing two overdue home projects: cleaning my kitchen cupboards (discarding, organizing, and rearranging) and repotting my purple violet, whose leaves were flopping over the sides of its too-small container. Now cupboard doors reveal neatness and orderliness, while the new soil in a larger pot is giving the violet an air of freedom to expand.

These two physical activities have opened my eyes, a revelation on self, to a need for clearing, expanding, and growing spiritually. Apostle Arthur Oakman often quoted, “There’s a world within and a world without.” In prayer the Spirit impressed me to expand my scripture study, develop better listening habits, and focus on positive thinking.

Now my prayer is, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

Prayer Phrase

Let your world of beauty capture me.

Spiritual Practice

Growing a Gracious, Generous Heart

Open your heart to God’s grace and generosity with a “breath prayer.” Let your breathing slow and deepen. Be aware of God’s breath moving in and out of your heart. Spend several minutes focusing on breathing in God’s generosity. With each breath, silently name one gift for which you are thankful. Let your heart expand to contain God’s gracious outpouring of love. With each breath out, name one gift you want to share from the overflow of your heart.

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.

Click here to comment or read online.

Watch and Pray
Julie Conway Sword of Gainesville, FL, USA

“…watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe to keep the commandments of God… -Mosiah 2:49

Humble yourselves and continue in prayer to him; cry to him when you are in your fields, and over all your flocks; cry to him in your houses, and over all your household . . .let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer to him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you. -Alma 16:219, 222

Be clean, be frugal…take sleep in the hours set apart by God for the rebuilding and strengthening of the body and mind…and in cheerfulness do whatever may be permitted you to perform that the blessing of peace may be upon all. -Doctrine and Covenants 119:9a, c

During this time when we are staying in our homes observing “social distancing,” I am addressing two overdue home projects: cleaning my kitchen cupboards (discarding, organizing, and rearranging) and repotting my purple violet, whose leaves were flopping over the sides of its too-small container. Now cupboard doors reveal neatness and orderliness, while the new soil in a larger pot is giving the violet an air of freedom to expand.

These two physical activities have opened my eyes, a revelation on self, to a need for clearing, expanding, and growing spiritually. Apostle Arthur Oakman often quoted, “There’s a world within and a world without.” In prayer the Spirit impressed me to expand my scripture study, develop better listening habits, and focus on positive thinking.

Now my prayer is, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

Prayer Phrase

Let your world of beauty capture me.

Spiritual Practice

Growing a Gracious, Generous Heart

Open your heart to God’s grace and generosity with a “breath prayer.” Let your breathing slow and deepen. Be aware of God’s breath moving in and out of your heart. Spend several minutes focusing on breathing in God’s generosity. With each breath, silently name one gift for which you are thankful. Let your heart expand to contain God’s gracious outpouring of love. With each breath out, name one gift you want to share from the overflow of your heart.

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.

Click here to comment or read online.

Watch and Pray
Julie Conway Sword of Gainesville, FL, USA

“…watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe to keep the commandments of God… -Mosiah 2:49

Humble yourselves and continue in prayer to him; cry to him when you are in your fields, and over all your flocks; cry to him in your houses, and over all your household . . .let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer to him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you. -Alma 16:219, 222

Be clean, be frugal…take sleep in the hours set apart by God for the rebuilding and strengthening of the body and mind…and in cheerfulness do whatever may be permitted you to perform that the blessing of peace may be upon all. -Doctrine and Covenants 119:9a, c

During this time when we are staying in our homes observing “social distancing,” I am addressing two overdue home projects: cleaning my kitchen cupboards (discarding, organizing, and rearranging) and repotting my purple violet, whose leaves were flopping over the sides of its too-small container. Now cupboard doors reveal neatness and orderliness, while the new soil in a larger pot is giving the violet an air of freedom to expand.

These two physical activities have opened my eyes, a revelation on self, to a need for clearing, expanding, and growing spiritually. Apostle Arthur Oakman often quoted, “There’s a world within and a world without.” In prayer the Spirit impressed me to expand my scripture study, develop better listening habits, and focus on positive thinking.

Now my prayer is, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

Prayer Phrase

Let your world of beauty capture me.

Spiritual Practice

Growing a Gracious, Generous Heart

Open your heart to God’s grace and generosity with a “breath prayer.” Let your breathing slow and deepen. Be aware of God’s breath moving in and out of your heart. Spend several minutes focusing on breathing in God’s generosity. With each breath, silently name one gift for which you are thankful. Let your heart expand to contain God’s gracious outpouring of love. With each breath out, name one gift you want to share from the overflow of your heart.

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.

Click here to comment or read online.

Watch and Pray
Julie Conway Sword of Gainesville, FL, USA

“…watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe to keep the commandments of God… -Mosiah 2:49

Humble yourselves and continue in prayer to him; cry to him when you are in your fields, and over all your flocks; cry to him in your houses, and over all your household . . .let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer to him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you. -Alma 16:219, 222

Be clean, be frugal…take sleep in the hours set apart by God for the rebuilding and strengthening of the body and mind…and in cheerfulness do whatever may be permitted you to perform that the blessing of peace may be upon all. -Doctrine and Covenants 119:9a, c

During this time when we are staying in our homes observing “social distancing,” I am addressing two overdue home projects: cleaning my kitchen cupboards (discarding, organizing, and rearranging) and repotting my purple violet, whose leaves were flopping over the sides of its too-small container. Now cupboard doors reveal neatness and orderliness, while the new soil in a larger pot is giving the violet an air of freedom to expand.

These two physical activities have opened my eyes, a revelation on self, to a need for clearing, expanding, and growing spiritually. Apostle Arthur Oakman often quoted, “There’s a world within and a world without.” In prayer the Spirit impressed me to expand my scripture study, develop better listening habits, and focus on positive thinking.

Now my prayer is, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

Prayer Phrase

Let your world of beauty capture me.

Spiritual Practice

Growing a Gracious, Generous Heart

Open your heart to God’s grace and generosity with a “breath prayer.” Let your breathing slow and deepen. Be aware of God’s breath moving in and out of your heart. Spend several minutes focusing on breathing in God’s generosity. With each breath, silently name one gift for which you are thankful. Let your heart expand to contain God’s gracious outpouring of love. With each breath out, name one gift you want to share from the overflow of your heart.

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.

Click here to comment or read online.

Spiritually Formed
From Following the Spirit

[Excerpted from Following the Spirit: Calling, Hope, and Possibility, Linda L. Booth, Herald House, 2019, p. 8]

For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. -Romans 14:17-19

We gather to be spiritually formed so that we will “embody and live the concerns and passion of Christ” (Doctrine and Covenants 164:9d) and be Christ’s presence in our families, congregations, neighborhoods, and communities.

During President Veazey’s April 8, 2018, “Hope Rising” challenge, he said that spiritual formation “means intentional, regular spiritual practices that bond us to the Divine and shape us in the image of Christ. It is integrating our inner spiritual lives and outward actions to live in harmony with God’s vision for creation…As we are spiritually formed in that kind of gospel community, we are motivated and equipped to bless our neighbors and neighborhoods through an overflow of compassionate ministry and action.”

To be a “gospel community” takes time and intentionality. We must yearn for and long to be aware of God’s presence through the power of the Holy Spirit and the sacred connection that unites and connects us as disciples.

In her book, An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith, Barbara Brown Taylor wrote:

No one longs for what he or she already has, and yet the accumulated insight of those wise about the spiritual life suggests that the reason so many of us cannot see the red X that marks the spot is because we are standing on it. The treasure we seek requires no lengthy expedition, no expensive equipment, no superior aptitude, or special company. All we lack is the willingness to imagine that we already have everything we need. The only thing missing is our consent to be where we are (Harper Collins, 2009, pp. xiv-xv).

We gather with a willingness to nurture the expectation that God is present here and in our daily lives.

• Where have you recently experienced God in your life?
• When have you saw, felt, or experienced the red X that marked the spot you were standing on?
• What does authentic Christian community or “gospel community” look like?

Prayer Phrase

Let your world of beauty capture me.

Spiritual Practice

Growing a Gracious, Generous Heart

Open your heart to God’s grace and generosity with a “breath prayer.” Let your breathing slow and deepen. Be aware of God’s breath moving in and out of your heart. Spend several minutes focusing on breathing in God’s generosity. With each breath, silently name one gift for which you are thankful. Let your heart expand to contain God’s gracious outpouring of love. With each breath out, name one gift you want to share from the overflow of your heart.

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.

Click here to comment or read online.

See the Mountain…Climb the Mountain!
Kevin Corey of Cincinnati, OH, USA

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind- just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you- so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. -1 Corinthians 1:3-7

A mountain can represent an unseen or challenging experience. It could be an event that is out of our control. Perhaps it is a traumatic event such as terminal cancer, a stroke, death of a loved one, or loss of financial means and possessions. All of these are major blows to an individual or a family. Regardless of what your “mountain” or event is, it is time for you to climb it…one step at a time.

Due to my stroke, I no longer possess the strength that I once had. I cannot go on the long runs or walks that I once enjoyed. However, with a little difficulty in my walk, I will make it to my destination. Things that I once performed without thought now take a little planning and more physical effort to accomplish.

Nothing, however, has been put on pause or prevents me from pursuing a stronger relationship with Christ, who is my strength during my mountain climb. I can make time for worship a priority. I can increase my prayer times, my tithes, and serving others. Pursuing the mountaintop to lift others is my life purpose.

Whatever you may be going through, if you are facing a “mountain” experience…see the mountain…climb the mountain. Take the first step by faith. Then take another step, knowing that you are not walking alone. Take the next step, then the next; take one more step. You can overcome and climb that mountain! I may have been restricted by my physical condition, but I want to encourage you with my Spiritual Physician…Jesus Christ!

Prayer Phrase

Let your world of beauty capture me.

Spiritual Practice

Growing a Gracious, Generous Heart

Open your heart to God’s grace and generosity with a “breath prayer.” Let your breathing slow and deepen. Be aware of God’s breath moving in and out of your heart. Spend several minutes focusing on breathing in God’s generosity. With each breath, silently name one gift for which you are thankful. Let your heart expand to contain God’s gracious outpouring of love. With each breath out, name one gift you want to share from the overflow of your heart.

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.

Click here to comment or read online.

God Can Show Up Even at the Eleventh Hour
Zeph Dim of Alagbado, Lagos, Nigeria

Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit and you shall have peace in me. -Doctrine and Covenants 18:2n

David, our little boy, was learning to walk. As he was standing, holding on to a chair, his mother walked past him to the balcony. He stretched his neck to see where his mother was. On sighting her, he released his hold on the chair and started walking towards her. First step, second step, on the third step he fell. He rested a while and looked around for help. No one came to his rescue. Where I stood, I held my breath. Then he got himself up to try again. After a few steps he fell again. Then came the screaming. That was when his mother rushed back to pick him up.

As I reflected over the incident, it got me thinking. If falling when learning to walk made babies not try again, then nobody would have ever learned how to walk. Our little boy who cannot walk now will soon walk and not fall, run and not stumble. That can only happen if he continues not minding how many times he has fallen. It is his persistence that yields the desired result.

This took my mind to the Bible story of the woman with the issue of blood. For 12 good years she had been spending all her money seeking a cure. Not minding all the disappointments, she still believed that her healing would come. That was her situation until the eventful day when she encountered Jesus and was healed. “…for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well'” (Mark 5:28).

I have been in trying times, when at the eleventh hour-when it seemed all hope was lost-God showed up. In our prayer lives, you observe that sometimes you have to encourage yourself to persist in believing even when it seems that the answer would never come. And surely in most unexpected ways, the answers do come. Though sometimes it may seem difficult, it often pays when we never give up on our faith.

Prayer Phrase

Let your world of beauty capture me.

Spiritual Practice

Growing a Gracious, Generous Heart

Open your heart to God’s grace and generosity with a “breath prayer.” Let your breathing slow and deepen. Be aware of God’s breath moving in and out of your heart. Spend several minutes focusing on breathing in God’s generosity. With each breath, silently name one gift for which you are thankful. Let your heart expand to contain God’s gracious outpouring of love. With each breath out, name one gift you want to share from the overflow of your heart.

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.

Click here to comment or read online.

Shine like the Sun
Janne Grover, Council of Twelve Apostles

Let both of them grow together until the harvest… -Matthew 13:30

As a youth growing up on a farm, my least favorite chore was walking rows of soybeans cutting out the weeds. I’m sure the only thing worse than my attitude toward the task was my reliability in completing the task. I had little understanding of methods for weed control or their impact on crops, the environment, or harvesting equipment. I only knew weeds were bad, I didn’t like them, and I certainly didn’t like being the one to take care of them.

Matthew 13:36-43 explains who is represented in the Parable of the Wheat and Weeds. The weeds represent those who act with evil intent. We see no shortage of such examples when violence is so disturbingly present in our world. The parable talks about the righteous shining like the sun; but the reality is that some violence is carried out by persons with distorted, extremist, righteous intent. Somehow the wheat and weeds get twisted together, and separation of good and evil seems less defined.

In a current context where fear, hate, and division are so prevalent, I am captured by the significance of verse 30. What does it look like today, metaphorically, to let the wheat and weeds grow together? I would not suggest that we view violence and evil as accepted reality. However, it does challenge us to work more intentionally toward unity in diversity through compassionate ministry, practicing non-violence, working for justice, and living Christ’s peace in a hurting world.

Perhaps one way to start is by considering whom the weeds represent in our lives. Rather than cutting them out, how are we called to tend to them as we grow together?

Prayer Phrase

Let your world of beauty capture me.

Spiritual Practice

Growing a Gracious, Generous Heart

Open your heart to God’s grace and generosity with a “breath prayer.” Let your breathing slow and deepen. Be aware of God’s breath moving in and out of your heart. Spend several minutes focusing on breathing in God’s generosity. With each breath, silently name one gift for which you are thankful. Let your heart expand to contain God’s gracious outpouring of love. With each breath out, name one gift you want to share from the overflow of your heart.

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.

Click here to comment or read online.

Trust for the Future
Kenton Cowick of Cary, NC, USA

How beautiful upon the mountains
  are the feet of the messenger who announces peace,
who brings good news,
  who announces salvation,
  who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices,
  together they sing for joy;
for in plain sight they see
  the return of the Lord to Zion. -Isaiah 52:7-8

In October 2019, Betty and I celebrated our 80th birthdays. I had a stroke 10 years ago, affecting my right arm and leg. My daily functions now are from a wheelchair. Betty assists me in my hygiene functions. Betty was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago and is currently receiving treatment from a daily chemo pill and a monthly chemo shot. She also suffers from asthma.

Earlier this month I was obsessed with the thought of our future, especially with one of us dying, leaving the other living alone. We have complemented each other in our life’s needs and with death that would create needs that would have to be met externally. The thought of a nursing home is disturbing after being independent for 58 years of marriage.

Then one day the words from Matthew 28:20 flooded my mind: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” I wept. I uttered the words, “Thank you, God, for your reassurance.” Knowing God’s love and God’s peace provides us hope for the future. We are not promised a life with no challenges; we are promised that God will be with us. Hallelujah! Hallelujah, Amen!

Prayer Phrase

Let your world of beauty capture me.

Spiritual Practice

Growing a Gracious, Generous Heart

Open your heart to God’s grace and generosity with a “breath prayer.” Let your breathing slow and deepen. Be aware of God’s breath moving in and out of your heart. Spend several minutes focusing on breathing in God’s generosity. With each breath, silently name one gift for which you are thankful. Let your heart expand to contain God’s gracious outpouring of love. With each breath out, name one gift you want to share from the overflow of your heart.

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.

Click here to comment or read online.