Document:/pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db931204.TXT  
-----------------------------------------------------------  
   
  
  
    OUR DAILY BREAD                     Saturday, December 4, 1993  
    ---------------  
    Read:  Romans 5:1-8  
  
                       GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS  
  
                   We have peace with God through our  
                           Lord Jesus Christ.  
                              --Romans 5:1  
  
    It's  coming  -- a very confusing time of year for  many  people:  
    Christmas.  Although it's supposed to be a time of peace and joy,  
    some consider it the most depressing.  A counselor friend of mine  
    mentioned that he sees more people during the Christmas  holidays  
    than at any other time.  
  
    Apparently, not everyone experiences the much-talked-about joy of  
    the season.  One's own bad feelings contrasted with other's  good  
    times can make life seem doubly depressing.  
       
    If that happens to you, if you're down when others are up, you'll  
    find Paul's words in Romans 5 helpful.  He said we have:  
  
      *   Peace  (v.1).  Faith  in Jesus brings  the  most  important  
          source of comfort: strong fellowship with God.  
  
      *   Hope (v.2).  Loss of hope is always a problem for those who  
          are down.  There can be no better hope than a future  spent  
          with God -- and that's the promise.  
  
      *   Joy (vv.3-4).  The bad we endure is not purposeless.  God's  
          plan  is being carried out, and our troubles will  make  us  
          the kind of people God can use.  
  
    Even  when things look bad, no one or no event can take away  the  
    promise  of  peace, hope, and joy.  That can make  any  season  a  
    joyful one.  
  
    Author:  J. David Branon  
  
                    The hope we have in Jesus Christ  
                       Brings joy into our heart;  
                    And when we know the love of God,  
                    His peace He will impart.  --Sper  
  
    THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  
    -------------------  
    If  you're looking for peace, hope, and joy this Christmas,  look  
    to God.  
  
    THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:   Ephesians 4-6  
  
  
------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of Radio Bible Class, 

Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA. Written permission must be obtained   
from RBC for any further posting or distribution. RBC provides a variety  
of Bible resources, which are free of charge. RBC is not funded by any  
group or denomination, and support come voluntarily from its Members  
and friends. Write for more information, or call 1-800-598-7221  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------