file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940316.txt
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          OUR DAILY BREAD                        Wednesday, March 16, 1994
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          Read:  Acts 13:1-13

                               DOING THINGS GOD'S WAY

                         Being sent out by the Holy Spirit,
                             they went down to Seleucia.
                                     --Acts 13:4

          Again and again we hear of groups who claim to be doing things in
          God's name yet don't seem to be truly serving Him.  For instance,
          we see cults rising up -- groups that are headed by a leader with
          personal  magnetism, who draws people to himself  with  promises,
          claiming to have special knowledge from God.

          To  avoid being carried away by this kind of person, it might  be
          helpful  to  look closely at the suggestions of Watchman  Nee,  a
          Chinese Christian writer.  He said God will bless:

                  what He initiates
                  what depends on Him for its success
                  what is done according to His Word
                  what is done for His glory

          The  work of Paul and Barnabas in their first missionary  journey
          met  those  guidelines.  As  we read Acts 13,  we  see  that  God
          initiated it (v.2), the people depended on God (v.3), it was done
          according  to the Word of God (v.5), and God received  the  glory
          (v.12).

          Whenever  we wonder whether some work we hear about is done  with
          God's blessing, we need to apply this four-step  test.  It's  the
          best way to make sure things are done God's way, not man's.

          Author:  J. David Branon

                          They truly lead who lead by love
                             And humbly serve the Lord;
                      Their lives will bear the Spirit's fruit
                                And magnify His Word.
                                        --DJD

          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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          The  only leader worth following is the leader who  is  following
          Christ.

          THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Joshua 16-18









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