file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db941120.txt
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OUR DAILY BREAD                   Sunday, November 20, 1994
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READ:  1 Peter 1:3-9

            "JOY IN CALAMITY"

   "Count it all joy when you fall into
             various trials."

             --James 1:2

Celebrate bankruptcy?  How foolish that seems to us!  Yet
author Leo Buscaglia's mother did just that.

Her husband came home one evening and sadly told the
family that his business partner had stolen the assets
of the firm.  Bankruptcy was unavoidable.

Instead of despairing, Leo's mother went out, pawned
some jewelry, and prepared a delectable dinner.  When
family members protested, she replied, "The time for
joy is now when we need it most, not next week."

Mrs. Buscaglia's response to her family's financial
crisis reminds me of a New Testament directive:
"Count it all joy when you fall into various trials"
(James 1:2).

Have you run into difficult circumstances recently?
Has some calamity gripped your heart with fear and
sorrow?  God doesn't want you to wear a hypocritical,
smiling face.  But He does want you to trust Him
through all your circumstances -- including calamities!
He wants you to accept failure, sickness, and loss as
opportunities for growth in faith and obedience.

Our wise and loving heavenly Father longs for us to
submit to His sovereign control.  Only as we do that
can we agree with James and rejoice even in calamity.

    -- Vernon C. Grounds

 Though times be dark, the struggles grim,
       And cares rise like a flood,
    This sweet assurance holds to Him:
        My God is near and good.

    -- Hager
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  THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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Life's trials should make us
   better - not bitter.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  1 Thessalonians 1-5

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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
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