file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db941209.txt
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OUR DAILY BREAD                       Friday, December 9, 1994
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READ:  Ephesians 1:3-14

                       HAPPY INSIDE

        "Whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he."

                    - Proverbs 16:20

My 6-year-old son Steven and I were sitting beside his
bed reading a book one evening when he suddenly whispered
in my ear, "I want to know how to be a Christian."

Steven's first-grade teacher had been talking about
salvation at school, and he wanted to get the matter
settled.  So we put aside the book and got down to
business.

Since he had heard the story of Jesus all his life, it
wasn't hard to explain salvation.  Soon he was praying
and asking Jesus to save him.

A little later, after he had run and told Mom the good
news, we resumed our reading.  Suddenly he looked up
and said, "I feel all happy inside."

That's a good way to describe the peace and contentment
that Jesus gives to us as Christians.  It's a peace that
comes from knowing that the penalty for our sin has been
taken care of (Eph. 1:7).  We have the assurance that
we have been chosen and predestined to eternal life
(vv. 4-5, 10-11).  We have the seal of the indwelling
Holy Spirit who guarantees our future (vv. 13-14).  And
nothing can take us out of God's hand (Jn. 10:28).  When
bad times hit, we can call out for God's help as one of
His children (Rom. 8:15-17).

What else do we need to be happy inside!

    -- J. David Branon

 O God, we thank You for the peace
      And happiness You give
 Because we've trusted in Your son
     Who died so we could live.

    -- Sper

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       THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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To know happiness, get to know Jesus.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Philippians 1-4

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Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of
Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA.
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