The Daily Breadcast

Have you ever considered the idea that the term “scripture” was predominantly used to reference Old Testament writings?   I hadn’t.   I was recently introduced to this idea, and I appreciated this comparison that I was shown in 1 Timothy 5:18 - For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain (Deut 25:4)” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages (Matt 10:10 or Luke...

I like snow skiing.  I have fun in the cold and snow.  The beauty, the brisk air, the falling snow, the brilliant blue of mountain skies, the vistas of snowcapped mountains; its’ all so wonderful.  I see God in these things.  His amazing design, the absolute brilliance of his creative imagination, the awe of his power!  Truly Awe-some! But every time I go, someone tells me, “Don’t hit a tree!”  Fo...

Paul wrote, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things ahead, I press on toward the mark of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:13-14). First, Paul’s not saying he forgot the past or stop learning from it. In fact, some nine or ten times he refers back to his time as a persecutor of The Way. He never forgot what he did to those who were Christians....

At a camp designed to help strengthen the bond between children and their fathers, there was an exercise where the fathers each took a child of theirs as a group into the woods nearby the camp site. They were instructed to blindfold the children and guide them to the lead them out of the woods.   Each father was told to inform the child of 3 things… I will never leave you You can ask Me anything t...

“Open your mouth and eat what I give you …” There are some truly strange images recorded in the Bible. Between Daniel, Zechariah, Revelation, and Ezekiel; there are some truly weird things. One which catches my imagination is when God commands Ezekiel to “eat this scroll.” Ezekiel 2:8-3:3 records: “But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Be not rebellious like that rebellious house; open your...

When your Father dies… The Irish say: “You lose your umbrella against bad weather.” The Welsh say: “You sink a foot deeper into the earth.” The Canadians say: “You run out of excuses.” The French say: “You become your own father.” The Indians say: “He comes back as the thunder.” The Russians say: “He takes your childhood with him.” The Armenians say: “The sun shifts forever and you walk in his lig...

“Peter answered him and said, ‘Thought they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away’” Matthew 26:33. Peter thought himself to be a “Super Disciple.” What does it mean to be a disciple? Today we use the word “disciple” in an exclusively religious manner, one who disseminates another’s doctrine. But that is not the origin of the word. It properly means a pupil, trainee, or apprentice. T...

“Finally , brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8). When we change our heart and minds, we change our lives. That is what repentance is all about, a change of will. A change of mind abou...

Stop Handing Out Water Guns by Brad Harrub, Ph. D. I want to say this as respectfully—and as honestly—as I can. Before anything else, Scripture is clear: parents are commanded to train their children  Deuteronomy 6:6–7 Ephesians 6:4 I know that, I preach that, and I practice that. The responsibility for training up my children does not belong to the church. But with that said… We really must do be...

“Can’t I do good most of the time and be okay with God?” The answer to that question lies in what God expects of each individual. As creator, he has the right to demand whatever he chooses. But he is perfect in every respect and will only demand what is best for his creation. We as his creation either comply with those demands or choose to make our own list of dos and don’ts. There are no other pa...

Selfishness is a pervasive theme throughout Scripture, revealing both the fallen nature of humanity and the transforming power of God’s grace. The Bible consistently portrays selfishness as a root of sin, a distortion of God’s design, and a barrier to true relationship with Him and others. At the same time, the Bible provides a clear path away from self-centered living toward a life marked by love...

Gray Areas I am sure you’ve heard this expression. What do people mean when they speak of “gray areas” in the Scriptures? I have heard two responses. First, areas where the Scriptures have some ambiguity in their meaning to us today. Statements such as “take a little wine…” may give the impression that drinking a little alcohol is acceptable. Second is when the Scriptures are silent on an action w...

What does the Bible really mean when it speaks about Agape love? In this episode, we explore a powerful cluster of Scriptures that reveal the depth, character, and purpose of agape—the selfless, sacrificial love that comes from God. By walking through key Bible verses, we see how agape love is demonstrated by God toward humanity and how believers are called to reflect that same love toward others....

“If you love me, keep my commandments”?  John records two incidents where Jesus makes this statement, John 14:15 and 15:10. In John 14 Phillip had asked “show us the Father…” Jesus answers and includes this statement. In John 15 Jesus speaks of the vine and branches, the relationship between himself and his disciples. What Jesus is instructing? #christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus...

What does the Bible say about anger? In this episode, we examine a powerful cluster of Scriptures that contrast the anger of man with the anger of God. While human anger often springs from pride, frustration, and selfish motives, God’s anger is always rooted in holiness, justice, and righteousness. By looking at several passages throughout the Bible, we explore how Scripture warns believers about...

God is so distant! How real is God to me? God, the Almighty, the Creator seems too far above me, so beyond understanding that He seems unreal. So distant that He seems more like a historical character than a person. That’s how many people feel. God is more a concept than a person. I think that is one reason why Jesus was sent to earth. God becoming flesh, personal, real! #christjesus #love #pray #...

Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do the things that I say? Luke 6:46 So… According to the record in John, what does our Lord say to do? Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise! unless one is born again, he cannot... #christjesus #love #pray #prayer #gaintheworld #jesus #church #christ #newepisode #churchofchrist #TheOneTrueGod #willard #chroniclesofwillard

A Fathers Gift Harold Hugh Ritchie was born June 1932 in Port Arthur, Texas. There wasn’t anything particularly grand about his birth or place where he was born. He grew up in the shadow of an older sister like any boy, rough and tumble. His father worked for a furniture store at that time but soon began to work for “The Texas Company” (as grandad used to call it) which became Texaco. Due to Lilli...

What’s going on with Willard, you say… Over the weeks following Willard’s job change, Elise found herself thinking more about her own life and choices. Watching him act quietly, deliberately, and faithfully—even when it cost him—had left a mark she could no longer ignore. One Sunday morning, she arrived at the church earlier than usual like she had done a while back. The sunlight still streamed th...

At the end of Steve Carrell’s time on the TV show “The Office,” his last episode ends with him leaving to go to Colorado to meet his soon to be wife a day earlier than everyone thought he was leaving. During the episode, he tries to bond with each person in his or their own special way. Well, at the end, it’s nearing 4:00 when he is about to head to the airport and only Jim figures out that it’s h...

Entropy increases over time in any system. That is the essential of the second law of thermodynamics. Entropy is a funny word. It means disorder, lack of order or predictability, the gradual decline into disorder. So, increasing entropy means progressively increasing disorder . Seems contradictory, doesn’t it! An oxymoron. But this “law” is observed everywhere. That’s why a hot cup of coffee cools...

Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do the things that I say? Luke 6:46 So… According to the record in Luke, what does our Lord say to do? Beginning at the end of chapter 2. He says that he himself needs to be about the Father’s business, so if we’re following Him, then we too need to be about the Father’s business. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by... #christjesus #love #pray #prayer...

How many times have you been in a situation where problems disrupted relationships, even destroyed them? Events of life where people hurt, insulted, or wronged with resulting friction in relationships? Others may have hurt me, or I may have been the weapon that injured them, it does not matter; damaged relationships result. God provides some specific principals to help us begin reconciliation. I r...

“(for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,” ‭‭II Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ How much does it seem like you can relate to Lot? We’re in a world (or society) that is corrupt to its core...

We hear this term used often, and it is true. We love others even when they hurt us and care for them when they are in pain. We hurt when they hurt and are joyful when they are. We sit by bedsides, have sleepless nights, spend untold amounts of time and money to help and aid. Compassion for those we love runs deep, sometimes overwhelming reason.   Love is that quality of compassionate care which n...