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OUR DAILY BREAD             Tuesday, Aug. 8, 1995    
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READ:   Acts 5:33-42 
 
         
                  BRIDGES OF GRACE 
 
     "They departed..., rejoicing that they were 
      counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 
 
                                - Acts 5:41 
 
Imagine for a moment that you are driving through the 
desert in Southern California and you see the magnificent 
Golden Gate Bridge spanning the dried-up bed of "Three 
Frogs Creek" on the outskirts of Turtle Soup Junction." 
What a ridiculous sight that would be! 
 
So too, the Lord never displays His power and grace in 
an inappropriate time or place, but He always provides 
according to the difficulty of the hour.  He does not 
impart strength until it is needed. 
 
We shudder to think of what some of God's children have 
to endure because of their faithfulness to the Savior. 
Many have chosen the path of intense suffering rather 
than following the line of least resistance.  I wonder, 
would we do the same? 
 
Of course, the Lord does not ask us to make such a  
commitment before it is necessary.  And we can be sure 
that if we must suffer for His sake, He will provide 
whatever we need to endure the pain. 
 
As servants of Christ, we can take one step at a time 
and be confident that whether we come to a dried-up 
gulch or a surging river, the Lord's bridges of grace 
will be just right to allow us safe passage to the 
other side. 
 
                                -- Martin R. De Haan II 
 
        Each day God sends His loving aid 
            To strengthen you and me; 
          We need to use today's supply 
               And let tomorrow be. 
 
                                -- Anon. 
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             THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 
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           God gives enough grace  
           for each trial we face. 
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 37-39

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