OUR DAILY BREAD             Sunday, Feb. 26, 1995
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READ:  Habakkuk 3:17-19

                 UNDESERVED BLESSINGS

      "God...has blessed us with every spiritual
      blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

                          -- Ephesians 1:3

Tennis superstar Arthur Ashe died of AIDS, which he
contracted from a blood transfusion during heart
surgery.  More than a great athlete, Ashe was a
gentleman who inspired and encouraged many with his
exemplary behavior on and off the court.

Ashe could have become embittered and self-pitying
in the face of his disease, but he maintained a
grateful attitude.  He explained, "If I asked, 'Why
me?' about my troubles, I would have to ask, 'Why me?'
about my blessings.  Why my winning Wimbledon?  Why
my marrying a beautiful, gifted woman and having a
wonderful child?"

Ashe's attitude rebukes those of us who often grumble,
"Why me?  Why is God allowing this to happen?"  Even
if we're suffering acutely, we must not forget the
mercies God pours into our lives -- such things as
food, shelter, and friends -- blessings that many are
deprived of.

And what about spiritual blessings?  We can hold the
very Word of God in our hands and read it.  We have
the knowledge of His saving grace, the comfort of His
Spirit, and the joyful assurance of life everlasting
with Jesus.

Think about God's blessings and ask, "Why me?"  Then
your grumbling will give way to praise.

                                -- Vernon C. Grounds


   Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
   And you will be singing as the days go by.

                                -- Oatman
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          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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       God never stops giving us
          reasons to praise Him.

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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Deuteronomy 32-34
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Our Daily Bread,  Copyright 1995,  used by  permission  of Radio Bible
Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan  49555, USA.  Written permission must be
obtained  from  RBC for  any further posting  or  distribution.  Radio
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This copy  redistributed by Larry Holder (larryh@utm.edu) with express
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and lists that have expressly consented to receiving a copy.    <><
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