OUR DAILY BREAD             Sunday, March 5, 1995
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READ:  Ezekiel 2:1 - 3:4


                SOCIAL STOMACHS

    "How sweet are Your words to my taste,
        sweeter than honey to my mouth."

                          -- Psalm 119:103

Honey ants survive in difficult times by depending on
certain members of their group, known as "honey pots."
They take in so much nectar that they swell into "little
round berries" hardly able to move.  When food and water
become scarce, they act as "social stomachs" and sustain
the entire ant colony by dispensing what they have stored
in their own bodies.

Similarly, the messenger of God must fill his heart and
mind with the truths of Scripture.  Only as he is faithful
to apply the Word of God to his own life can he honestly
give its nourishing encouragement and exhortation to help
others.

The Lord told the prophet Ezekiel to eat a scroll that
contained a message full of "lamentations and mourning
and woe" (Ezek. 2:10).  Because he was submissive to the
Lord and applied the lesson to his own heart first, he
could boldly present the life-giving message to all who
would listen.

As believers, we too must develop a "social stomach" by
digesting the truths of the Bible and allowing the Spirit
of God to make them a part of our lives.  Then, filled
with God's Word, we can speak effectively to others in
need.
                                -- Martin R. De Haan II

          After I have eaten, Lord,
          And on Your Word have fed,
        Help me share with others from
         Your precious, living bread.

                        -- Dennis J. De haan
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             THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
--------------------------------------------

Before we can serve the bread of life to others,
        we must feast on it ourselves.
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Joshua 19-21

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Our Daily Bread,  Copyright 1995,  used by  permission  of Radio Bible
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