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Our Daily Bread 11 September 2022 (Sunday)

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Our Daily Bread 11 September 2022 (Sunday)

Welcome to Our Daily Bread Today Devotional for 11 September 2022 written by Winn Collier to inspire and bless you! Kindly share with other people.

OUR DAILY BREAD 11 SEPTEMBER 2022 ODB

ODB TODAY’S TOPIC: COMPASSION OVER BITTERNESS

Bible in a Year: Proverbs 10–12; 2 Corinthians 4

Key Verse: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger. Ephesians 4:31

Today’s Scripture: Ephesians 4:25–32

Our Daily Bread 11th September 2022 (Sunday) Insight

In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul called his readers to set aside sinful ways and be “kind and compassionate” (v. 32). Why? Because our God is “the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6), and we’re to be like Him. King Hezekiah reiterated God’s attributes as “gracious and compassionate” (2 Chronicles 30:9), as did the prophets Nehemiah, Joel, and Jonah (Nehemiah 9:17; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2).

Likewise, the psalmist David proclaimed, “You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15; see 103:8; 111:4; 145:8). The apostle Paul urged us to “follow God’s example . . . as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:1–2). But we can’t do it on our own; we have the Holy Spirit to guide us (John 14:26). By: Alyson Kieda

Our Daily Bread, Sunday 11th September 2022 MESSAGE

When the World Trade Center towers fell on September 11, 2001, Greg Rodriguez was one of the victims who died in the wreckage. As his mother, Phyllis, and his father grieved, they also carefully considered their response to such a horrific attack. In 2002, Phyllis met Aicha el-Wafi, the mother of one of the men accused of helping the terrorists. Phyllis said she “approached her and opened my arms. We embraced and cried. . . . For Aicha and me, there was an immediate bonding. . . . We both suffered on account of our sons.”

Phyllis met Aicha amid shared pain and sorrow. Phyllis believed that fury over her son’s death, appropriate as it was, could not heal her anguish. Listening to Aicha’s family story, Phyllis felt compassion, resisting the temptation to view them merely as enemies. She desired justice, but believed we must release the temptation to seek revenge that often grips us when we’ve been wronged.

The apostle Paul shared this conviction, admonishing us to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger . . . along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31). As we relinquish these destructive powers, God’s Spirit fills us with new perspective. “Be kind and compassionate to one another,” Paul says (v. 32). It’s possible to work for wrongs to be made right while also refusing rageful vengeance. May the Spirit help us show compassion that overcomes bitterness. By: Winn Collier

Reflect: Where have you been held captive by bitterness, rage, or anger? How can God help you live out compassion rather than vengeance?

Prayer: Dear God, there’s so much wrong in the world. Please help me be filled with compassion instead of bitterness.

Our Daily Bread 11 September 2022 (Sunday)
Our Daily Bread 11 September 2022 (Sunday)

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