June 8, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional: Strengthened through Trials

June 8, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional, Thursday ODB Message

Read June 8, 2023 – Our Daily Bread Devotional, ODB Devotional Message for Thursday written by Amy Boucher Pye

TOPIC: Strengthened through Trials

BIBLE IN A YEAR: 2 Chronicles 30–31; John 18:1–18

KEY VERSE: We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. – Romans 5:3–4

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Romans 5:1–5

INSIGHT FOR OUR DAILY BREAD 8TH JUNE 2023 BY ALYSON KIEDA
The New Testament reveals much about the Holy Spirit. When we repent and receive Jesus as our Savior, God gifts us with the Spirit (Acts 2:38). Through Him, God pours His love into our hearts (Romans 5:5). In this way, our bodies become the Holy Spirit’s temple and He lives in us (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Spirit gives us love, joy, peace (Galatians 5:22), encouragement (Acts 9:31), and hope (Romans 15:13). He also teaches us and guides us. Jesus told His disciples, “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26; see 15:26). The Spirit enables us, like Peter, to speak boldly about Christ (Acts 4:8). He also warns us (20:23) and gives us spiritual gifts (Hebrews 2:4). The Spirit of truth, our Advocate, is with us forever (John 14:16–17).

OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL 8TH JUNE 2023 MESSAGE:

The memories flooded back when I rustled through some envelopes and glimpsed a sticker that said, “I’ve had an eye test.” In my mind I saw my four-year-old son proudly wearing the sticker after enduring stinging eyedrops. Because of weak eye muscles, he had to wear a patch for hours each day over his strong eye—thereby forcing the weaker eye to develop. He also needed surgery. He met these challenges one by one, looking to us as his parents for comfort and depending on God with childlike faith. Through these challenges he developed resilience.

People who endure trials and suffering are often changed by the experience. But the apostle Paul went further and said to “glory in our sufferings” because through them we develop perseverance. With perseverance comes character; and with character, hope (Romans 5:3–4). Paul certainly knew trials—not only shipwrecks but imprisonment for his faith. Yet he wrote to the believers in Rome that “hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (v. 5). The apostle recognized that God’s Spirit keeps our hope in Jesus alive when we put our trust in Him.

Whatever hardships you face, know that God will pour out His grace and mercy on you. He loves you.

REFLECTION: How have trials and challenges actually helped you trust God more? How could you commit yourself to His care in what you currently face?

PRAYER FOR TODAY: Ever-loving God, You promise that You’ll never leave me. Help me to hold on to Your promises even when I’m struggling.

Our Daily Bread Devotional 8 June 2023 || ODB for Thursday Message . Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet.

READ MORE TOPICS: OPEN HEAVENS, OUR DAILY BREAD, IN TOUCH, SEEDS OF DESTINY, STREAMS OF JOY, JOEL OSTEEN, MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE, DCLM DAILY MANNA, UCB WORD FOR TODAY