File: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940408.txt
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          OUR DAILY BREAD                        Friday, April 8, 1994
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          Read:  Acts 6:1-7

                                   GOOD LISTENERS

                   Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak.
                                     James 1:19

          In  his  book "Life Together", Dietrich  Bonhoeffer  wrote,  "The
          first service that one owes to others in the fellowship  consists
          of listening to them.  Just as love for God begins with listening
          to  His  Word,  so  the beginning of love  for  the  brothers  is
          learning to listen to them.  It is [because of] God's love for us
          that He not only gives us His Word but also lends us His ear."

          Listening  was  a key element in solving a  problem  between  two
          ethnic  groups  in the infant church in Jerusalem  (Acts  6:1-7).
          One group felt that their widows were being discriminated against
          in the distribution of food.  So the apostles wisely listened  to
          their  complaint, worked out an acceptable solution, and  settled
          the dispute.

          Listening to others is also important today because our  churches
          are becoming increasingly diverse.  We come from broad ethnic and
          racial backgrounds and are at different levels of  maturity.  But
          if we show our love by listening, our common faith in Christ  can
          bind us together.

          Are  we so driven to express our views or vent our feelings  that
          we don't really hear what others have to say?

          Lord, teach us how to love.  Make us good listeners to others, as
          You are to us.

          Author:  David C. Egner

                           Be this our common enterprise:
                      That truth be preached and prayer arise,
                        That each may seek the other's good,
                          And live and love as Jesus would.
                                      Brewster

          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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          Listening may be the most important thing you do today.

          THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:   2 Samuel 16-18

          
          


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