file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940317.txt
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         OUR DAILY BREAD                         Thursday, March 17, 1994
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          Read:  1 John 2:28-3:3

                               GOOD CONDUCT MOTIVATORS

                   Abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have
                       confidence...before Him at His coming.
                                    --1 John 2:28

          Prohibitions against bad behavior rarely motivate us to do  good.
          Some  actual  stir up a desire to disobey.  Tell Johnny  to  stay
          away  from the cookie jar and you'll soon hear its lid  rattling.
          The  strongest motivators of good conduct are those in  which  we
          have a personal investment.

          A school janitor posted a sign in the front schoolyard that read:
          KEEP  OFF  THE GRASS.  But the children still trampled  down  the
          turf.

          Then  a fourth-grade class had an idea.  They decided  that  each
          child would be given a crocus bulb to plant along the edge of the
          sidewalk  in the fall.  As winter drew to a close,  the  children
          eagerly  watched  for the first signs of  spring.  What  a  power
          those hidden bulbs had to keep dozens of little feet on the right
          path.

          We  too need a positive motivator to keep our feet on  the  right
          path.  If  our  goal is to be able to stand  before  Christ  with
          confidence and without shame when He comes again, we will want to
          obey  Him (1  John 2:28).  As we anticipate that day, and  as  we
          become more Christlike right now, we will grow in our confidence.

          Lord,  help  us  to obey You so that we  will  be  confident  and
          unashamed if You should return today.

          Author:  Dennis J. De Haan

                          I'll live so that I will be ready
                          With gladness my Savior to meet,
                           And feel no alarm at His coming
                          But hasten His heralds to greet.
                                       --Anon

          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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          Every  child of God should have a growing likeness to the Son  of
          God.

          THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Joshua 19-21




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