file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940325.txt
         -------------------------------------------------------


         OUR DAILY BREAD                         Friday, March 25, 1994
         ---------------
         Read:  Daniel 1:1-17

                            TEENS AND THOSE WHO LOVE THEM

                            As for these four young men,
                          God gave them knowledge and skill
                                    --Daniel 1:17

          Imagine yourself in Daniel's predicament.  The king has told you,
          a  Jewish  teenager,  what you're going to  eat  and  drink.  But
          there's a problem:  God has said that the food on the king's menu
          is prohibited.  Could you stand up to that kind of pressure?

          Many  people  don't think teens have what it takes to  do  what's
          right  in a case like this -- or in similar situations  where  it
          would  cost them something to take a moral stand.  Parents  often
          think  that the teenage years are simply a time  to  endure.  But
          instead of dwelling on the difficulties they will face, we  ought
          to  think  of the opportunities we have to encourage them  to  do
          what is right.

          I  think Daniel, the teen who was challenged to stand up  to  the
          king  in God's name, must have had people who taught him to  make
          right  choices.  And  it  showed, for he  boldly  challenged  the
          king's rules.

          Many  teens  have  the  love  for  God  and  wisdom  that  Daniel
          displayed.  What  they need is guidance and encouragement, not  a
          prejudiced, negative attitude about the younger generation.  Help
          the teens you know to develop the courage of Daniel.

          Author:  J. David Branon

                                 ACTION SUGGESTIONS
                      Stay involved in the lives of teenagers.
                   Affirm their importance with words and actions.
            Expect them to do what's right, even if it won't be popular.
                 Help them set their standards high--like Daniel's.

          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
          -------------------
          Children   tend   to  rise  to  the  level  of   their   parents'
          expectations.

          THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:   Ruth 1-4


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of Radio Bible Class,
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA. Written permission must be obtained 
from RBC for any further posting or distribution. RBC provides a variety
of Bible resources, which are free of charge. RBC is not funded by any
group or denomination, and support comes voluntarily from its Members
and friends. Write for more information, or call 1-800-598-7221
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------