File: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940414.txt
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          OUR DAILY BREAD                        Thursday, April 14, 1994
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          Read:  Matthew 5:33-37

                                   JAWBONE CREDIT

                          Let your "Yes" be "Yes," and your
                    "No," "No."  For whatever is more than these
                                is from the evil one.
                                    Matthew 5:37

          In  1878,  a  merchant in Bozeman, Montana,  extended  to  Andrew
          Garcia   what  was  called  "jawbone  credit."  Without   putting
          anything into writing, he gave Garcia $300 worth of supplies  for
          a  hunting  and  trapping expedition.  The  trapper  promised  to
          return   and  pay  his  debt  with  hides  and  pelts  from   his
          expedition. 

          While Garcia was away, hostile Indians moved into the area around
          Bozeman.  Weather  conditions got bad.  Fellow trappers told  him
          to forget about returning to Bozeman, but Garcia wouldn't hear of
          it.  After a series of harrowing experiences, he returned to  the
          merchant with hides and pelts to pay his debt.  He kept his word.

          We  usually  can't put that much stock in verbal  promises  these
          days.  Many  people  make pledges but fail to  keep  them.  Every
          divorce  means  at  least one person has  broken  a  sacred  vow.
          People  in trouble with the law may promise to change their  ways
          if  only  they can have another chance.  But  when  they  receive
          clemency, they often forget the vows they have made.

          God too makes vows, but He always keeps His word.  If He  didn't,
          we would have no basis for hope.  Let's thank Him for being a God
          of integrity and resolve that we will be people whose word can be
          trusted.

          Author:  Herbert Vander Lugt

                              Integrity is what we gain
                              By walking in the light;
                          More valuable than precious gold,
                           It's built on truth and right.
                                         DJD

          THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
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          People who trust God's Word should be people who can be trusted.

          THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Psalms 10-12











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