[image: Our Daily Bread] <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=10&ms=MjU5OTM5NzIS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQyMjM1MzA5S0&mt=1&rt=0> [image: Our Story] <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=18&ms=MjU5OTM5NzIS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQyMjM1MzA5S0&mt=1&rt=0> Our Daily Bread -- An Open Hand
July 17, 2016 <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=10&ms=MjU5OTM5NzIS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQyMjM1MzA5S0&mt=1&rt=0> Read: Acts 20:22-35 <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=7&ms=MjU5OTM5NzIS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQyMjM1MzA5S0&mt=1&rt=0> Bible in a Year: Psalms 18-19; Acts 20:17-38 <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=9&ms=MjU5OTM5NzIS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQyMjM1MzA5S0&mt=1&rt=0> <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=6&ms=MjU5OTM5NzIS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQyMjM1MzA5S0&mt=1&rt=0> It is more blessed to give than to receive. —Acts 20:35 <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=16&ms=MjU5OTM5NzIS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQyMjM1MzA5S0&mt=1&rt=0> In 1891, Biddy Mason was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in Los Angeles. That wasn’t unusual for a woman born into slavery, but it was remarkable for someone as accomplished as Biddy. After winning her freedom in a court battle in 1856, she combined her nursing skills with wise business decisions to make a small fortune. As she observed the plight of immigrants and prisoners, she reached out to them, investing in charity so frequently that people began lining up at her house for help. In 1872, just sixteen years out of slavery, she and her son-in-law financed the founding of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. Biddy embodied the apostle Paul’s words: “I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” (Acts 20:35). Paul came from privilege, not slavery, yet he chose a life that would lead to his imprisonment and martyrdom so that he could serve Christ and others. In 1988, benefactors unveiled a tombstone for Biddy Mason. In attendance were the mayor of Los Angeles and nearly 3,000 members of the little church that had begun in her home over a century earlier. Biddy once said, “The open hand is blessed, for it gives in abundance even as it receives.” The hand that gave so generously received a rich legacy. —Tim Gustafson *Who in your life is struggling and could use a little help from you? How can you reach out to that person or family today?* The open hand is blessed, for it gives in abundance even as it receives. Biddy Mason *INSIGHT:* One of Paul’s longest recorded messages from his preaching ministry is found in Acts 20:17-35. His purpose was to share with the Ephesian church leadership what serving God from the heart involves. Paul’s message includes his example of service among them and his concern that false teachers might lead them astray. Bill Crowder Share With Your Friends <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=14&ms=MjU5OTM5NzIS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQyMjM1MzA5S0&mt=1&rt=0> Featured Video <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=8&ms=MjU5OTM5NzIS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQyMjM1MzA5S0&mt=1&rt=0> [image: Our Daily Bread Ministries] <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=10&ms=MjU5OTM5NzIS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQyMjM1MzA5S0&mt=1&rt=0> Our mission is to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all. Our vision is to see people of all nations experiencing a personal relationship with Christ, growing to be more like Him, and serving in a local body of His family. To read today's *Our Daily Bread* online visit www.odb.org <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=12&ms=MjU5OTM5NzIS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQyMjM1MzA5S0&mt=1&rt=0> . Copyright © 2016, Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USA. Written permission must be obtained from Our Daily Bread Ministries for any further posting or distribution. Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved. -- -- USE INCREDIMAIL ONLY IN THIS GROUP NO NUDITY ALLOWED --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "fiftiesoldiesmusicgroup" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to fiftiesoldiesmusicgroup+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
