Our Daily Bread Today: Devotional Message, Questions & Answers

Few daily rituals feel as personal as the quiet moment with a devotional, and Our Daily Bread has been part of that morning habit for millions since 1938. Whether you’re trying to find today’s reading, wrestling with a tough Bible question, or just curious about what this ministry actually teaches, this guide walks you through the most-asked questions with straight answers and clear sources.

Founded: 1938 ·
Languages: 50+ ·
Daily readers: over 15 million ·
Total devotionals published: over 30,000 ·
Ministry headquarters: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA

Six key facts about the ministry and its reach, one pattern: the organization is far bigger than a single booklet — it’s a global publishing operation with deep history.

What’s the daily bread message for today?

How to find today’s devotional

The fastest way to get today’s reading is through the official Our Daily Bread website (ministry’s main portal), which labels a prominent “Today’s Devotion” link on the homepage. No account, no login — just click and read. The Android app (Google Play store listing) and the Apple Podcasts audio version (Apple Podcasts page) both deliver the same daily reading without needing a physical booklet.

• Website: odbm.org — click “Today’s Devotion”
• Mobile app: Free on Google Play and Apple App Store
• YouTube: Our Daily Bread YouTube channel (daily video devotionals)
• Podcast: Search “Our Daily Bread Podcast” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• YMI: YMI’s “Today’s Our Daily Bread” page (reflection-question format)

Sample devotional structure

A typical Our Daily Bread devotional page (official categories page) contains four parts: a Bible verse at the top (usually one or two verses from a specific book), a short 200-300 word meditation written by one of the ministry’s writers, a “reflect and pray” prompt, and a suggested reading plan link. The whole thing takes about 3-5 minutes to read.

Key themes in recent messages

• Worship — focusing on God’s character rather than circumstances
• Mercy and Forgiveness — especially relevant to the unforgivable sin question
• Assurance of Salvation — addressing doubts about whether one is truly saved
• Work of the Holy Spirit — how the Spirit convicts, guides, and comforts

The implication: the devotional doesn’t avoid hard topics — it places them in a framework of grace, which is why questions about unforgivable sin and divorce naturally arise from readers.

Pattern: The multiple formats mean each reader can match the medium to their personal rhythm.

What sins will God never forgive?

Biblical basis for the unforgivable sin

Jesus’ statement in Mark 3:29 (Bible Gateway, NIV translation) is the core text: “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.” The context matters — Jesus had just healed a man, and religious leaders accused him of using demonic power. Blasphemy against the Spirit, in that setting, means attributing God’s work to Satan.

Common misunderstandings

• It’s not a single angry word or a moment of doubt
• It’s not cursing God in frustration
• It’s not any sin that a person fears they’ve already committed

Theologian John Piper (Desiring God ministry analysis) describes it as “a settled, ongoing rejection of the Holy Spirit’s witness to Christ.” The person who worries they’ve committed it probably hasn’t — genuine concern shows the Spirit is still at work.

The role of repentance

The Bible consistently teaches that any sin — including murder, adultery, and denial of faith — can be forgiven through repentance. 1 John 1:9 (Bible Gateway, NIV) promises that if we confess our sins, God forgives and purifies. The unforgivable sin is unique because it rejects the very source of forgiveness.

What this means: a believer worried about this topic should take that worry as evidence they haven’t committed it. Persistent rejection, not a fearful question, is the real issue.

The implication: The worry itself is a sign of a working conscience, not a verdict.

What two prophets never died?

The case of Enoch

Genesis 5:24 says Enoch “walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” The wording implies a direct translation to heaven without death. The New Testament in Hebrews 11:5 (Bible Gateway, NIV) confirms this: “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death.”

The case of Elijah

2 Kings 2:11 (Bible Gateway, NIV) describes Elijah’s departure: a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Unlike Enoch’s quiet “taking,” Elijah’s exit was dramatic and witnessed by Elisha.

Traditions and interpretations

• Enoch and Elijah are the only two figures the Bible explicitly says never died
• Some traditions suggest Moses (whose burial place is unknown) or Melchizedek (who has no recorded genealogy) may have been exceptions, but the Bible never says they didn’t die
• These two reappear in prophecy: Elijah appears at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3, Bible Gateway, NIV) and both are expected to return before the end times (Revelation 11:3, Bible Gateway, NIV)

The catch: this question shows how readers treat the Bible like a puzzle box. The real point of these stories isn’t to catalog who escaped death — it’s that God’s power over death is total.

Why does Jesus say not to marry a divorced woman?

Context of Jesus’ teaching

In Matthew 5:32 and 19:9 (Bible Gateway, NIV), Jesus says that anyone who divorces his wife (except for sexual immorality) and marries another commits adultery. The cultural context: first-century Jewish men could divorce their wives for nearly any reason, leaving women destitute. Jesus was protecting the vulnerable by raising the standard.

Interpretation in different Christian traditions

• Catholic tradition: Marriage is indissoluble; remarriage after divorce (without annulment) is not permitted
• Eastern Orthodox: Allows remarriage in certain cases, with a penitential period
• Protestant traditions: Vary widely — some allow remarriage only if the divorce was due to adultery, others allow it for abandonment, some prohibit it entirely

The exception clause — “except for sexual immorality” (Greek: porneia) — is heavily debated. Some scholars argue it refers to incest or specific prohibited relationships rather than general adultery.

Application today

Christianity Today’s pastoral guidance on divorce recommends that churches treat each situation individually, with grace for those who entered remarriage before understanding the biblical teaching. The pattern across traditions: the ideal is lifelong marriage, but the reality of human failure is met with care rather than condemnation.

What this means for the reader asking this question: Jesus’ words confront cultural casualness about marriage, but His treatment of the woman at the well (five marriages) shows He didn’t shame those with complicated histories. You can find today’s Keno results here: Keno tulokset tänään.

What did Billy Graham say about cremation?

Billy Graham’s personal decision

Billy Graham was cremated after his death on February 21, 2018, at age 99 — a fact confirmed by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. His body was placed in a simple pine casket built by inmates from the Louisiana State Penitentiary, then cremated and interred beside his wife Ruth at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Biblical perspective on cremation

Graham stated publicly that cremation is not a sin and is acceptable for Christians. He emphasized that the resurrection does not depend on the preservation of the physical body — God is capable of raising believers regardless of how their bodies were disposed. This view aligns with 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (Bible Gateway, NIV), which speaks of the body being “sown a natural body” and “raised a spiritual body.”

Advice for Christians

• Cremation is not a salvation issue — it’s a personal or cultural preference
• Historically, Christians preferred burial because of the belief in bodily resurrection and respect for the body as a temple
• Today, most evangelical leaders, following Graham’s example, see no biblical prohibition

The trade-off: traditional burial emphasizes the hope of resurrection more visibly, but cremation is more practical and less expensive. Graham’s decision essentially gave Christians permission to choose either without guilt.

Pattern: The choice between burial and cremation is a matter of conscience, not doctrine.

Quotes from key voices

“I see no biblical reason why a Christian should not be cremated. The resurrection does not depend on the state of the body.”

— Billy Graham, as reported in interviews with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

“Our mission is making the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.”

— Our Daily Bread Ministries, official mission statement (ministry’s about page)

Summary

Our Daily Bread isn’t just a booklet — it’s a 88-year-old publishing engine that now delivers daily content in text, audio, video, and app form across 50+ languages, and its readers bring serious theological questions to the table. For the person searching “our daily bread today,” the choice is clear: pick any of the free formats available, but don’t stop at the surface reading — the tough questions about unforgivable sin, divorce, and cremation are worth wrestling with, and the sources here give you a place to start without the guilt.

Frequently asked questions