The Carpenter's Chapel (9)

[following-Him]

The reading for todoay is taken from My Utmost For His Highest (http://utmost.org)

Out of the Wreck I Rise



May 19, 2012

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? —Romans 8:35


God does not keep His child immune from trouble; He promises, “I will be with him in trouble . . .” (Psalm 91:15). It doesn’t matter how real or intense the adversities may be; nothing can ever separate him from his relationship to God. “In all these things we are more than conquerors . . .” (Romans 8:37). Paul was not referring here to imaginary things, but to things that are dangerously real. And he said we are “super-victors” in the midst of them, not because of our own ingenuity, nor because of our courage, but because none of them affects our essential relationship with God in Jesus Christ. I feel sorry for the Christian who doesn’t have something in the circumstances of his life that he wishes were not there.
“Shall tribulation . . . ?” Tribulation is never a grand, highly welcomed event; but whatever it may be— whether exhausting, irritating, or simply causing some weakness— it is not able to “separate us from the love of Christ.” Never allow tribulations or the “cares of this world” to separate you from remembering that God loves you (Matthew 13:22).

“Shall . . . distress . . . ?” Can God’s love continue to hold fast, even when everyone and everything around us seems to be saying that His love is a lie, and that there is no such thing as justice?

“Shall . . . famine . . . ?” Can we not only believe in the love of God but also be “more than conquerors,” even while we are being starved?
Either Jesus Christ is a deceiver, having deceived even Paul, or else some extraordinary thing happens to someone who holds on to the love of God when the odds are totally against him. Logic is silenced in the face of each of these things which come against him. Only one thing can account for it— the love of God in Christ Jesus. “Out of the wreck I rise” every time.

 

[following-Him]

Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) is the first of our readings today, followed by Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

The Need to Be Accountable (2)20 May 2012'...The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.' Judges 17:6There's no better depiction of our ego-driven nature than this: 'The people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.' Their philosophy was: 'Don't tell me what to do.' But that philosophy leaves you without checks or balances, exposing you to the dominating power of your flesh. We're all capable of becoming addicted to something. Recognisng that is a necessary first step to overcoming it. '...The sin that so easily entangles...' (Hebrews 12:1 NIV) may be a weakness for food, money, sex, drugs, alcohol, popularity, toxic relationships, power, workaholism, etc. When it strikes, you're much more likely to capitulate if you're alone and can act covertly. '...If you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble' (Ecclesiastes 4:10 CEV). You need to 'turn on the light' immediately by connecting with your support system and sharing your situation. Don't allow the darkness of isolation to overpower you. 'If you fall, your friend can help you up...' (v. 10 CEV). The pride that drives you to hide your weakness will keep you permanently weak. The humility to acknowledge it and ask for help is the key to breaking the vicious cycle. God has blessed us with mature, caring people who recognise our common struggles and will help us deal with them. We are part of Christ's church, and 'if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it' (1Corinthians12:26 NAS). God instructed Moses, 'Select...some...honest men who fear God...They will help you carry the load' (Exodus 18:21-22 NLT). Accept the help God provides!

Our Daily Bread

Through the years, quite a few people have predicted the return of Jesus at a specific time. Just last year an American radio preacher stirred up the interest of the mainstream media with his prediction that Jesus would return on May 21, 2011.

Anyone who knows Scripture well knew that this advance warning wasn’t accurate, because Jesus Himself said His return would be “at an hour you do not expect” (Luke 12:40). But I do have to admit that this prediction captured my attention. Often I get so caught up in the busyness of life that I live as though Jesus’ return is some distant reality. I forget that Jesus could come back at any time. The prediction, wrong as it was, reminded me about the importance of being prepared for my Savior’s return, and it renewed my excitement that it could be any day—even today.

Sometimes when we think of being ready for Jesus’ return, we think about what we shouldn’t be doing. But being prepared is really about purifying ourselves and becoming more and more like Him so we are pleasing to Him when He comes back for us (1 John 3:2-3). Jesus taught that being ready for His return requires living according to our Master’s will now (Luke 12:47). Will we be prepared when it’s time for the real thing?

Keep me praying, keep me trusting
Every step along life’s way!
Keep me waiting, keep me watching,
For He may return today! —Thiesen

Look for Christ’s return and you’ll live for Christ’s glory.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

How Badly Do You Want It?21 May 2012'...You have great faith! Your request is granted...' Matthew 15:28Matthew records: 'A Canaanite woman...came to him, crying out, "Lord...My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession" ...He answered, "I was sent only to...Israel...It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted'' (vv. 22-28 NIV). This Gentile woman was an outsider, yet she pushed through and got what comfortable insiders often miss. Talk about hurdles! First, Jesus refused to answer her. Next, He said, 'What I have is only for the Jews.' Finally He said, 'It wouldn't be right to give the children's bread to dogs.' Most of us would have walked away offended. Not her! She cried, 'Have mercy on me.' She wasn't asking for what she deserved, she was crying out for what she needed! As a result, Jesus removed every obstacle and answered her prayer. And if you persist, He will do the same for you too. In reality, this woman told Jesus, 'Let the children have the bread, all I need are the crumbs.' Church folks become so complacent that they neglect the bread, waste the bread, complain about the bread, and sometimes don't even come to church to get the bread. But desperate people pick up the crumbs and find life! They know that if there's power in the loaf, there's power in the crumb. And when a crumb is all you can get, a crumb is all you need. So what do you need from God today? How badly do you want it?

Our Daily bread

Night Crew

Pat’s first job was working on the night crew at a grocery store. After closing time, he and the other employees stocked the shelves. Pat’s boss had instructed them to always turn the soup cans forward so that the label could be read easily. But he had gone a little further by saying, “Make sure that they’re facing forward—three cans back.” One night as Pat was arranging the shelves, his co-workers began to scoff, “Just make sure the front can is turned the right way. Who’s gonna know?”
It was a moment of decision for the teenager. Should he obey what his boss had asked him to do, or just do what was easy?

We’ve all been in similar situations where we’ve had to make a choice. The apostle Paul encouraged his fellow believers to be obedient even when no one was watching: “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God” (Col. 3:22).

Doing the right thing should not be dependent on whether our employer is around or if anyone else is watching. It’s not always easy or convenient to be obedient. But it’s right.

Remember, “to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

Lord, help me to follow Jesus,
To obey Him day by day,
To be His faithful disciple
And please Him in every way. —Fitzhugh

Our character is measured by what we do when no one is looking.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

Why People Leave the Church (1) 22 May 2012'...The younger son...journeyed to a far country...' Luke 15:13The story of the Prodigal Son is especially applicable to backsliders. It speaks to those who have been raised in church, know God's Word, have felt His presence, understand His claims, and once served Him. But like the Prodigal, they've 'gone to the hogs.' Notice, he's not called the Prodigal Sinner but the Prodigal Son, because he still belongs in the family. For the next few days let's look at why people leave the church. First: Because the blessings of Father's house become commonplace. Notice, he didn't appreciate what he had until he lost it. Notice also, his father didn't kick him out of the house, '[he] took his journey into a far country' (KJV). He left of his own free will and came back the same way. What's the point? If God's love can't hold you, His power won't force you! It's your willing obedience that God finds pleasure in, not conforming to a set of religious rules because you are afraid of going to hell. Jesus told the story of a king who planned a wedding feast and invited different guests. What a privilege. 'But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business' (Matthew 22:5 NKJV). Are you too busy for God? Have you gotten used to His blessings and decided you want something different? Be warned, the road you are on leads to one place only: the hog pen. Stop, turn around, repent and come home while you still can. No matter how badly you have failed, your Father is waiting to take you back.

Our Daily bread

Fear Not

My wife became seriously ill during her pregnancy with our second child. As the doctors struggled to find the problem, she continued to grow weaker—dangerously so.

Watching her suffer was a helpless and horrible feeling for me, and there were days when it felt as if God were not hearing our prayers. One Sunday, while I was looking for comfort from Scripture, my eyes landed on the first verse in Isaiah 43.

“Fear not,” it begins, and ends with “you are Mine.” Instantly, the Holy Spirit made the words personal. The intimate way God addresses Israel reminded me of His always-present attention to us too: “When you pass through the waters . . . through the rivers . . . through the fire” (v.2). Each phrase rose up in crescendo, from the pages to my heart.

Our comfort in that hour came not from promises of healing or miracles, but from knowing we were never alone. We had many other frightening times, including just after Ethan’s birth, when it looked as if both he and Cheryl would be lost. But God had used His words to comfort us and prepare us for those harder moments!

Let these words be a reminder to you that you are never alone.

At times our fears may loom so large,
We long for proof that God is near;
It’s then our Father says to us,
“Have faith, My child, and do not fear.” —D. De Haan

Never forget in the darkness, what you know to be true in the light.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and My Utmost For His Highest (http://utmost/org)

Word For Today

Stop Shortchanging Your Family25 May 2012'...The years...pass quickly, and then we are gone.' Psalm 90:10Eileen Silva Kindig writes: 'We talk about lack of time...when what we lack is backbone to take responsibility for how we spend it...Instead of coming home, we're escaping to the office and assembly line to get away from household chores, childcare, and the demands of relationships...work gives us a buzz. Besides money and freedom, it provides the satisfaction of a job well done, an outlet for creativity, breezy, low-demand camaraderie, and intellectual stimulation...All this may be keeping us financially afloat...but the less time we spend with family, the messier our home life gets.' Time is so precious that God gives it to us a moment at a time. 'The years...pass quickly, and then we are gone.' So what will you have to look back on? Hours spent working overtime or hours spent with your loved ones? Kindig recommends seven things: 1) Remember who's in charge. Manage your time, don't let it manage you. Think through commitments before you make them. Decide what's important. The urgent seldom is. 2) Schedule in reverse. Put your real priorities on the calendar first, then add the rest. 3) Drop one thing from your schedule; for example, spending two afternoons less a month volunteering at the Drop-in-Centre frees you to enjoy lunch with your spouse. 4) Be, rather than do. Think. Pray. Relax in a chair. 5) Get your spouse's perspective on how you're spending your time, and what may be stealing it. 6) Be honest about your limitations. You can't manufacture time; we all get the same amount. 7) Keep a list of your commitments by the phone so you think twice before adding to it.

My Utmost For His Highest

The Good or The Best?



May 25, 2012

If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left —Genesis 13:9


As soon as you begin to live the life of faith in God, fascinating and physically gratifying possibilities will open up before you. These things are yours by right, but if you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God make your choice for you. God sometimes allows you to get into a place of testing where your own welfare would be the appropriate thing to consider, if you were not living the life of faith. But if you are, you will joyfully waive your right and allow God to make your choice for you. This is the discipline God uses to transform the natural into the spiritual through obedience to His voice.

Whenever our right becomes the guiding factor of our lives, it dulls our spiritual insight. The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but good choices which are not quite good enough. The good is always the enemy of the best. In this passage, it would seem that the wisest thing in the world for Abram to do would be to choose. It was his right, and the people around him would consider him to be a fool for not choosing.

Many of us do not continue to grow spiritually because we prefer to choose on the basis of our rights, instead of relying on God to make the choice for us. We have to learn to walk according to the standard which has its eyes focused on God. And God says to us, as He did to Abram, “. . . walk before Me. . .” (Genesis 17:1).

 

[following-Him]

The reading for today is My Utmost For His Highest and it can be found at http://utmost.org

Thinking of Prayer as Jesus Taught



May 26, 2012

Pray without ceasing . . . —1 Thessalonians 5:17


Our thinking about prayer, whether right or wrong, is based on our own mental conception of it. The correct concept is to think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts. Our blood flows and our breathing continues “without ceasing”; we are not even conscious of it, but it never stops. And we are not always conscious of Jesus keeping us in perfect oneness with God, but if we are obeying Him, He always is. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life of the saint. Beware of anything that stops the offering up of prayer. “Pray without ceasing . . .”— maintain the childlike habit of offering up prayer in your heart to God all the time.

Jesus never mentioned unanswered prayer. He had the unlimited certainty of knowing that prayer is always answered. Do we have through the Spirit of God that inexpressible certainty that Jesus had about prayer, or do we think of the times when it seemed that God did not answer our prayer? Jesus said, “. . . everyone who asks receives . . .” (Matthew 7:8). Yet we say, “But . . . , but . . . .” God answers prayer in the best way— not just sometimes, but every time. However, the evidence of the answer in the area we want it may not always immediately follow. Do we expect God to answer prayer?

The danger we have is that we want to water down what Jesus said to make it mean something that aligns with our common sense. But if it were only common sense, what He said would not even be worthwhile. The things Jesus taught about prayer are supernatural truths He reveals to us.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

Handling Criticism the Right Way (4)29 May 2012'...If God is for us, who can be against us?' Romans 8:31The moment you lift your head above the crowd you'll attract attention, and not always the kind you want. Learn from the duck. He stays calm on the surface, keeps paddling underneath, and lets the water run off him. Time is on your side. When Nathanael asked, concerning Jesus, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip answered, '...Come and see...' (John 1:46 NKJV). Nathanael did, and he ended up becoming a disciple. Often, as events unfold, the cause of the criticism will become clear and you'll be vindicated. But you must keep going. George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright, certainly had his critics-but he knew how to handle them. After one opening a critic stood up in the audience and shouted, 'It's rotten!' To which Shaw stood up and replied, 'I agree, but what are we against so many?' Nobody had more critics than Paul, yet he wrote: 'If God be for us, who can be against us?' Without courage we simply accumulate a collection of good ideas-and regrets. Most of our missed opportunities wouldn't have been missed if we had been willing to push through the criticism and embrace what could have been. All of us experience fear. But here's the difference: the winner's need for progress overwhelms their reluctance to take a risk. They can live more easily with the memory of having tried and failed, than not having tried at all. They know that failure is an inevitable part of success, and failure always brings criticism. And while others fear stepping out into a new opportunity, the winner fears missing out on it.

Our Daily bread

Pride And Prejudice

Back in the 1930s, my childhood home was loving and happy, but my parents were often away. On those occasions, the center of warmth in our home was the kitchen and our tiny, joyous housekeeper named Annie.
I spent many hours with Annie, sitting at our kitchen table reading books or playing with toys and listening to her sing and hum spirituals and hymns. From her heart sprang a continual flow of wisdom, cheerfulness, and song.

One morning, with childish exuberance, I used a racial slur I had heard. “Oh my, no,” she said, and then proceeded to pour out her heart in a gentle lecture on the harm and hurt in that, accompanied by a terrible sadness in her eyes. I never used that word again.

I learned that we cause unfathomable sorrow when we dishonor and debase others through bigotry. Every human being is created in the image of God—more like God than any other creature and worthy of honor. To demean that image is to wound another human being at the deepest level.
There is but one race: the human race. God “has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth” (Acts 17:26). We are of the same family, made to be treasured and cherished by one another.

Of all creation’s treasures rare,
Not one compares in worth with man,
In God’s own image he was made
To fill a place in His great plan. —D. De Haan

God desires that we show respect to all people, because everyone bears His image.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for Today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily bread (www.odb.org).

Word For Today

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!30 May 2012'...O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.' Psalm 25:4Even simple decisions can be stressful. Ever watch a child struggle to choose between chocolate or strawberry ice cream? And the bigger decisions, like whom to marry, which career to choose, whether to buy a house or to undergo high-risk surgery, etc. can be nerve-racking! But you can reduce your stress level by following these biblical principles: 1) Do the research. 'Anyone who answers without listening is foolish and confused' (Proverbs 18:13 NCV). Get all the facts and avoid making decisions you'll regret. Knowledge was never more accessible; through the Internet, helpful books, and especially God's Word: 'Your commands...are my constant guide' (Psalm 119:98 NLT). 2) Talk to God. 'Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.' Consulting God helps prevent premature decisions, clarifies your priorities and prepares you to hear His counsel. Is God interested in your decisions? Yes. 'The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives' (Psalm 37:23 NLT). 3) Be open to new ideas. Don't get trapped in old mind-sets. 'Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights' (Proverbs 18:15 TM). Clinging to the familiar can be crippling. God may choose to lead you along a new path of fresh insight. So breathe deeply, seek His wisdom, and open up your heart to receive it. 4) Get advice from trusted friends. 'It's a hard road that's walked alone,' says an old Celtic proverb. So follow Solomon's counsel: 'A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others' (Proverbs 12:15 TLB).

Our Daily Bread

God's Wheelchair

Jean Driscoll is a remarkable athlete. She has won the Boston Marathon eight times. She has also participated in four Paralympic Games and won five gold medals. Born with spina bifida, Jean competes in a wheelchair.
One of Driscoll’s favorite Bible verses is Daniel 7:9, “The Ancient of Days was seated . . . . His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire.” Seeing a connection between Daniel’s vision of God and her own situation, she is able to pass along words of encouragement to others. “Anytime I’ve had an opportunity to talk with people who use wheelchairs and feel bad about being in a chair, I tell them, ‘Not only are you made in the image of God, but your wheelchair is made in the image of His throne!’”


Daniel’s vision, of course, doesn’t portray God as being impaired in motion. In fact, some see God’s “wheelchair” as a symbol of a just God sovereignly moving within human affairs. Other passages speak of God’s providence providing help to those who believe (Prov. 3:25-26; Matt. 20:29-34; Eph. 1:11).
Jean Driscoll’s faith in God has helped her triumph over personal challenges. We too can be confident that the high and holy One is near and ready to help us if only we ask (Ps. 46).

He cannot fail, your faithful God;
He’ll guard you with His mighty power;
Then fear no ill though troubles rise,
His help is sure from hour to hour. —Bosch

With God behind you and His arms beneath you, you can face whatever lies ahead of you. —Ward

 

[following-Him]

Todays readings are from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

Working for God-His Way31 May 2012'...Created in Christ Jesus to do good works...' Ephesians 2:10God had a plan for your life before you were born. Indeed, it's why He brought you into the world. Simply keeping you 'busy' was not His goal. He wants to see you doing the work He 'prepared in advance for you to do.' Joining a worthy cause and working hard is commendable, but you can end up as a square peg in a round hole, expending time and energy without achieving the you-shaped purpose God had in mind. He wants you to be purpose-driven, not work-driven! So: 1) Ask Him to reveal His will to you. 'It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose' (Philippians 2:13 NIV). God will actually create desires within you that guide you toward accomplishing His purpose. It's not serendipity or super-spirituality, but God at the helm, steering your ship. 2) Expect to do more than you are capable of. Self-directed activity is self-limited activity. God-directed activity is unlimited activity. God never calls us to do what we can; He calls us to do what He can! '[He] is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us' (Ephesians 3:20 NIV). Listen, act on His promptings, and all things become possible to you. 3) When the work is demanding, draw on His indwelling power. Paul says, 'I labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.' How much divine energy is needed for your assignment? 'All His energy.' Awesome! And it is available to you today.

Our Daily bread

Faulty Thinking

Four people—a pilot, a professor, a pastor, and a hiker—were flying in a small plane when the engines died. The pilot said, “There are only three parachutes. Since this is my plane, I’m taking one of them.” He put it on and jumped out. The professor said, “I’m brilliant and the world needs me, so I’m taking a parachute,” and he jumped out.

Then the pastor told the hiker, “I don’t want to be selfish, so you take the last parachute.” The hiker replied, “There are still two left, so we can each have one. The professor jumped out with my backpack instead of the parachute!” Though the professor thought he would land safely, his assurance was based on faulty thinking.

Some people have an assurance of salvation based on faulty thinking. They believe that church attendance, baptism, or just being good will gain them approval from God. But our thinking is faulty if it isn’t based on what God says in His Word. God says that “all have sinned” and that we are His enemies. But through the death and resurrection of His Son, we can be made right with God (Rom. 3:23; 5:8-10). By faith in what Christ has done, we can have peace with God (5:1) and the assurance of eternal life in heaven.

Do you believe it? Your eternity is at stake. Don’t trust faulty thinking but put your faith in Christ.

I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus—
Trusting only Thee;
Trusting Thee for full salvation,
Great and free. —Havergal

If we could earn our salvation, Christ would not have died to provide it.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

How to Behave in Church01 Jun 2012'...That thou mayest know how.. to behave... in the house of God...' 1 Timothy 3:15The church is like a garden; it has great potential for growth and beauty. But cultivating a garden calls for time and labour; it also requires being on the lookout for weeds and pulling them up before they grow and kill your plants. Two of the most common weeds in the church are: 1) Favouritism. 'Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel...' (Acts 10:34-36 NIV). Peter, who struggled with prejudice, said, 'I now realise...that God does not show favouritism.' How about you? Do you realise that too? Or do you mix only with 'your own kind'? Cliques in church are high treason to the King of Kings. If there's one lonely soul in your church, you have work to do! The Bible says that God 'gives families to the lonely' (Psalm 68:6 TLB). When people are shy, wounded, insecure or lacking in trust, you must reach out and bring them into your circle of fellowship. 2) Gossip. 'Don't speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters...' (James 4:11 NLT). When you hear gossip about someone, stop it dead in its tracks. Unless you are willing to talk directly to the person, don't talk about them. And don't let anybody else talk about them either. Gossip is the art of saying nothing, and leaving nothing unsaid. If you want to promote harmony in the family, don't indulge in it.

Our Daily Bread

Winning and Losing

The Masters Tournament is one of the most prestigious in professional golf. In 2009, Kenny Perry placed second after leading during the final round. Writing in The New York Times, Bill Pennington described Perry as “disappointed but not despondent” after the loss. “I’ll look back on it occasionally and wonder what I might have done differently, but I won’t dwell on it,” Perry said. “If this is the worst thing that happens in my life, I’ve got it pretty good. I won’t let it dog me. There are so many other things in life that matter more . . . . I’ll go home tonight with my family and we’ll have fun.”

The ability to look beyond our disappointments is essential for followers of Christ. Our focus determines how we face the victories and defeats in life. “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-2). This way of thinking looks to Christ, rather than our achievements, for significance and validation. We seek Him, not success.

When we strive for excellence and give our best effort, losing hurts, but it doesn’t have to harm us. The key is where we set our minds and hearts.
Lord, thank You that You are the one who measures
how we’ve done in life and determines
whether we’ve been successful. Help us to keep that
focus even in disappointments.

When Christ is the center of your focus, everything else comes into proper perspective.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)​

Word For Today​

You Can't Do It Alone (1) 02 Jun 2012'I am not able to bear all [this] alone...' Numbers 11:14One day Moses told God that the job was too big for him. So God told Moses to find seventy men with leadership ability. Then He said: 'I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put [it] upon them; and they shall bear the burden...with you' (v. 17 NKJV). Understand this: you will never fulfill your dream as long as you are unable or unwilling to get others to buy into it. Don't think that because your dream is worthwhile, people will automatically line up to be part of it. It doesn't work that way. The same dream that will bless you, can bury you if you don't surround yourself with the right people. Moses said, 'I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now...' (vv. 14-15 NKJV). Don't wait till you're on the verge of a nervous breakdown or your family is falling apart before you reach for help. When God calls someone He always calls others to stand with them. So start looking around you. You may need just one person or you may need many. Indeed, the greater your dream, the greater your team must be. But here's the good news: the size of your dream determines the size of the people who will be attracted to it. If you have a big dream, you have even greater potential for good people to help you. What you need to do is connect with them, invite them in, transfer the vision and then turn them loose.​

Our Daily Bread​

Fragile Loads​

As Dolores was driving along a country road, she noticed that a car was following her rather closely. She could almost feel the irritation of the driver as she drove cautiously and slowly navigated several turns.

Of course, the driver of the other car had no way to know that Dolores was transporting 100 pounds of mashed potatoes, two crockpots full of gravy, and many other food items for a church supper—enough to feed 200 people! Sensing the other driver’s frustration, Dolores thought, If he just realized the fragile load I’m carrying, he would understand why I’m driving like I am.

Just as quickly, another thought occurred to her: How often am I impatient with people when I have no idea of the fragile load they might be carrying?

How easily do we pass judgment on someone, assuming that we know all the facts about a situation? God’s Word sends us in a more charitable direction, instructing us to treat each other with kindness, humility, and patience (Col. 3:12). How much more loving we are when we bear with and forgive each other (v.13).

Let’s treat others as we would like to be treated (Luke 6:31), remembering that we don’t always know the burden they may be carrying.

Kindness is a loving guide
That shows us how to live,
A treasure which, the more we spend,
The more we have to give. —Anon.

If you are tempted to lose patience with another, stop and think how patient God has been with you.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

You Can't Do It Alone (2)03 Jun 2012'They shall bear the burden...with you...' Numbers 11:17You may be a great visionary, but you will not succeed until you learn to inspire others with your vision and transfer it to them. Now, while the ability to communicate is important in transferring your vision to others, it takes more than that. You must have credibility and conviction. People will only buy into your vision if you are sold out to it. Convincing others of the significance of your vision can happen only if you are convinced of its significance. That requires the right message, spoken by the right messenger, to the right people, at the right time, and in the right way. Psychologist and author Dr. Larry Crabb describes this convergence, saying: 'A vision we give to others of who and what they could become, has power when it echoes what the spirit has already spoken into their souls.' That power can convince people to join you in the pursuit of your vision, and greatly enhances your chances of success. There is an interesting mathematical dynamic in the Bible which states that one person can put a thousand others to flight, but two people can put ten thousand others to flight (Deuteronomy 32:30). Yes, the Scriptures teach the power of synergy. When you get the right people involved, plus the blessing of the Lord, you'll accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible.

Our Daily Bread

Careless Speech

When my wife and I were visiting a church for a special musical program, we arrived early to get a good seat. Before the program began, we overheard two members seated behind us complaining about their church. They criticized the pastoral staff, leadership, music, ministry priorities, and several other things that made them unhappy. They were either unconcerned about or oblivious to the presence of two visitors in their midst.

It occurred to me that their unfortunate conversation could have pushed us away if we were there looking for a new church home. Worse, what if we were seeking God and their disgruntled opinions had driven us away? Their careless speech was not just a matter of the words they used or attitudes they displayed, it also demonstrated their lack of concern for the impact those words could have on others.

A better approach to the use of words is reflected in Proverbs 17:27, where Solomon said, “He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.” Most often, we would do better not to say all we think or know (or think we know), but instead seek to use words that promote calm and peace. You never know who may be listening.

Lord, I need Your help that I might control
my thoughts and words today. I want to be a
blessing to others, to lift them up that they might
see Your goodness. Amen.

Discretion of speech is better than eloquence with words.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

Christ Is Totally Credible (1)04 Jun 2012'...Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said...'It is finished!...'' John 19:28-30What made great intellectuals like C. S. Lewis commit their lives to Christ? His credibility! Observe some of the Old Testament prophecies Jesus fulfilled during His lifetime: 1) He would enter into Jerusalem on a donkey: '...Behold, your King...He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey...' (Zechariah 9:9 NKJV). 2) He would be betrayed by a friend: '...My own familiar friend in whom I trusted...has lifted up his heel against me' (Psalm 41:9 NKJV). 3) He would be sold for thirty pieces of silver: '...So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver' (Zechariah 11:12). 4) They would gamble for His garments: 'They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots' (Psalm 22:18 NKJV). 5) Not one of His bones would be broken: 'He guards all his bones; not one of them is broken' (Psalm 34:20 NKJV). 6) He would be buried in a rich man's tomb: 'They made His grave with...the rich at His death...' (Isaiah 53:9 NKJV). 7) That He would be raised again from the dead: 'You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption' (Psalm 16:10 NKJV). John records: 'After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, 'I thirst!' In full possession of His mental faculties, with His mind unclouded, He checked off the prophecies He was supposed to fulfill right down to the last one, and said, 'It is finished' (v. 30 NKJV). Christ-He's totally credible, and you can trust Him!

Our Daily bread

Getting It right On The Inside

I love the story of Jonah! It’s full of drama and important life lessons. After stubbornly refusing to do God’s will, Jonah finally preached a revival service in Nineveh that would have made him one of the most successful missionaries of his time. When the people repented and turned from their wicked ways—and when God relented and turned from His anger against them—you would have expected Jonah to rejoice. Instead, he was angry that God was merciful. Why? Although he was finally obeying God by doing the right thing in the right place, he was deeply flawed on the inside.
Like Jonah, if we are not careful, we can be spiritually “looking good” on the outside, but far from God in our hearts. He is most interested in what we are like on the inside. His Word is “sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit” (Heb. 4:12). With it, He performs divine surgery to remove the greed, dishonesty, hatred, pride, and selfishness that live in the deep shadows of our hearts.

So the next time the Holy Spirit convicts you and asks you about your bad attitude (see Jonah 4:4)—listen carefully. Surrender and let Him change you from the inside out.

I confess, heavenly Father, that I know what it’s like
to be more concerned about my outward obedience
than my inner rebellion. I want to look good to others.
Forgive me. Change me and make me pure within.

If God controls you on the inside, you’ll be genuine on the outside.

 

[following-Him]

The readings today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

Christ Is Totally Credible (2)05 Jun 2012'...Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said...'It is finished!...'' John 19:28-30From the moment of His birth to the hour of His death, Christ's life was predicted in detail by Old Testament prophets. He fulfilled about forty different prophecies during His lifetime. Statistically, the chances of that happening are about one in a billion! Why is it important to point this out? Because voices are being raised that question His virgin birth, His deity, His miracles, His resurrection, and His soon return. Evidently the same folks were around when Peter lived. He writes: 'I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone. For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendour with our own eyes when he received honour and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy." We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain. Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets.You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place-until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. Above all, you must realise that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet's own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God' (2 Peter 1:15-21 NLT).

Our Daily Bread

Just This Once

As a boy, I used to ride a go-cart that was steered with a rope. On one occasion, as I propelled my way down the driveway, my parents’ warning came to mind: “Always look up and down the street for cars.” But I rationalized: It’s okay not to do that just this once. Then I heard the sound of screeching tires as a car came to an abrupt stop to avoid hitting me. Thinking I could break my parents’ rule nearly cost me my life.
The Bible has many examples of those who knew better but who chose to break God’s rules. From boyhood, David had meditated on the law of God while he tended his sheep. He knew that the seventh commandment condemned adultery, yet when he saw a beautiful woman bathing he used his royal power to take the wife of Uriah for his own. This sin resulted in terrible consequences (2 Sam. 11–12).

The psalmist wrote: “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins” (Ps. 19:13). Have you felt tempted to do something “just this once” even though you knew it was wrong? Glancing at Internet pornography, “borrowing” money from an account at work, or stretching the truth may each seem like an isolated activity but can lead to terrible consequences. With God’s help, turn from sin and find His way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13).

Prone to wander—Lord, I feel it;
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above. —Robinson

Temptations will knock at your door; don’t ask them to stay for dinner!

 

[following-Him]

Today's readings are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

Take Away the Stone06 Jun 2012'Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.'' John 11:39A big stone blocked the entrance to the tomb of Lazarus. And before Christ raised him from the dead, He said, 'Take away the stone.' There's a lesson here. God will restore what you've lost-when you're willing to remove the hindrances that stand in the way. What was behind that stone? A corpse, and it was stinking! John writes: 'If our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God' (1Jn 3:21 NKJV). Your confidence in approaching God comes from knowing you've dealt with the stuff that separates you from Him. And it requires courage. But you'll never experience new life until you're willing to do it. God can give you back what life has taken. He can restore what you've lost. But only if you're willing to face the truth. King David caused a big stink: adultery and murder. Now your issues may not smell that bad but before God can answer your prayer you must acknowledge them. A more contrite and consecrated David wrote: 'If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear. But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer' (Ps 66:18-19 NKJV). This is why when you counsel an addict it's not just about what they're addicted to, but about what they're trying to cover up with their addiction. It may take months or even years of therapy, but change begins only when you're willing to 'take away the stone' and allow God to deal with what's behind it.

Our Daily Bread

A Better Place

When my friend Marci’s father-in-law passed away, she stopped making his favorite dessert: pineapple salad. One day, her little boy asked why she no longer served it. She replied, “It reminds me of Papa, and it makes me sad; Papa really liked that dessert.” Her son replied in a chipper tone, “Not better than heaven!”

That little boy had the right idea. Heaven is a much better place. Remembering this can help ease our sadness when things on earth trigger memories of believing loved ones who have passed away. Our friends and family who have heavenly addresses are much happier there because:
• Heaven is God’s home. God’s followers will enjoy His presence for all eternity (Rev. 21:3-4).

• Heaven is comfortable in every way. Heaven’s residents will never be sick or upset (21:4), hungry or thirsty (7:16).

• Heaven is a beautiful place. A “clear as crystal” river will flow from God’s throne (22:1), and God Himself will give heaven its light (22:5).

Do things in this world sometimes remind you of believers who have moved on to the next world? If so, it’s comforting to think that they are now enjoying heaven—a better place by far.

If God has made this world so fair,
Where sin and death abound,
How beautiful beyond compare
Will paradise be found! —Montgomery

The pleasures of earth cannot be compared to the joys of heaven.

 

[following-Him]

Today the readings are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

Launch Out07 Jun 2012'Launch out into the deep.' Luke 5:4Dr. Robert Schuller's hobbies include raising koi fish. Asked why some grow big while others stay small, he replied, 'If a koi fish lives in a small tank it will never grow longer than two or three inches. In a larger pond they can grow up to ten inches long-in ponds the size of mine they'll get to be eighteen inches long-but if they live in a huge lake where they can swim and stretch, they can grow up to three feet long. The size of the pond determines the size of the fish. Similarly, little ideas in little-thinking minds produce little achievements. But little ideas embraced by big-thinking minds produce enormous achievements.' Jesus said, 'According to your faith be it unto you' (Mt 9:29). The size of your faith and your vision determines the outcome of your idea. Edison had to install electric lights for free in an office building before anyone even came to look at them. The first sewing machine invented was destroyed by a mob in France. Morse waited for ten years before the world showed any interest in his telegraph. And when the idea of travelling by railroad was introduced, people scoffed because it was widely believed that travelling at thirty miles per hour stopped blood circulation in the human body. Ronald E. Osborn said, 'Undertake something difficult; it will do you good. Unless you try something beyond what you have already mastered, you'll never grow.' You attain in direct proportion to what you attempt, which is why Jesus said to His disciples: 'Launch out into the deep.'

Our Daily Bread

Uncontrollable Unexpected

Life is full of surprises—some of which take life in unwelcome directions. I still remember the shockwave that hit our family several decades ago when my father lost his job through no fault of his own. With a house full of kids to feed, it was a jarring blow. But as certainly as Dad’s job loss was beyond his control and unexpected, he still knew he could trust God for his future.

As Jesus’ followers, we must recognize that there are things in life that are the “uncontrollable unexpected,” as I call them. To help us in those moments, James 4:13-15 offers this wisdom: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. . . . Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ ” The people to whom James was writing were making plans while excluding God’s prerogative to direct their lives.
Is it wrong to plan for the future? Of course not. It is unwise, however, to forget that God may allow some “uncontrollable unexpected” events as He sees fit. Ultimately, all that happens is for the best—even when it’s hard to see. We must trust Him and His plans for our future.

I know who holds the future,
And I know who holds my hand;
With God things don’t just happen—
Everything by Him is planned. —A. Smith

We may not know what the future holds, but we can trust the One who holds the future.

 

[following-Him]

Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) is the first of the readings for today followed by Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org).

Word For Today

Be Passionate About It

08 Jun 2012'...I have...determined to do his will...' Isaiah 50:7

Isaiah said, 'I have set my face like a stone, determined to do His will.' You'll never have real success with anything until you become passionate about it. The Psalmist wrote, 'My heart is steadfast...' (Psalm 57:7 NKJV). The word 'steadfast' means to have a commitment that's as strong as rock. Henry Ford was passionate about automobiles. Thomas Edison was passionate about light. The Wright Brothers were passionate about flying. Paul was passionate about evangelism. You will only be remembered in life for what you were passionate about. Standing before Pilate, who tried to judge Him, Jesus said, '...For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world...' (John 18:37 NIV). Eight inches of thorns would crush His brow. A spear would puncture His side. Spikes would be driven into His hands. Thirty-nine stripes would tear His back to shreds. What He felt most passionate about could only be achieved through pain. The same will be true in your life. You may feel insignificant. You may have to start out small. But when what you love begins to consume your mind, your thoughts, your conversation and your schedule-then you are headed for success. Do you dread going to work? Do you watch the clock? Does your mind wander to other places and things you would rather be doing? Then you won't succeed. Find something you feel passionate about, something that energises you, something worthy of building your life around. Jesus did and He won the world.

Our Daily Bread

While working with third- and fourth-graders at our church’s Vacation Bible School, I decided to give all 25 of the children a gift on the last day. But I told them that in order to receive it, they would each have to tell me how a person can get to heaven.

It was interesting to hear what these 9- and 10-year-olds said. Many were clear that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, but some were not yet equipped to explain the gospel. “You have to be good and go to Sunday school,” said one. Another asked tentatively, “You have to pray to God?” Still another: “If you are nice to your friends and obey your mom and dad.

As I gently tried to direct the thinking of each child to the central element of salvation—faith in Jesus who died to pay for our sins and then rose again—I thought that these kids represented so many others in our world who don’t yet understand the gospel.

How about you? Are your ideas about salvation based on biblical truth? Think about the importance of what Jesus did for you. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31). There is so much more at stake than getting a free gift for answering a question.

A Matter Of Faith

Jesus paid the penalty for your sins by His death. When
you admit you are a sinner and place your faith in Him
alone for forgiveness, you will be reconciled to God.

Believing Christ died—that’s history; believing Christ died for me—that’s salvation.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

Try to Be More Understanding09 Jun 2012'Be kindly affectionate to one another...' Romans 12:10Often the reason a relationship fails is not because of a difference of opinion, but a lack of understanding. Why aren't we more understanding? For three reasons: 1) Selfishness. Somebody quipped, 'There's two sides to every question-as long as it doesn't concern me personally.' Paul writes: 'Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another.' 2) Fear. Prejudice is often the fear of what we're unwilling to try and understand. When it comes to new ideas you've two options: open your mind and grow, or reject them and stay the same size. We tend to compare what we don't understand with what we think we do-like the folks who told Columbus the earth was flat. When it comes to building relationships you've got to be willing to do what you've not yet done. 3) Differences. It takes more than one colour to make a rainbow and one musician to make an orchestra. When you take time to appreciate the differences in people, you discover we all share the same hopes and fears. Harry Truman said, 'When we understand the other fellow's viewpoint and what he's trying to do, nine times out of ten he's just trying to do right.' Basically, we all share the same hopes and fears. Two of our most common problems are 'gift-envy' and 'gift-projection.' One happens when we compare our talents with others and feel inferior. The other happens when we expect others to feel equally passionate about what we do. The Bible says, 'There are different kinds of service...but we serve the same Lord' (1Corinthians 12:5 NLT).

Our Daily Bread

The Way To An "Easy" Life

Are parents trying too hard to make their kids happy? And is that having the opposite effect? These questions introduce an interview with Lori Gottlieb, author of an article on the subject of unhappy young adults. Her conclusion: Yes. Parents who refuse to let their children experience failure or sadness give them a false view of the world and do not prepare them for the harsh realities of adult life. They’re left feeling empty and anxious.
Some Christians expect that the Lord will be the kind of parent who protects them from all sorrow and disappointment. But that’s not the kind of Father He is. He lovingly allows His children to go through suffering (Isa. 43:2; 1 Thess. 3:3).

When we start with the mistaken belief that it’s an easy life that will make us truly happy, we become weary trying to live out our faulty belief. But when we face the truth that life is difficult, we can invest our lives in the pursuit of a good and godly life instead. That kind of life strengthens us for the times when life is difficult.

God’s goal is to make us holy, not just happy (1 Thess. 3:13). And when we are holy, we are more likely to be truly happy and content.

Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas? —Watts

A contented person has learned to accept the bitter with the sweet.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

What It Means to Serve (1)10 Jun 2012'...Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.' John 13:8Jesus 'took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist...poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"...Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me"...When he had finished...he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them "...I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master...'' (vv. 4-16 NIV). Observe two things Jesus taught: 1) In order to serve God, you must serve others. When Peter objected, Jesus said, 'Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.' To play your part in God's plan you must put others first. What you're doing right now may enrich you personally, but are you serving others and pleasing God? 2) When it comes to serving, nothing should be beneath you. Can you picture it? Jesus, who was God, stooping to wash the lowest, dirtiest and smelliest part of the body. Keep that picture firmly in mind next time you're asked to do something you don't want to do, or something you think is 'beneath you.' Christ saw so much value in the least, the lost, the last and the lowest, that He came to redeem them. And today He wants us to go out of our way to serve one another.

Our Daily bread

Unanswered

One of my biggest struggles is unanswered prayer. Maybe you can relate. You ask God to rescue a friend from addiction, to grant salvation to a loved one, to heal a sick child, to mend a relationship. All these things you think must be God’s will. For years you pray. But you hear nothing back from Him and you see no results.

You remind the Lord that He’s powerful. That your request is a good thing. You plead. You wait. You doubt—maybe He doesn’t hear you, or maybe He isn’t so powerful after all. You quit asking—for days or months. You feel guilty about doubting. You remember that God wants you to take your needs to Him, and you tell Him your requests again.

We may sometimes feel we’re like the persistent widow in Jesus’ parable recorded in Luke 18. She keeps coming to the judge, badgering him and trying to wear him down so he’ll give in. But we know that God is kinder and more powerful than the judge in the parable. We trust Him, for He is good and wise and sovereign. We remember that Jesus said we “always ought to pray and not lose heart” (v.1).

So we ask Him, “Summon Your power, O God; show us Your strength, O God, as You have done before” (Ps. 68:28 NIV). And then we trust Him . . . and wait.

Pray on, then, child of God, pray on;
This is your duty and your task.
To God the answering belongs;
Yours is the simpler part—to ask. —Chisholm

Delay is not denial so keep praying.

 

[following-Him]

The readings for today are taken from Word For Today (www.ucb.co.uk) and Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org)

Word For Today

What It Means to Serve (2)11 Jun 2012'Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.' Philippians 2:5Paul wrote: 'Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant...' (vv. 5-7 NIV). In order to serve God you must focus on others rather than yourself. Much of what we do is self-serving. We serve to be admired, or to achieve our own goals. Some of what we do is more manipulation than ministry. We're really thinking about ourselves and how noble and wonderful we are. We even use serving as a bargaining tool: 'God, I'll do this for you if you'll do that for me.' No, true servants don't use God for their purposes, they let God use them for His. God is always more interested in your attitude than your achievements. King Amaziah lost God's favour because 'He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, yet not with a true heart' (2 Chronicles 25:2 NRS). Self-forgetfulness is a daily struggle, a lesson we must learn over and over. You can measure your servant's heart by how you respond when others treat you like a servant. How do you react when you feel taken for granted, bossed around, or treated as an inferior? Jesus said, '...If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life...' (Matthew 5:41 TM). You say, 'It's not fair. I keep giving to this person but they never give back.' Just keep serving, knowing '...the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does...' (Ephesians 6:8 NIV).

Our Daily bread

A Circle Of Friends

Many high school students with autism or Down syndrome feel excluded and ignored. They often eat alone in a crowded cafeteria because other students don’t know how to relate to them or simply don’t care. To address this need, speech therapist Barbara Palilis began “Circle of Friends”—a program that pairs students with disabilities with nondisabled peers for lunch dates and social activities. Through this outreach, special-needs students and those nondisabled peers who befriend them continue to be enriched and changed through the gift of acceptance, friendship, and understanding.

Being included is at the heart of the gospel of Christ. “God, who is rich in mercy, . . . even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Eph. 2:4-5). Through faith in Christ, we “who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (v.13).

Our privileged place as members of the “household of God” (v.19) should give us eyes to see and hearts to care for those around us who are ignored and alone. If each of us would reach out in caring friendship to one person today, what a difference it would make for us all.

I needed help. Someone came alongside,
Sent by our Savior to care and to guide.
I now help you. We know that He is there,
Loving us both, and extending His care. —Verway

Reach out in friendship and encourage the lonely; energize the weary.