DEVOTIONAL RESOURCE

I just finished "Beside Bethesda," 31 daily devotions written by Joni Eareckson Tada. Paralyzed as a teenage, she went on to found Joni & Friends; they sponsor summer retreats for families who have disabled dependents. Lois & her sister Wanda & our grand-daughter Brianna have served at these retreats for the past few years, & Wanda has served even longer. I strongly recommend this book for those who have endured trials, whether their own or their loved ones. It's available from NAVpress.

HEALING

"Oh, God, You were so wise in not giving me physical healing. Because that 'no' has meant 'yes' to a stronger faith in You, a deeper prayer life, & a greater understanding of Your Word. It has purged sin from my life, forced me to depend on Your grace, & increased my compassion for others who hurt. It has stretched my hope, given me a lively, buoyant trust in You, stirred an excitement about heaven, & pushed me to give thanks in times of sorrow. It has increased my faith & helped me to love You more. Jesus, I love You more. He didn't give me the physical healing I had wanted, but the deeper healing I needed so much more." Beside Bethesda

WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE?

"And in the whole wide world there is only one who can heal our soul's diseases. That one is Jesus. With His own heart's blood He has won for us the only means by which the virus of sin can be driven out of the souls of those who are sick unto death. Then, one day, He stands before the weary, suffering soul. Do we hear a heartrending cry to Him for help? . . . Most of those who are sick do not desire to be made whole. So they keep their sin--& their sufferings. What do you choose? If you knew the joy of having a soul made whole, a soul at peace with God & at war with sin, you would make the right decision this very day." O. Hallesby, God's Word for Today

WHO'S THE GREATEST?

On SUN 9/10, Lois & I were in Concordia, MO, for my St. Paul College 50-year anniversary. We went to church at my home congregation, St. Paul's Lutheran. The Gospel reading was from Matthew Chapter 18, & I was moved by these words, spoken by Jesus. "Whoever receives one such child receives Me (18:5) . . . Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom temptation comes (18:7) . . . See to it that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven" (18:10).

Do these words from Jesus have anything to teach us about abortion? What about human trafficking? Or gender reassignment surgery, especially for children? I think they do. Unborn children are still children. How can we receive them as we would receive Jesus, if we murder them before birth? Human trafficking certainly despises these little ones, & too often we'd rather turn the other way & pretend it doesn't happen. And surgical procedures that scar them for life? Sadly, not only do many of our leaders despise little ones by supporting & encouraging abortion, so do many Christians who support abortion rights. Many parents seem to encourage their little boys to think that they are really little girls, or their little girls to think that they are little boys. And young people who suffer from gender-confusion are encouraged to undergo permanent surgical procedures that have radical, lifelong consequences. Another great sin. The consequences?  "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom temptation comes." We have to ask ourselves as God's people:  Are we on the side of the world or on the side of the Lord.

EVIL, GOOD & GOOD, EVIL

"We, too, will face the temptation to call something good that God has declared wicked. We may be persuaded that we can accomplish more good by lying than by telling the truth . . . We will also be tempted to call evil that which God declares good. God says it is good to love our enemies, yet we might decide that our task is to hold them responsible for their actions. It is so important to hold ourselves accountable to God's Word. God does not need us to find exceptions for His commands. He requires our obedience." Henry & Richard Blackaby, Experiencing God Day-By-Day

DIVINE POTENTIAL

"Only God knows the potential of each believer. We can project what we think God might do in someone's life, but we have no way of knowing. We see only outward appearances & behavior, whereas God looks at the heart (1 Sam. 16:7)." Experiencing God Day-By-Day

BEARING FRUIT FOR JESUS

The disciples of Jesus live only to bear fruit for Jesus . . . At some time or another we all meet with adversity or sufferings so great that we cannot fathom or understand them at all. But if we look upon these things as the gardener's wise & loving cleansing of the branches, we will be set free within, even though outwardly the adversity & the suffering still continue . . . We do not live in order to have a good time, but to bear fruit. Unto the glory of the Lord. If we will remember this, we will not be so surprised when the Gardener comes to us also with His pruning knife." God's Word for Today