with Anne Graham Lotz
May 13 Evening
My heart pants, my strength fails me.
Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is over whelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. When I am weak, then I am strong.
When [Peter] saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched our His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” <> In you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.<> He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. <> The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. <> [Be] strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power.
Ps. 38:10; Ps. 61:1-2; 2 Cor. 12:9-10; Matt. 14:30-31; Prov. 24:10, Isa. 40:29; Deut. 33:27; Col. 1:11
Available online at numerous sites. Please also consider May 14 Morning for “The fellowship of His sufferings.” as these readings offer a much needed perspective for moving forward after the prior Beth Troyer blog. I highlight these in followup to this devotional originally compiled by Samuel Bagster (1772-1851) family of London, England during their daily family devotions.
Now, for the rest of the story: It was Jonathan, their tenth child, who was mainly responsible for the idea and the method by which Daily Light was compiled while he himself was a husband and a father. In preparing for daily family worship, Jonathan selected a Scripture text that the family joined together in prayer and were asked to illustrate by further applicable Scriptural texts. He was editor and his daughter Anne assisted. The resultant Scriptural texts “were carefully considered, discussed and arranged by common consent of all those present, after which the manuscript would be laid aside for prayer and meditation to see if there would be any guidance for further improvement. Sometimes it would be weeks before it was felt that the reading for a particular day could not be improved and then sent to the printer. Each day for two years the readings were compiled, corrected, and improved in this way.
I contrast the above family’s lifestyle and culture to mine. Oh, how the Mighty in the Land (planet earth) have fallen! “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their selfish (wicked) ways, THEN will I hear from heaven and I will forgive their sin (iniquity) and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14. Honestly, I’ve experienced and can testify to the “forgiveness,” segment but this “heal their land” phrase for our planet today is far beyond my infantile comprehension of God’s judgement via His grace and mercy.
Reiterating Beth Troyer’s final two paragraphs in her Section 10 (not eight as stated yesterday!) consider “passing over the free will of an individual for the believed benefit of many is not something God ever taught. If an individual chooses to sacrifice themselves, that is different. But forcing that choice on others is the farthest thing from “loving our neighbor as ourselves.” Jesus never disregarded what was best for the individual as a clause on how to love our neighbors. Even for the greater good is no validation for us to demand that people do what we think is right. Jesus is truth. He made a way for us to be saved from sin. This is the greatest (opportunity for) good humanity has ever (been offered to be) experienced. And yet He never lied. He never coerced or manipulated or tried to control anyone. Imagine, the greatest good, the gift of heaven, and still He never forced it on anyone! (And neither should we!) The truth is clear. It is straightforward. You can take it or leave it. It’s not about control. You certainly don’t have to base things on lies to get the truth out. The end never justifies the means if the means are based in lies, and I refuse to live by lies!”
Go Forth in His Presence Inspired Serving and Loving Humanity! merlin