This priceless treasure we hold, so to speak, in a common earthenware jar—to show that the splendid power of it belongs to God and not to us. 2 Corinthians 4:7, Phillips.
All the disciples had serious faults when Jesus called them to His service. Even John, who came into closest association with the meek and lowly One, was not himself naturally meek and yielding. He and his brother were called “the sons of thunder.” While they were with Jesus, any slight shown to Him aroused their indignation and combativeness. Evil temper, revenge, the spirit of criticism, were all in the beloved disciple. He was proud, and ambitious to be first in the kingdom of God. But day by day, in contrast with his own violent spirit, he beheld the tenderness and forbearance of Jesus, and heard His lessons of humility and patience. He opened his heart to the divine influence, and became not only a hearer but a doer of the Saviour’s words. Self was hid in Christ. He learned to wear the yoke of Christ and to bear His burden.
Jesus reproved His disciples, He warned and cautioned them; but John and his brethren did not leave Him; they chose Jesus, notwithstanding the reproofs. The Saviour did not withdraw from them because of their weakness and errors. They continued to the end to share His trials and to learn the lessons of His life. By beholding Christ, they became transformed in character….
As His representatives among men, Christ does not choose angels who have never fallen, but human beings, men of like passions with those they seek to save….
Having been in peril themselves, they are acquainted with the dangers and difficulties of the way, and for this reason are called to reach out for others in like peril. There are souls perplexed with doubt, burdened with infirmities, weak in faith, and unable to grasp the Unseen; but a friend whom they can see, coming to them in Christ’s stead, can be a connecting link to fasten their trembling faith upon Christ.
We are to be laborers together with the heavenly angels in presenting Jesus to the world.
Conflict and Courage p. 289
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Ron. He has rotator cuff surgery tomorrow. Please pray that it will go well and that his recovery will be better than he is afraid it will be. (There will be no devotional tomorrow and maybe not Friday either.) Rose
—-I’m asking u to pray for my brother in law Boudewijn. He’s had about 10 operations. They still don’t know what is causing his issues. His stomach is open and will remain open for a few months. His pain is great n he has almost died many times. The doctors said only God has him alive , he’s being kept alive because God has a plan for him, because they still can’t figure it out. Please pray for my sister also who is with him as he go through this awful situation. God is great and has been with him so far. Please pray for a miracle, guidance for the specialist so they can find what is the cause, for recovery and mostly for peace and comfort through it all. Mariana
—-Please pray for a friend’s brother who is coughing up blood. He is seeing a doctor. Diane
—-There is the father of a family; that has not been reachable or found. They have not heard of his whereabouts. His last communication has been; the first part of this month. They are very concerned and worried. Thank you for your prayers! Katherin
—-Prayer warriors we lost my cousin on Friday my mom is in the hospital with breathing issues, just like what my cousin went through please pray my mom is healed and get well soon. Kara
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Dear Friends,
My grandmother was the one in the family who did all of the punishing. Whenever my mother or her sister did something wrong, she was the one who had to be the “bad guy” and correct them. Later, when I lived with them, she was the punisher. My grandfather never was.
Although we didn’t understand why at the time, there was a reason for this. When he was a boy, he suffered greatly under his father’s hand. He hated to see him come home from work. My great-grandfather routinely, as soon as he came into the house, made his boys lie across his knees for their punishment. He never asked if they had done something wrong or not. He just assumed that they deserved punishment.
Harold was always first. This was no gentle spanking: it was extreme. Harold quickly thought of a way of coping with this injustice. After about two or three swats, he would start crying loudly. Satisfied that he was “repentant,” his father would let him go.
My grandfather, however, refused to cry. Even though he knew that if he did, he could escape quicker, he would not make a sound. Soon the spanking would turn into a beating. Not a sound would escape his lips. Finally, his father would get tired and let him go. He vowed that he would never become like his father. He deliberately became a “cycle breaker.” Even though he had an explosive temper until middle age, the only thing that felt his wrath was an occasional door that he would slam so hard that sometimes it would come off its hinges. Never once did his girls feel his ire. By the time I was born, his temper had largely been conquered.
Many people picture God as severe and continually angry with us just like my great-grandfather was with his boys. They picture Him as looking down upon this earth just watching for a reason to punish us, but He is not like that at all. He assures us, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands, thy walls are continually before me.” Isa 49:15,16 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jer 29:11
How He yearns for us to love Him! Indeed, He gave His Dearest Treasure to reconcile us unto Himself. “God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom 5:8 Think of it! The Great King of the Universe “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16,17 What wondrous love! “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust.” Ps 103:8-14″
May we respond to His great love by loving Him with our entire being. May we reflect His loving kindness, His fairness, His light to all we meet. May we gladly serve the Giver of all true happiness and goodness throughout all our life is may prayer.
Rose
None Were Perfect