Daily Devotions and More for Friday, July 10, 2020
MerkV814
Friday, July 10, 2020
* Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing. -- Theodore Roosevelt
* To live at this time is an inestimable privilege, and a sacred obligation devolves upon you to make right use of your opportunities. -- Grenville Kleiser
* How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! -- John Muir
* The most beautiful things in the world are not seen nor touched. They are felt with the heart. -- Helen Keller
* I define nothing. Not beauty, not patriotism. I take each things as it is, without prior rules about what it should be. -- Dylan Thomas
* Perseverance means more than endurance—more than simply holding on until the end. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, “I can’t take any more.” Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God’s hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). -- Oswald Chambers
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Ehud: Divinely Designed Savior
Scripture Reading — Judges 3:12-30; John 1:43-46
"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" — John 1:46
Did you smile a little as you read how a shrewd lefty from the tribe of Benjamin (which literally means “son of the right hand”) got that sword past the guards, or how Ehud managed to keep Eglon’s death hidden while he escaped? Maybe you were aghast at the description of Ehud plunging the sword so deep into Eglon’s belly that the fat swallowed it, or that Ehud described this execution as “a message from God.”
What should a savior look like? How should a savior act? Whose expectations should a savior meet? God designs all the saviors of his people, from Moses to Jesus, according to standards that are right in God’s eyes. The lefty from Benjamin and the teacher from Nazareth, although just right in God’s eyes, did not look like saviors to most people.
Our own expectations of a savior do not matter. We’re in so much sinful trouble that we can hardly imagine the kind of rescuer we would want—not to mention the kind we need.
Jesus, an unlikely teacher from Nazareth, regularly amazed people wherever he went “because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law” (Mark 1:22). In fact, Jesus had the authority of God, and he also did many miracles. People paid attention to these things—but would any of us have designed a Savior who freely submitted to an excruciating death to pay the price for our sin?
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for sending your only Son to be the one Savior we truly need. In his name, Amen.
Arie Leder
email: to...@thisistoday.net
TODAY is copyright © 2017, the BTGH
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The Bus Stop
From
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Inspiration for Nurses
By Jennifer Quasha
Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well. -- Voltaire
Mom and I walked side by side through town. I was twelve years old, dependent on her, yet wanting so much to be my own person. She raised me by herself, her only child, and except for when I was at school we were almost always together.
Before I was born she had worked as a nurse, but she stopped shortly after my birth to care for me. Recently she had returned to work at the local hospital. (Keep reading)
Reprinted by permission of Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC. In order to protect the rights of the copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent. All rights reserved.
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Sovereign Intervention
God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. Exodus 2:25
Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:1–9
Barbara grew up under the care of the British government in the 1960s, but when she turned sixteen, she and her newborn son, Simon, became homeless. The state was no longer obligated to provide for her at that age. Barbara wrote to the Queen of England for help and received a response! The Queen compassionately arranged for Barbara to be given a house of her own.
The Queen of England had the right resources to help Barbara, and her compassionate assistance can be seen as a small picture of God’s help. The King of heaven knows all of our needs and sovereignly works out His plans in our lives. As He does, however, He longs for us to come to Him—sharing our needs and other concerns—as part of our loving relationship with Him.
The Israelites brought their need for deliverance to God. They were suffering under the burden of Egyptian slavery and cried out for help. He heard them and remembered His promise: “God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them” (Exodus 2:25). He instructed Moses to bring liberty to His people and declared that He would once again release them “into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey” (3:8).
Our King loves it when we come to Him! He wisely provides what we need, not necessarily what we want. Let’s rest in His sovereign, loving provision.
By Ruth O’Reilly-Smith
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REFLECT & PRAY
Loving God, thank You that I can bring my needs to You. Help me to be content in whatever paths and provisions You choose.
Why is it important for us to bring our needs to God in prayer? How can you learn to rest in God’s provision—whatever that may be?
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SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
When God introduced Himself to Moses from a burning bush, the bush didn’t burn up (Exodus 3:2). Later Moses would speak of the same God as a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24). Through both Testaments, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jesus uses the image of fire to reveal His resolve to consume what’s worthless—while lovingly protecting, preserving, and perfecting what’s good (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). -- Mart DeHaan
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Today’s Video: 'What A Day That Will Be' From Country Singer Drew Parker
“There is coming a day,
When no heart aches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky,
No more tears to dim the eye,
All is peace forever more,
On that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be.”
“What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.”
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Today’s Verse: John 14:2-4 … “2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
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Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 3:1-2 …
My
son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in
your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many
years
and bring you peace and
prosperity.
Our Daily Bread
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Wings over the Mountains of Life
A MountainWings Moment
Birds of a Feather Stick TogetherDirect link: www.CoachB.tv/0187
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Business ... Inspiration
A setback in life gives you an opportunity to cherish the glory inherent in a comeback to life.
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Verse of the day
Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. -- John 14:12 (NRSV)
Voice of the day
Anger is not a shortcoming to be denied, but a creative force that tells us when something is wrong. -- Austin Channing Brown
Prayer of the day
Invite us again and again into your liberation and Kingdom here on Earth, oh God of Creation and Christ of resurrection. Amen.
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This Beautiful Moment
Take in the beauty of this moment and let it fill you. But do not try to hold it.
For as soon as you seek to possess it, the beauty is lost. When you grasp it too tightly, you lose the ability to experience it.
Let this beautiful moment flow toward you, and then let it flow away from you as the next moment comes to take its place. Allow the beautiful experience of life to be born again and again.
The real value of this moment is in the way you live it. Live it fully, lovingly, gratefully, and there is no need to hold on to it, for the best of it will always be a part of you.
Each moment offers its own special treasure. Let go of your need to judge, to analyze, to possess, and simply experience the wonder that is yours right now.
You are free in this moment to live, to create, to give, to grow. Lovingly open your eyes to the abundant possibilities, and dive gently into this beautiful moment.
Copyright Ralph S. Marston, Jr. Used by permission. From The Daily Motivator® at www.dailymotivator.com
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Tom Hanks Documents Second Plasma Donation to Help Fight Coronavirus
By Marisa Herman
Tom Hanks made another trip to a doctor’s office to donate plasma in an effort to help researchers come up with ways to treat the coronavirus. The actor documented his experience donating plasma on Instagram on Wednesday. "Plasmatic on 3! 1, 2, 3 PLASMATIC! Hanx," he captioned under a picture of two full bags of his plasma. Tom Hanks Documents Second Plasma Donation to Help Fight Coronavirus
He shared a series of photos including one of his arm hooked up to an IV.
This is the second plasma donation the actor has made since he recovered from the virus.
There are several trials using plasma from people who recovered from COVID-19 to help treat people currently infected with the virus.
He shared his first plasma donation experience on social media, too.
“Here’s last week’s bag of plasma. Such a bag!” he wrote on Instagram. “After the paperwork, it’s as easy as taking a nap. Thanks @arimoin and UCLA. Hanx.”
The actor and his wife Rita Wilson, 63, were both diagnosed with COVID-19 in March while Hanks was filming a movie in Australia. The couple has openly shared their experience with the virus.
“We have not only been approached, we have said, ‘Do you want our blood? Can we give plasma?’ And, in fact, we will be giving it now to the places that hope to work on what I would like to call the Hank-ccine,” Hanks previously said on the podcast "Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!"
Tom Hanks Opens Up About Brutal Coronavirus Battle
© 2020 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
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MORNIN' LORD
Good mornin' Lord It's just me again
Rising to welcome the new morn in.
Another beautiful day you've given
Let me express a heartfelt thanks.
Lord, the newness of this day
Calls me to your perfect way.
Help me to walk that straight road
Giving me strength to carry my load.
Father bless my family and friends too
As they walk this day with you.
Even for my enemies I pray
That all lost souls will find your way.
Thank you for your precious Son
Through Him the victory is won.
In Him I can approach your throne
Seeking your protection from harm.
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Dear Father God,
Thank You for this new day.
Thank You for the beautiful sky.
I am in awe of Your creation ...
Brilliant blue skies and the clouds that bring rain,
Thunderstorms that send lightning and thunder crashing,
Wind that comes to dry up the rain and to cool the earth,
Bumblebees that fly in spite of being too big and heavy for those little wings,
Lightning bugs that flicker at night and send children chasing through the yard,
Frogs and crickets that chirp,
Birds that sing,
Oceans that roar,
Mountains so tall,
The ant that is so busy,
And so much more that amazes me about Your beautiful creation.
Oh God, You are awesome and You are good.
Thank You for happy memories and even the sad ones, for they have helped to shape me and to increase my trust and dependence on You.
With love and faith, I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
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Relationship with Self
Read: Luke 8:26-39
Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you. (v. 39)
The man with a multitude of demons is the very picture of anguish. Tormented by the demons, he repeatedly exiles himself from his community, choosing instead to live among the dead. This man was living a nonlife. Desperate, he met Jesus on the shore but then, strangely, he begged to be left alone. When Jesus asked his name, the man replied by describing the demons: “Legion.” He apparently no longer remembered who he was. Perhaps he was afraid to be healed because he no longer remembered his identity without his demons.
I know a woman who spent much of her adult life in a group home. She was not treated well there—she would often tell stories of people telling her she was ugly, stupid, or bad. She desperately wanted to get out; she knew she didn’t deserve that treatment. At the same time, she suffered low self-esteem as a result of this verbal abuse. A few years ago, she moved into a different home, a supportive one, and it has been lovely to see her open up and become her full and true self, without fear of reproach. We need to hear, and believe, the truth about ourselves.
Sometimes, our relationship with ourselves is broken. This fills us with distress, like the Gerasene man. By healing him, Jesus restored him to himself: he helped the man remember who he truly was. Jesus, the gardener who seeks our flourishing, cares to restore us to ourselves.
As you pray, bring to Jesus the parts of yourself that need healing.
—Amy Curran; Words of Hope
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Here’s to Your Health
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Make sure your children are safe in backyard pools
By Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
In June, country music star Granger Smith posted a devastating announcement on Instagram. Doctors had been unable to revive his 3-year-old son, River Kelly, who drowned in a swimming pool accident at their family home.
Unintentional drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1-4. A new report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that among kids 15 and younger there were 6,600 pool and spa-related non-fatal emergency room visits from 2016 through 2018, and 363 drownings during the same time period. About 4,800 of the kids taken to the ER and 268 of those who died were younger than 5.
So this summer take steps to protect your children from accidental drowning.
-- If you have a pool, install a four-sided fence around the perimeter -- with a lock that you control.
-- When your child is in a pool, keep him/her away from drains and any openings that pose a risk for entrapment.
-- Have at least one adult who can swim designated to supervise; never leave any children unattended.
-- Learn CPR and, if you don't know how, learn to swim.
-- Teach your children to swim. Lessons are often available for low or no cost through public programs. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children begin swimming lessons as early as 1.
The Smiths donated their son's organs so that other children would be given a second chance at life, a remarkably loving gesture and a decision no parent ever wants to have to make.
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Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Wellness Officer and Chair of Wellness Institute at Cleveland Clinic and Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of "The Dr. Oz Show," and. To live your healthiest, visit www.sharecare.com.
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Today’s Recipe …
Lemon Rosemary Crumb Cake
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chilled stick margarine or butter, cut into small pieces
3/4 teaspoon minced fresh or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 large egg
Cooking spray
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
3/4 teaspoon water
Rosemary sprigs (optional)
Lemon slices (optional)
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To Prepare:
Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, sugar,
and salt in a bowl; cut in margarine with
a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Reserve 1/2 cup flour mixture for topping; set aside.
Combine remaining flour mixture, rosemary, baking powder, and baking soda; add buttermilk, lemon juice, and
egg. Beat at medium speed of a mixer
until blended. Spoon batter into an 8-inch round cake pan coated with cooking spray.
Combine reserved 1/2 cup flour mixture, lemon rind, and water; stir with a fork. Sprinkle crumb mixture over batter.
Bake at 350F for 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and lemon slices, if desired.
Serves 8.
CALORIES 203 (30% from fat); FAT 6.8g (sat 1.4g,mono 2.8g,poly 2g); IRON 1.1mg; CHOLESTEROL 28mg; CALCIUM 39mg;
CARBOHYDRATE 32.7g; SODIUM 157mg;
PROTEIN 3.3g; FIBER 0.5g
from Dessert Du Jour
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What’s on the Web?
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iMom Espresso Minute … These 3 Things Surprised Me Most the Month I Went Alcohol-Free
When is the last time you felt convicted?
You know, you read or heard something that struck a chord and you knew it
wasn't going away until you did something about it. A chord was struck with me
after researching and writing about the wine mom culture and I had to ask
myself: Could I do 30 days of no alcohol?
Here is what my habit looked like: I would have a glass of wine every night and
a couple of drinks on the weekend. These numbers put me above “low-risk
consumption,” which scared me, so I knew I needed to do this experiment. I've
read about the benefits of not drinking alcohol. I expected to save money and
drop a few pounds, but I actually learned a lot more and was surprised by these 3 things especially.
Pillow Talk: Ask your kids, “Why do you think some kids try drinking and drugs?”
Word of the Day: schlep
[ shlep ]
Part of Speech: verb (used with object)
Meaning: to carry; lug: to schlep an umbrella on a sunny day.
How is schlep used?
She had drawn notice as the doctor who would help mechanics schlep gear, fetch coffee and even massage the overworked massage therapists. -- Nancy Lofholm, "Crested Butte surgeon scores top spot at Sochi Olympics," Denver Post, January 11, 2014
After a bit of trial and error, you’ll find car-free travel is a liberating choice that forces you to schlep considerably less. -- Lauren Matison, "How to Travel Car-Free With a Family," New York Times, December 4, 2019
What is the origin of schlep?
The slang term schlep “to lug, carry” is used mostly in the United States. Schlep is from the Yiddish verb shlepn “to pull, drag” (German schleppen “to draw, tug, haul”). The derivative noun schlepper, “one who schleps,” appears slightly earlier than the verb. Schlepper entered English toward the end of the 19th century; schlep appeared in the early 20th.
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All-Pro Dad Play of the Day … 10 Ways to Stop Worrying
Ralph
Waldo Emerson wrote, “A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is
braver five minutes longer.” The same is true for a good father. When he
feels fear about meeting monthly bills, or his child possibly doing drugs, or
paying for college, he digs deep and determines to do the right thing and stick
it out. He keeps his promises. He keeps his word to his kids. He leads a life
of self-sacrifice so his children may live better than he did.
It is said of righteous old men that they plant
the acorns of trees they will never sit under. In the same way, your courage
will allow unforeseen generations of your family to flourish. You matter more
than you imagine. Don’t lose heart. Here are 10
ways to stop worrying.
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Tempest Vermilion
This shot video is a stunning timelapse video of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona.. What a fantastic few minutes it is, especially the ending.
https://biggeekdad.com/2015/02/tempest-vermilion-timelapse/
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By Patty Gibbons Saunier
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History & Culture
Do You Know What A.M. and P.M. Stand For?
We use Latin abbreviations like A.M. and P.M. every day. But are you using them correctly?
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8 Marriage Habits You Don't Want to Lose after Quarantine
Meg Gemelli
The fact is that this too really shall pass, but here are some ways to make sure that your happy, healthy marriage habits never do.
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Study: Exercise Proven to Reduce COVID-19 Risk
A Desperate Need for God
There are countless ways to worship God, such as through song, dance, and offerings. But Psalm 71:7–8 reminds us that we can get at the heart of worshiping God by admitting our desperate need for Him. Watch today’s devotional to learn more.
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Swimming in the Detroit River
Laura de Jong
My aunt tried to cross the border last week. She’s a Canadian living in Germany with a daughter living in Michigan. She flew to Canada, quarantined at my parent’s house for two weeks, and then drove to the border, believing...
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Can anything good come from brokenness?—Nazareth, Israel
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Ask God For Help
http://www.powerminute.com/p/pm2020-02-17.mp3
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Did you miss any of these recent podcasts?
• When Moms Teach Us about Gratitude
• Parenthood - The Best Way to Be Sure You're Embarrassed
• When Grandma Is an Inspiration
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Compiled by Marilyn L. Van Driesen
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