Daily Devotions and More for Friday, July 17, 2020
MerkV814
Friday, July 17, 2020
* Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. -- Confucius
* The way to get things done is not to mind who gets the credit for doing them. -- Benjamin Jowett (1817 - 1893) British Theologian and Classicist
* Beauty in things exists in the mind which contemplates them. -- David Hume (1711 - 1776) Scottish Philosopher and Historian
* When your passion and purpose are greater than your fears and excuses, you will find a way. -- Gail Lynne Goodwin
* Human nature is not a machine to be built after a model, and set to do exactly the work prescribed for it, but a tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides, according to the tendency of the inward forces which make it a living thing. -- John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873) English Philosopher, Economist
* People, with the ability to make choices, can choose to do bad things. And we know that the devil is bad. But what people do and what the devil does has no bearing on this simple fact: God is good. If we will but look to Him, He can take what was meant for evil and turn it around for our good. He can bring beauty out of the worst ashes imaginable. -- Chris Long
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Gideon, Unappreciated Savior
Scripture Reading — Judges 8:1-6; Matthew 25:29-30
“Whoever has will be given more. . . .” — Matthew 25:29
It’s strange that the leaders of Sukkoth were blind to God’s gifts. The Lord had used Gideon and a small, untrained army to rout the powerful hosts of Midian. It’s even stranger that the Sukkoth officials refused to feed Gideon’s troops. Gideon pressed on and captured the enemy. Then “he took the elders of the town and taught the men of Sukkoth a lesson by punishing them with desert thorns and briers” (8:16). Disloyalty brings its own reward.
The greatest gift of God is Jesus, our Savior, who has rescued us from sin and death. But what do we do with the gift of this Savior and the accompanying gifts of mercy and grace?
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the gifts of the kingdom; God expects his gifts to be appreciated and used, not ignored and hidden, as if buried in the ground. Are we grateful for and using God’s good gifts of mercy and grace—or are we disloyally hiding them away?
Disloyalty demonstrates a rejection of God’s gifts: whoever does not live out the gifts of the kingdom will lose them, Jesus told his disciples.
May the gift of Jesus Christ move us to gratitude for our rescue. Loyalty and dedication to God for his gifts of grace and mercy multiply those gifts—for all who witness God’s goodness in our lives. Thanks be to God!
Prayer: Help me, Lord, to multiply your gifts of mercy and grace by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Arie Leder
email: to...@thisistoday.net
TODAY is copyright © 2017, the BTGH
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Oso Concerned
From
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Life Lessons from the Dog
By Nadia Ianakieva
Even dogs know how important it is to hear somebody else breathing. -- Benjamin DeHaven
I came home sick on the last day of school, just before Christmas break. Mad at the bad timing, the weather, my students coughing in my face, and the whole world, I crawled into bed. I made some Theraflu tea with lemon and curled up under my comforter with a book. I drifted off, only to be jolted awake by Oso, our fifteen-year-old Chow Chow, who was barking.
"What do you want?" I asked groggily. (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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Out of the Trap
I have learned the secret of being content. Philippians 4:12
Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 6:6–10
The Venus flytrap was first discovered in a small area of sandy wetlands not far from our home in North Carolina. These plants are fascinating to watch because they’re carnivorous.
Venus flytraps release a sweet-smelling nectar into colorful traps that resemble open flowers. When an insect crawls inside, triggering sensors along the outer rim, the trap clamps shut in less than a second—capturing its victim. The trap then closes further and emits enzymes that consume its prey over time, giving the plant nutrients not provided by the sandy soil.
God’s Word tells of another trap that can capture unexpectedly. The apostle Paul warned his protégé Timothy: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” And “some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).
Money and material things may promise happiness, but when they take first place in our lives, we walk on dangerous ground. We avoid this trap by living with thankful, humble hearts focused on God’s goodness to us through Jesus: “godliness with contentment is great gain” (v. 6).
The temporary things of this world never satisfy like God can. True, lasting contentment is found only through our relationship with Him.
By James Banks
REFLECT & PRAY
Loving Lord, You are the greatest blessing of my life! Help me to live contentedly with all that You are today.
Which do you think more about—money or your relationship with God? How can you give Him the highest priority today?
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul invested heavily in training young men for ministry, including Timothy. He was the son of a believing Jewish mother, Eunice, and a Greek father. His grandmother Lois was also a follower of Christ (Acts 16:1; 2 Timothy 1:5). We’re not told how Timothy came to faith, but it apparently was through the influence of his mother and grandmother, for 2 Timothy 3:14-15 says that he had from childhood been taught the Scriptures “which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Nevertheless, Paul viewed Timothy as one of his own, calling him “my true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). Paul was so concerned for Timothy that, although he was in a Roman prison awaiting death (2 Timothy 4:6), he took the time to write to him to encourage him in his ministry at Ephesus. -- Bill Crowder
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Today’s Video: Kelsie May Sings 'Can't Shake Jesus'
“You can use Him, abuse Him, mock and accuse Him sell Him out for thirty pieces
Betray Him, slay Him, do the devil's mayhem but you can't shake Jesus”
“Well I've had my bouts, questions and doubts you know there are those who deceive
I've tried to resist, escape and dismiss but there's one who's shadowing me
I can lose my religion, break with tradition say I'll hold out till Hell freezes
I can test Him, try Him, but I just can't deny Him
No, I can't shake Jesus”
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Today’s Verse: Acts 18:9-10 ... 9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
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Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 21:1 ... 1 In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
Our Daily Bread
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Wings over the Mountains of Life
A MountainWings Moment
Forgiveness
Direct link: www.CoachB.tv/0745
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Self-Improvement ... Stay happy
Don't be sad because it's over, smile because it happened.
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Verse of the day
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. -- Genesis 1:1-3 (NRSV)
Voice of the day
Form is never static, form is always forward motion and moving. So whatever form we are in now, we will not always be ... The forms that exist are ultimately for reformation, reforming that which was and making something new. -- William Matthews (Interlude: New Forms)
Prayer of the day
God of formation and reformation, challenge us to rethink our habits and ways of operating in the systems we inhabit. May we live into the work of recreation, and not grow comfortable in 'how things are'. Amen.
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Probable and Possible
Pay attention to what is probable. Yet never lose sight of all that is possible.
The difference between what is probable and what is possible for you is based on your attitude, your thoughts, your actions. With enough commitment, you can make the most unlikely possibilities happen.
Settling for what is probable is just an excuse to abandon the best of what is possible. There is never any good reason to settle for less than the best of what can be.
Embrace the possibilities. Make the best of them yours by making the necessary effort to bring them to life.
Though something may be probable, its not a foregone conclusion. Now is the moment to take the best of what is possible, and make it happen.
Copyright Ralph S. Marston, Jr. Used by permission. From The Daily Motivator® at www.dailymotivator.com
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DEAR MOM ON THE IPHONE,
I see you over there on the bench, messing on your iPhone. It feels good to relax a little while your kids have fun in the sunshine, doesn’t it? You are doing a great job with your kids, you work hard, you teach them manners, have them do their chores.
But Momma, let me tell you what you don’t see right now…..
Your little girl is spinning round and round, making her dress twirl. She is such a little beauty queen already, the sun shining behind her long hair. She keeps glancing your way to see if you are watching her.
You aren’t.
Your little boy keeps shouting, “Mom, MOM watch this!” I see you acknowledge him, barely glancing his way.
He sees that too. His shoulders slump, but only for a moment, as he finds the next cool thing to do.
Now you are pushing your baby in the swing. She loves it! Cooing and smiling with every push. You don’t see her though, do you?
Your head is bent, your eyes on your phone as you absently push her swing.
Talk to her. Tell her about the clouds, Mommy. The Creator who made them. Tickle her tummy when she comes near you and enjoy that baby belly laugh that leaves far too quickly.
Put your eyes back on your prize…Your kids.
Show them that they are the priority. Wherever you are, be ALL there. I am not saying it’s not ok to check in on your phone, but it’s a time-sucker: User Beware!
Play time at the park will be over before you know it.
The childhood of your children will be gone before you know it.
They won’t always want to come to the park with you, Mommy.
They won’t always spin and twirl to make their new dress swish, they won’t always call out, “WATCH ME!”
There will come a point when they stop trying, stop calling your name, stop bothering to interrupt your phone time.
Because they know …
You’ve shown them, all these moments, that the phone is more important than they are. They see you looking at it at while waiting to pick up brother from school, during playtime, at the dinner table, at bedtime ...
I know that’s not true, Mommy.
I know your heart says differently.
But your kids can’t hear your words, Mommy. Your actions are screaming way too loudly.
May our eyes rest upon those we love, first and foremost, and may everything else fall away in the wonderful, noisy, sticky-fingered glory of it all.
Posted on Facebook by Marshall Miller
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"My Name is I Am"
(By Helen Mallicoat)
I was regretting the past
and fearing the future
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
"My name is I Am."
He paused. I waited. He
continued,
"When you live in the
past
with its mistakes and regrets,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WAS.
"When you live in the
future,
with its problems and fears,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WILL BE.
When you live in this
moment,
it is not hard. I am here.
My name is I AM."
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Dear Father in Heaven,
Too many times I find myself, or notice others, becoming concerned about what someone else is or is not doing.
Some people will complain and refuse to go out of their way or beyond the call of duty to do a great job, or tackle a problem head-on, or meet someone's need.
Others are discouraged when they are not recognized while someone else gets a pat on the back or an unexpected gift.
Whatever the case may be, Father, help me to be mindful of what I should be doing.
Help me be on guard and reject my drifting into negative attitudes, selfish thoughts and wrong actions.
For what is important is what I do each new day that You give to me, how I treat others, how well I do the tasks at hand, how I use the spiritual gifts which You have given to me in the ways that You intend, and the image I portray as Your child living in this world.
May I live above reproach and remain on guard.
Thank You for Your strength for me each day.
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
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All Things New
Read: Revelation 21:1-22:5
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (v. 5)
We began with the story of creation. Here we end with the proclamation of re-creation, the new heavens and new earth that are to come. John’s vision includes the picture of an abundant garden, offering life and sustenance and healing to the people. It is a land filled with the light and peace of God, and those who are hungry or thirsty are filled. God, the Re-creator, calls and invites all creation to watch the wonder that will unfold as everything is made new.
God is our gardener, seeking our life and flourishing, continually working for new life in the world. God is a tireless gardener and will not say to us, “You are not worth it” as I have said to the tomatoes.
As we close this series, I suggest that we all become “gardeners” for a time. As a reminder of God’s continued work of restoration in our world, and our own participation as people created in God’s image, let’s find one plant to tend for a time. Perhaps an indoor flower or a windowsill herb or perhaps a tree that’s already in your yard that you “adopt” and pay special attention to. Choose one plant to tend for the next month, and deliberately make your care of that plant a spiritual practice.
Whenever you care for your plant, verbally commit yourself to participating in God’s work of re-creation and ask God to give you opportunities to do so.
As you pray, thank God for his promise to make all things new.
—Amy Curran; Words of Hope
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Here’s to Your Health
---------------------------
How Can Antibiotics Affect Your Brain?
Antibiotic overuse is troubling for many reasons. It contributes to bacterial resistance, but in addition certain antibiotics affect your brain negatively.
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Today’s Recipe …
Low / No Fat: BRAISED ENDIVE
4 medium whole Belgian endives (1 pound total)
1-1/2 cups Homemade Chicken Broth
or canned reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon margarine
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cut the endives in half lengthwise.
Combine the broth and honey in a non-stick skillet large enough to hold the
endive in one layer. Bring the liquid to a boil. Add the endive, cut side down;
reduce the heat.
Cover and simmer until tender, about 5 minutes, basting often with the liquid
in the skillet.
Remove the endive. Simmer the broth to reduce to about 1/2 cup. Stir in the margarine and pepper.
Serve the endive hot, topped with sauce.
Yield: 8 endive halves (4 servings)
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
Calories: 45; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 73 mg; Sugars: 4 g;
Carbohydrates: 7 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Fat: 2g
Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat
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What’s on the Web?
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iMom Espresso Minute … Mom, Why Won’t You Trust Me?
Never will you feel more out of control
than when you are raising teenagers. Children blossoming toward adulthood can
strike fear into even the most calm and confident parents. I remember when my
oldest passed her driver’s test. She now had the power to take herself places
and do whatever was in her heart to do. And, like all of us, I wanted to use
control to manage my fears.
But she was a trustworthy girl who had proven herself over time. Unless she
gave me reason to mistrust her, I had to relinquish control and allow her to
grow through her own choices. But what if your child hasn't proven to be
trustworthy? Part of our role as parents is helping teens build trust and
develop strong decision-making skills. Here are 5 ways to get started.
Pillow Talk: Ask your kids, “What makes you feel like you can trust someone?”
Word of the Day: Rhapsody
RAP-sə-dee
Part of speech: noun
Origin: Greek, mid-16th century
1 An effusively enthusiastic or ecstatic expression of feeling.
2 A free instrumental composition in one extended movement, typically one that is emotional or exuberant in character.
Examples of Rhapsody in a sentence
"The story captured the rhapsody of first love and all the emotion that goes along with it."
"He wrote a rhapsody inspired by the colors of the blooming spring garden."
About Rhapsody
As a song, a rhapsody is exuberant and bold, full of feeling. It’s written as one instrumental composition. But you can also apply rhapsody outside of the music world. You might recognize “rhapsodies of praise” or a “rhapsody of spring.” Any expression of intense emotions and enthusiasm can be a rhapsody.
Did you Know?
In Ancient Greece, a rhapsody was an epic poem, usually recited in one sitting. Over the years, a rhapsody became a song instead of a poem, but still exuberant and often quite long. You can find rhapsodies all throughout the history of classical music and even in more modern forms, like Queen’s epic “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
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All-Pro Dad Play of the Day … 5 Ways Parents Cause Their Teens Anxiety
I spoke at a retreat for teenagers a few
months ago and saw a central theme throughout the group. Student after student
shared deep, personal struggles about home life, school, and social pressures.
While each kid shared a story, the rest of the group nodded their heads in
agreement. I heard one word over and over: anxiety.
While anxiety is a buzzword lately, I have some important insights for parents.
I learned the truth about the teens who struggle with it. The reality is that
there is a lot of anxiety caused by parents. You may be to blame, in your
teens' eyes, for some of the anxious thoughts and struggles they face. Here are 5 reasons why.
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What is one thing I have done that has caused you anxiety?”
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Long, but beautiful places on Earth
https://biggeekdad.com/2017/06/amazing-places-planet/
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English
Is It Nobody, No One, or None?
Whether you're talking about people or inanimate objects, it's important to know the difference between nobody, no one, and none.
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'Looking Up' Matthew West Acoustic Performance Thanking All The Dads
“I don’t know how to lead them
So, lead my every move
‘Cause I know those eyes are looking up to me
That’s why I’m looking up to You”
“I don’t wanna take a step unless You lead it
Don’t wanna speak a word unless You breathe it
God I’m looking up, keep me looking Up
Looking up to the light I know will guide me”
As you listen to these words, remember to always look up to our Heavenly Father and let Him guide the way.
Psalm 127:3-5 “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.”
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Is Social Media Killing Us?
Michelle Rabon
Opening the apps on my phone felt like a full-on assault. Every social platform was intense, harsh, and painful to scroll through.
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What Matters Most
Beauty is fleeting, but reverence for God lasts forever. Watch today’s devotional for a reminder to seek His heart above all else.
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What is liberation?—Plaza de Mayo, Argentina
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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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