Today's Soul Food — May 25

Golden Words

 


Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it. 

(Proverbs 16:22)

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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that thou mayest believe, but believe that thou mayest understand.

St. Augustine


Daily Meditations by  Pat Nordman ©

 

May 25

"I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord." Philippians 4:2.

Here we have two women Paul respected and admired. Apparently these two ladies were good and active workers, but a dispute arose between them. Strife of any kind is regrettable but, when it is in the church, it is doubly so. Cooperation is essential to the health of any enterprise, religious or secular. Paul was most concerned for the peace of the church that these two ladies settle their differences in a Christlike manner so the church could get on with larger issues.

Compromise isn't appeasement. Appeasement is trading a country for flattery, such as Chamberlain did in World War II. His diary gave him away: "Monday I feel highly honored at being placed at the Captain's table; Tuesday I spent the morning on the bridge with the Captain. He seemed to like me; Wednesday The Captain made proposals to me unbecoming an officer and a gentleman; Thursday The Captain threatened to sink the ship unless I agreed to his proposals; Friday I saved six hundred lives!" How tragic for the world that one man's childish ego fell to such depths to avoid temporary trouble.

True compromise is the willingness to meet each other on our journeys. No church, home or business can thrive if each is traveling to the right or left and not even trying to find common ground. "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" Amos 3:3. Mediation is civil meditation. It is the peacemaker and the reconciler. "It is to a man's honor to avoid strife..." Proverbs 20:3; "Blessed are the peacemakers..." Matthew 5:9; "There is...joy for those who promote peace." Proverbs 12:20.

Pat Nordman ©

 

Excerpts from today's Spurgeon's Devotions

Spurgeon's Morning for May 25

Spurgeon's Evening for May 25
 

"Forsake me not, O Lord."

- -Psalm 38:21

  

"And they rose up the same hour, and returned Jerusalem ... and they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them."

- Luke 24:33,35

There is no moment of our life, however holy, in which we can do without his constant upholding. Whether in light or in darkness, in communion or in temptation, we alike need the prayer, "Forsake me not, O Lord." "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe."

These early Christians were all on fire to speak of Christ's resurrection, and to proclaim what they knew of the Lord; they made common property of their experiences. This evening let their example impress us deeply. We too must bear our witness concerning Jesus.

 

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May 25   2Kings 18:1 - 20:21

365 days of Bible Readings Linked to Bible Gaitway TM 

 

Current Bible Question



Which king saw the hand writing on the wall? 
 

Previous question and Answer:

Who was dropped accidentally by his nurse so that he became crippled?

Jonathan's son Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4)

 
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Today's  Devotion
 

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But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.

Job 16:5 (NIV)

What is the Father Doing?

by Cathy Vinson

 

 

"For this reason, SINCE THE DAY WE HEARD about you, we have not stopped praying for you"

(Col 1:9)

 

 

 

 

There is much mystery to how the Father works, and why He works in a certain area at a certain time. Keeping in step requires a continual willingness to adjust.


John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard movement, coined a phrase that cuts much useless activity to its roots: What is the Father doing?

There is much mystery to how the Father works, and why He works in a certain area at a certain time. Keeping in step requires a continual willingness to adjust. The things we expect to see Him doing seem to lie
dormant while pockets rise up at the periphery. What are we to do, press on with how we thought, or stop and adapt ourselves to how God is revealing His activity NOW?

Paul had heard that the Colossian church had "faith in Christ Jesus and love for all the saints" (Col 1:4). This redirected his focus. He knew these were signs at a church that only God could do. Love for ALL the saints...we can vouch that only God would place a church in this state!

Since Paul heard of their "love in the Spirit" he put himself on a course. He "would not stop." These people were going to get his attention. He would pray through all the will of God for these people! What God was doing only He could do. Paul would adjust and move with it.

"The Son can do nothing of Himself but what He sees the Father do...the Son does in like manner" (Jn 5:19-20). Henry Blackaby's timely-written book EXPERIENCING GOD is helping many to evaluate their energies with Biblical truth. In it he confirms repeatedly to watch what the Father is doing. "Your job as a servant is to follow Jesus' example: Do what God is already doing - WATCH TO SEE WHERE GOD IS AT WORK AND JOIN HIM!"

Send a note to © Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion


More Whispers from the Wilderness

Copyright Information: Phillip Bower is not the author of the humor, and does not claim to own any copyright privileges to the jokes. Sources of jokes are listed when known. Birthday's and Happenings for the date, and quotations are public knowledge and collected from numerous sources. Quotations are public knowledge and sources are listed when known. Weekendspirations are written by Tim Knappenberger who has copyright privileges. Cathy Vinson authors Whispers from the Wilderness and owns copyright privileges. Weekendspirations and Whispers from the Wilderness are used with permission by the respective authors. Other devotions are written by Phillip Bower unless otherwise stated. In all cases credit is given when known. The Daily Miscellany is nonprofit. Submissions by readers is welcome.