I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distress for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.

(2 Corinthians 12:10)

This age is interested in medals, but not in scars.

Billy Graham, Till Armageddon

Daily Meditations by Pat Nordman ©

May 31

"Do not pay attention to every word people say..." Ecclesiastes 7:21; "I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply." Psalm 38:14.

It helps us to know that the wisest and best can–and will be–misread and misquoted. Jesus' family thought he was crazy: "When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, `He is out of his mind.'" Mark 3:21. We then shouldn't take the time or bother to worry about what others say about us. To paraphrase Romans 8:31: "If God is for us, why be troubled about who is against us?" If we are doing God's will and purpose, then "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns?" Romans 8:33,34.

This world harbors accusers of the brethren whose delight it is to execrate and implicate. What's worse, the accusations may have a ring of truth, because the only perfect Person on earth was Jesus Christ. Even the best have zits that mar the face of the spirit. It is possible that God is using the person who is bent on bending us to his or her preconceptions. After all, "Who can discern his errors?" (Psalm 19:12).

We also learn from this not to form great expectations of others' actions and reactions. We have knowingly and unknowingly wounded enough people ourselves through our sins of commission and omission. Another's judgment, false or true, ought to send us to our knees in prayer for forgiveness for the accuser and the accused. And, like David, we can become like one who does not hear and will not justify the accusation.

Pat Nordman ©

Excerpts from today's Spurgeon's Devotions
Spurgeon's Morning for May 31	Spurgeon's Evening for May 31
"The king also himself passed over the brook Kidron." - 2 Samuel 15:23	"Who healeth all thy diseases." - Psalm 103:3
The man after God's own heart was not exempt from trouble, nay, his life was full of it. He was both the Lord's Anointed, and the Lord's Afflicted. Why then should we expect to escape?	There is no relapse where Christ heals; no fear that his patients should be merely patched up for a season, he makes new men of them: a new heart also does he give them, and a right spirit does he put with them. He is well skilled in all diseases.

dbiblc.gif (5194 bytes)

May 31 1Ch 8:1 - 10:14

365 days of Bible Readings Linked to Bible Gaitway TM

Current Bible Question

Who asked the Lord to smite the Syrian army with blindness?

Previous question and Answer:

Who rebuilt Jericho at the cost of two of his sons' lives?

Hiel (1 Kings 16:34)

Today's Devotion

whisper.jpg (12223 bytes)

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

Job 16:5 (NIV)

Invite

by Cathy Vinson

"and they constrained Him saying, 'Stay with us...'"

(Luke 25:29)

If we are His friends, we will want Him invited, present, and having His full time at every party we hear of. You know, we can do this!

After the games of our son's recent basketball season, a group of parents enjoyed going out together. Only because of invitations made to us so heartily did we consent to joining them on a few occasions. Our giving in to go must have been based on both the insistence and attracting affirmation of their invitation.

As this day begins, Emmaus' constraint is before me. "...He made as if He would go on, but they constrained Him..." (vss 28-29)...

I want to invite Him today! In this Relationship of all relationships, is it any different? We want Him to come Who is "full of grace and truth" (Jn 1:14). Let's invite Him because we WANT Him to come, loving what His Presence and intervention bring. If we are His friends, we will want Him
invited, present, and having His full time at every party we hear of. You know, we can do this!

A scene comes into focus of a playground full of energetic, racing children adjoining a family reunion. You and I as the child go into the adult mix, constraining the Adult, putting His hand into the soft pads of our childlike hand, and leading Him into the playground where His presence will bring the order and stability we desire. We invite Him with a child's asking, with a child's beckoning.

Oh, might our invitation to Him be so perfect!