For if you carefully obey the laws and regulations that the Lord gave to Israel through Moses, you will be successful. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart!

1 Chron. 22:13 (NLT)

Dr. Paul Rees said, “If you want a picture of success as heaven measures it, of greatness as God views it, don’t look for the blaring of the bands on Broadway; listen, rather, for the tinkle of water splashing into a basin, while God incarnate, in a humility that makes angels hold their breaths, sponges the grime from the feet of His undeserving disciples.”

— Bible Expositor

Daily Meditations by Pat Nordman ©

August 3

"...Pick out some of the best of your circumstances, and consider how eagerly you would wish for them, were they not in your possession." Marcus Aurelius. We miss what we don't have, and we miss it doubly if we once had it and then lose it: the loved one who was with us last Christmas but whose place is empty this year; the first love of religious awakening gone because of neglect, etc.

It might do us good to visualize our cherished one's chair as empty and thank our Creator that it isn't. Let us appreciate those we have while we may and, let us remember, the best of circumstances is today.

Pat Nordman ©

Excerpts from today's Spurgeon's Devotions
Spurgeon's Morning for August 3	Spurgeon's Evening for August 3
"The Lamb is the light thereof." – Revelation 21:23	"But as he went." - Luke 8:42
The joy of the saints in heaven is comprised in this: Jesus chose us, loved us, bought us, cleansed us, robed us, kept us, glorified us: we are here entirely through the Lord Jesus.	It is enough for a tree to yield one sort of fruit, and for a man to fulfil his own peculiar calling. But our Master knows no limit of power or boundary of mission.

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August 3 Isa 10:1 - 14:32

365 days of Bible Readings Linked to Bible Gaitway TM

Current Bible Question

What king pouted in his bed because he could not buy someone's vineyard?

Previous question and Answer:

What was the name of the wife of Lapidoth and for what is she famous?

Deborah, she was the first woman judge of Israel (Judges 4:4,5)

Today's Devotion

But my mouth would encourage you;
comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5 (NIV)

Accepting the Responsibility

by Cathy Vinson

"Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so... "

(Matthew 5:19)

While Charles Barkley claims "I am no role model," the Christian cannot. As the preacher says, "Along with the benefits of grace and salvation comes the responsibility of being an influencer." By its very name Christian means like Christ. We cannot be noninfluencers, or in other words: we influence.

The intention of our God is that "men may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (vs 16). The tension comes when we see our deeds as unworthy and want no one to see. We want to be HIDDEN, the condition that Jesus said we "cannot be" (vs 14). Rather we are "put on a stand...." (vs 15).

The Christian cannot get out of the role of teaching, whether verbally or physically. When Jesus spoke here to His disciples of anyone breaking the commands, He was using a term that meant "not only infringing them, but loosing the force of them, rendering them not binding." Wow, look what effect those actions would have on weakening others and the stability of God's ways upon a society! And so with us.

How can we emerge willing to be put on a stand when we know our own failings? It is such a tension. Will we allow God to use us as a "light to give light to everyone" knowing they too will see our frailties and inconsistencies?

We are influencers for a watching world. But the question is, Will we accept the responsibility?

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

The Christian cannot get out of the role of teaching, whether verbally or physically.

Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE

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~ Touching a Nettle ~

A BOY was stung by a nettle. He ran home and told his Mother, saying, "Although it hurts me very much, I only touched it gently." "That was just why it stung you," said his Mother. "The next time you touch a Nettle, grasp it boldly, and it will be soft as silk to your hand, and not in the least hurt you."

A nettle is a plant that has leaves which secrete a stinging fluid if touched lightly.

In the same manner, if we are timid in rebuking Satan, he will easily sting us! Instead, we must be bold in rebuking the evil one in the name of Christ our Savior!