The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

Isaiah 9:2 NIV

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead thou me on:
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead thou me on.
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step is enough for me.

John Henry Newman "Lead, Kindly Light "1834

Daily Meditations by Pat Nordman Š

September 30

Sometimes another=s strength becomes our own. In A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, a young girl observes Carton's composure and says to him, "If I may ride with you, will you let me hold your hand? I am not afraid, but I am little and weak, and it will give me more courage." When the cart reaches the place of execution, she looks at him and says, "I think you were sent to me by Heaven." We all know that special person who has faced his or her crisis with uncommon fortitude, and we draw on that for nerve and energy for our own struggles in life.

October 1

Michelangelo found a piece of rough marble cast aside as use-less. He was told that no good thing could come from it, but Michelan-gelo said, "It is not use-less. Send it to my studio. There is an angel imprisoned within it, and I must set it free."

Jesus went about freeing angels from within seemingly use-less or sinful human beings: Zacchaeus the tax collector, Mary Magdalene, Saul, the thief on the cross, the woman of Samaria--and us. Jesus sees what we can be and He treats us accordingly. And He asks that we do the same for others: treat them as they can be, through His transforming grace.

Pat Nordman Š

Excerpts from today's Spurgeon's Devotions With links to the entire devotion
Spurgeon's Morning for September 30	Spurgeon's Evening for September 30
"Sing forth the honour of his name, make his praise glorious." - Psalm 66:2	"A living dog is better than a dead lion." - Ecclesiastes 9:4
It is not left to our own option whether we shall praise God or not. Praise is God’s most righteous due, and every Christian, as the recipient of his grace, is bound to praise God from day to day.	Life is a precious thing, and in its humblest form it is superior to death. This truth is eminently certain in spiritual things.

Spurgeon's Morning for October 1	Spurgeon's Evening for October 1
"Pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved." - Song of Solomon 7:13	"He will give grace and glory." - Psalm 84:11
There is our joy when first we knew the Lord: let us revive it. We have our old remembrances of the promises. How faithful has God been! In sickness, how softly did he make our bed! In deep waters, how placidly did he buoy us up!	Bounteous is Jehovah in his nature; to give is his delight. His gifts are beyond measure precious, and are as freely given as the light of the sun. He gives grace to his elect because he wills it ...

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September 30 Mal 1:1 - 4:6
October 1 Mt 1:1 - 4:25

365 days of Bible Readings Linked to Bible Gaitway TM

Current Bible Question

Who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot after his death?

Previous question and Answer:

Who took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands to symbolize how the Jews would bind Paul and deliver him to the gentiles?

Agabus (Acts 21:10-11)

Today's Devotion

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

Job 16:5 (NIV)

A Friend Understands

by Cathy Vinson

"My heart and FLESH sing for joy to the living God.

(Ps 84:2)

A theme of our generation may be the ability to say "no." A recent library book dealt thoroughly with the act of saying "no," from a child longing to fit in with peers to the mother's need to decline the teacher's request of sewing costumes for the school play. The bottom line remained: friendship can bear up under the need to say "no." "A true friend understands that."

In Luke 8 Jesus encounters the Gadarenes. We find His experience with three groupings that "begged" Him. First of all the legion of demons were "begging Him not to torment them" and "begging Him repeatedly" (vss 28,31) not to be send to the Abyss. For some reason, Jesus grants their request and permits them to enter swine.

Secondly, the deceived population of the land requests Jesus' departure. "Overcome with fear," they chose darkness upon seeing the man delivered and in his right mind. Rather than forcing Himself against their desire, Jesus granted their request. "He got into the boat and left" (vs 37).

Lastly, approached the man. He was cleansed throughout by the power and love of the Son of God. He wanted to stay with Jesus and "begged" (vs 38) Him. Of the three parties, Jesus declines this one, His closest supporter and willing ally! The only request made from heart-felt obedience is turned down.

This is amazing...could it be that true friendships are ones that allow "no" to be said and received? The will of the Lord could overflow into this man's pliable heart. Indeed it was to his honor that Jesus could deny his request. It meant friendship at a deeper level.

Could it be that God's "no" means the warmer intimacy of friendship? He knows we are ready for a higher level of relationship. His cause can be received into our heart, a heart that can accomodate His decline. "A true friend understands that."

Cathy VinsonŠ

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

...could it be that true friendships are ones that allow "no" to be said and received? The will of the Lord could overflow into this man's pliable heart.

Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE

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~ Car Trouble ~

Fighting rush-hour traffic from suburban Maryland to Washington D.C., can cause its share of near misses and irritating moments. One morning, a young lady darted her compact car from a side street into the stream of traffic immediately in front of a driver just a few car lengths ahead of me, forcing him to brake sharply. He avoided hitting her by inches and was obviously furious. Within seconds, traffic stopped at a red light, and I watched him pull up behind the offender, leap from his car, and stride angrily toward hers. Clearly, he intended to give her a royal bowling out.

Seeing him coming, the very attractive young lady jumped from her car and ran to meet him—a big smile on her face! Before he could say one word or know what was happening, she had thrown her arms around him, hugged him tightly, and planted a passionate kiss on his lips! Then she was back in her car and driving away, leaving her antagonist standing in the middle of the street still speechless and looking somewhat confused and embarrassed—but no longer angry!

— B.R. Holt, Caldwell, ID. Christian Reader, "Lite Fare."

Patience is better than strength.
Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city.

Proverbs 16:32 (NCV)