(Image: Pixabay)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional in Nashville Tennessee United States for Friday, 28 June 2018 "True Sight" by Lynda Samuel (Dundee City, Scotland) John 9:1-17 I was blind but now I see! (John 9:25 (NIV))I sometimes think that if I could live my life again, I’d be an ophthalmic surgeon. What joy to be the means of enabling a physically blind person to see! I was unable to become a doctor; but I can help bring spiritual sight to the blind.
When asked to give my testimony, I find that the words of the blind man, miraculously healed by Jesus in the verse above, sum it up beautifully. Perhaps the greatest joy is to see the difference Christ makes in a person’s life. Saul, after his experience on the road to Damascus, saw everything differently and was transformed. I have met many people whose lives have been transformed since encountering Jesus. One doctor, from a non-Christian family, has such zeal and love that in her spare time she goes with a team to Indian villages to conduct free medical camps and to share the love of Jesus. I know a former murderer who once carried a knife but now carries a Bible.
We were all lost and blind to spiritual realities until Jesus came to seek, find, rescue, and share a personal relationship with us. Everything hinges on our response to him. When we realize who Jesus is and welcome him as Lord of our lives, we become like lights in the world.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Thank you, God, for opening our eyes to see who Jesus is and enabling us to help others to know your truth. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: John 9:1 As Yeshua passed along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His talmidim asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned — this man or his parents — to cause him to be born blind?” 3 Yeshua answered, “His blindness is due neither to his sin nor to that of his parents; it happened so that God’s power might be seen at work in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must keep doing the work of the One who sent me; the night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, put the mud on the man’s eyes, 7 and said to him, “Go, wash off in the Pool of Shiloach!” (The name means “sent.”) So he went and washed and came away seeing.
8 His neighbors and those who previously had seen him begging said, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said, “Yes, he’s the one”; while others said, “No, but he looks like him.” However, he himself said, “I’m the one.” 10 “How were your eyes opened?” they asked him. 11 He answered, “The man called Yeshua made mud, put it on my eyes, and told me, ‘Go to Shiloach and wash!’ So I went; and as soon as I had washed, I could see.” 12 They said to him, “Where is he?” and he replied, “I don’t know.”
13 They took the man who had been blind to the P’rushim. 14 Now the day on which Yeshua had made the mud and opened his eyes was Shabbat. 15 So the P’rushim asked him again how he had become able to see; and he told them, “He put mud on my eyes, then I washed, and now I can see.” 16 At this, some of the P’rushim said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep Shabbat.” But others said, “How could a man who is a sinner do miracles like these?” And there was a split among them. 17 So once more they spoke to the blind man: “Since you’re the one whose eyes he opened, what do you say about him?” He replied: “He is a prophet.” (Complete Jewish Bible).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Today I will be an example of Christ’s love.
PRAYER FOCUS: Medical missionaries
READ MORE: More From Lynda Samuel
Another friend is my prayer partner, who is registered partially sighted and has mobility difficulties due to arthritis. She and I went to a film together — it was about an 84-year-old widow who, when all her caring responsibilities were over, decided to come to Scotland and climb a mountain. It was a chance for my friend to get a glimpse of mountain views which she will never be able to visit herself. The adventurous spirit of the elderly lady portrayed on the screen was an incentive to me and my friend to avoid limiting ourselves and to choose to live life as fully as we can.
The third friend is a retired nurse, now registered blind due to macular degeneration. She used to love doing crosswords, so I send her batches of 24 clues in a very large font which she is able to read with her peripheral vision. I enclose tips and answers on separate papers. This helps her keep her brain active on rainy days when she can't do her gardening.
These last two friends live alone and have had to learn to fend for themselves. One is fiercely independent; the other, whose visual difficulties developed in her mid-40s, is prone to anxiety and finds it hard to ask for help. Each of my friends copes with their limited vision in different ways. But they all believe in Jesus and have a living relationship with Christ.
I have been wearing glasses now for over 20 years, but I am still able to drive. Vision is such a wonderful gift. I enjoy reading — both text and musical notation — and have no problem cooking and managing my home. I live in a flat in a city, but I have easy access to parks, where I gaze in appreciation at the beauty of God's creation.
My heart's desire is to continue maturing spiritually as I grow older. The Christian gospel is a pearl of great price. Now I see as through an opaque glass, with blurred vision, but I eagerly anticipate the happy day when I shall be spiritually enlightened; I shall see God, face-to-face in God's bright, glorious, dazzling light. How awesome that will be.
Keep control of yourself in all circumstances. Endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the good news, and carry out your service fully. (2 Timothy 4:5 (CEB))
Every Sunday our church sends a team of people to a local park with a hot meal to share with those who are hungry. Although I am part of that team, I am often tired and grumpy about serving food in the park on a Sunday afternoon. I would rather go home and take a nap or enjoy a walk on the beach by myself. But when I hear a hungry mom say thank you for a plate of food or when I share a friendly conversation with a stranger over the meal, I forget about how much I wanted that nap or walk and remember that Jesus asks me to carry the message of God’s love to others even when I am tired or unmotivated.
Being a servant of God means keeping this message alive. We are called to persevere in sharing with others the good news of Jesus. We are created to serve God. Since I call Jesus my Lord, I want to carry out this mission. I want to go above and beyond.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Dear Lord, fill us with zeal and joy to carry out your mission by serving others. We pray as Jesus taught us saying, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9-13, NIV). Amen.
When I was younger and involved with Boy Scouts, my friends and I often played a game called Ringalevio — a variation of Hide & Seek — when we camped together. After several losses during the game, I finally discovered the perfect hiding place — a rocky hillside near our campsite. I simply climbed the hill, stood on a large boulder, and waved my arms at the opponents. Whenever they got close, I moved to a higher rock. They never caught me because I stayed ahead of their approach.
In my meditation, I relate a similar scenario where David finds the perfect hiding place, high upon a rock. That rock of safety showed him God's greatness. We all have access to this same spiritual rock in Christ. May God lead each of us to “the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2, NIV).
For more information about my writing ministry, I hope you will visit my website, “The High Call of Writing,” at https://charlesearlharrel.com/.
***
PRAYER FOCUS: Medical missionaries
READ MORE: More From Lynda Samuel
More From Lynda Samuel
JUNE 28, 2018 BY LYNDA SAMUEL (DUNDEE CITY, SCOTLAND)
RELATED DEVOTIONALS: TRUE SIGHT
Lynda and her husband, Raj
The week beginning June 3, 2018, I had contact with three Christian friends who are visually impaired. I had the privilege of offering hospitality to an itinerant evangelist who is registered blind, and travels huge distances by train. He has no qualms asking people to help him negotiate airports, stations, etc. He is a very sociable extrovert who enjoys meeting people and introducing them to Jesus. Another friend is my prayer partner, who is registered partially sighted and has mobility difficulties due to arthritis. She and I went to a film together — it was about an 84-year-old widow who, when all her caring responsibilities were over, decided to come to Scotland and climb a mountain. It was a chance for my friend to get a glimpse of mountain views which she will never be able to visit herself. The adventurous spirit of the elderly lady portrayed on the screen was an incentive to me and my friend to avoid limiting ourselves and to choose to live life as fully as we can.
The third friend is a retired nurse, now registered blind due to macular degeneration. She used to love doing crosswords, so I send her batches of 24 clues in a very large font which she is able to read with her peripheral vision. I enclose tips and answers on separate papers. This helps her keep her brain active on rainy days when she can't do her gardening.
These last two friends live alone and have had to learn to fend for themselves. One is fiercely independent; the other, whose visual difficulties developed in her mid-40s, is prone to anxiety and finds it hard to ask for help. Each of my friends copes with their limited vision in different ways. But they all believe in Jesus and have a living relationship with Christ.
I have been wearing glasses now for over 20 years, but I am still able to drive. Vision is such a wonderful gift. I enjoy reading — both text and musical notation — and have no problem cooking and managing my home. I live in a flat in a city, but I have easy access to parks, where I gaze in appreciation at the beauty of God's creation.
My heart's desire is to continue maturing spiritually as I grow older. The Christian gospel is a pearl of great price. Now I see as through an opaque glass, with blurred vision, but I eagerly anticipate the happy day when I shall be spiritually enlightened; I shall see God, face-to-face in God's bright, glorious, dazzling light. How awesome that will be.
***
(Image: Pixabay)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional in Nashville Tennessee United States for Thursday, 27 June 2018 "Above and Beyond" Amy Swanson (California) Hebrews 6:9-12 Keep control of yourself in all circumstances. Endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the good news, and carry out your service fully. (2 Timothy 4:5 (CEB))
Every Sunday our church sends a team of people to a local park with a hot meal to share with those who are hungry. Although I am part of that team, I am often tired and grumpy about serving food in the park on a Sunday afternoon. I would rather go home and take a nap or enjoy a walk on the beach by myself. But when I hear a hungry mom say thank you for a plate of food or when I share a friendly conversation with a stranger over the meal, I forget about how much I wanted that nap or walk and remember that Jesus asks me to carry the message of God’s love to others even when I am tired or unmotivated.
Being a servant of God means keeping this message alive. We are called to persevere in sharing with others the good news of Jesus. We are created to serve God. Since I call Jesus my Lord, I want to carry out this mission. I want to go above and beyond.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Dear Lord, fill us with zeal and joy to carry out your mission by serving others. We pray as Jesus taught us saying, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9-13, NIV). Amen.
TODAY'S READING: Hebrews 6:9 Now even though we speak this way, dear friends, we are confident that you have the better things that come with being delivered. 10 For God is not so unfair as to forget your work and the love you showed for him in your past service to his people — and in your present service too. 11 However, we want each one of you to keep showing the same diligence right up to the end, when your hope will be realized; 12 so that you will not become sluggish, but will be imitators of those who by their trust and patience are receiving what has been promised. (Complete Jewish Bible).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: How will I go above and beyond in serving God this week?
PRAYER FOCUS: Those who feel weary from serving
***
[God] shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me. (Psalm 27:5-6 (KJV))
As morning dawned over the hills, my wife, Laura, and I reached the trailhead and began our hike to Ramona Falls in the Mount Hood Wilderness area of Oregon. Halfway to the falls, we broke through a dense forest and came upon a towering rock formation, previously hidden from view. From atop the cliff, we could see for miles around.
In today’s Bible reading, David wanted God to hide him from his enemies. Ironically, God set him high upon a rock, which left David in plain sight of these adversaries. Whether a physical location or a spiritual experience, this higher vantage point gave David a new perspective. His enemies looked feeble and his problems small when compared to the greatness of God.
Christians have adversaries too. Trials and temptations may test our faith, causing fear and doubt. At times these battles are severe, and we may feel like hiding. But Christ wants us to see these enemies for what they really are: defeated foes. We know that we can trust God to lead us to victory.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Mighty God, thank you for being the rock of our salvation. Help us to put our trust in you. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: Psalm 27:1 (0) By David:
(1) Adonai is my light and salvation;
whom do I need to fear?
Adonai is the stronghold of my life;
of whom should I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assailed me
to devour my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
they stumbled and fell.
3 If an army encamps against me,
my heart will not fear;
if war breaks out against me,
even then I will keep trusting.
4 Just one thing have I asked of Adonai;
only this will I seek:
to live in the house of Adonai
all the days of my life,
to see the beauty of Adonai
and visit in his temple.
5 For he will conceal me in his shelter
on the day of trouble,
he will hide me in the folds of his tent,
he will set me high on a rock.
6 Then my head will be lifted up
above my surrounding foes,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, sing praises to Adonai. (Complete Jewish Bible).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: In Christ, my battles are already won.
PRAYER FOCUS: Those facing turmoil
READ MORE: Link2Life - June 26
PRAYER FOCUS: Those who feel weary from serving
***
(Image: Pixabay)
The Upper Room Daily Devotional in Nashville Tennessee United States for Wednesday, 26 June 2018 "View from the Top" by Charles Earl Harrel (Oregon) Psalm 27:1-6 [God] shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me. (Psalm 27:5-6 (KJV))
As morning dawned over the hills, my wife, Laura, and I reached the trailhead and began our hike to Ramona Falls in the Mount Hood Wilderness area of Oregon. Halfway to the falls, we broke through a dense forest and came upon a towering rock formation, previously hidden from view. From atop the cliff, we could see for miles around.
In today’s Bible reading, David wanted God to hide him from his enemies. Ironically, God set him high upon a rock, which left David in plain sight of these adversaries. Whether a physical location or a spiritual experience, this higher vantage point gave David a new perspective. His enemies looked feeble and his problems small when compared to the greatness of God.
Christians have adversaries too. Trials and temptations may test our faith, causing fear and doubt. At times these battles are severe, and we may feel like hiding. But Christ wants us to see these enemies for what they really are: defeated foes. We know that we can trust God to lead us to victory.
TODAY'S PRAYER: Mighty God, thank you for being the rock of our salvation. Help us to put our trust in you. Amen.
TODAY'S READING: Psalm 27:1 (0) By David:
(1) Adonai is my light and salvation;
whom do I need to fear?
Adonai is the stronghold of my life;
of whom should I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assailed me
to devour my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
they stumbled and fell.
3 If an army encamps against me,
my heart will not fear;
if war breaks out against me,
even then I will keep trusting.
4 Just one thing have I asked of Adonai;
only this will I seek:
to live in the house of Adonai
all the days of my life,
to see the beauty of Adonai
and visit in his temple.
5 For he will conceal me in his shelter
on the day of trouble,
he will hide me in the folds of his tent,
he will set me high on a rock.
6 Then my head will be lifted up
above my surrounding foes,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing, sing praises to Adonai. (Complete Jewish Bible).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: In Christ, my battles are already won.
PRAYER FOCUS: Those facing turmoil
READ MORE: Link2Life - June 26
Link2Life - June 26
JUNE 26, 2018 BY CHARLES EARL HARREL (OREGON)
RELATED DEVOTIONALS: VIEW FROM THE TOP
Charles and Laura
Charles hiking
Laura hiking
The rock formation
More From Charles Earl Harrel
JUNE 26, 2018 BY CHARLES EARL HARREL (OREGON)
RELATED DEVOTIONALS: VIEW FROM THE TOP
In my meditation, I relate a similar scenario where David finds the perfect hiding place, high upon a rock. That rock of safety showed him God's greatness. We all have access to this same spiritual rock in Christ. May God lead each of us to “the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2, NIV).
For more information about my writing ministry, I hope you will visit my website, “The High Call of Writing,” at https://charlesearlharrel.com/.
***
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