Have you been running short?
Maybe you’re short on Bible study and prayer, short on inspiration and communication with the All-Powerful. Skip the quick fix. Take a long deep breath. 
Hurricane Maria was hard on Puerto Rico, damaging and destroying homes, businesses and churches. Over 3000 church buildings were harmed in the storm. Those congregations need help. American Baptist Home Missions Societies responded with money and volunteers.
“The Puerto Rican people—the ay bendito—known for their compassion and warmth, will rise from this adversity and welcome the world to their shore again . . . Puerto Rico, you will not be forgotten! Thanks to each of you for helping us address the needs. Please continue to give; our work has just begun.”
Dr. Eddie Cruz, ABHMS Mission Advancement and Passionary Movement
Let’s not forget to pray for our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico.
Lord, we know that the people are your Church, not the buildings. We pray that our sister churches in Puerto Rico will worship and minister in the safe shelter of sturdy buildings. Bless their worship, bless their work. Restore and renew your Church, in Jesus’ name.
I spend more time reading about the Bible than I do reading the Bible. How silly.
Lord, teach me to appreciate the real thing.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
The Bible isn’t a science text or a political platform. It isn’t an investment portfolio. It’s the very breath of God. Breathe deep.
“Because the Bible tells me so.” Many of us sang these words, way back before we learned to read. But now? How often do you read the Bible?
God’s Word is at your fingertips . . . on your phone, on the internet, yes, even that book on your coffee table.
You read texts, posts, magazines, newspapers, how-to guides, novels. And there’s nothing wrong with them. But the Bible should be your go-to source for praise, wisdom, guidance and answers.
The Bible won’t “tell you so” if you don’t read it.
Two-thirds of Ugandans live in sub-standard housing. This family used to be among them:
“Sambula Grace is 42 years old and has 13 children under her care; 10 are her biological children and 3 are her brother´s who died in the 2010 landslide in Bududa . . . Grace and her family lived in a mud and wattle house that had a tarpaulin roof and was in a poor state. It had collapsed on one side and was too small to accommodate all her children.”
Habitat for Humanity Uganda built a new house for Grace–complete with a rainwater collection system and a shower.
We thank you, Lord, for Grace’s new home. We pray that Habitat and other organizations will step in to provide safe shelter for more people like Grace. They need good housing and more, dear God. Meet that need, in Jesus’ name.
Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Grace and mercy . . . you can’t have one without the other.
If anyone deserved to drag a suitcase of shame through life’s journey, it was the Apostle Paul. He was on a mission to kill off Christianity when he met Jesus up close and personal.
1 Timothy 1:15-16 (CEV)
I was the worst sinner of all! But since I was worse than anyone else, God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus. He did this so that others would put their faith in Christ and have eternal life.
Paul–proof positive that God’s mercy kicks shame out of the picture.
