Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn.
Do you agree?
What if you lived without grief?
That means that you never loved enough to grieve when someone dies, never held enough hope to be crushed when things don’t work out, never owned enough to miss it when it was gone.
Truly, you are blessed to have goals, possessions and loved ones worth mourning.
A good hospital is a safe shelter for people in need of healing. And a good hospital requires resources—things that are hard to find in some places. Mercy Ships has found a way:
“A ship is the most efficient platform to deliver a state-of-the-art hospital to regions where clean water, electricity, medical facilities and personnel is limited or nonexistent. And, because more than 50% of the world’s population lives within 100 miles of the coast, we can reach more people who need care.”
Since their beginning in 1978, Mercy Ships has performed more than 84,000 surgeries in almost 600 ports. “Healing continues long after the ship departs.” Mercy Ships tries to leave the host nation better than they found it: with better training, tools, and infrastructure .
Oh Lord, may we all leave the places and people we visit better than we found them! Bless Mercy Ships crew and organizers as they bring healing to hurting people and places.
Proverbs 9:10 (ERV)
Wisdom begins with fear and respect for the Lord.
Your attitude sets you on the path to wisdom. Not your reading skills.
I mentioned “the fear of the Lord.” My friend responded, “God doesn’t want us to fear him. God is love.” I answered, “It’s in the Bible. Both. Fear and love.”
Lord God, you are more than I can understand. You are loving and holy. You are kind and just. You are the Lord Almighty and the Prince of Peace.
I believe. Help my unbelief.
So you think there’s no need to fear God? Maybe that’s what Moses thought when he asked God to show him his glory.
God said, “Yes . . . but.”
Exodus 33:20-23 (MSG)
“But you may not see my face. No one can see me and live.” God said, “Look, here is a place right beside me. Put yourself on this rock. When my Glory passes by, I’ll put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand.”
Never underestimate the power of God’s glory.
If you don’t understand how fearsome God is, you can’t appreciate how much Christ has done for us.
“’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.”
John Newton, 1773
Amazing Grace
What’s your take on the fear of the Lord?
I have it on good authority that fear of God is a good thing.
Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Proverbs 31:30
A woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
The Bible. Wisdom and praise. It’s all good.
Little Lebanon, population 4.4 million, hosts over a million refugees. 1 person in 6 is a Syrian refugee. Imagine the strain on resources.
Lord, provide water, food and safe shelter for all — refugees and Lebanese alike. We pray that the refugees will find work without taking a job from someone else. May the Lebanese and Syrians share the space in peace. May Christians demonstrate the love of Christ to their new neighbors, extending friendship and sharing supplies. May the newcomers be touched by their generosity.
World Vision ministers in Lebanon.
“We are working with communities to promote child rights and to keep children safe, while improving job opportunities for parents so they can better meet the needs of their children.”
Are you annoyed when someone says “Happy Holidays” instead of “Happy Thanksgiving” or “Merry Christmas”? Think of it this way:
Happy holidays.
Happy holy days.
Happy, hallowed days.
