Friday, May 31, 2019

HYMNS OF PRAISE

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

365 DEVOTIONS FROM OUR DAILY BREAD

HYMNS OF PRAISE

READ:  Psalm 149

Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise
in the assembly of saints.  Psalm 149:1

Music is one of those good things in life we take for granted.  Yet, as is so often the case, sinful man has taken this good gift from God and used it to serve evil purposes.  In our day we’re especially aware of its misuse and of the shameful lyrics that so often are a part of it.  Good music, however, is a blessing from the Lord.  It’s a soothing tonic for troubled hearts.  It can motivate us to live for Christ, and through it we can lift our hearts in praise to the Lord.  Without music, we would be greatly deprived.

An old Jewish legend says that after God had created the world He called the angels to Himself and asked them what they thought of it.  One of them said, “The only thing lacking is the sound of praise to the Creator.”  So God created music, and it was heard in the whisper of the wind and in the song of the birds.  He also gave man the gift of song.  And throughout all the ages, music has blessed multitudes of people.

Singing God’s praises honors the Lord, edifies our brothers and sisters in Christ, and brings us joy.  As we join with other Christians in singing, it should be with a renewed appreciation of music.  So let us join voices with fellow believers and lift our hearts in hymns of praise whenever we have the privilege.     RDH


Hearts in tune with God will sing His praises.  

HERE FOR YOU

Here for You

I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:11


On the outskirts of Paris, as in other cities around the globe, people are coming to the aid of the homeless in their communities. Clothing, covered in waterproof bags, is hung on designated fences for those living on the streets to take according to their needs. The bags are labeled, “I’m not lost; I’m for you if you’re cold.” The effort not only warms those without shelter, but also teaches those in the community the importance of assisting the needy among them.

The Bible highlights the importance of caring for those who are poor, instructing us to be “openhanded” toward them (Deuteronomy 15:11). We might be tempted to avert our eyes to the plight of the poor, holding tightly to our resources instead of sharing them. Yet God challenges us to recognize that we will always be surrounded by those who have needs and therefore to respond to them with generosity, not a “grudging heart” (v. 10). Jesus says that in giving to the poor we receive an enduring treasure in heaven (Luke 12:33).

Our generosity may not be recognized by anyone other than God. Yet when we give freely, we not only meet the needs of those around us but we also experience the joy God intends for us in providing for others. Help us, Lord, to have open eyes and open hands to supply the needs of those You place in our paths!
By Kirsten Holmberg

REFLECT & PRAY
Generosity displays confidence in God’s loving and faithful provision.
  
Are you holding too tightly to your resources? If yes, why? What need can you fill today?

Your gift changes lives. Help us share God’s love with millions every day.


SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
God’s decree to Israel to care for the poor in their midst was represented by a trio of the poorest of the poor—widows, orphans, and aliens. Because the Israelites were blessed with material prosperity, they were commanded to share with the economically vulnerable (Deuteronomy 16:9-12; 26:8-11). Part of the command to be generous included allowing the poor to feed on their lands under the law of gleanings (Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:19-21). They were also to set aside a tenth of their harvests every third year as part of their social responsibility “so that [the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow] may eat in your towns and be satisfied” (Deuteronomy 26:12). K. T. Sim


HOPE FOR THE WORLD

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

365 DEVOTIONS FROM OUR DAILY BEAD

HOPE FOR THE WORLD

READ:  Isaiah 2:1-5

We should [be] looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our
great God and Savior Jesus Christ.   Titus 2:12-13

PEACE TALKS FALL APART AGAIN
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RISES
TORNADO RIPS THROUGH TOWN

These newspaper headlines, selected at random, tend to lead us to despair.  There just doesn’t seem to be any hope for this world.  And yet, according to the Scriptures, the dream of abolishing war is not merely wishful thinking.  The idea of prosperity for all is more than a political gimmick.  The Bible tells us that the eventual taming of nature is a certainty.

The hope for this world, however, is not to be found in human efforts but in the return of Jesus Christ.  He alone can solve the problems that are baffling mankind.

The prophet Isaiah said that someday “nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4) This glorious prospect will become a reality when the Lord Jesus himself returns as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Timothy 6:15) to set up His kingdom of peace and righteousness.  We are to be “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).  Because we have this hope, we can be optimistic even in the deepening gloom of this age.

Keep looking up!    RDH

The only hope for world peace
is the coming of the Prince of Peace.



THE WISDOM OF CHRIST

THE WISDOM OF CHRIST

For more great blogs as this one go to Daniel’s blog site at:  www.Mannsword.blogspot.com

Wisdom is not a matter of book-learning. It requires eyes and hearts that have been opened to it. Jesus was sowing a wisdom of such exceeding value that prophets and kings had longed to understand it:
       “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (Luke 10:21; John 3:19-20)

However, even the “wise and understanding” were not amenable to such wisdom. Wisdom comes with pain to those who have lived in the darkness and are not accustomed to the light. Therefore, Jesus had been cultivating the soil of the hearts of His disciples to receive His precious life-changing seeds of wisdom and understanding. He informed them:

       “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given…But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (Matthew 13:11, 16-17 ESV)

They were being blessed even though it might not have been apparent to them. Jesus had just taught them a parable about His seed and that different soils into which His seed had been sown. Jesus subsequently explained to His disciples that they were the good soil, but what characterized good soil? Understanding:

       When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. (Matthew 13:19)

The devil’s strategy is diametrically opposed to God’s. The devil seeks to sow confusion, anything to obstruct the growth of God’s seed. He seeks destruction and darkness, while God seeks to impart light and spiritual transformation through the understanding of the truth.

However, some soils might only seem to be fertile. They receive the Word of God with joy, but this “joy” anticipates immediate gain:

       As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. (Matthew 13:20-21)

This soil fails to understand what is truly at stake. Real joy rests with our anticipation of being with our Beloved forever. If, instead, our hope is based exclusively upon here-and-now benefits, “tribulation or persecution” will certainly drive us away.

The good soil has to be made willing to undergo severe pruning (John 15:1-2). Their eyes have been opened to see that Jesus is worth any costs. Jesus likens Himself to a pearl which is so valuable that we are willing to sacrifice all that we have for it:
       “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:45-46)

As our eyes become accustomed to the life-giving light, we begin to see that Jesus is of such surpassing value that we become willing to sacrifice our comforts and earthly dreams for His sake (Matthew 6:33; 10:37-39), the “pearl of great value.”

Jesus then analyzed the next form of infertile soil:

       “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22)

Here too, the seed did not produce fruitfulness. This person was willing to allow the “deceitfulness of riches choke the word.” His own desires did not enable Him to see the “pearl of great price.” Therefore, he remained in the darkness.

What characterized the cultivated soil which had been enabled to receive the seed?
       As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Matthew 13:23)

Such a person not only hears the Word but also understands it. As a result, his/her life is fruitful, while the others were totally unfruitful, as God regards fruitfulness (Hebrews 11:6)

Why does Jesus (and the rest of the Bible) place such a high priority on wisdom and understanding? Isn’t love the greatest of all possible fruits? Yes, but a tree cannot bear good fruit unless it is first a good tree (Matthew 7:15-21), and part of being a good tree is having the light of wisdom. Without such wisdom, all of our attempts to love may be marred by enablement and demotivation of those we are seeking to love. If we remain in the darkness, our good deeds will become further marred by our self-serving motives, pride, arrogance, or even resentment when the objects of our love do not reciprocate according to our expectations. In contrast, while Jesus was experiencing the most excruciating and undeserved crucifixion, He still prayed that they would be forgiven.

Love can quickly morph into arrogance as even a gourmet meal will rot when left outside. Without wisdom and understanding, many of the most successful people become further hardened and corrupted by what is normally good. This is why Jesus had taught that love depended upon understanding, and understanding depended upon cultivated soil.

Wisdom is a matter of seeing clearly. Wisdom has eyes, which allow us to navigate the traffic.  Wisdom is also our inner eye. It keeps watch over our lives so that they will align with our values. When wisdom is abandoned in favor of “love” or mystical experiences, it is like navigating without a roadmap, compass or GPS. Eventually, we will get lost and frustrated.

Today, wisdom has been rejected in favor of “You’ve got to find your own truth. No one can tell you what you should believe.” Consequently, there is nothing to learn, no elders to seek out. Instead, “If it feels right, it is right.” Therefore, we can no longer see beyond our reactions and feelings, and these have become our masters. Without an objective wisdom, we become morbidly self-absorbed.

Hope dies with wisdom. All that remain are our animalistic feelings and drives, and these cannot satisfy, not for long.

In contrast, Jesus found hope, truth, and wisdom through the Word of God. Therefore, in answering the devil, He quoted Deuteronomy 8:2-3:
       But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

Wisdom would have us do no less.



FEARLESS LOVE

Fearless Love

We love because he first loved us.
1 John 4:19


For years I wore a shield of fear to protect my heart. It became an excuse to avoid trying new things, following my dreams, and obeying God. But fear of loss, heartache, and rejection hindered me from developing loving relationships with God and others. Fear made me an insecure, anxious, and jealous wife, and an overprotective, worrying mother. As I continue learning how much God loves me, however, He’s changing the way I relate to Him and to others. Because I know God will care for me, I feel more secure and willing to place the needs of others before mine.

God is love (1 John 4:7-8). Christ’s death on the cross—the ultimate demonstration of love—displays the depth of His passion for us (vv. 9-10). Because God loves us and lives in us, we can love others based on who He is and what He’s done (vv. 11-12).
When we receive Jesus as our Savior, He gives us His Holy Spirit (vv. 13-15). As the Spirit helps us know and rely on God’s love, He makes us more like Jesus (vv. 16-17). Growing in trust and faith can gradually eliminate fear, simply because we know without a doubt that God loves us deeply and completely (vv. 18-19).

As we experience God’s personal and unconditional love for us, we grow and can risk relating to Him and others with fearless love.
By Xochitl Dixon

REFLECT & PRAY
Lord, thank You for pouring limitless love into us so we can love You and others without fear.

What fears are found in your heart? As you ponder God’s great love for you, how does this help alleviate them?

Your gift changes lives. Help us share God’s love with millions every day.


SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
The New Testament uses four different words for love: phileo, storge, eros, and agape. Agape is the only word for love used in 1 John 4:7-12, and it’s used thirteen times. This is surprising since there are two subjects doing the loving: humans and God.

This means that John is telling us to love God and each other with the same kind of love with which God loves us. Agape love is born out of our hearts because of the preciousness of the thing that’s loved. It has the idea of prizing something and has nothing to do with the merit of the object being loved. J.R. Hudberg


WHAT, ME WORRY?

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

365 DEVOTIONS FROM OUR DAILY BREAD

WHAT, ME WORRY?

READ:  Numbers 13:26-33

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God.  Philippians 4:6

Whenever a preacher begins to talk about worry, I sense a pair of eyes staring at me.  Without even turning my head, I know that my husband is looking at me to see if I’m paying attention.

I hate to admit it, but I’m a worrier.  And precisely because there are a lot of people just like me, Jesus addressed this problem in Matthew 6:25-34 when He said:  “Do not worry.”  Don't worry about the basic needs of life-food, clothing, shelter-and don’t worry about tomorrow.

Worry may be a symptom of a bigger problem.  Sometimes it’s a lack of gratitude for the way God has cared for us in the past.  Or perhaps it’s a lack of faith that God really is trustworthy.  Or it may be a refusal to depend on God instead of ourselves.

Some people expand the worry circle to their families, friends, and churches.  They’re a lot like the ten spies in Numbers 13:26-33 who spread their fear and doubt to everyone else.  But those who put their trust in God alone can stand alongside Joshua and Caleb, the only ones in the group of twelve whom God allowed to enter the Promised Land.

Don’t let worries hold you back from what God may be trying to teach you.  He invites you to bring your anxious thoughts directly to Him (Philippians 4:6).   CHK

To be anxious about nothing, pray about everything.  


THE EMPTY BED

The Empty Bed

Go and make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:19


I was eager to return to St. James Infirmary in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and reconnect with Rendell, who two years earlier had learned about Jesus’s love for him. Evie, a teenager in the high school choir I travel with each spring, had read Scripture with Rendell and explained the gospel, and he personally received Jesus as his Savior.

When I entered the men’s section of the home and looked toward Rendell’s bed, however, I found it was empty. I went to the nurse’s station, and was told what I didn’t want to hear. He had passed away—just five days before we arrived.

Through tears, I texted Evie the sad news. Her response was simple: “Rendell is celebrating with Jesus.” Later she said, “It’s a good thing we told him about Jesus when we did.”

Her words reminded me of the importance of being ready to lovingly share with others the hope we have in Christ. No, it’s not always easy to proclaim the gospel message about the One who will be with us always (Matthew 28:20), but when we think about the difference it made for us and for people like Rendell, perhaps we’ll be encouraged to be even more ready to “make disciples” wherever we go (v. 19).

I’ll never forget the sadness of seeing that empty bed—and also the joy of knowing what a difference one faithful teen made in Rendell’s forever life.
By Dave Branon

REFLECT & PRAY
God, we know that people need You. Help us to overcome our fear of telling others about You.

What are some things you can do to introduce people to Jesus today? As you share your faith, how does it encourage you to know Jesus is “with you always” (Matthew 28:20)?

Your gift changes lives. Help us share God’s love with millions every day.


SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Matthew 28:19-20 (often called the “Great Commission”) is structured like an Old Testament prophetic call: first there’s an encounter with God followed by doubts (v. 17); then the doubts are overcome through reassurance and empowerment by God (vv. 18-20; Isaiah 6:1-8).

By following this structure, Matthew emphasizes that believers in Christ are called to be a witness to the joy of life in Christ’s kingdom. Although Jesus has already defeated evil and rules with “all authority” (28:18), He doesn’t immediately remove all evil. Instead, Jesus gently draws others “by slow means and quick, under the rule of his life-giving love” (N.T. Wright)—until one day when death itself is fully destroyed and the world follows Him.

 Christ’s victory reveals itself now through the obedience of those willing to learn a new way of life, through the power of His loving presence (v. 20). Monica Brands


THE UPSIDE OF SORROW

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

365 DEVOTIONS FROM OUR DAILY BREAD

THE UPSIDE OF SORROW

READ:  Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance
the heart is made better.  Ecclesiastes 7:3

Sorrow can be good for the soul.  It can uncover hidden depths in ourselves and in God.

Sorrow causes us to think earnestly about ourselves.  It makes us ponder our motives, our intentions, our interests.  We get to know ourselves as never before.

Sorrow also helps us to see God as we’ve never seen Him.  Job said, out of his terrible grief, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You” (Job 42:5).

Jesus, the perfect man, is described as “a man of sorrows,” intimately acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3).  It is hard to fathom, but even the incarnate Son of God learned and grew through the headaches He suffered (Hebrew 5:8).  As we think about His sorrow and His concern for our sorrow, we gain a better appreciation for what God is trying to accomplish in us through the grief we bear.

The author of Ecclesiastes wrote, “Sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance the heart is made better” (7:3).  Those who don’t let sorrow do its work, who deny  it, trivialize it, or try to explain it away, remain shallow and indifferent.  They never understand themselves or others very well.  In fact, I think that before God can use us very much, we must first learn to mourn.      DHR

We can learn more from sorrow than from laughter. 



NEVER ALONE

Never Alone

He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.
John 14:16–17


While writing a Bible guide for pastors in Indonesia, a writer friend grew fascinated with that nation’s culture of togetherness. Called gotong royong—meaning “mutual assistance”—the concept is practiced in villages, where neighbors may work together to repair someone’s roof or rebuild a bridge or path. In cities too my friend said, “People always go places with someone else—to a doctor’s appointment, for example. It’s the cultural norm. So you’re never alone.”

Worldwide, believers in Jesus rejoice in knowing we also are never alone. Our constant and forever companion is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Far more than a loyal friend, the Spirit of God is given to every follower of Christ by our heavenly Father to “help you and be with you forever” (John 14:16).

Jesus promised God’s Spirit would come after His own time on Earth ended. “I will not leave you as orphans,” Jesus said (v. 18). Instead, the Holy Spirit—“the Spirit of Truth” who “lives with you and will be in you”—indwells each of us who receives Christ as Savior (v. 17).

The Holy Spirit is our Helper, Comforter, Encourager, and Counselor—a constant companion in a world where loneliness can afflict even connected people. May we forever abide in His comforting love and help.
By Patricia Raybon

REFLECT & PRAY
Jesus promised we will always have companionship with the Holy Spirit, who never leaves us. To learn more about basic Christian beliefs visit christianuniversity.org/ST101.

As a believer in Christ, how does it encourage you to know that the Holy Spirit lives inside of you? How have you neglected God’s comfort?

Your gift changes lives. Help us share God’s love with millions every day.


SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
When Jesus was about to return to the Father, He promised His disciples He wouldn’t abandon them but would ask the Father to give them “another advocate,” the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17). Advocate is from the Greek word paraklÄ“tos, which means “one who helps or enables another person” (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7-8). Various translations render this word “Helper” (nkjv), “Counselor” (niv), “Comforter” (kjv), and “Friend” (the message).

There are two different Greek words for “another”: heteros, which connotes another of a different kind; and allos, which means another of the same kind. Allos is the word used in John 14:16. When the Father sent the Spirit, He sent an equal—a personal representative (v. 26), not an inferior or subordinate substitute. The Spirit continues what Jesus did: He comforts, encourages, guides, and strengthens. He reminds us of all that Jesus taught (v. 26; 16:12-15). K. T. Sim


BATTLE PRAISE

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

365 DEVOTIONS FROM OUR DAILY BREAD

BATTLE PRAISE

READ:  2 Chronicles 20:1-22

When they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against
the people…who had come against Judah.  2 Chronicles 20:22

Visitors to the Military Museum in Istanbul, Turkey, can hear stirring music that dates back to the early years of the Ottoman Empire.  Whenever their troops marched off to war, bands accompanied them.

Centuries earlier, worship singers led the people of Judah into battle, but there was a big difference.  Whereas the Ottomans used music to instill self-confidence in God.

Threatened by huge armies, King Jehoshaphat of Judah knew that his people were powerless to defend themselves.  So he cried out to God for help (2 Chronicles 20:12).  The Lord’s answer came through Jahaziel, who said, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed…for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (v. 15).

Jehoshaphat responded by worshiping and then by appointing singers to lead the army (vv. 18, 21).  As the people sang, “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever,”  God confused the invaders and they killed one another (vv. 22-24).

No matter what battles we may face today, the Lord will help us when we cry out to Him.  Instead of retreating in fear, we can march ahead with confidence in God’s power and sing praise to Him.   JAL

Praise is the voice of faith.


HUMAN PERFECTIBILITY OR INABILITY?

HUMAN PERFECTIBILITY OR INABILITY?

For more great blogs as this one go to Daniel’s blog site at www.Mannsword.blogspot.com


The philosophies of today tend to agree that humanity is basically good (or at least neutral) and perfectible. Why then the many human ills? Well, if we are basically good, the problems do not arise from us but from our institutions.

These philosophies find encouragement from the theory of evolution. If we have evolved from ape-like creatures to enlightened, creative, and ever-progressing beings, it would seem the even the sky is not the limit.

One progressive intellectual had explained:

A hundred years ago, we could not imagine radio, TVs, let alone the internet and AI. We therefore need to dream big and to leave behind the answers and institutions of the past, even family and marriage.

Does this mean that all of the wisdom of the past has to be jettisoned like worn-out clothing? Are there some truths and principles that are unchanging? It would seem so. Without the unchanging laws of science, TVs, radios, and computers would never have been possible.

So is humanity perfectible? Nicodemus, a religious leader, came secretly to Jesus, who knew what was on his mind - attaining to heaven:

Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water [first naturally] and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." (John 3:5-8)

Jesus answered that we are perfectible, but only by God. Without Him, we are sheep which go astray without their Shephard, like branches, which cannot bear any fruit without the Branch (John 15:4-5). All of our efforts and worry are unable to add an inch to our structure. Therefore, Jesus rhetorically asked:

“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:27)

Nor can we even begin to make ourselves morally acceptable before God (John 3:19-20). Instead, it should be obvious that we are very limited.

However, you may ask, Is it wise to be telling people that they are so limited without God? Won’t this de-motivate them? Instead, is it possible that we are burdening them with the belief that they are able to perfect themselves?

It seems that with the growth of secularism and the belief of our perfectibility without God, depression has become a fearsome stalker:

The total estimated number of people living with depression worldwide increased by 18.4% between 2005 and 2015 to 322 million, according to the latest report on depression and anxiety, issued this week by the World Health Organization. Nearly half of people living with depression live in the more highly-populated global areas...

Another study (2013) reported similar findings:

...depressive illness is the disease with the second heaviest burden on society, with around one in 20 people suffering...[This] burden increased by 37.5% between 1990 and 2010...(The Guardian)

Another warning sign emerges from our universities, where a great number of students have set aside their Christian faith. In a Psychology Today article, “Declining Student Resilience: A Serious Problem for Colleges,” Peter Gray had written:

...emergency calls to Counseling had more than doubled over the past five years. Students are increasingly seeking help for, and apparently having emotional crises over, problems of everyday life. (September, 2015)

The article quotes the head of counseling services at a major university:

“Our students are no different from what is being reported across the country on the state of late adolescence/early adulthood. There has been an increase in diagnosable mental health problems, but there has also been a decrease in the ability of many young people to manage the everyday bumps in the road of life. Whether we want it or not, these students are bringing their struggles to their teachers and others on campus who deal with students on a day-to-day basis. The lack of resilience is interfering with the academic mission of the University and is thwarting the emotional and personal development of students.”

How does this decline in the lack of student resilience interfere with the academic mission of the university? This unnamed clinician cites the fact that students can no longer take failure. Consequently, their plight pressures professors to lower standards:

Less resilient and needy students have shaped the landscape for faculty in that they are expected to do more handholding, lower their academic standards, and not challenge students too much.

Others cite the same problems. “The Chronicle of Higher Education” recently ran an article by Robin Wilson entitled, “An Epidemic of Anguish: Overwhelmed by Demand for Mental-Health Care, Colleges Face Conflicts in Choosing How to Respond" (Aug. 31, 2015):

“Students, too, want colleges to give them the help they need, when they need it. And they need a lot. Rates of anxiety and depression among American college students have soared in the last decade, and many more students than in the past come to campus already on medication for such illnesses. The number of students with suicidal thoughts has risen as well. Some are dealing with serious issues, such as psychosis, which typically presents itself in young adulthood, just when students are going off to college. Many others, though, are struggling with what campus counselors say are the usual stresses of college life: bad grades, breakups, being on their own for the first time. And they are putting a strain on counseling centers.

Ironically, today’s students have been raised on the expectation that they have the resources to accomplish whatever they set their heart upon. However, when they discover that they are severely limited, they become discouraged with nothing to sustain them.

When we trust in Jesus, we believe that each failure and every rejection are being used for our good by the Savior (Romans 8:28). While we too will be struck down, as are others, we also know that our Savior will life us up (Psalms 34:19). Therefore, Jesus has invited us to become His sheep:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)


In this life, we are not perfectible but pitiable. However, in our humbled and broken estate, we can learn compassion and dependence upon our only Source of unlimited strength.

A LIVING MEMORIAL OF KINDNESS

A Living Memorial of Kindness

David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
2 Samuel 9:1


I grew up in a church full of traditions. One came into play when a beloved family member or friend died. Often a church pew or possibly a painting in a hallway showed up not long afterward with a brass plate affixed: “In Memory of . . .” The deceased’s name would be etched there, a shining reminder of a life passed on. I always appreciated those memorials. And I still do. Yet at the same time they’ve always given me pause because they are static, inanimate objects, in a very literal sense something “not alive.” Is there a way to add an element of “life” to the memorial?

Following the death of his beloved friend Jonathan, David wanted to remember him and to keep a promise to him (1 Samuel 20:12-17). But rather than simply seek something static, David searched and found something very much alive—a son of Jonathan (2 Samuel 9:3). David’s decision here is dramatic. He chose to extend kindness (v. 1) to Mephibosheth (vv. 6-7) in the specific forms of restored property (“all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul”) and the ongoing provision of food and drink (“you will always eat at my table”).

As we continue to remember those who’ve died with plaques and paintings, may we also recall David’s example and extend kindness to those still living.
By John Blase

REFLECT & PRAY
Jesus, give me the strength to extend kindness in memory of the kindness others have shown me, but most important because of Your great kindness.

Who has died that you don’t want to forget? What might a specific kindness to another person look like for you?

Your gift changes lives. Help us share God’s love with millions every day.