Weekend Words

From Our Daily Bread Classic Gems...

Do What You Can - Read Mark 14:1-9

"She did what she could." - Mark 14:8

As Mary of Bethany gave her best to Jesus (Mark 14:1-9), so each of us must give in our own way the best we have to the Lord.  Our efforts may not seem significant, but God can use them for His glory.

American evangelist D. L. Moody told the story of a man who was crossing the Atlantic by ship.  He was terribly seasick and confined to his cabin.  One night, he heard the cry, "Man overboard!"  He felt that there was nothing he could do to help.  But then he said to himself: "I can at least put my lantern in the porthole."  He struggled to his feet and hung the light so that it would shine out into the darkness.

The next day, he learned that the person who was rescued said: "I was going down in the dark night for the last time when someone put a light in a porthole.  As it shone on my hand, a sailor in a lifeboat grabbed it and pulled me in."

Everyone holding forth his own light, or using his one talent - no matter how small - will help accomplish God's purpose on this earth, and will thus glorify the Savior.  What a joy it will be when the Master looks into your eyes in that future day and with a loving smile of approval says, "Well done, good and faithful servant!  Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21)

Reflect and Pray

We've a Savior to show to the nations,

Who the path of sorrow has trod,

That all of the world's great peoples

Might come to the truth of God. - Nichol

The smallest light still shines in the darkest night.

From Beside the Still Waters...

Loving Care - Read: Isaiah 61

"He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind." - Luke 4:18

Recently we visited a dear long-time friend whose wife was an invalid, totally helpless and needing complete care.  He mentioned that several people had asked why she was not put in a nursing home.  His reply was that he had promised in their marriage vows to care for her in health or sickness till death doth part.  I was blessed to hear such an expression of tender compassion.

Jesus depicted Himself as a Shepherd who tenderly cares for His sheep.  "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine" (John 10:14).  He also used the picture of a mother hen.  "How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings!" (Matthew 23:37).  The tenderness of Jesus is clearly portrayed here and elsewhere in the Gospels.  "Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him" (Mark 1:41).

As Christians we are called to manifest the tender love of Jesus in our homes and to those we meet in our daily life.  We may be the only Bible that some people ever read.  We should also express and feel loving care within the Christian brotherhood.  We do well to be observant; and when we see someone struggling, it is our privilege and responsibility to speak words of encouragement.

Jesus sometimes went out of His way to show loving care to unfortunate and rejected people.  Are we following His example?  The love of Jesus should cause us to notice those who are hurting.  "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep" (Romans 12:15).

 Denver Yoder - Somerset, OH

The most important time to care about someone is now.