God * possesses magnificent wisdom * binds up the bruises and wounds of His children * rises up against those who rely on their own strength and those who help evildoers.

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Speech is such a powerful tool! You place yourself as judge over others when you speak against them or use unkind words to tear them down. That’s a dangerous position to choose to be in. God alone is the righteous Judge. Entrust your speech to Him. Lift up, encourage, and speak truth in kindness, demonstrating the power of God’s law of love. - TV

*****

Exodus 8 picks up in the middle of God’s plagues against Egypt. In addition to the plagues themselves, God begins to clearly demonstrate His sovereignty over the situation in other ways. He allows Pharaoh to choose the time the plague of the frogs will end. Pharaoh’s magicians are unable to duplicate the plague of gnats. The plague of flies doesn’t affect God’s people living in Goshen. Pharaoh’s magicians finally confess, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh refuses to release the Israelites enslaved by his nation. He hardens his heart, and in so doing, he brings about additional suffering on not only himself, but the people of his country. Stubbornness of heart is rebellion against God. The consequences will very likely hurt not only you, but those who are close to you. Ask God to give you a soft heart and a sober mind about how your actions affect others. - TV

*****

Father, it’s a rare day when I forget to eat. I’ve yet to be caught by surprise by nighttime and my need for rest. So it’s a sad irony that I would occasionally miss the most crucial time of my day - when I take in the spiritual nourishment You hold out to me. Just as my body suffers from lack of food or lack of sleep, my soul suffers from lack of communion with You. When deprived, my body may faint and my mind become disoriented. So may my soul. I may grab whatever temporary fix might keep me going, but I miss the leisurely filling of Your Spirit pouring into me and producing His beautiful fruit. Skimping on spiritual rest results in hasty decisions and poor judgment – when a slow soaking in Your presence and Word would bring clarity, guidance, and peace. Help me to develop, maintain, and protect the life-giving rhythm of feasting on Your daily bread and slowing in Your company. I want a healthy soul strong and able to love and serve You. In the beautiful Name of Jesus, amen.

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In John 2, Mary appealed to her son Jesus to help a family facing great humiliation. Mary had never seen Jesus perform a miracle, but she was accustomed to Him helping her with her problems. She was a widow who depended greatly on her oldest son. She trusted Him to do what was right to remedy a potentially disastrous situation for this family. Like Mary, we can trust Jesus for His help, even though we don’t know what He’ll do. We can know that He’ll do what’s right and good for us because He loves us. If we submit to Him, we can know that His help is available no matter what we’re facing. - TV

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“If you are going on with God, the only thing that is clear to you, and the only thing God intends to be clear, is the way He deals with your own soul. Your brother’s sorrows and perplexities are an absolute confusion to you. We imagine we understand where the other person is, until God gives us a dose of the plague of our own hearts. There are whole tracts of stubbornness and ignorance to be revealed by the Holy Spirit in each one of us, and it can only be done when Jesus gets us alone.” – Oswald Chambers

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“The word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’ ‘Ah, Sovereign Lord,’ I said, ‘I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.’ But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,’ declares the Lord.” – Jeremiah 1:4-8