Saturday, October 28, 2006

• GLEANINGS FROM "LEANINGS" . . .

    

  L E A N I N G    Using the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (definition #2), the word "leaning" (as it is is used in the title of this devotional) means: "to rely for support or inspiration." So what can we learn from "leanings"? Study the pictures above and below.     If you notice in each of the pictures, Mike and I are holding hands or arms. (Note - I wear leg braces.) In the picture of him walking our Marci down the path to her groom, of course she has his arm. (Note that he uses a legal white cane.)  The fact is ~ if Mike didn't need any sighted assistance, and I didn't need any extra support, we would still be holding hands or arms ~ just because we love each other and enjoy having that physical contact! However, we have enjoyed teasing about our symbiotic relationship for almost as long as we have known each other. I provide him with sighted assistance; and his strong arms and steady steps provide me with often necessary support that the one crutch and the braces don't always provide.    Thus, as I have been meditating upon the following Scripture, the personal application in my daily life kicked in to enforce these truths. Psalm 37: 23-24 (NLT) "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.     I help to direct Mike's physical steps to try to keep him on the right path. And though I may physically stumble, I don't fall, because Mike holds me by the hand (or arm). I know how much security I get when I  am having a lot of pain or weakness in my post-polio, arthritic feet, just by holding on to my dear husband. And I know that there is definitely security for Mike in going to a desired destination when he has a sighted guide whose arm he takes (or in my case, as we hold hands, helping each other along.)   What happens if we momentarily get separated? Mike stops until I take hold of his hand. If I'm having problems walking ~ I don't move on without his stable, dependable support.     I truly believe that this is what we need to do with our Heavenly Father, Who delights in every detail of our lives. As we go along life's pathway, we lovingly keep our hand in His, and He both guides us along the right pathway, and also keeps us steady when we stumble. Why would we ever want to go ahead or lag behind our faithful Guide & Support? Why would we ever want to let go of such an always dependable & loving, all-wise & all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present God?       PRAYER: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your continual love and care for me. Thank You for Your promise to never leave nor forsake me.  Thank You for your direction in my life, and Your constant support (even when I am not stumbling).  Thank You for caring about every detail of my life. May I always stay close to You, as You are to me. In Jesus' precious name . . . Amen.     THE PRAYER PROMPTER FOR TODAY'S COUNTRY~   Bolivia ~ from the:  CIA - THE WORLD FACTBOOK 1. In December 2005, Bolivians elected Movement Toward Socialism leader Evo MORALES president - by the widest margin of any leader since the restoration of civilian rule in 1982 - after he ran on a promise to change the country's traditional political class and empower the nation's poor majority. However, since taking office, his controversial strategies have exacerbated racial and economic tensions between the Amerindian populations of the Andean west and the non-indigenous communities of the eastern lowlands. 2. Bolivia is the world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Colombia and Peru) with an estimated 26,500 hectares under cultivation in August 2005, an 8% increase from 2004; intermediate coca products and cocaine exported mostly to or through Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to European drug markets; cultivation steadily increasing despite eradication and alternative crop programs; money-laundering activity related to narcotics trade, especially along the borders with Brazil and Paraguay. PRAY FOR THIS NEEDY COUNTRY     NEW TRIBES MISSIONS 1. Ese Ejja tribe, Bolivia (October 27th, 2006): The dedication of the Ese Ejja New Testament is scheduled for Nov. 5. Please pray for the last minute preparations and the logistics getting the New Testaments delivered to various villages. Pray too that having God’s Word in their own language will encourage the believers and that many more Ese Ejjas will come to understand the Gospel. 2. Bolivia (October 25th, 2006): The Horeb Bible radio station is running 24 hours a day, with programs in four languages. Pray for the Chimane men who are preparing new programs. Pray too that a new transmitter will be released from customs soon.   SOUTH AMERICA MISSION Bolivia is having a national election to vote for 250 representatives who will completely re-write their constitution.  Depending on who the majority is on this committee, it may completely change how things are done in Bolivia.  If the present government has its way they will do away with religion in all schools.  Evangelical churches and especially foreign missions could be greatly affected.  Pray against this attempt to stifle God's Word from going forth and for God's purpose to prevail.   "In La Paz the capital of Bolivia, ,there are nearly ten thousand children living on the streets, neglected and with no one to look after them. For these children daily life is a continuous fight for survival – a battle against starvation, disease and misery. Some scrape together tiny amounts of money from any casual work they can find, but most resort to crime. The situation is made worse by a police force which regard the children as exploitation rather than to be helped."  ~ The picture and quote is excerpted from SOS Children's Villages    PRAY FOR THIS NEEDY COUNTRY   NOTE: THIS SITE IS PART OF A NEW BLOGRING CALLED: "PRAYING 'ROUND THE WORLD" WHICH HAS BEEN FORMED TO HELP IN FOCUSING OUR HEARTS IN DOING JUST THAT!CREDITS: Information: from CIA - The World Factbook & Operation World, and from the websites of the organizations as linked.Map & flag ~ CIA - The World Factbook -  Prayer-mini ~By: CountryBugkinEntry background & footprint line are by ~  TRIPLES with EMMA

  • 9:53 PM
  • 1 view
  • 30 eprops
  • 17 comments