The Sunday Lectionary Readings for SUNDAY, August 2, 2020 — 9th Sunday After Pentecost

The Sunday Lectionary Readings

SUNDAY, August 2, 2020 — 9th Sunday After Pentecost

[Ordinary 18, Proper 13]

(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Blessing in the Struggle

Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Romans 9:1-5;

Matthew 14:13-21

Opening Statement

God's blessing and provision for us are common threads in these scriptures. God's blessing comes to those who cry aloud to God (Psalm 17:6); Jacob wrestles, and is rewarded with God's blessing for his perseverance (Genesis 32:29). The hungry will be fed, and the sick will be healed (Matthew 14:14, 19-20). God's blessing is so abundant that there is more than enough to go around.

Opening Prayer

(adapted from Genesis 32)

In the darkness of night and the brightness of day, you, O Lord, are present to us. As we wrestle with situations which seem to drain us of our energy; as we struggle to find out who you call us to be, you reach out to us with reassurance of empowerment and courage for the days ahead. Calm our spirits and prepare our hearts and lives to receive your awesome grace. It is in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

(adapted from Genesis 32, Romans 9, Matthew 14)

Gracious God, provider of all we need, we are often content to rely on our own devices, our creativity, our cleverness. We congratulate ourselves for our accomplishments, yet we find that these achievements and acquisitions do not fill the deep hunger inside of us. We long for the Spirit bread you alone can provide. Forgive us, merciful God. Help us receive the blessings you offer, that we may be your bread for the world—blessed, broken for all. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Feel God’s healing love pouring over you and into your lives. Know that God delights in each one of you and will always be present to you. This is indeed the Good News of the Gospel.

The Collect

(from the Book of Common Prayers)

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of the Day

Glorious God, your generosity waters the world with goodness, and you cover creation with abundance. Awaken in us a hunger for the food that satisfies both body and spirit, and with this food fill all the starving world; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

First Reading

Genesis 32:22-31

Jacob receives God’s blessing

32:22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

27 The man asked him, “What is your name?”

“Jacob,” he answered.

28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”

But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.

30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip.

Psalm 17:1-7, 15

I shall see your face

1  Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;
     listen to my cry.
   Hear my prayer—
     it does not rise from deceitful lips.
2  Let my vindication come from you;
     may your eyes see what is right.

3  Though you probe my heart,
     though you examine me at night and test me,
   you will find that I have planned no evil;
     my mouth has not transgressed.
4  Though people tried to bribe me,
     I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
    through what your lips have commanded.
5  My steps have held to your paths;
     my feet have not stumbled.

6  I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
     turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7  Show me the wonders of your great love,
     you who save by your right hand
     those who take refuge in you from their foes.

15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
     when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

Second Reading

Romans 9:1-5

The glory of God’s people in Israel

9:1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

Gospel Acclamation

(Matt. 4:4)

Alleluia.

Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Alleluia.

The Gospel

Matthew 14:13-21

Jesus feeds 5000

14:13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Here end the Readings

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Apostles’ Creed

• I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

• I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

• I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Holy Communion

A nondenominational serving of bread and wine

Many churches around the world are working hard to adapt to online worship, and one challenge is how our members can celebrate communion from home. Though no video can truly replace the experience of celebrating together in our places of worship, we know that where two or more are gathered, the Lord is present.

Benediction

The Spirit sends us forth to serve. Go in peace, knowing that God will always be by your side in all that you do. Go in love, offering healing and hope to others. Go in joy, that others may be lifted and inspired in service. Amen.

Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Daily Lectionary for SUNDAY, August 2, 2020 — 9th Sunday After Pentecost
Blessing in the Struggle
Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21

“Abundance”

Today, our gospel message comes to us from the 13th chapter of Matthew, beginning with the 14th verse, “Jesus feeds 5000.”

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children (Matthew 14:13-21).

Father, You sent your Word to bring us truth and your Spirit to make us holy. Through them, we come to know the mystery of your life. Help us worship you, one God in three persons, And reveal yourself in the depths of our being, by proclaiming and living our faith in you. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

“Abundance”

Jesus feeding the five thousand and walking on water are probably two of the best-known miracle stories. I remember being taught them in the early years of my Sunday school career. The morals of these stories are still the same that they were so many years ago. In the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus demonstrates that God is a God of abundance. When Peter steps out of the boat and begins to sink because he allowed the wind and the waves to distract him, we learn that we should keep our eyes on Jesus. Still, there is so much more that we can learn from these two miracle stories.

Jesus’ actions are exciting in Matthew’s recording of this story. In verse nineteen, Jesus looks up into heaven, blesses, breaks, and gives the bread to the disciples. These words are straight out of the early church’s communion liturgy. They are the same words that Paul uses when he is discussing the celebration of communion, in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 11:23-33).

How odd that Matthew would use these words from the communion liturgy to describe what Jesus did before the crowd of people. We can only assume that it was intentional, and we can seek to understand what Matthew was trying to communicate to those early Christians. In this story of abundance, Matthew was telling the people of the early church that God provides as abundantly in both the spiritual and physical realms. This blessing is an important lesson to learn.

It’s interesting to watch the disciples as the story unfolds. First, they want to send the crowd away to fend for themselves. Jesus tells the disciples that they should care for the people. The disciples respond in verse 17, “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish.” The emphasis is on “we have here only.”

Isn’t that often our response? It certainly was Moses’, Isaiah’s, Jeremiah’s, and David’s responses when God called them. I know it was my response when I sensed the Spirit calling me into the ministry. All of the ministers whom I know thought the same way. We didn’t have anything to offer. We couldn’t do the task that was placed before us. Many people, when asked to serve in a specific ministry, respond this way.

Look what happens, though. The disciples give Jesus what little they have, and Jesus gives the loaves and fish to the people. Everyone is fed. Jesus can take what we have and make it enough—even more than enough.

We keep thinking that God is a stingy God—a God of scarcity. This way of thinking is usually because our list of wants is way longer than our needs. When we change our perspective, stop focusing on our needs and offer prayers of thanks for what we do have, God suddenly appears to be a God of abundance.

We struggle with this truth, though. We take a tentative step of faith because we wonder if God will help us and use our talents. We hesitate to increase our giving because we aren’t sure if God will continue to provide for our needs. We content ourselves with a full life rather than an abundant life because we keep trying to compromise with what the Spirit is leading us to do.

After experiencing Jesus’ abundant provision, the disciples find themselves on the Sea of Galilee in the middle of a great storm. Jesus comes to them walking on the water. The disciples see him, and in verse twenty-six, Matthew records that they are terrified. Peter asks Jesus to have him walk on the water. Jesus beckons him, and Peter obeys. He walks on the water, but then notices the waves, takes his eyes off Jesus and starts to sink.

We have seen how God has abundantly provided for us both spiritually and physically. We are now challenged to hear God’s call, get out of the boat, and follow Jesus. Keeping our eyes on Jesus, the wind and waves don’t faze us. If we start to sink, Jesus reaches out to us and pulls us up. Such is a life of faith of a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I think of the words of Jesus that he came to give life that satisfies. I confess that I have been trying to find things of this world to satisfy me, and they aren’t working. Lord, I believe that you alone can do that, that you have already done that.

Lord, I thank you for freeing me, freeing me from the chains that bound me, from trying to keep up with this world, from the law of sin and death. Lord, because you have freed me, I can experience abundant life.

Because you have set me free, Lord, I can have a new perspective. I am thankful for your gift of salvation for eternal life. I am grateful for the inheritance you have given me. I am thankful that I can communicate with you and can experience the beauty of your presence.

Lord, I thank you for sending the Holy Spirit, who guides me and reveals wisdom. Thank you for this “deposit guaranteeing our inheritance,” which reminds me that we are sons and daughters of God (Eph. 1:14). I thank you that he leads me to minister to others, to help free them from their chains and offer them this same abundant life.

God, help me remember these promises when the world looks more appealing, or when I get distracted by things going on around me. Help me not to envy those who seem to have it all. Lord, I have it all because of you.

I thank you for the eternal inheritance you have given me, and that one day, I can enjoy the beauty of your Kingdom and your presence forever.

In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ

Scripture is taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Sermon contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn.
God provides abundantly for God’s people, but God also takes our small gifts and makes them adequate for the task.

The Daily Prayer for SUNDAY, August 2, 2020

The Daily Prayer

SUNDAY, August 2, 2020

Basil the Blessed (1464—1552)

Basil was born to a peasant family near Moscow in the late 1400s. He left home at age sixteen to devote himself to a life of asceticism. He did not have a permanent home but instead walked around barefoot and in rags, exhibiting extraordinary humility in the face of punishment, ridicule, and derision. Like an Old Testament prophet, Basil challenged those in power about their treatment of the poor, marginalized, and afflicted. He foretold misfortunes and preached the gospel to all who would listen, including the Tsar, Ivan the Terrible, who respected and feared Basil’s gift of prophecy. Once, when Basil offered the Tsar a piece of raw meat during the lenten season, the Tsar rejected it. Basil then boldly and truthfully asked him, “Then why do you drink the blood of men?” noting the Tsar’s violent behavior toward innocent people.

British preacher and radical John Wesley wrote in a letter to his sister, “Money never stays with me. It would burn me if it did. I throw it out of my hands as soon as possible, lest it should find its way into my heart.” Wesley committed his life to living in poverty, insisting that if he were to die with more than a few pounds to his name, he would be a liar and a thief.

God our provider, all good gifts come from you. Make us so thankful for your gifts that we cannot help but share them with others. Own us as your fools as we abandon the stuff of this world for the treasures of your kingdom. Amen.

Verse of the Day SUNDAY, August 2, 2020

James 1:22

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Read all of James 1

Listen to James 1

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un dia a la Vez - Domingo 02 de agosto de 2020

Con sentimentalismos no hay milagros

Hijo mío, si haces tuyas mis palabras [...] entonces comprenderás el temor del Señor y hallarás el conocimiento de Dios.

— Proverbios 2:1, 5

¿Cómo movemos el corazón de Dios? Es posible que te estés preguntando: «¿De qué manera logro que Dios me dé lo que le pido? ¿Qué sacrificio debo hacer para que Él se conmueva? ¿Debo ayunar por conveniencia?».

Estas son algunas de las maneras más comunes con las que tratamos de mover el corazón de Dios a nuestro favor. Quiero aclarar que no todo el mundo es igual. Hay personas que lo del ayuno lo hacen como Dios manda y es muy poderoso. Sin embargo, es lamentable que se nos olvide que Dios es Dios. Él conoce nuestros intereses e intensiones y no nos va a dar nada por interés. Entonces, ¿por qué tratamos de manipularlo?

Nosotras las mujeres somos muy sensibles y sentimentales, pero les tengo una noticia que quizá ya hayas escuchado: Nuestras lágrimas no mueven el corazón de Dios y tu llanto no va a hacer que las cosas cambien a tu favor.

Dios quiere personas de fe. Quiere personas comprometidas con Él que le busquen en espíritu y en verdad. Lo que en realidad mueve a Dios es nuestra obediencia.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
¿Cómo movemos el corazón de Dios? Es posible que te estés preguntando: «¿De qué manera logro que Dios me dé lo que le pido? ¿Qué sacrificio debo hacer para que Él se conmueva?

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Sunday, August 2, 2020

FLEEING PERSECUTION

When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.

— Matthew 10:23a

One of the clear biblical responses to persecution is to flee. But it is not the only response. Thus it is imperative that the persecuted believer is sure that his running away is in the will of God. History is full of examples of Christians who relocated because of religious persecution.

The early Christians in Jerusalem were not obeying Jesus’ orders in Acts 1:8 (evangelize to the ends of the earth) so God allowed an Acts 8:1 (persecution) to send them on their way. The original text indicates the persecution accomplished the will of God for as they scattered abroad, they went “gossiping” the gospel (Acts 8:4). The first meaning of the word “gossip” was “to chat” or “rehearse.” The early Christians, when scattered by persecution, could not help but repeat the glorious message of the gospel to everyone they met.

The Apostle Paul left Damascus over the wall in a basket when a life threat was discovered early in his ministry. He was not just trying to avoid persecution, but he knew it was not yet God’s timing for his life and ministry to end. That occurred years later in Rome.

Today an Egyptian Christian leader is in hiding because he has the highest price on his head—four times more than Osama Bin Laden ever had. Zakaria Botross’ entire life story is that of defying death. The total price for his elimination (a fatwa), at last report, was one hundred million dollars. This is because his ministry to Muslims is so challenging, effective, and productive. If his arguments cannot be countered then his voice must be silenced.

He was one of the most striking figures of the Coptic Orthodox Church. In 1964 he had a conversion experience that changed the direction of his ministry to thousands of people. Not only did Father Zakaria preach for conversions to Christ and to strengthen believers, but he also effectively rebutted accusations against Christianity made by Islamic leaders. He is a scholar of ancient Arabic and knows the Koran and the Hadith (Islamic traditions) so thoroughly that Islamic scholars find it difficult to refute his teaching or counter his challenges.

His zealous activities could not help but attract the notice of the authorities of the State. He was removed from his church. Twice he experienced imprisonment for ministering to Muslims and leading them to faith in Jesus. He was accused of the ultimate crime, evangelizing Muslims and thereby inciting religious factionalism. Then he was deported and exiled from Egypt. His subsequent ministry in Australia and the UK was successful but not with everyone’s approval.

Today as an elderly senior, he lives in hiding in the West because more than sixty million people—most are Muslims—watch his satellite TV programs and visit his website. Countless millions across the Arabic speaking world are turning to Christ annually because of his ministry.

Like the Apostle Paul, Father Zakaria runs and hides, not because he is afraid of dying, but by defying death has been able to have the most effective ministry in the world to Muslim people.

RESPONSE: Today I will resolve to only run from persecution when I know it is the will of God.

PRAYER: Pray for leaders like Zakaria Botross who have to live in hiding because of their effective ministry for the Lord and His church.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

LHM Daily Devotions - Augest 2, 2020 - "Thy Body, Given for Me, O Savior"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Thy Body, Given for Me, O Savior"

August 2, 2020

♫ "With Thee, Lord, I am now united; I live in Thee and Thou in me. No sorrow fills my soul, delighted. It finds its only joy in Thee. Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood. Be for my soul the highest good!

"Who can condemn me now? For surely the Lord is nigh, who justifies. No hell I fear, and thus securely. With Jesus I to heaven rise. Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood. Be for my soul the highest good!" ♫

Mystics seek to unite themselves with God, often through their own efforts, perhaps in meditation, prayer, and fasting. While such practices are spiritually helpful, and these souls rightly thirst for God, such human efforts are in vain. We cannot "raise" ourselves from our sinful, fallen state to the presence of God. Apart from Christ Jesus, we are "dead in our trespasses" (Ephesians 2:5b). We cannot rise to God; He came down to us.

Dead in sin, we could not rise, but God reached down in mercy and "when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ" (Ephesians 2:5). Jesus Christ, true God, and true Man was born among us and took onto Himself the burden of our sin and guilt, suffering the penalty of death in our place. There is no mysticism involved, only the grace of God, His undeserved love for sinners. God reached out through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to save us. We are united to Jesus in Baptism, buried with Him, and raised to new life. Alive in Christ and one with Him, we are nourished by the wondrous mystery that is Jesus' presence in His body and blood in the Lord's Supper.

"With Thee, Lord, I am now united; I live in Thee and Thou in me." Our hymn echoes Jesus' words, "Abide in Me, and I in you" (John 15:4a). Thirsting for God, we find our joy in the gift of Jesus' presence in His holy Supper, praying that His body and blood would be for our souls "the highest good"! Our hymn asks, "Who can condemn me now?" Scripture asks the same question and provides the answer: "It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the One who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us" (Romans 8:33b-34).

Jesus, the Lord with whom we are united in Baptism, has been raised to reign at God's right hand, and we have been raised with Him. "With Jesus, I to heaven rise." What no mystic could achieve by human effort, God has done. He reached down to us, and by His grace saved us through faith in Christ. God "raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6). In a wondrous miracle, we are united with our Savior. With delight, we rejoice, "I live in Thee and Thou in me!"

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we give You praise and thanks for the gift of Your body and blood in Your holy Supper. You are for us the highest good! Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Would you say you live a "victorious" life as a Christian?

2. How do you deal with inner thoughts that condemn you?

3. What is it about Baptism that encourages and sustains you in your faith?

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, "Thy Body Given for Me, O Savior." Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Would you say you live a "victorious" life as a Christian?

Unser Täglich Brot - Sanfte Korrektur

Sanfte Korrektur

Lesung: Jakobus 5,19-20 | Die Bibel in einem Jahr: Psalm 60-62; Römer 5

MP3 herunterladen

Wer den Sünder von seinem falschen Weg zur Umkehr bewegt, der rettet ihn vor dem Tod.

— Jakobus 5,20

Das frühlingshafte Wetter war wohltuend und meine Reisebegleitung in Gestalt meiner Frau auch. Doch die schönen Gefühle hätten schnell in einer Katastrophe enden können, hätte ich das rotweiße Warnschild nicht gesehen, das mir sagte, ich würde in die falsche Richtung fahren. Weil ich nicht weit genug eingeschlagen hatte, sah ich mich plötzlich diesem „Einfahrt verboten“-Schild gegenüber. Ich korrigierte blitzschnell den Fehler, aber beim Gedanken, was meiner Frau, mir selbst oder anderen hätte passieren können, wenn ich das Schild ignoriert hätte, lief es mir kalt den Rücken hinunter.

Die Schlussworte im Jakobusbrief unterstreichen, wie wichtig es ist, sich korrigieren zu lassen. Wer von uns musste nicht schon einmal von Wegen oder Taten, Wünschen oder Entscheidungen „zurückgeholt“ werden, die böse hätten enden können? Wer weiß, welchen Schaden wir uns selbst oder anderen zugefügt hätten, wenn nicht jemand den Mut gehabt hätte, zur rechten Zeit einzuschreiten?

Jakobus betont, wie wertvoll eine sanfte Korrektur ist: „Wer den Sünder von seinem falschen Weg zur Umkehr bewegt, der rettet ihn vor dem Tod, und ihm werden viele Sünden vergeben“ (Jakobus 5,20). Zurechtweisung ist ein Zeichen von Gottes Gnade. Wenn andere uns am Herzen liegen, kann Gott auch uns helfen, Dinge zu sagen oder zu tun, die sie oder ihn „zurückbringen“ (V. 19).

Welches Risiko gehen wir ein, wenn wir einem Wanderer helfen, zurück auf den rechten Weg zu finden? Oder welche Belohnung können wir erwarten? Wann hat Gott einen anderen Menschen gebraucht, um dich von einem unguten Ort wegzuholen?

Vater, bewahre mich davor, von deiner Wahrheit abzuirren, und schenk mir den Mut, andere zurückzuholen, die sich verlaufen haben.

Von Arthur Jackson

© 2020 Unser Täglich Brot
Das frühlingshafte Wetter war wohltuend und meine Reisebegleitung in Gestalt meiner Frau auch. Doch die schönen Gefühle hätten schnell in einer Katastrophe enden können, hätte ich das rotweiße Warnschild nicht gesehen, das mir sagte, ich würde in die falsche Richtung fahren.