LET'S PRAY TOGETHER Lord, let our souls rise up to meet you as the day rises to meet the sun.  Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Father, we pray for Lesotho, Brazil, Antigua, Czech Republic, Myanmar and the church in these countries as well as the lost. Lord forgive us for our ingratitude, un-forgiveness, and impatience. Guide us today in Your footsteps. Lead us along the narrow, upward path. May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us: wherever He may send us; may You guide us through the wilderness: protect us through the storm; may You bring us home rejoicing: at the wonders You have shown us; may You bring us home rejoicing once again into our doors. Amen

MEDITATION Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10 NIV We are all feeling the limitations and inconveniences that we have to face every day due to the pandemic. Joni Eareckson Tada has a lot to teach us about sticking with things even when they are hard. Paralyzed in a diving accident in 1967 at just seventeen, Joni has spent her life since the accident growing closer to God and serving others. The ministry Joni&Friends offers help and comfort to folks with disabilities around the world. Below are some observations from Joni. “When it comes to character-building, wouldn’t we all love to have a quick fix? But that’s not the way God works. It is a slow process. Through a series of small victories in suffering, our perseverance is strengthened, and character is built.” “Perseverance is so key. It means staying the course, not deviating, holding fast…and especially remaining patient. Patience over time leads to perseverance. And perseverance leads to character.” “Most of the verses written about praise in God’s Word were voiced by people who were faced with crushing heartaches, injustice, treachery, slander, and scores of other difficult situations.” “It is a glorious thing to know that your Father God makes no mistakes in directing or permitting that which crosses the path of your life. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter. It is our glory to trust Him, no matter what.” “God is more concerned with conforming me to the likeness of His Son than leaving me in my comfort zones. God is more interested in inward qualities than outward circumstances - things like refining my faith, humbling my heart, cleaning up my thought life and strengthening my character.” “The best we can hope for in this life is a knothole peek at the shining realities ahead. Yet a glimpse is enough. It's enough to convince our hearts that whatever sufferings and sorrow currently assail us aren't worthy of comparison to that which waits over the horizon.”

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

Our daily scripture reading comes from the following link… http://listenersbible.com/devotionals/biy/ If you have any insights into our daily readings, please feel free to share them with me. I would encourage you to visit https://bibleproject.com/explore/isaiah/ for an overview of Isaiah and https://bibleproject.com/explore/2-corinthians/ for an overview of Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. These videos will help with the “big picture” and the main themes. Isaiah 1:1-2:22 The first thing we notice, is that the visions Isaiah saw lasted for quite some time. How many kings ruled in Judah during the time of Isaiah? (v 1)  Once again, we see here at the beginning of Isaiah that God detests the sacrifices and burnt offerings being made. Instead, what does he long for? (v 17)  I feel like reading through the prophets in bigger chunks, doesn’t do them justice. I think they were meant to be read in small chunks, as individual oracles. And then meditated upon.  How does chapter 2 strike you?  2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 In Christ we are a “new” creation. How has Christ changed your life? Was that once and done, or is it ongoing, or some combination of both?  Paul will go on to talk about reconciliation. I feel like Nicole spent a good bit of time talking about this. What does Paul say about reconciliation, and how does it fit with “new creation” we are becoming?  Psalm 105:1-11 Reading psalm 105 creates in me a longing for communal worship once more. For the opportunity to gather and tell the stories in the midst of praising our Lord.  What does psalm 105 evoke for you?