| Unit 2 Devotional Evaluation of this devotional is graded on a participation only basis. To receive points for the unit devotional, you must write one original post in response to your instructor’s prompt. Content of the posting is not graded. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. II Cor 12:9 I’m recycling this devotional that I’ve used before, so some of you will have seen it. In sort of self-serving fashion I’ve decided I’m going to use it in every course I teach so that I have the opportunity to ask more people to pray for my wife. The verse above is part of the story of Paul’s conversation with God asking that he be delivered from the undefined thorn in his flesh. We are several years deep in the progression of an autoimmune disorder that affects my wife in a variety of ways. Her physical state is in decline, perhaps at an accelerating rate. The persistent pain and lack of energy quite understandably has led to a similar decline in her emotions. I understand that God is sovereign and has given us far more than we deserve, but I ask you to join me this week in praying that Laura will be delivered from this thorn in her flesh. Please know, too, that I have prayed for each of you by name, asking that God would encourage and lift you up in your effort to better your life by adding to your education. Some of you are having trouble getting course work done and I am concerned largely because we have so little time together. Laura purchased this framed item to put up in our home. It says 365 days 365 new chances She told me that when she saw it, what ran through her head was “365 new days. 365 new chances to get well”. God is big enough to take on whatever is holding you down. Don’t quit looking for Him to be the answer to your need. How might we join together to pray for you this week—either to seek help for a problem or to offer praise for a blessing? P.S. Lots of times people will ask “How’s Laura doing?” This came up a lot last week when she was hospitalized. If I answer honestly I usually say she is not doing very well. They respond with something like “Tell her Hi for me or Tell her I’m thinking of her.” I seldom pass those thoughts along. She is the one sitting home lonely because she can’t get out. It would mean a ton more if the person would call or text her themselves. Telling her who I’ve encountered throughout the day kind of just reminds her of how little she sees people. The point is–if you’ve got people like this in your circle, try contacting them yourself as opposed to sending a message through someone else. Doing so might be much more impactful. |
