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November 29, 2021 7:00 pm
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Singaporeans stayed home to avoid being infected. But I blissfully continued swimming, believing it was safe.
My wife, however, feared that I might pick up an infection at the public pool and pass it on to her aged mother—who, like other seniors, were more vulnerable to the virus. “Can you just avoid swimming for some time, for my sake?” she asked.
At first, I wanted to argue that there was little risk. Then I realized that this mattered less than her feelings. Why would I insist on swimming—hardly an essential thing—when it made her worry unnecessarily?
In Romans 14, Paul addressed issues like whether believers in Christ should eat certain foods or celebrate certain festivals. He was concerned that some people were imposing their views on others.
Paul reminded the church in Rome, and us, that believers in Jesus may view situations differently. We also have diverse backgrounds that color our attitudes and practices. He wrote, “Let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister” (v. 13).
God’s grace gives us great freedom even as it helps us express His love to fellow believers. We can use that freedom to put the spiritual needs of others above our own convictions about rules and practices that don’t contradict the essential truths found in the gospel (v. 20).
Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Today's reading titled a great void was written by Wynn Collier in 2018 12 Thai boys and their soccer coach descended into a mazelike cave, intending to enjoy an afternoon adventure due to unexpected rising waters that force them deeper and deeper into the cavern. It was 2 1/2 weeks before rescuers led them out dive teams thwarted by rising water attempted the rescue as the boy sat on a small rock shelf with only six flickering flashlights. They spent hours in darkness, hoping that somehow light and help would break through the prophet Isaiah described a world of brooding darkness. One overrun by violence and greed shattered by rebellion and anguish.
Nothing but ruin Hope's candle flickering and fading sputtering before succumbing to dark nothingness, and yet Isaiah insisted this dim despair was not the end because of God's mercy. Soon, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. God would never abandon his people in shadowy ruin. The prophet announced hope for his people then and pointed to the time when Jesus would come to dispel the darkness. Sin has caused. Jesus has come, and now we hear. Isaiah's words from chapter 9 with renewed meaning the people walking in darkness have seen a great light. Isaiah says on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned, no matter how dark the night, no matter how disparaging our circumstances where never forsaken in the dark, Jesus is here a great light shines today's Our Daily Bread devotional Scripture reading is from Isaiah chapter 9 verses one through three. Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who are in distress in the past, he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of NAFTA light but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, the people walking in darkness have seen a great light on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarge the nation and increased their joy. They rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. Let's pray God, thank you for the gift of your son, who came to earth as a bright light showing us the way back to you helpless not to look back into the darkness, but to continually trust that you are leading us all the way out and right into your arms in Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Thanks for listening. I'm Stephen. In today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread ministries
