If Necessary, Use Words

People often commend me for my bold witness with quiet resignations. “I wish I could tell more people about Jesus like you.” I tell you there are many bold witnesses among us.

Missionaries, local and those who travel to distant states and foreign countries answer God’s call. They boldly share the gospel by feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. They love orphans, widows, the poor, and the downtrodden. They portray Jesus to unbelievers.

Our church hosts an adoption support group each month. The families who attend share their experiences and fill the church. These parents encourage each other to raise their boys and girls in the gospel of Christ.

Gideon’s continue to place Bibles throughout the United States and around the world sharing the hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

The faithful are reaching out through Easter Seals and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Schools are more accessible as children with disabilities attend regular classes. Communities provide children’s toys at Christmas.

The ministry Jesus began was to continue through the community of His disciples. He sent them out to make more disciples. Those disciples would believe in Him and obey His commands. They would make more disciples. The generations will continue to make more disciples until all nations have heard the gospel.

“Preach the gospel and if necessary, use words.” St. Francis of Assisi

Jesus read from Isaiah, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19 NIV).

“Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21 NIV).

In Christ,
Berta

The Upper Room Devotional

When I was in rehab, Earl began reading The Upper Room daily devotions to me before saying goodnight. When I came home, he continued to read them each night. Our conversations about the messages written from around the world were often short but always focused on our Lord’s faithfulness.

As we settled down to sleep one Sunday night, Kari, our daughter, asked from her bedroom, “Daddy, aren’t you going to read The Upper Room?” We had overlooked the reading, having prayed and turned the light off. We never imagined our teen-age daughter was listening to our quiet time in the Lord and would hold us accountable. Earl rolled over, turned the light on, and read from The Upper Room.

I’m still reading The Upper Room devotional more than twenty years later. I receive the devotions in my inbox each morning. They draw me closer to God and strengthen my Christian walk. They increase my knowledge of Christianity in far places and encourage my faith.

We read, “That you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Romans 1:12 NIV).

You too can receive The Upper Room in your inbox each morning by signing up HERE You can order the Upper Room print edition HERE 

In Christ, 
Berta 

If this devotion blessed you would you please share it with your friends.

Thanks. 
Berta

The Living Tree

Courtesy of Flickr

After my accident, I developed pneumonia and the doctor put me on a ventilator. He told Earl if I lived, I’d be brain damaged, ventilator dependent and bedridden for life, and he was too young to be stuck with an invalid wife. Then, the doctor offered to let me die - comfortably.

Earl remembered his wedding vows, chose life for me, and had me transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. As soon as I arrived, they cultured my trach. It grew MRSA—that hard to kill staph infection. The staff moved me into a lonely isolation room.

Spring had always been my favorite season, and I had a birds-eye view of the treetops outside my second floor window. I watched tender red shoots and delicate buds appear on tiny limbs, followed by the smallest pairs of green leaves. Those signs of new life brought me comfort.

One sunny morning, I noticed a tree that hadn’t grown new branches or buds. Each day it remained the same ash gray color, and I decided it was dead. I told everyone who came into my room that I wished someone would cut it down so I wouldn’t have to look at it.

After ranting about that dead tree for a week, I looked out my window and saw tiny pairs of leaves on that living tree. I began to weep as I realized that what I’d said about that tree was what the doctor had said about me. Ugly. Useless. Not worth keeping alive.

I knew then that God was with me, telling me my life wasn’t over. After all, by then I was ventilator free, in my right mind, and mobile in my power wheelchair. My attitude changed and I looked forward to visitors. I told each one about God’s grace, the living tree, and the new life he offered.

“Then he told this parable, ‘A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, “For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?” ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down” (Luke 13:6-9 NIV).

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV).

In Christ,

Berta

If this devotion blessed you would you share it with your friends?

Thank you,

Berta