Helen Roseveare, a missionary doctor in Africa, tried everything to save the pregnant woman. But the native mother died, leaving behind a premature baby. Tragically, this infant would also die soon because the hospital lacked an incubator. They didn’t even have hot water bottles since rubber degraded quickly in the tropical climate.

In addition to her medical duties, Dr. Roseveare met with the orphanage children each day for prayer. After the doctor explained the crisis, one 10-year-old prayed without reservation: “Please God, send us a water bottle. It’ll be no good tomorrow as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon.”

Dr. Roseveare paused. Could she honestly say “amen” to such a prayer? Of course God could do anything, but surely there were limits.

Later that day, an unexpected parcel arrived from her homeland; this had never happened before during her four years in Africa. She immediately summoned the children, and they carefully opened the package together.

Dr. Roseveare cried when she saw the brand new water bottle. The parcel had been mailed five months before by an old friend who somehow followed God’s prompting to pack a water bottle to the equator. And all of this in response to a child’s prayer to bring it by “this afternoon!”

God knows what we need long before we do. In Isaiah 65, he offers this comforting promise to all believers, “Before they call, I will answer.”

Mark’s favorite book of the day!

-Fireside Readings (Vol. 3)
Here you will find a collection of great read-aloud stories for your entire family. Diligence, hard work, and trusting God are just a few of the themes you’ll talk about after engaging in Fireside Readings Vol. 3. You’ll see how crucial it is to trust God through times of turmoil, for in His perfect timing God’s purpose will be made clear at last. Filled with answers to prayer that will inspire childlike faith for all ages!

“. . . At proper times, you may allow yourself innocent relaxation; only, never permit sensual pleasure to gain a mastery over your heart. He who lets himself be carried away by the pleasures of sense-even though he be not guilty of overt crime, is yet a slave of his pleasures, and therefore a wicked man. An inordinate inclination for sensual gratifications uproots in our heart the feeling for all that is truly great, beautiful, and good, and makes us unfit for the enjoyment of more noble gratifications” (The Little Lamb, p. 66).
These same admonitions were given by Plato, who urged his audiences to seek that which is good, and true, and beautiful. He warned against allowing our “appetitive parts” to gain mastery over us. Both sin and righteousness can be pleasurable, but the pleasures of sin bring slavery while the pleasure of righteousness brings freedom.

God promises that in His presence there is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore! (Psalm 16:11). I see this truth as one of proximity. The closer you draw to God, the more pleasurable and joy-full are the experiences. The further we drift from the boundaries of His righteousness, the more enslaved we become to the pleasures that numb our senses and rob us of our creativity and productivity.

It is interesting that the word “happy” in the Greek carries the idea of being “happy, blessed, and confined.” Those who are truly happy are those who “confine” themselves within the boundaries of His righteousness.

Mark’s favorite book of the day!

-The Little Lamb
While gathering strawberries, ten-year old Christina finds a shivering lamb that has strayed form its home, and she delights in the thought of caring for it. When confronted with the decision to return it to its rightful owner, her honesty and obedience result in unimagined blessings. Christina learns that even the smallest act of kindness will bring tremendous joy to herself and to others.

When my daughter Jennifer was 19, my name was on her car registration. Because she did not pay a parking ticket a year prior, the penalty was incarceration–for the vehicle owners!

As I read the warrant letter, it suddenly dawned on me that my speaking engagement the next day could have a slight change in venue–I might be speaking in prison! Pondering what to do, I realized that Jennifer just needed to go to the courthouse and pay the fine–immediately!

“Jennifer,” I asked, “did you forget to pay a parking ticket?”

“No” was her response.

“Well, there’s a warrant for our arrest. Tomorrow they are going to come and take us both to jail unless you pay this fine.”

Handing her the paper she looked at it as if it was a joke and said, “Yeah, right.”

Back and forth we went, both convinced that the other was wrong. To make matters worse, Jen looked at me after I demanded that she admit wrong, and said, “Dad, read my lips!” And her mother was backing her!

Realizing that I was facing hostile enemy fire, it was time to retreat. But one thing was certain–I wasn’t going to jail! So I called the number on the warrant and asked if I could come by and pay the ticket.

“Ma’am, I’ll bring a check right down,” I quickly offered. “How much do I owe?”

She said, “Can you give me the violation number again?” I did, and she said, “Sir, there has been some kind of mistake. This ticket was paid for.”

“That’s impossible! Check it again please.”
As I walked back in the house on my knees, I learned a valuable lesson that day. I realized that the real me is who I am when facing personal loss, failure, or shame. Once again I came face to face with the truth that, “Only by pride comes contention, but with the well advised is wisdom” (Proverbs 13:10).

Mark’s favorite book of the day!

-Parable of the Two Millstones
In the home of a rich merchant, two hard heads with fiery tempers abide. Like the age-old story of the Prodigal Son, the distress that comes with stubborn pride gives way to a softening of heart. Though God often leads His children in mysterious paths, it is always for their good. The Parable of the Two Millstones illustrates just how powerful the gift of forgiveness can be.

At a young age, Isaac began to write poetry. His parents quickly saw that this was his particular bent, and they worked to cultivate his skill. But Isaac was a small and sickly child. Even as a young adult, while serving a local congregation, he was often compelled to spend days at a time in his room because of his condition.

According to the author of Boys of Grit Who Changed the World, Isaac Watts observed the boys and girls of his congregation and noted “how fidgety and restless they appeared during the singing of psalms set to impossible tunes. This convinced him that there was great need of hymns that old and young could sing heartily and thoroughly enjoy.”

Watts’ goal was clearly to facilitate the joyful worship of God’s people, for both young and old. I realize that music is a hot button issue for many in the church today. But like Isaac Watts, let’s consider what might facilitate the blended musical enjoyment of both young and old together. In doing so, we will echo the heart of David’s words in Psalm 98:1:
“Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things!”

Mark’s favorite book of the day!

-Boys of Grit Who Changed the World
Did you know that a simple blacksmith mastered twenty foreign languages primarily because he valued every spare moment of his time? Discover the accomplishments of a highly motivated young man whose entrepreneurial spirit started a revolution in manufacturing and labor that has shaped modern-day industry. While some people simply give up when faced with seemingly overwhelming obstacles, these young men did not let difficulties stand in their way. Boys of Grit Who Changed the World presents powerful examples of hope, perseverance, determination, and resolve through such influential men as Walter Scott, Robert Fulton, and Samuel Morse.

Granville Walker once said, “Love is the only cure for irritability; for irritability is only another manifestation of self-centeredness. And love that takes a man outside himself and centers the focus of his attention on the well-being of others is its only cure.”

One of my mentors, Francois Fenelon of the 17th century, wrote in his book Let Go:

“The Great Physician who sees in you what you cannot see, knows exactly where to place the knife; He cuts swift and deep into your innermost being exposing you for who you really are; but pain is only felt where there is life and where there is life is just the place where death is needed most. Except a grain of wheat fall into the ground and die it abides alone but if it dies it brings forth much fruit.”

The next time you’re around a miserable person, follow the path that the Apostle Paul outlined for us in Romans 12:

“Bless them that persecute you; bless and curse not.”

“Be not overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.”

Mark’s favorite book of the day!

-Let Go
Written in the 17th century, Let Go is an excellent devotional to encourage and challenge you in your daily walk.

In a Pinewood Derby, wooden cars race down a ramp in an elimination-style competition. You keep racing as long as you win. And quite unexpectedly “Blue Lightning” kept winning, over and over again, until it was pitted in a final contest against the sleekest, fastest-looking car there.
At that moment Gilbert asked if he could pray. His brow wrinkled in concentration, he prayed for a very long minute and a half. Finally he smiled and said, “I’m ready.”

To everyone’s surprise, “Blue Lightning” won by a nose, and the crowd roared with approval. The scout master approached with a microphone and asked, “Did you pray to win, son?” Little Gilbert shook his head. “No sir. That wouldn’t be fair. I asked God to not let me cry if I lost.” That simple prayer spoke volumes to everyone present. Gilbert didn’t ask God to win, make things fair, or remove his pain. He simply prayed to endure it.

How well Gilbert understood the promise of Philippians 4:13 – “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength,” or the promise of James 4, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to consume it on your passions . . . But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’”

Mark’s favorite book of the day!

-Challenge at Runaway Brook
Kitty Brown’s city cousins come to spend the summer with her in the country. Fun-filled days of berry picking and exploration bring delight as they discover God’s loving care in all of creation. But Charley’s selfishness gets in the way, and their eagerly anticipated fishing trip is ruined! What will it take for him to finally realize that it is always best to obey? Challenge at Runaway Brook is a delightful story to enjoy while learning life-long lessons together.

Now, thirty years later, I still pray the prayer that I found in that first book on the life of D.L. Moody: “The world has not seen what God can do through one man wholly committed unto him; I pray I be that man.” Next was George Mueller, who trusted God for countless orphans; what Moody did on his feet, Mueller did on his knees.

Amy Carmichael risked her life to stop teenage prostitution in India, and Gladys Aylward gave her life to care for Chinese orphans. I will never forget the pages that describe her defiance when faced with the insurmountable obstacles of the Japanese and Chinese armies that blocked her passage to water. She was threatened that she and the children would be killed. But not this day–she bravely held on to the promises of God, “MY God shall fight for me!” And He did! It is recorded that both armies fled in opposite directions. When you’re surrounded by angels with swords drawn, it is best that you get out of the way!

What a profound influence role models can have on our lives! You see, “You’ll be the same five years from now as you are today, except for the people you meet and the books you read.” With a renewed mind and redeemed passions, we can experience what the Apostle Paul so poignantly expressed to the Ephesians: God will do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask or think!

First, do the next thing, and do it well. Sometimes, this means doing the unexpected. With only 12 credit hours standing between me and college graduation, for example, I switched my major one last time–this was the 7th time! I had just given my life to Jesus Christ and without question, I knew that I was supposed to switch from a business major to an education major. Though I would have to take courses for another two years, I was excited to move forward regardless of the cost.

Speaking of cost, sometimes we need to work extra hard for a time in order to avoid being enslaved down the road. There is a psychological weight one has to carry when work becomes a means to pay off school loans rather than doing what you love and loving what you do.

Finally, strive for excellence in every moment, even if you aren’t enjoying a particular assignment. I still remember the advice my college calculus professor gave on the first day of class, “Those who studied one hour a night,” he said, “would likely receive a C or D, 2 hours of studying would in all probability receive a B, and those who studied 3 hours a day or more would likely earn an A.” Could it be that simple? There’s nothing simple about calculus, especially since I failed it in high school. So I followed my professor’s advice and, to my utter surprise, landed my first A! Do I use calculus today? Absolutely not! But I do use the principles of discipline and perseverance.

In 2 Peter 1 we read, “Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.” The word “add” in the Greek carries the idea of adding at one’s own expense. If you’re willing to pay a price, you can be sure there will be a reward in the end.

Important Resources for Today:
-Willy’s Trunk: Willy just doesn’t know what to think about this large wooden trunk before him. Everyone thought the inheritance left by wealthy Mrs. Lambton would be worth millions, but when the old trunk is opened, Willy can’t believe what he sees. Wait ’til you discover the unexpected treasure that Willy really uncovers!

In the 2nd chapter of Exodus, we learn how the mother of Moses took extraordinary risks to protect her infant son. No matter what she did, the boy had little chance of survival. Can we even imagine the courage she must have had to carry out such an act?

This Old Testament account illustrates how a mother’s faith and actions can be the most powerful and redeeming influences upon a child’s life. Obviously fathers have an impact as well. But not enough can be said about the role of a godly mom.

The Apostle Paul shared this perspective in 1st Timothy 2:15 when he said,
“Women will be saved through childbearing –if they continue in faith, love and holiness with self control.”

In other words, mothers who have a redemptive influence upon their children also have a redemptive influence upon the culture and the world. As the result of one mother’s courageous faith, her son was able to bring redemption to his own family and an entire nation.

A mother’s faith and influence are part of the miraculous redemptive process used by God. Though sin entered the world through a woman, it can be overcome through the faith of a mother. Although Jesus Christ is our ultimate salvation, a mother’s faith and influence upon her children may be the instrument God uses to deliver a nation.

I love fishing, but I hate cleaning the fish afterwards! Many times I have brought my stringer-full home only to carve up the first few and then convince myself that the reward was not worth the work. Cleaning fish takes a long time, and I am usually left frustrated, with an unappetizing pile of guts, scales, and bones. Once the guts and scales are disposed, then you have to flour and fry them and clean up another mess of an oily kitchen!

Recently I went ice fishing with friends, and together we caught 75 fish! The thought of cleaning them almost put me over the edge, but my friend Charlie was with us. With his razor-sharp knife, he cut quickly and skillfully, resulting in a perfect filet – with no bones, no scales, no guts, and no mess!

Within moments the tender filets were floured, sizzling in the frying pan. The substance of our catch was indeed precious!

In Proverbs, Solomon describes the slothful person who neglects to roast that which he hunted; as a result he does not enjoy the fruit of his labors. In contrast, the hunt of the diligent person is indeed a thrill, and to eat the fruit of his labors brings total satisfaction. He never just hangs his trophy in a tree only to come back the next day to realize the meat is spoiled. The diligent person applies his skill from the beginning to the end; he catches, cleans, and cooks his game and finds that his “substance” is precious.

Many of life’s goals can be fulfilled if we work diligently to sharpen our skills. The sharper the skill, the greater the joy and fulfillment.