Ixtheus Christian Devotionals

HEALING THE WOUNDS OF OTHERS 
by Helen Steiner Rice 

Let me not live a life that's free 
From the things that draw me close to Thee, 
For how can I ever hope to heal 
The wounds of others I do not feel--- 

If my eyes are dry and I never weep, 
If my heart is cold and it never bleeds, 
How can I tell what my brother needs, 

For when ears are deaf to the beggar's pleas, 
And we close our eyes and refuse to see, 
And we steel our hearts and harden our mind, 
And we count it a weakness whenever we're kind, 
We are no longer following the Father's way, 
Or seeking His guidance from day to day-- 

For without crosses to carry and burdens to bear, 
We dance through a life that is frothy and fair, 
And "chasing the rainbow" we have no desire 
For roads that are rough and realms that are higher-- 

So spare me no heartache or sorrow, dear Lord, 
For the heart that is hurt reaps the richest reward, 
And God enters the heart that is broken in sorrow 
As He opens the door to a brighter tomorrow, 

For only through tears can we recognize 
The suffering that lies in another's eyes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

What a wonderful God we have--
He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy,
 {4} and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us 
in our hardships and trials. 

And why does he do this? 
So that when others are troubled, 
needing our sympathy and encouragement,
 we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.

 {5} You can be sure that the more we undergo sufferings for Christ,
 the more he will shower us with his comfort and encouragement.
2 Cor 1:3-5 (TLB) 

-----------------

So there is a full complete rest still waiting for the people of God.
 {10} Christ has already entered there. 
He is resting from his work, just as God did after the creation.
 {11} Let us do our best to go into that place of rest, too, 
being careful not to disobey God 
as the children of Israel did, thus failing to get in. 

{12} For whatever God says to us is full of living power:
 it is sharper than the sharpest dagger, 
cutting swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires
 with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are.

 {13} He knows about everyone, everywhere.
 Everything about us is bare and wide open 
to the all-seeing eyes of our living God; 
nothing can be hidden from him 
to whom we must explain all that we have done.

 {14} But Jesus the Son of God is our great High Priest 
who has gone to heaven itself to help us; 
therefore let us never stop trusting him. 

{15} This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses 
since he had the same temptations we do, 
though he never once gave way to them and sinned. 

{16} So let us come boldly to the very throne of God 
and stay there to receive his mercy 
and to find grace to help us in our times of need.
Heb 4:9-16 (TLB) 

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, 
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psa 66:16 (KJV) 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN DEVOTIONALS 
ALWAYS FREE OF CHARGE
(but not necessarily  free of COST)
feel free to redistribute these materials to whomever you want...
be careful to observe copyright information where appropriate...
for questions, comments, help or suggestions, or subscriptions, contact us at
 ixtheus@execpc.com

Visit my evangelistic presentation at...
http://www.execpc.com/~ixtheus

God Bless You.....brother bob.......<><

If you have comments or questions, email me at ixtheus@execpc.com