“Our Daily Bread”   

http://odb.org/2012/11/04/six-word-testimony/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie                                  

http://www.harvest.org/devotional/daily-devotions/home.ht 

Over 3 years ago, just after I started writing my daily thoughts, I came across this web site written by an elderly gentleman named Robert W. VanHoose, Sr.    I asked him for his permission to post his writing when I needed to fill in for a day every now and then, and he was honored that I would share his writing…

As I said a few weeks ago, I was taking one day a week off to spend with family; so I am posting Robert’s writing from a few years ago…   Here is the link for his home page for those interested in bookmarking his writing…        http://www.homilygrits.com/index.html

 
. In J Read Psalm 91, Psalm 84      

“But For….”

   “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

     It is so easy to take God for granted.  We often seem to go through life whining and complaining about “minors” without even giving a thought to all of the unseen and unknown “majors” from which God has spared and shielded us

     It is only when we come upon someone experiencing a really terrible illness, circumstance, or experience that the Holy Spirit reminds us that there “But For” the grace of God go I.”  Like the man who cried because he had no shoes until he saw a man who had no feet, we need to view the misfortunes of others with not only sympathy and compassion, but also with thanksgiving and praise to God that we have been spared such a fate.

     I thank God continually that by His grace, I have been shielded and spared so many of the heartaches and tragedies I see all around me.  I think that maybe God knows how weak I really am, and in His mercy and love shields me from things He knows I am not strong enough to handle.

     When we think of all the things we have been spared by the grace of God, we should be humbled and ashamed that we would ever dare complain about anything.

    Father, keep me ever mindful of your tender mercy and loving kindness shielding me from so many of the tragedies and suffering I see all around me, and forgive me for taking all of my blessings for granted.   In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Robert W. VanHoose, Sr.