Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
MONDAY, August 3
Mark 8:11-21. Do you not yet understand?
Jesus is perplexed and dismayed with his disciples. He has recently fed thousands of people with meager amounts of bread--on one occasion five loaves for five thousand and on another seven loaves for four thousand. And now, as they put out in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples anxiously complain that no one remembered to bring any bread aboard. "What part of God's abundance don't you understand?" Jesus asks.
Truth be told, I am too frequently in the boat with the disciples. I'm more focused on the problems at hand than the promises that await. I'm too worried about the cares and concerns of this life and too forgetful of God's loving providence that sustains me every minute. I'm too ready to pack my own spiritual survival kit, not trusting God's grace.
Jesus spent his entire ministry demonstrating God's love, God's healing, God's mercy, and God's abundant passion for us. Do you not yet understand?
God not only says: "You are my Beloved." God also asks: "Do you love me?" and offers us countless chances to say "Yes."
-Henri Nouwen
PRAY for the Diocese of Rockhampton (Queensland, Australia)
Ps 80 * 77, [79]; 2 Samuel 7:1-17; Acts 18:1-11
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
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