DAILY DEVOTIONALS

Read the loving and inspiration words of the bible as chosen by Joni Eareckson Tada in this amazing collection of devotionals sent to you daily via email.


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But this precious treasure -- this light and power that now shine within us -- is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own.
— 2 Corinthians 4:7, TLBI was Spring-cleaning with a friend the other day. While reaching into the recesses of the cupboard, she accidentally dropped a cup. It didn't shatter, but the fall to the counter was enough to cause a crack. I wondered whether to save it, but in the end decided to trash it.

God, on the other hand, saves broken cups. In fact, broken vessels are often his most useful tools. The verse for today reads like his fix-it manual. It tells us God pours his treasure into fragile vessels that are prone to shatter. That way everyone will know God is doing the "living" in us.

A broken neck has taught me this. But so has a broken heart. At times, whether in my paralysis pain or emotional pain, I have gone to God and sighed, "I give up. I can't do anything right. I have no idea how to pull myself out of this mess." The world would say, "Yep, you're useless." The devil would say, "Told you so." But God says, "I've been waiting for you to come to Me in your brokenness. Here, let Me heal you. You need My help; for without Me, you can do nothing."

What’s more, Psalm 51:17 tells us God will only use a life that is broken: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

Don't be ashamed of being shattered. God is looking for broken vessels like you through whom he can showcase his splendor. Remember, when it comes to God's grace, even broken cups can be filled to overflowing.

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Thank you, God, for not throwing away my broken life but treasuring it and redeeming it. Use my brokenness to help others.

Tomorrow's Devotional

After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
— John 13:5I'm a little self-conscious about my wheelchair. Don't get me wrong; I've adjusted to it. But I have this thing about dressing up in nice slacks, a pretty blouse, and earrings -- and then sitting in a wheelchair that has dust on the motor casing, greasy dirt on the drive belt, or grimy fingerprints on the power box. And believe me, my wheelchair collects dust. In fact, before I enter somebody's house, I don't wipe my feet, I wipe my wheels.

It's good to keep dust from accumulating. Jesus made a point of this when he washed the dust off the disciples' feet. If you'll recall, the disciples protested at first. But Jesus reminded them that unless He washed their feet, they could have no part with Him. The Lord went on to explain that a person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet since the rest of him is clean.

As Christians, you and I have been made clean by our salvation. Yet we can't help but gather dust from walking around in a world dirtied by sin. It’s a fact: your soul gets dusty. If we don't watch it, the dust builds up into a layer of dirt. (I’m reminded of this when Ken has to clean some of my wheelchair “dust” with a scouring pad and 409). In the same way, I need to keep after my soul.

What about you? Stop and make a quick inspection. Do the bottoms of your shoes look as if you have tracked through a quarry? Well, you wouldn't think twice about wiping your feet before entering someone's home. Please show as much concern today about the dust on your soul.

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Lord Jesus, wash me clean as I confess my lazy attitude. Show me the places in my life that have accumulated dust that you are eager to polish up.