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Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30 am EDT.
The bright, cheerful-looking marigolds have long been one of my favorite annuals. They bloom in my area from May through October in just about any soil or situation. In the fall, when I clean up my vegetable garden, I scatter the marigold seeds around; and up they come in the spring. They rid the soil of nematodes and Mexican bean beetles, and various harmful insects dislike them.
I’ve heard that dried marigold petals can make a tea that settles nerves and helps a person to sleep if taken an hour before bedtime. They can be used to flavor salads, omelets, hamburger, and stuffing, and with roasts, beef, and chicken. They are said to kill certain germs in the body. Mixed with Vaseline or cold cream, they make a salve for wounds.
As I think of the protective qualities of this hardy plant, I’m reminded of the solicitude the Apostle Paul had for his fellow Christians. He wrote to the Christians at Rome, “I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to make you strong” (Romans 1:11). Paul cared about their sorrows and burdens; he earnestly desired that they would be knit together in love and come to know and experience the riches of God.
How our fellow Christians today need that same care shown to them! So many have fallen away from the Lord for one reason or another. Many of their marriages, their homes have fallen apart. Our young people today, as well as adults, are assaulted by temptations and mind defilers that many of us of the older generation never dreamed of, because in former times society as a whole upheld certain moral values.
Do we care what happens to our fellow Christians? In my counseling I have heard many tales of how badly lives, marriage, and children have been hurt in such cases. If we can just help one person keep from going astray, or help one come back to the Lord, we might save a world of misery, or we might even save a life.
If you have not been a marigold type of Christian up to now–one, that is, who is caring and protective of your brothers and sisters in Christ–why not ask the Lord to lay on your heart someone who may need your solicitude and help?
We can not only help those who have fallen away, but also those who need comfort, encouragement and physical or spiritual aid. Oh, how we need more marigold Christians! Joy fills a marigold Christian’s heart like a sunbeam and shines its light into the hearts of those who need it.
Questions: Is there someone in your life that you could give some encouragement and comfort to? Tell us about a time when someone took the time to comfort you when you were in suffering.
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Dear Sisters–To me it is a tremendous joy to have the privilege of comforting and encouraging so many troubled people through my articles and “Dr. Muriel” counseling for Power To Change e-zines and chatrooms. I believe that every one of God’s children can have that privilege in their own area of outreach, for there are hurting people all around us. Love, peace, and joy in Jesus.:)
Sorry everyone “imagine”
Thank you Dr. Muriel…a timely message. My father-in-law passed away on Tuesday and as you can image there are many family members who need encouragement and comfort. His funeral is on Monday. Sisters, please pray for our family during this very sad time. Praising God for the hope we have in Jesus. Love to you all, Donna
Dear Muriel, This is such a heart touching devotional for me this very day! Been trying my best to be a light of hope for my new boss whom is struggling big time with his failing buisiness…i know that he is a christian and my heart goes out for him, his family and his buisness…it has been very tough working there these past two months but I hang on in hopes of seeing him thorugh…he nearly brought me to tears today and i so much wanted to wuit but only by the GRACE of God I stayed and still did the best job I could for him….In return, when I stopped to have lunch at work and opened up my sandwitch i found a note tucked in it from my husband. It said: Hi, I said a little prayer for you today, it will turn out to be a good day. God will not let us down. You are so loved…
As I try to reach out to help my boss…my dear husband is a blessing and light unto me, knowing that my position at work is not an easy one at this present time..
My boss was like sandpaper to me this day…yet my husband was like a piece of velvet…without such….I’d be totaly weary from trying to help others.
What a PRECIOUS devotional today! The words TRULY enouraged my heart and bore witness to all I believe as a child of God as well. May the Lord help us, with the eyes of our HEART to reach, even one, yes, even ONE. What joy we DO have when we reach out and keep someone from the fire. Lord, have YOUR way in hearts today!! We want to bless and be marigolds for YOUR cause! :)