Exhort one another every day. – Hebrews 3:13
Clara Barton was a schoolteacher who moved to Washington, D.C. at the outbreak of the Civil War. Clara began volunteering to distribute relief supplies to wounded soldiers. At the request of President Lincoln, she aided for nearly four years in searching for missing soldiers. Clara was present at some of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. She visited Chatham, known as Lacy House, in early August 1862, bringing food and hospital supplies to help “her boys.”
Clara helped care for the wounded soldiers of both sides that were brought into the house. On December 13, the day of the heaviest fighting, Clara was in the doorway of the Lacy House when an exploding shell severed a soldier’s artery. She applied the tourniquet that saved his life. Clara saw “hundreds of the worst wounded men I have ever seen” occupying every room of the house. A Union provost marshal thought she was a civilian and volunteered to escort her to safety while crossing the river, she looked at the thousands of Union soldiers and politely declined the offer saying she was the best-protected woman in the world.
Clara eventually established the American Red Cross Society and served as its head until 1904.
Sometimes it can be challenging to see God in the circumstances. But keep your relationship with Him strong through prayer and reading His Word. Remember also that many people are going through spiritual battles. Reach out and encourage others to fully trust in Jesus so they may see the fulfillment of His promises. Most important, pray for them. Pray also that your leaders on Capitol Hill would seek the Lord during these challenging times.
Today’s Verse: Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
