Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.

Of course, we all know to read the label and follow the directions. But I keep discovering new ways this rule applies. After years of bearing well, my muscadine grapes began, as the Bible describes it, "casting their fruit." This was a major disaster as not only did we and our friends enjoy the fruit, Dene made the only true grape jelly I ever ate. Commercial grape jelly is primarily sweet and only slightly grape. So the county agent came and said it might be Boron deficiency. I immediately ordered some from Amazon and began applying it. The next year, the vines only cast a few grapes so I was eager to continue the program. But, sometime over the winter, my brain sparked across a dried up synapse and I thought to read the label on that laundry staple 20 Mule Team Borax and found it was a boron compound! And guess how much cheaper it is than boron? Then there was Oxyclean Bathroom Cleaner. Did you know that it is ordinary hydrogen peroxide? I can buy a lot of that for the same price and reuse their sprayer. Be careful, not all Oxyclean products are just peroxide, read the label!

So, when Jesus picks you up and reads the label, what ingredients will he see? Will "other ingredients" be the highest percentage? When we introspectively examine ourselves, sometimes we list ingredients that Jesus is not looking for. Surely you have noticed that in the judgment scene where he separates the sheep and the goats, not one of the ingredients had to do with right church or right worship?  In fact, it seems that even religious works and deeds count for little (Mt 25:31-46; 7:22; James 1:27).

So, we go to the right church that does Bible things in Bible ways and we even manage to pray more than at meals and study our Bible some. Those things are not high on the list. They are "other ingredients" to build us up and strengthen us so that our faith will lead us to fill ourselves up with God. Worship is whom you become, not what you do (Gal 2:20).

Thus says Jehovah, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glories, glory in this, that he hath understanding, and knows me, that I am Jehovah who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness, in the earth: for IN THESE THINGS I DELIGHT, SAYS JEHOVAH (Jer 9:23-24). Knowing God has more to do with who you are than the religious stuff you do, "Did not thy father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? then it was well with him. HE JUDGED THE CAUSE OF THE POOR AND NEEDY; THEN IT WAS WELL. WAS NOT THIS TO KNOW ME? Says Jehovah (Jer22:15-16).
When Jesus reads your label, will it say, "sports, video games, TV bingeing, recreation, vacation…but he went to church."?

Or will it say, "lovingkindness, justice, righteousness, cared for the poor and needy"?
 
But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death no more hath dominion over him. For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he lives, he lives unto God. Even so you reckon yourselves also to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey the lusts thereof: neither present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Rom 6:8-13)

Keith Ward

Today's post is by guest writer Joanne Beckley.

1Corinthians 7:17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one (man, woman, slave, free, Jew, Gentile, etc), as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And thus I direct in all the churches.
 
Throughout my school years I began to recognize that my classmates would look at me when something needed to be said or done. I didn’t know why, and it was scary to think I would have to stick my neck out and be their leader. By hook or crook I led, but it was never easy, and when I failed, I was at a loss as to why the failure. I then began to realize my father and mother were teaching me by example that it wouldn’t get any easier the longer I lived unless I considered the needs of others, and not my own. No wonder they hammered into me that character must be developed, but only with God’s help. If I won or failed in my leadership, it would rest on my character.
Romans 5:3,4 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope.
 
Leadership is the ability to guide, influence, or motivate others to achieve a goal. It is not suddenly bestowed on untried men or women. Only when approved character and a willingness to lead is recognized will a person be appointed to be a leader. When I read Numbers 32:28, it caused me to think of the past history of Joshua and Phinehas and how they developed into being God’s chosen instruments to lead His people into the Promised Land.
 
Joshua (Hoshea) the son of Nun is first mentioned in Exodus 17 in leading the Israelites slaves in their fight against the Amalekites. Only a month had passed since leaving Egypt and he had these men become a force to be reckoned with! At Mt Sinai he accompanied Moses to the mountain (Exodus 24,32). As a young man, he would serve Moses in whatever way he could (Exodus 33:10), and was jealous (mistakenly) for Moses’ ability to prophesy (Numbers 11). At Kadesh-barnea, he and Caleb expressed full confidence in God, exhorting the multitude to remain faithful (Numbers 13). 40 years later, just before Moses died, Joshua was given the spirit of wisdom and was commissioned to lead the Israelites in conquering the land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 34:9). His faith, his commitment to God, and his loyalty to Moses was conspicuous and unswerving. As Moses’ successor, he faithfully acted upon his principles. He was a brave and competent general, wise in the fight.
 
Phinehas son of Eleazar, was a grandson of Aaron, chief of Korahite Levites (1Ch 9:20). In Numbers 25 Phinehas is first mentioned when he took a leading part in cleansing Israel from whoredom at Shittim before the Israelites entered Canaan. His strong action is also referred to in Ps 106:30,31. His faithful services were secured to his house in the succession of the priesthood (Nu 26:11). Before Moses died, he became high priest and helped Joshua in conquering Canaan. He went on to inquire into the reported idolatry of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh (Josh 22), and delivered the decision to fight the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 20:28). His character was marked with strong moral indignation and fine integrity.
 
So, what qualities should a man or woman exhibit in becoming a leader for God? No matter whether this leadership is found in the work place, in the church, or in the home, there are certain characteristics that must be present if that leader is to be pleasing to God.
 
1. Integrity. A leader with integrity draws on his values to guide his decisions, his behavior, and his dealings with others. He has clear convictions about what is right and wrong and is respected for being genuine and consistent. He has a strong sense of character, keeps his promises, and communicates openly, honestly and directly with others.
Col 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
 
2. Willing to make hard decisions. When facing a tough decision, a leader must start by determining what he is trying to achieve. He must consider the likely consequences and recognize possible alternatives. He must then make his final decision with conviction, take responsibility for it, and follow it through.
Romans 11:20b You stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but in awe (of God).
 
3. Encourage others to be leaders. A good leader will recognize courage and passion in others. He will demonstrate his confidence in others to develop their own leadership qualities. He will promote commitment in their desire to become leaders.
1Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.
 
Leadership can be seen in your example of being a faithful servant of Christ. A leader is recognized when you see a need and wisely act upon it, encouraging others to share in providing a solution. A good leader will be willing to teach the gospel, especially on a one-to-one basis. Indeed, you can be a leader for the Lord.
 
Joanne Beckley

Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.

Ezra 7 is a fairly innocuous chapter. If you aren’t careful you miss something amazing.  
            We are introduced to Ezra, a potential priest descended from Aaron.  He is a scribe of the Law.  He has requested of the king, through proper channels apparently, the right to lead a group of people back to Jerusalem.  King Artaxerxes grants Ezra's request and then some, giving money to Ezra so he could buy the needed goods to make sacrifices on the king’s behalf, giving gifts to the temple for its service, designating a drawing account Ezra can use to beautify the temple, exempting the priests and temple workers from taxes, and finally designating Ezra a sort of minor governor with the ability to enforce the law, both God's and the king's, up to using the death penalty. Notice, this was a pagan king who was showing so much interest and support in Ezra’s mission. 
            Ezra must have been blown away at the favor the king showed him, but all in all, it was a fairly common occurrence.  A minor functionary makes a request through channels to the king and gets a favorable response.  No big deal.
             Except for the fact that God is credited at every step.
            As we read through the chapter, we would expect to see prophets proclaiming the word of the Lord or interpreting dreams, right?  Or maybe Ezra performed miracles to convince the king.  Surely a hand wrote upon the wall.  No, none of these things happened.  God used nothing miraculous or spectacular to gain all this favor and help for His children.  As far as worldly people were concerned this was a completely normal, straightforward event.
            Yet in verse 6 we are told that "the king granted him all his request according to the hand of Jehovah, [Ezra’s] God upon him."  And the trip back to Jerusalem was quick and easy because of "the good hand of his God upon him." (vs 9).  And Ezra had the strength to see all this through because he "was strengthened according to the hand of Jehovah my God upon me," (vs 28).  God, without doing anything miraculous, caused all these things to happen.  He was working for the betterment of His people all through this chapter while staying behind the scenes.
            Does God work miracles today?  We know He doesn't. Does He send prophets? No.  Does He work in our lives? Absolutely, yes, just as He worked behind the scenes to help Ezra get everything he needed.  Can He really affect the world positively for us without miracles? Well, look at what He did for Ezra.  Ezra wouldn't have dreamed of asking for half of what the king gave him, but God was on Ezra's side.
            God is working for us in the same way. We just need to trust him, just like Ezra did, and with no more evidence than Ezra had.  We just need to remember who is on our side, and believe it.
 
Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king, to beautify the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem, and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the LORD my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me. ..The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. Ezra 7:27-28;  Proverbs 21:1.
 
Lucas Ward

Today's post is by guest writer Joanne Beckley.

Submission is a gift. A husband can have no greater help or hindrance than what his wife gives or withholds from him. It was once said, “The woman is the guardian of love; the man is the guardian of authority.” It takes all the strength, intelligence, and imagination and love that a woman has to be a helper suitable for her husband. OR, she can be like a gold ring in a swine’s snout (Prov.11:22), without discretion and of no value to her husband.
 
Do your recognize yourself in any of the following actions toward your husband? What are you going to do about it? Do you . . .
Disguise belittling with humor
Complain to a friend
Use long silences to punish
Mentally rehearse his faults
Take matters into your own hands
Argue to force the “right” decision
Become irritated or impatient
Use sex as a weapon of leverage
Go on a shopping spree
Call Momma
Use tears to intimidate
Pretend to be sick to manipulate
Use compliments to get whatever
Criticize decisions made
Dominate the conversation
Say, “I told you so.”
Yell or throw things
Correct minute details in his stories to belittle him
Preach/ harangue
Each of these actions represents domination – and we may not have realized it at the time. Submission is not present – nor is a meek and quiet spirit! A contentious wife can literally undermine her husband’s health. She saps his emotional strength, undermines his ambition, and destroys his chance to lead his home as God wants of him.
 
We wives have choices. Our husbands cannot make them for us. By marrying, every husband has gambled and placed his emotional welfare and his manhood in the hands of his wife. What shall we be to our husbands? a crown? or rottenness to his bones? (Prov.12:4)
 
John Clark, in his series on Marriage, likes to compare marriage to a triangle which requires pushing out toward each named corner – conscientiousness, consistency and constancy. Marriage cannot please God when its greatest killer, selfishness, is present. Two empty containers cannot fill one another. Fill one and then share with the other until both are filled.
 
We need to discuss the abused wife. Who is she? Does she have a scriptural right to leave her husband when adultery is not present? The husband, who loved her so much and treated her like a queen before marriage, may begin to physically abuse or to play a verbal “cutting” game to see how much he can make her bleed. Both are condemned by God (Eph.5:28-29 specifically).
 
Submission to such a man is exceedingly difficult. God has given her tools to work with:
a.    A meek (remember the definition?) and quiet spirit, which includes a quiet self-respect because she knows she is following God,
b.    The confidence in the great value God places on her,
c.    Brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage her, and
d.    Elders in the church to discipline a sinful brother. BUT,
e.    She must be willing to seek help! Denial and silence are Satan’s tools.
 
Questions that need to be answered:
1.    At what point should a wife no longer “protect” their marital privacy?
2.    Could battering in some cases be prevented if a wife humbly addresses all sin in her marriage (Mt.18:15-17) and seeks help quickly to solve marital problems before serious abuse develops?
3.    Do wives have the right to use civil law, (battery is a felony), an avenue God has provided for mankind? Does 1 Cor.6:1-4 come into play here?
4.    Does Christ ever ask us to support another in his sin? Is she doing this by remaining in a situation, (e.g. the home), where he feels free to abuse her?
5.    What principles does a wife need to consider, if her husband is also abusing the children?
6.    Can an abused wife leave her husband?  
7.    When life is threatened, do other principles of God come into play? Consider Mark 3:4; Gen.9:5,6; Luke 14:26-27 in light of this question.
 
In working through these thorny issues, consider Jesus and how He dealt with persecution. These are some of the principles we as wives need to consider: The treatment He received did not determine Christ’s reaction. God was always present in every action. Christ was never alone. The ultimate goal was worth the cost.
 
I cannot answer for a battered wife’s convictions. SHE will make her choices and stand by them. May God bless her in her decisions to do what is right. She is an incredibly courageous woman. The rest of us? We must reach out to the victim and believe her. Love shares pain and love supports her search for what is best in the sight of God.
 
A strong reminder: Culture in itself cannot influence a couple’s marriage in a harmful way without their consent. It is how one responds to cultural pressures that determines whether the marriage is harmed or strengthened. Likewise, the congregation where you attend cannot influence you as a couple without your consent. Decisions among brethren are being made today that are affecting marriages.
 
Marriage is the ONLY way God has provided to fulfill a person’s need for deep companionship. Rejoice in your marriage!
 
“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Pet.3:18).
 
Joanne Beckley

Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.

I took Judah to the beach.  It was a green flag day (in other words, a safe one, though open water always carries dangers) and we were body surfing along the shore.  I noticed someone further out, but thought nothing of it at first as a lot of people like to go out beyond the breakers and just float, including myself.  Gradually, I noticed that she seemed to be struggling and someone was calling to her from the shore.  "Are you OK?" I yelled.  "I can't touch," she responded.  I turned to Judah and told him to stay by the shore and then swam out to the young woman.  "Can you swim?" I asked.  "No, and my arms are getting tired," she replied.  To her credit though scared, she wasn't panicking.  "It's all right, almost everyone can float.  Just relax and we'll see about getting you back in."  I put my arm around her waist and began side-stroking back to shore. 
 
I glanced at the lifeguard station and saw that they had finally noticed that something was wrong.  One of the two was hopping down from the tower and starting out with a flotation device.  "OK, the lifeguard is on the way.  All we have to do is keep your head above water till they get here."  "OK," she responded.  By the time the lifeguard got to us, I had the woman almost all the way in.  He had her grab the flotation device and asked me, "Are you OK, sir?"  I said yes, and swam back to Judah.  We kept body surfing for another half-hour.  
 
The reason I told that story is not to brag (OK, maybe just a little), but because of the fact that I am not a lifeguard.  I am not a lifeguard, but I saw someone in trouble when the lifeguards were distracted by the hundreds of others in the water, and I went to help her.  It is possible she would have drowned before the official guards saw her.  The church, as a family, is supposed to be looking out for one another.  Yes, we have "lifeguards" in the form of elders and preachers.  Those guards are often busy with all the others "in the water" and might not see the one struggling Christian that you are aware of.  Don't wait for the elders or the preacher to notice.  Do something.  How many passages might we cite? 
 
Gal. 6:1,2  "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. . . Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."  Luke 17:3  "Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him."   Heb. 10:24  "and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works"
 
I'm sure a few minutes with a search engine would bring up a dozen more.  If your brother or sister is struggling, do something.  Maybe the best thing you can do is alert the "lifeguard" rather than swimming out yourself, but do something.  Don't allow your brother to drown while you watch, waiting for someone else to act.  
 
Jude 22-23  "And on some have mercy, who are in doubt; and some save, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
 
 
Lucas Ward

Today's post is by guest writer Joanne Beckley.

Leviticus 19:18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.
 
All of the following can be true of you or me. Please take time to read and consider.
 
Simmering Anger (bearing a grudge) is fed by emotions. Your mind has forgiven a wrong done. You have said the right words, but your heart continues to feed on your hurt. Why? In truth, full forgiveness continues to be withheld. No longer do you feel close to that sister or brother in Christ, and those feelings are destroying any trust toward that person. The days and years go by but simmering anger and remembered hurt is still there. Sadly, by now, only you are suffering.
                                                            
When a person does not let go of real or imagined hurt, repeated, unrealistic, negative thoughts and speech will begin to develop. There will always be a suspicion or the conviction that someone is going to hurt you. And so someone does...and again, another does. Hurt upon hurt, real or imagined, will be fed by a broken angry heart. It is happening and you feel friendless and isolated. Your vision of all reality becomes darkened, like the drop of ink that discolors the entire glass of water.
 
Thankfully, God believes and knows your heart and mind can again begin to beat in the united way He has intended. One can indeed completely let go of self, repent, and then truly forgive and forget. Look upward and let God heal a simmering angry heart.
 
Eph 2:2-6 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly [places,] in Christ Jesus,

Ask yourself:
Is my anger based on assuming the best motives?
Is it driven by spiritual concern for others?
Am I grieving in unrighteousness for others and trying to remedy?
Can I trust God to heal me? To no longer live as a child of wrath?
 
 
Letting go of simmering anger is a matter of choice. I will choose to let go!! I will refuse to mentally rehearse past hurts. I will actively seek to heal any breach between us. I will learn again the joy found in loving my brothers and sisters in Christ so that we will be alive together with Christ.
 
Eph 4:1-3, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
 
Eph 4:26 Be angry yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
 
Ps 4:4-5 Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the LORD.
 
Eph 4:31-32 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
 
Col 3:12-14 And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things [put on] love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

Joanne Beckley

Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.

God, seated on the throne, held out a book sealed with seven seals (Rev 5). No one on earth, in the heavens, or under the earth was found worthy to open the seals.  Worthy implies the power and authority to execute the purposes written in the book. One of the elders told John to stop weeping that none was found, for the "lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David" had overcome to open the book. The expression "no one was found" implies a search – they did "search through heaven to find a savior." This search was symbolic in John's vision to emphasize that no one was able except Jesus. But, how did Jesus conquer Satan and sin and death? When John turned to see a Lion, he saw a "Lamb slaughtered," but standing alive (resurrected). Opening the seals does not refer to salvation through the cross, for the Lamb was already slain and raised and stood at the throne of God. For now let the seals remain a mystery and know that Jesus accomplished God's plan to save man by suffering. He suffered all his life at the hands of the chief priests, rulers and Pharisees. Finally, he suffered the horrific death of the cross. Jesus is our slaughtered Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7).  Suffering is God's way of conquering. The suffering saints in the arena, on crosses, burning as torches at parties conquered the Roman Empire (Revelation).

The disciples rejoiced to suffer (Acts 5:41). Peter urged Christians to follow Jesus' example of suffering and His attitude of not reviling. In fact, this IS our calling (1 Pet 2:21). We should "not think it strange" that we suffer, but bear it like Jesus and show our faith to the world (1Pet 4:12).

We are called to present our bodies a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1-2). We, too, are to be slaughtered lambs, having hope in the same resurrection. Whether by persecution, disease, famine, nakedness, peril or sword, we must imitate Jesus.

Are we dodging the bullet of suffering by softening the message, a gospel that offends none? Do we keep quiet when subjects come up in society that might cause our rejection, even job loss? I do know that many (most) complain at even our "First World" inconveniences, much less real suffering. Maybe we need to read our Bibles instead of just listening to pleasing preaching.

If God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, knowing most would reject the gospel, how might he "give" us for the sake of saving a soul that might ultimately be lost?
 
I charge [thee] in the sight of God, and of Christ Jesus, who shall judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching 2Tim4:1,2.
 
Keith Ward

Today's post is by guest writer Doy Moyer.

Never speak evil. We are not to speak evil of anyone, including those in positions of power. Not even Michael the archangel would bring a railing accusation against the devil, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 9) The powers that be are in God’s hands and judged according to His will and in His time; He will deal with them as He wills. When they fail to honor God, then He will judge them.

This is not to say that we endorse or appreciate everything about people in power. I have severe differences with many who make laws, and I try to leave no doubt as to where I stand on moral issues (like abortion or homosexual activity). However, as a Christian, I try to be careful about what I would say about those in authoritative positions, especially when I disagree with them. We can deal appropriately with the various issues without bringing railing accusations against those in power or dishonoring their position.

Remember the example of Jesus (1 Peter 2:21-25): “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously….”

If we are truly disciples of Jesus, then we will seek to follow this example. This ought to impact how we interact in person, on social media, or any other form of communication. Christians do not get to hide behind a wall so they can insult and revile. Even when being put to death in the most shameful and degrading way as a criminal by the ruling authorities, Jesus did not revile or insult, but rather offered forgiveness and died so that they can choose to enter into His grace.
 
Doy Moyer

Today's post is by guest writer Lucas Ward.

In Luke 13:10-17, Jesus heals a woman with a "spirit of infirmity".  This spirit caused her to be bent over, unable to straighten up.  The healing was done on the sabbath, which caused a stir.  Jesus' answer, based out of Deut. 5:12-15 which told the Israelites that the Sabbath was to be a reminder being freed by God from Egyptian slavery, is extraordinary.  "What better day to free a daughter of Abraham?"  Today, I want to focus on a minor point.  

Jesus often healed in response to someone's act of faith.  "Your faith has made you whole" almost seems like the Lord's catchphrase.  This was not the case in this instance.  Jesus is teaching in the synagogue and sees this poor woman who had been suffering from this evil spirit for eighteen years.  He has compassion on her.  He heals her.  The compassion of the Lord is not surprising.

What is surprising is that this woman, bent over and surely in significant pain, unable to straighten up and surely mocked by unruly children everywhere, was in the synagogue on the Sabbath.  When I think of all the excuses I have used to miss a church service and compare them to her, I am ashamed.  Somehow "my back is sore" or "I'm just too rundown" doesn't seem nearly as valid.  

Jesus had compassion on her when He saw her.  He only saw her because she was at the synagogue service, despite her misery.  Maybe there is a lesson there.  
 
Hebrews 10:25  "Forsaking not the assembling of yourselves together, as the custom of some is . . ."

Lucas Ward