“Investments”
DISCUSSION: Many times we are so very short-sighted, placing greater value on the pleasures of this life, than on the glories of the future life in heaven. I can’t say we all do it but I do know that it is all too easy to be caught up in the thoughts and cares of daily living and just forget about God. We invest our time…
“Finding Truth”
DISCUSSION: Verse 4 of 1 Timothy 1 says, “Give no heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes.” The truth about babies: A new mother said, but we need our rest. So, we started him on formula so he’ll sleep through the night. Sounds logical right? We’ve been told this for years by our parents or others we love and respect. The problem…
“Life After Death”
DISCUSSION: In Psalm16, David rejoices that the life God gives cannot be canceled by the grave. But generally speaking, the Old Testament offers little insight into life after death, but here David’s faith carries him to a deeper understanding. The apostles Peter and Paul understand this psalm as prophesying about the resurrection of Jesus. (See Acts 2:25-28, 13:35-37). Because of the resurrection of Jesus, David and “all God’s people” will come…
“HELP”
How often have you passed someone on the road that needed help and later you felt guilty about not stopping? Maybe you heard of someone in the community that needed help and you did nothing. Have you ever seen someone being abused or mistreated and have done nothing? Has someone depended on you for help, or even just for you to be responsible and you let them down? Maybe there were times when you should have spoken up…
“Flaws”
Isn’t it interesting that we read books and watch movies and TV shows about fictional characters that we love and adore, but they all have huge character flaws? Jack Bauer was the antihero that would toss aside all feeling for other people to accomplish a mission. Harry Potter had a bad temper. Katniss Everdeen was insecure. Winnie the Pooh was depressed (and probably had an eating disorder). The point is this: We also have faults! Each of us are…
“Change?”
Life is confusing. (I could probably stop the devotional right here.) You wake up one day, and you’re told not to eat eggs because it’ll raise your cholesterol. The next day you’re told that they are good because of their protein, and they’ll help you lose weight. Same thing happens with coffee. “Drink it! It has compounds in it that are healthy!” The next day: “Don’t drink it! It’s killing you!” Even those of us who are older, we…
“Be a Child”
Grow up! Be a child! Huh? Yep. That’s exactly what Jesus was saying. It’s included in a discussion He was having about humility. But why? Unlike adults, children have no illusions of being in control. All the adults around them are taller, bigger, and stronger. Adults tell them when to wake up, what to eat for dinner, and whether they can watch the movie they want to watch so badly. Sometimes it may seem like children are in control,…
“Opportunity”
If you ever get a chance to, you should watch the movie Evan Almighty , if for no other reason than Steve Carell is in it (and he’s hilarious). The premise of the movie is that Evan Baxter (Carell) is a newly appointed Congressman who is approached by God, played by Morgan Freeman, and is asked to build an ark but isn’t given the reason as to why. Evan’s wife, Joan, shows much doubt about her husband’s “crazy” project,…
“He’s Still Working on Me”
“He’s still workin’ on me to make me what I ought to be. It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars, the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be. ‘Cause He’s still workin’ on me.There really ought to be a sign upon my heart: ‘Don’t judge me yet. There’s an unfinished part.’ But I’ll be better just according to His plan, fashioned by the Master’s loving hand.…
“Showing Self Control -Fruit of the Spirit”
Self-control is defined as having control or restraint of oneself or one’s actions and feelings. Being self-controlled is the very foundation for living a life for God. But, far too often, we lose control of ourselves and act/behave in ways that are far from Christ like. Our desires tempt us every day. The devil knows exactly how to tempt each of us to lose control. In other words, the devil knows how to…
“Showing Kindness-Fruit of the Spirit”
Kindness is doing something and not expecting anything in return. In Colossians 3:12 we are told that as God’s chosen people we are to clothe ourselves with kindness among other virtues. The Bible is full of stories of kindness. I’m reminded of the four friends that brought their paralyzed friend to see Jesus so he could be healed as one of many great examples for us to follow. God wants us to show kindness…
“Showing Patience-Fruit of the Spirit”
Patience is defined as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. For so many of us, this is one fruit that is very elusive. We live extremely busy lives and pack so many things into our day that one hiccup in our day starts a domino effect that pushes patience out of our lives extremely quickly. Looking to God as our example, Exodus 34:6 describes the Lord as…