Devotionals

James 3:2

Nothing damages our dignity like stumbling!

I have seen people dressed to the hilt stumble and fall flat on their faces as they were walking to church. I’ve done it myself, hoping no one was watching. I’ve watched a sure and winning touchdown by a running back foiled by a stumble.

2 Corinthians 11:13–15

My friend ate dog food one evening. He was at an elegant student reception in a physician's home. The dog food was served on delicate crackers with a wedge of imported cheese, bacon chips, an olive, and a sliver of pimento on top. It was hors d’oeuvres a la Alpo.

Matthew 7:13–14

Do you know where you are going?

You remember Thomas Henry Huxley. Devoted disciple of Charles Darwin. Famousbiologist, teacher, and author. Defender of the theory of evolution. Bold, convincing self-avowed humanist. Travelling lecturer.

Psalm 56:8

Tears have a language all their own, needing no interpreter. In some mysterious way, our inner-communication system knows its verbal limitations, and the tears come.

Eyes that flashed and sparkled moments before are flooded.

Tears are not self-conscious. They can spring upon us when we are in public or standing beside others who look to us for strength.

Tears may flow during the singing of a majestic hymn or when lost in some nostalgic memory or wrestling in soul-searching prayer.

Ephesians 4:29

Abraham Lincoln’s coffin was pried open on more than one occasion.

Once in 1887, 22 years after his assassination. Why? It was not to determine if he had died of a bullet fired from John Wilkes Booth’s derringer. Then why? Because a rumour was sweeping the country that his coffin was empty. A select group of witnesses observed that the rumour was totally false, then watched as the casket was resealed with lead.

Genesis 12:1–2

When God calls a servant, there is little room for negotiation. The most striking example of this is when God spoke to Abram, lifting him from obscurity and setting him on a course that would change human history.

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous (Genesis 12:1–2).

Proverbs 18:24

Are you attractive? I’m not referring to external beauty nor facial features. I’m asking ifyouare personally attractive—magnetic, winsome, charming, friendly. Reflect carefully on this interesting proverb:

A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly (Proverbs 18:24 KJV).

Do you see the point of the proverb? To have friends we must be friendly. Friendliness is a matter of being someone ... more than it is doing something. The best overview of the wonder of how God designed you is found in Psalm 139.

2 Peter 3:3–4

Nine-year-old Danny burst out of Sunday school, eyes darting in every direction trying to locate his mom or dad. After a quick search, he grabbed his daddy by the leg and yelled, “Man, that story of Moses and all those people crossing the Red Sea was great!”His father looked down, smiled, and asked the boy to tell him about it.

Mark 6:31–32

It is almost 10:00, Monday night. The children are snoozing upstairs. Aside from a few outside noises—a passing car ... a barking dog ... a few, faint voices in the distance—all’s quiet on the home front. That wonderful, much-needed presence has again come for a visit—quietness. I recall when our children were little, how valuable times of silence were to both Cynthia and me.

Psalm 27:14

David’s cry for help doesn’t end with an account of God’s sudden and miraculous provision. Instead, the songwriter commits to doing what comes least naturally to people in fear. He committed to doing nothing. He chose to wait on God. Read that again—aloud.

Exhortation to wait

Wait for the LORD;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the LORD (Psalm 27:14).