Devotionals

Psalm 19

Let me introduce you to the Hubble Space Telescope (affectionately dubbed "ST"). Says one authority: "It's not hyperbole to say that ST is as much an improvement over the most powerful existing telescope as Galileo's first spyglass in 1609 was over the human eye.... It could bring into focus the stars on an American flag at a distance of 3,000 miles. ST will record images...via electronic light collectors so sensitive they could detect a flashlight on the Moon."

1 Timothy 6:17-19

If there were one great message I could deliver to those who struggle with not having an abundance of this world's goods, it would be this simple yet profound premise for happiness: Great wealth is not related to money! It is an attitude of satisfaction coupled with inner peace, plus a day-by-day, moment-by-moment walk with God. Sounds so right, so good, doesn't it? In our world of more, more, more...push, push, push...grab, grab, grab, this counsel is long overdue. In a word, the secret is contentment.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 

Earthquakes! Prison riots! Economic pressures! Divorce! No jobs! Drugs! Disease! Death! Pretty serious scene, isn't it? Yet that is the emotional environment in which we live. No wonder someone has dubbed this the "Aspirin age." Small wonder more of us are not throwing in the towel.

1 John 1

Remember comedian Flip Wilson's old line, "The Devil made me do it"? Here was this character who had obviously done something bad. But instead of taking the blame, he pointed an accusing finger at "the Devil." Why did we laugh? We weren't just laughing at his hilarious routines; we were laughing at ourselves—at one of our favourite indoor games: The Blame Game. And since he is altogether wicked and invisible and unable to challenge our accusation in audible tones, there's no better scapegoat than old Lucifer himself. 

Exodus 14-15

THE OPERA AIN'T OVER...’TIL THE FAT LADY SINGS. It was a banner hung over the wall near the 40-yard line of Texas Stadium. The guys in silver and blue were struggling to stay in the race for the playoffs. So some Cowboy fan, to offer down-home encouragement, had splashed those words on a king-size bedsheet for all America to read. It was his way of saying, "We're hangin' in there, baby. Don't count us out."

Isaiah 30:1-26

The timing is as critical as the involvement. You don't just force your way in. Even if you've got the stuff that's needed...even if you hold the piece perfectly shaped to fit the other person's missing part of the puzzle...you can't push it into place. You must not try.

You must do the most difficult thing for compassion to do.

You must wait.

Even if there is rebellion? Even if there's rebellion.

Even if sin is occurring? Yes, often even then.

Nathan then said to David, "You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'It is I who anointed you king over Israel and it is I who delivered you from the hand of Saul. I also gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these! Why have you despised the word of the LORD by doing evil in His sight?

Proverbs 7:2

What is God looking for? He is looking for men and women whose hearts are completely His—completely...

God is not looking for magnificent specimens of humanity. He's looking for deeply spiritual, genuinely humble, honest-to-the-core servants who have integrity...

Today, we live in a world that says, in many ways, "If you just make a good impression, that's all that matters."

But you will never be a man or woman of God if that's your philosophy. Never.

Ecclesiastes 4:9

Independence is our watchword and "Think for Yourself" is our motto. Declaring a need is a sign of weakness, an open admission of failure and a lack of character.

Furthermore, we are on the move so much, who has time to share and to care? It has been my observation that we Christians are not immune from this hurry-up,hassle-hustle mentality...

Romans 3:23-24

Stop and think: Upon believing in Jesus Christ's substitutionary death and bodily resurrection, the once-lost sinner is instantly, unconditionally, and permanently "declared 100 per cent righteous."

Anything less and we are not righteous...we're almost righteous.

If we are declared 99.9 per cent righteous, some verses of the Bible would have to be rewritten. Like Isaiah 1:18, which might then read: "'Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, 'though your sins are as scarlet, they will be light pink.'"