Devotionals

Psalm 73:26

One of the hardest things for you and me to do is own up to our own failures.

Whether we're talking to our spouses, our kids, our employers, or with our Lord Himself, it goes against the grain to come clean and admit our offenses. The knee-jerk response every time is to employ defense mechanisms: to deny, to excuse, to rationalize, to reinterpret our shortfalls.

Psalm 84:10

If the pace and the push, the noise and the crowds are getting to you, it's time to stop the nonsense and find a place of solace to refresh your spirit.

Deliberately say "no" more often. This will leave room for you to slow down, get alone, pour out your overburdened heart, and admit your desperate need for inner refreshment.

The good news is God will hear and He will help. The bad news is this: If you wait for someone else to bring about a change, things will only deteriorate.

Proverbs 16:19

Someone who is truly unselfish is generous with his or her time and possessions, energy and money. As that works its way out, it is demonstrated in various ways, such as thoughtfulness and gentleness, an unpretentious spirit, and servant-hearted leadership.

When a husband is unselfish, he subjugates his own wants and desires to the needs of his wife and family.

When a mother is unselfish, she isn't irked by having to give up her agenda or plans for the sake of her children.

Leviticus 11:44

As Christians we live a life that is different—morally excellent, ethically beautiful.

It's called a holy life. And God honours that. Because it's like He is....

All of our Christian lives we have sung the old hymn "Take Time to Be Holy." Those words are true. It does take time to be holy. It certainly takes time to be mature.

1 Peter 5:5

Humility of mind is really an attitude, isn't it?

It's a pre-set mentality that determines ahead of time thoughts like this: I care about those around me.

Why do I always have to be first?

I'm going to help someone else win for a change.

Today I'm going to curb my fierce competitive tendencies.

Instead of always thinking about receiving, we'll start looking for ways to give. Instead of holding grudges against those who offend us, we'll be anxious to forgive.

Psalm 31:1

Under heaven's lock and key, we are protected by the most efficient security system available—the power of God.

There is no way we will be lost in the process of suffering. No disorder, no disease, not even death itself can weaken or threaten God's ultimate protection over our lives...

"God stands between you and all that menaces your hope or threatens your eternal welfare," James Moffatt wrote. "The protection here is entirely and directly the work of God."

Proverbs 16:7

Think of David, the young musician, tending his father's sheep back on the hills of Judea many centuries ago.

He was a self-taught, gifted musician. He didn't go on tour, trying to make a name for himself.

Instead, he sang to the sheep.

He had no idea that someday his lyrics would find their way into the psalter or would be the very songs that have inspired and comforted millions of people through long and dark nights.

1 Timothy 1:17

Whoever is sovereign must have total, clear perspective.

He must see the end from the beginning.

He must have no match on earth or in heaven.

He must entertain no fears, no ignorance, and have no needs.

He must have no limitations and always know what is best.

He must never make a mistake.

He must possess the ability to bring everything to a purposeful conclusion and an ultimate goal.

He must be invincible, immutable, infinite, and self-sufficient.

Matthew 11:28, 30

Every achievement worth remembering is stained with the blood of diligence and scarred by the wounds of disappointment.

To quit, to run, to escape, to hide—none of these options solve anything. They only postpone the acceptance of, and reckoning with, reality.

Churchill put it well: "Wars are not won by evacuations."...

Giving thought to giving up?

Considering the possibility of quitting?...

Don't!... The only time the Lord ever used the word "easy" was when He referred to a yoke.

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Deuteronomy 6:7

We are to walk of spiritual things in our homes just as we would talk about anything else.

You talk together about how the Dodgers played last night. No big deal, you just talk about that. You talk about what you're going to do next week. You don't lecture on it. You don't make a big announcement, you simply talk about it...You may talk about what you plan to watch on television that evening.

You don't hold classes on it, you merely talk about it. There is an easygoing, natural flow of conversation...