Devotionals

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

I’ll never forget the night my dad died. 

He left like he had lived. Quietly. Graciously. With dignity. Without demands or harsh words or even a frown, he surrendered himself—a tired, frail, humble gentleman—into the waiting arms of his Savior. Death, selfish and cursed enemy of man, won another battle. 

As I stroked the hair from his forehead and kissed him goodbye, a hundred boyhood memories played around in my head. 

Proverbs 2:1–5

“Can you see anything?” 

What a question to ask! Howard Carter’s mouth and eyes were wide open when his aide asked it. His head was stuck into a timeless tomb. Beads of perspiration popped out on the British archaeologist’s brow. For six straight years he had been digging. Endless trenches. Tons of rubble. Huge chunks of worthless debris. Nothing! 

Acts 2:44-45; 4:32

A certain fascinating social phenomenon occurred in American history. Understand, I wasn’t living back then, but from what I read, this actually happened. It occurred when “Go west, young man!” was the challenge of America...when squatter’s rights seemed the most advantageous way to pry families loose and dare them to brave the elements via the covered wagon. 

Ephesians 4:25

Listen to what the Scriptures have to say about keeping your word: 

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor. (Ephesians 4:25 NIV) 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Colossians 3:17 NIV) 

Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? 
Who may live on your holy hill? 
He whose walk is blameless... 
who speaks the truth from his heart. (Psalm 15:1–2) 

Zephaniah 3:8–13

March 11, 1942, was a dark, desperate day at Corregidor. The Pacific theatre of war was threatening and bleak. One island after another had been buffeted into submission. The enemy was now marching into the Philippines as confident and methodical as the star band in the Rose Bowl parade. Surrender was inevitable. The brilliant and bold soldier, Douglas MacArthur, had only three words for his comrades as he stepped into the escape boat destined for Australia: 

“I SHALL RETURN.” 

Galatians 5:22–23

Will-power is a forgotten word amidst most Christian circles today. Many of us are soft, flabby, and fat either outwardly or inwardly...or both. 

The overindulgence and underachievement of our age have created a monster whose brain is lazy, vision is blurred, hands are greedy, skin is thin, middle is round, and seat is wide. Colour him baby blue! 

Proverbs 16:17–18

As I mentioned yesterday, on many occasions I recall being taught by my parents about the importance of standing alone, setting my own agenda, not trying to be something I wasn’t, and above all, walking humbly with my God.

“Pride will eat you up, son. Just be what ya’ are.” 

I cannot number the times I heard words of Scripture quoted to me that assaulted phoney and faulty arrogance. Verses like: 

Micah 6:8

In my more zany moments, I have been known to do some crazy things. I’m relieved that most of them are not known by most of you. If they were, I sincerely doubt that what little bit of dignified respect I may have earned over the years would remain intact. 

Matthew10:24–39

He was a hated man. He was therefore maligned, threatened, publicly criticized, and privately rebuked. By his own admission he struggled vigorously with sins of the flesh. Especially outrageous anger. His debating disposition, wrote one biographer, caused his writings to “smell of powder; his words are battles; he overwhelms his opponents with a roaring cannonade of argument, eloquence, passion, and abuse.” Sarcasm dripped from his pen. 

Matthew 28:16–20

If you were to do a little, fun research to discover the sheer quantity of activities that happen each day in America, you’d be amazed. Consider, for example, the number of cups of coffee consumed, the number of babies born, the number of people who take a taxi, bury a pet, get divorced, go to the hospital, watch prime-time television, ride on an airplane, and go to school.