Daily Devotionals

Joel 3:14

One of George Bernard Shaw's statements frequently flashes through my mind: "Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it." In a day when most people pass the buck with merely a shrug, those words bite and sting. It's one thing to sing and dance to liberty's tunes, but it's something else entirely to bear the responsibility for paying the band.

John 3:16

Shortly after World War II, the saddest sight for American soldiers who were picking up the pieces in ravaged Europe, was that of little orphaned children starving in the streets of those war-torn cities.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

There we sat, a cluster of six. A stubby orange candle burned at the centre of our table flickering eerie shadows across our faces. One spoke; five listened. Every question was handled with such grace, such effortless ease. Each answer was drawn from deep wells of wisdom, shaped by tough decisions and nurtured by time. And pain. Mistakes and mistreatment. And honed by tests, risks, heartbreaks, and failures. Decades in the same crucible had made his counsel invaluable.

Revelation 5:9-10

Nothing touches the human heart deeper than music. This is never more true than when a group of Christians sings heartily unto their Lord. Many a cold heart on skid row has melted as the strains of some old hymn lingered in steamy streets and sleazy alleys surrounding a Gospel mission. When congregations sing the praises of the King, even the demonic hosts stand at attention. "The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant they hear, May Jesus Christ be praised!"

2 Thessalonians 3

Proverbs 6:27-29, 32-33

I just returned from our nation's capital where I was privileged to spend time with many of the highest-ranking officers in the military. If you have ever wondered if there is anyone in the upper echelon of the military who loves Christ, wonder no longer. Many of these men and women are magnificent models of strong Christian commitment who frequently put their faith on the line.

2 Corinthians 8:7-8

Can you recall Jesus' radical philosophy: "Be a servant, give to others"? The basis of that statement is tucked away in Luke 9:23. Following Christ is a costly, unselfish decision. He says: "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me."

1 Corinthians 15-16

I heard a statistic the other day that blew my mind. Anna Sklar, the author of a book called Runaway Wives, was a guest on a local talk show. In the course of the discussion, she cited that 10 years ago, for every wife or mother who walked away from her home and responsibilities, 600 husbands and fathers walked out. Today for each man who walks away, two women do.

Pause and let that sink in.

Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6

Paul found himself between a rock and a hard place. He wanted to be in heaven but needed to be on earth. In a temporal sort of way, I share the same frustration every year on Super Bowl Sunday. "But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and watch the Super Bowl...yet to remain in the pulpit is more necessary for your sake" (Philippians 1:23-24, Swindoll paraphrase).

Psalm 103

We salute visionaries of yesteryear. We shake our heads in amazement as we imagine the herculean courage it took to stand so confidently when the majority frowned so sternly. Looking back, we laud those who refused to take no for an answer. We quote them with gusto. We even name our children after them. Yesterday's progress earns today's monuments of stone.