Daily Devotionals

Matthew 6:19-21

Mrs. Bertha Adams, 71 years old, died alone in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Easter Sunday. The coroner's report read: "Cause of death...malnutrition." She had wasted away to 50 pounds.

When the state authorities made their preliminary investigation of Mrs. Adams' home, they found a veritable "pig pen...the biggest mess you can imagine." The woman had begged food from neighbours’ back doors and gotten what clothing she had from the Salvation Army. From all outward appearances she was a penniless recluse. But such was not the case.

Psalm 31:14-15

In September, Terry Shafer was strolling the shops in Moline, Illinois. She knew exactly what she wanted to get her husband, David, for Christmas. A little shop on Fifth attracted her attention, so she popped inside. Her eyes darted toward the corner display. "That's it!" she smiled as she nodded with pleasure. "How much?" she asked the shopkeeper.

"Only $127.50."

Genesis 3

The word is out. TM is "in." Ask any number of celebrities or government leaders or public school officials...or thousands of college kids who endorse it. All are oohing and aahing over a Hindu monk with a name that looks like a misprint. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Transcendental Meditation is his bag.

Devotees around this gullible globe have developed a vast network of International Meditation Society centres, declaring them to be the cure for physical and emotional ills and a splendid way to elevate the individual.

Take time to read, slowly and carefully, through 2 Corinthians 11-13. List the hardships the Apostle Paul endured.

Try putting yourself and your own particular circumstances and trials into Paul's constant affirmations of faith.

Luke 10:38–42

There is an old Greek motto that says: 

YOU WILL BREAK THE BOW 
IF YOU KEEP IT ALWAYS BENT. 

Wise words, but how do we loosen the strings? Even when we make every effort to slow down and relax, others place high demands on us. Their “shoulds” and “oughts” and “musts” hit us like strong gusts of wind, driving our lives onto shallow reefs of frustration—and even despair. 

Philippians 1

When money is our objective for happiness, we must live in fear of losing it, which makes us paranoid and suspicious. When fame is our aim, we become competitive lest others upstage us, which makes us envious. When power and influence drive us, we become self-serving and strong-willed, which makes us arrogant. And when possessions become our god, we become materialistic, thinking enough is never enough, which makes us greedy. All these pursuits fly in the face of contentment and joy.

1 Corinthians 13:11

Too good. That's the only way to describe my early childhood. Lots of friends in the neighbourhood. Sandlot football down at the end of Quince Street in East Houston or shooting hoops against the garage backboard. There were family reunions at my granddaddy's little bay cabin, plus fishing, floundering, crabbing, swimming, and eating.

1 Peter 5:8-9

A basketball fan at the Portland airport awaited the arrival of the Trailblazers following a victory over the Lakers and attempted to scalp a couple of tickets to the next game. As the shyster wormed through the crowd, he located a well-dressed man who listened to his offer.

"How much?" asked the gentleman.

"One hundred 50 bucks," the scalper replied under his breath.

"Do you realize you're talking to a plain clothes officer of the law?" the man asked. "I'm going to turn you in, fella."

2 Corinthians 1

Of all the letters Paul wrote, Second Corinthians is the most autobiographical. In this letter Paul records the specifics of his anguish, tears, affliction, and satanic opposition. He spells out the details of his persecution, loneliness, imprisonments, beatings, feelings of despair, hunger, shipwrecks, sleepless nights, and that "thorn in the flesh"—his companion of pain. How close it makes us feel to him when we see him as a man with real, honest-to-goodness problems, just like ours!

Philippians 4

I have discovered that a joyful countenance has nothing to do with one's age or one's occupation (or lack of it) or one's geography or education or marital status or good looks or circumstances. Joy is a choice!