Daily Devotionals

James 5:7–11; Romans 5:1–5; Galatians 5:19–24

Perhaps you’ve uttered the American’s Prayer at some anxious moment recently: 

Lord, give me patience...and I want it right now!

This rare and remarkable virtue is within the and-so-forth section in Galatians chapter 5. You know how we quote that passage...“the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, and-so-forth.” That lazy habit has caused a very important series of virtues to become forgotten. Allow me to quote Galatians 5:22–23—in full. 

1 Peter 5:5, 6; Matthew 20:20–28

The children worked long and hard on their own little cardboard shack. It was to be a special spot—a clubhouse—where they could meet in solemn assembly or just laugh, play games, and fool around. As they thought long and hard about their rules, they came up with three rather perceptive ones: 

1. Nobody act big. 
2. Nobody act small. 
3. Everybody act medium.¹

Not bad theology! 

In different words, God says the very same thing: 

Mark 6:45-56; Luke 24:36-45; Colossians 3:2; Hebrews 5:1-14; 1 Peter 1:13-15; 1 Kings 4:29

Are you ready for a surprise? You blink 25 times every minute. Each blink takes you about one-fifth of a second. Therefore, if you take a 10-hour automobile trip, averaging 40 miles per hour, you will drive 20 miles with your eyes closed.

1 John 3:16-20; Matthew 11:25-30; Psalm 62:5-8, 91:1, 2

Genesis 17:15-17; 18:9-14; Joshua 6:1-22; 1 Corinthians 15:52-58

The feelings are familiar. Mouth open. Eyes like saucers. Chill up the spine. Heart pounding in the throat. Momentary disbelief. We frown and attempt to piece the story together without a script or narrator. Sometimes alone, occasionally with others...then boom! "The flash of a mighty surprise" boggles the mind, leaving us somewhere between stunned and dumb with wonder. "Am I dreaming or is a miracle happening?" So it is with surprises.

Nehemiah 8:1-12; Mark 12:41-44; Acts 13:44-48

The word hangs like an awful omen in our heads.

Mentally, we picture a brutal, grotesque image. Cows' hips protrude. Babies' eyes are hollow. Bloated stomachs growl angrily. Skin stretches across faces tight as a trampoline. The outline of the skull slowly emerges. Joints swell. Grim, despairing stares replace smiles. Hope is gone...life is reduced to a harsh existence as famine takes its toll. Those who have seen it cannot forget it. Those who haven't cannot imagine it.

Ruth 2:1-12; Titus 2:7-8; Hebrews 11:1-40

He was brilliant. Clearly a child prodigy...the pride of Salzburg...a performer par excellence.

Psalm 37:23-24; Hebrews 4:12-16

Nothing damages our dignity like stumbling!

Luke 21:5–19; 1 John 1:5–10; Philippians 1:9–11

A friend of mine ate dog food one evening. No, he wasn’t at a fraternity initiation or a hobo party...he was actually at an elegant student reception in a physician’s home near Miami. The dog food was served on delicate little crackers with a wedge of imported cheese, bacon chips, an olive, and a sliver of pimiento on top. That’s right, friends and neighbours, it was hors d’oeuvres a la Alpo. 

1 Kings 1:20–39; Proverbs 14:12; Acts 17:22–31

Do you know where you are going?

The place? Dublin, Ireland. The time? Toward the end of the 19th century. The event? A series of blistering attacks on Christianity, especially the “alleged resurrection” of Jesus of Nazareth. The person? Thomas Henry Huxley.

You remember Huxley. Devoted disciple of Darwin. Famous biologist, teacher, and author. Defender of the theory of evolution. Bold, convincing self-avowed humanist. Travelling lecturer.