Daily Devotionals

Psalm1:1–3

In the first three verses of Psalm 1, the psalmist describes the one who chooses to live a righteous life, the one who consciously resists the subtle inroads of compromise. You can’t turn on cable TVthese days without witnessing the vivid contrast between godliness and wickedness portrayed on the screen. You’re left with a choice: Which will it be?

Mark 1:16–20

One principle of spiritual leadership I’ve become convinced of over the years is that vision becomes contagious. Something down inside us admires a person who stretches our faith by doing things that are filled with vision. Initially, such actions might appear to be foolish. The vision that is communicated seems fraught with impossibilities.

Psalm 90:10, 12

Who hasn’t felt a surge of anticipation while mentally standing on tiptoe, straining to see what lies ahead? Even the writers of a weekly news magazine tried to look beyond today. They didn’t try many predictions, but they did ask some sweeping questions. Among them:

Romans 1:19–20

Sometimes there’s more life-changing power in looking to the heavens than just about anything else.

That thought struck me when I took time to walk deep in the redwoods years ago. I laid back and looked up ... I mean really up ... through the trees. It was one of those clear summer nights when you could see forever. So starry it was awe-inspiring. The vastness of the heavens spoke eloquently. The stars were mute reminders of the glory of God.

Matthew 16:16–18

So, what’s the big deal about the church? What makes it so vital?

It’s a good question that deserves a good answer. Something more than, “You gotta have one to get married in,” or “It’s the place kids oughta be on Sunday.” Or how about, “There’s not a better place to make business contacts.”

1 Peter 2:24–25

The Velveteen Rabbit is a book for children with a message for adults. It’s essentially a revealing nursery dialogue between a new toy rabbit and an old skin horse. As they are lying side by side one day, Rabbit asks Horse:

“What is REAL? ... Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

Mark 1:35–37

Dave Cowens, former star basketball centre for the Boston Celtics, suddenly disappeared. Without warning, he walked off the practice court, showered, dressed, and drove away. Alone.

He kept driving to ... somewhere. His only explanation was the familiar comment, “I need to get my head together.” He added that it could take as little as two weeks or as much as 10 years. The sportscasters, management, team, spectators, and fans couldn’t imagine what he was looking for.

I could.

2 Peter 3:10

Romans 5:8–11

It happens to every one of us. Teachers as well as students. Cops as well as criminals. Bosses as well as executive assistants. Parents as well as kids. The diligent as well as the lazy. Gen Xers as well as millennials. Not even pastors are immune. Or corporation heads who earn seven-figure salaries. The same is true of well-meaning architects and hardworking builders and clear-thinking engineers.

Not to mention pro-ball players, politicians, and presidents.

What? Failure, that’s what. Blowing it. And it happens with remarkable regularity.

Philippians 4:11

Someday when the kids are grown, things are going to be a lot different. The garage won’t be full of bikes, unfinished “experimental school projects,” and the rabbit cage. I’ll be able to park both cars neatly in just the right places, and never again stumble over skateboards.