Devotionals

Philippians 4:8–9

2 Samuel 1:11–12; 2:1

Are you ready to step into God’s great unknown and trust Him with the results? Great! But before you jump, be sure of four things:

Be sure it’s the Lord who is speaking.

Be sure the decision doesn’t contradict Scripture.

Be sure your motive is unselfish and pure.

Be sure the “leap” won’t injure others or your testimony.

Acts 20:22

After a long and fruitful ministry, it was time for Paul to leave. In his mind was the necessity of walking by faith as he hugged close friends farewell, standing on an Asian pier. Several of the men wept freely, realizing they would never see their beloved mentor again. The aging apostle looked from man to man, holding each one’s eyes for a brief moment. Then, looking out to sea with his weathered hand pointing south to the stormy skies above the Mediterranean, he voiced these words:

1 Corinthians  6:9–11

Few young people I know have watched a film spun off an 8mm projector. Nowadays, if you were born any year after 1980, you’d have to Google that to catch a glimpse of the bygone contraption. But as a boy, I recall watching home movies of family outings, captured on film with an 8mm camera. If we could look back on our lives before Christ, I wonder if we’d laugh or cringe? Some episodes would make us laugh out loud. Like seeing our hairdos and bell-bottom pants. Still, other scenes might cause us shame, embarrassment, or conjure some regrets.

Proverbs 2:1–2, 4–5

I recall as a boy, combing the shores of the Bay with my dad and looking for flounder. Just my dad and me, under the stars, guided by the bright glow of a Coleman lantern. It’s hard to describe the thrill I had when I’d happen upon the perfect seashell, pearly white from years of salt and surf pounding its hard exterior. To my delight, the gem glistened in the light, awaiting my eager grasp.

Matthew 28:18–20

Every so often it’s helpful to stop the annual merry-go-round, get off, look objectively, and think clearly. It’s not only helpful, it’s essential for the Christian. In this circus-like American lifestyle of ours, we tend to be deafened by the blare of our own band and blinded by the glare of our own lights shining—always shining—on the ring of our own choice.

That needs to change. We need to hear the voice of the Ringmaster as He raises His hand to stop the band:

Jude 1:20–23

I really feel sorry for Eutychus. It was bad enough for the fella to fall asleep in church while Paul was preaching ... he even fell out the window to his death three stories below! But then, of all things, Dr. Luke included the incident for all the world to read down through the centuries. Think of that! The only time Eutychus got his name in Scripture was when he died while sleeping in church:

1 Corinthians 16:13–14

I was living in Dallas when the Cowboys were formed into a National Football League team and Tom Landry was first introduced as the head mentor of that original, ragtag bag of unknown athletes. The first few years were bleak, to say the least. The crowds were sparse and instead of cheers, there were gripes and groans. One losing season led to another, and as you can imagine, the public soon made Landry the target of their savage verbal assaults.

2 Corinthians1:3–4

Of all the letters Paul wrote, 2 Corinthians is the most autobiographical. In it, the great apostle lifts the veil of his private life and allows us to catch a glimpse of his humanity. He writes transparently about his frailties and needs. You need to read that letter in one sitting to capture the moving emotion that surged through his soul, his anguish and tears, including his feelings of inadequacy. Yet in all of that, Paul learned the purpose in suffering. So that he could comfort others.

Psalm 90:10–12

Strange creatures roam the land these days. Being efficient, diligent, and productive, they are remarkably impressive ... but beneath the surface, they are suffering from a miserable malady. Compulsivelydriven with an obsessive desire to achieve, these creatures give themselves to labour like alcoholics give themselves to booze.

Workaholics. People who consistently overdo it.