Daily Devotionals

Philippians 4:11–13

What a beautiful scene in the soul is Lake Contentment! Undisturbed by outside noises brought on by the jackhammers of exaggeration, those who enjoy the lake know what relaxation is all about. They know nothing of any winter of discontent—or spring or fall or summer, for that matter. Such an existence breeds security and happiness. 

Paul lived on that lake once he got his life squared away. He’s the one, remember, who wrote: 

Matthew 6:19-21

A number of years ago I read that, believe it or not, the average American is exposed to about three hundred advertisements a day. Today that number has very likely increased! 

2 Timothy 4:13

Due to the tragic problem of ignorance and passivity in our world today, I’ve been extolling the benefits of reading. Yesterday, we talked about number one: reading sweeps the cobwebs away; it expands us. Today, I’ll note three additional benefits.

    • Reading increases our power of concentration

Through this discipline, the mind is programmed to observe and absorb. It replaces the “Entertain Me” mentality with “Challenge Me.” The eye of a reader is keen, alert, probing, questioning. 

1 Peter 1:13

The three Rs have stood the test of time as reliable criteria for a dependable education. They are poised like disciplined sentinels against one of man’s greatest enemies: ignorance. The original blocks of granite, unimpressed by educational styles, unmoved by change, these three solid friends are trustworthy to the end. Like salve on an open sore, they reduce the fever of panic, giving stability when so many voices demand obedience. 

Daniel 12:3

OK, are you ready to have your mind boggled? If not, better shove this aside until you can handle it. It’s too stretching to pass over with a yawn. 

The germ thought struck me when I was deep in the redwoods some time ago. I lay back and looked up. I mean really up. It was one of those clear summer nights when you could see forever. So starry it was scary. The vastness of the heavens eloquently told the glory of God. The expanse silently declared the work of His hands. 

Matthew 6:19-21

“If you can look into the seeds of time, 
and say which grain will grow, 
and which will not, 
Speak then to me...”

Macbeth, act I, scene 1, line 58 

Who wouldn’t want to hear from someone like that? Who hasn’t felt himself 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 tough, sweeping questions. Among them: 

James 3:3–9

We’ve been talking about the rare but essential quality of tact. I mentioned that the classic example of tactless humanity is the abrasive Christian who feels it is his or her calling to fight for the truth with little or no regard for the other fella’s feelings. For all his rapid-fire Scripture quotations, you will rarely find Proverbs 18:19 on the lips of this armored crusader: 

Proverbs 16:21, 23-24, 27

Wisely labelled “the saving virtue,” tact graces a life like fragrance graces a rose. One whiff of those red petals erases any memory of the thorns. 

Tact is like that. 

Throw another log on the fire—Christmas is upon us! The story of Bethlehem's Babe will be told again. We'll sing carols, return to the manger, and watch the bewildered couple as they caress their firstborn. We'll stand in awe of the young family for the umpteenth time...and we'll realize it never grows old!

Acts 2:46-47

Yesterday I told you a story about an amazing feat by Harry Houdini in which he escaped from locked handcuffs before a roaring crowd—incredible stuff! He later admitted that he stopped repeatedly to address the crowd because he needed their applause to keep up his enthusiasm!

Two things set Houdini free: (1) his knowledge of what he knew to be true and (2) the cultivation of his own enthusiasm.