“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us . . .” Ephesians 5:2 NKJV

“Walk in love,” Paul announced to the Church at Ephesus.  Sounds very spiritual, but I have a feeling they responded as most of us do; “What in the world does that really mean?”

Loving others is a breeze when your co-workers are getting along, your kids are on their best behavior, and your in-laws are three states away.  Showing love is easy when you feel terrific, you just heard a great motivational sermon, and everything is going your way.  It’s not so easy when everyone at the office is fighting, your kids are driving you up the wall, and your in-laws are coming for a nice long visit.  When you don’t feel so hot, you haven’t been spiritually fed in weeks and things seem to be falling apart all around you, the last thing you want to do is “walk in love.”

We have opportunities every day to practice loving others and we continually make choices whether to walk it out or put it off until a more convenient time.  Our “love-training” might come while we’re waiting in line at the grocery store, stuck in traffic, or on the phone with a stubborn telemarketer.  In this school of life, we are constantly learning and the key to success is simply to remain teachable and take advantage of every opportunity for growth and maturity.

Paul elaborated by telling the Ephesians they were to love in the same manner Christ loves us.  Still sound a little vague?  The entire fourth chapter of Ephesians gives us many specifics in achieving this goal – being in unity – telling the truth – renewing our minds – being careful not to sin when we’re angry – not giving the devil a foothold or open door – yet verse 29 puts it into an easy-to-understand-and-swallow-capsule.  Listen to The Amplified translation:

Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word, nor unwholesome or worthless talk ever come out of your mouth; but only such speech as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.

Now that’s a crash course in how to walk!  Are you up for the challenge?

Andrea Merrell is a freelance writer and editor with a passion to help others see God’s Word as practical and relevant for ordinary, everyday life. She has written material for ladies’ groups, marriage retreats, skits, websites, and brochures, and is currently working on three novels and countless devotions. Andrea is a staff writer and copy editor for www.ChristianDevotions.us and www.DevoKids.com, and lives in South Carolina with her husband (and best friend), Charlie. Visit her website at www.andreamerrell.com. Read Andrea’s devotions

“I shall run the way of Thy commandments, For Thou wilt enlarge my heart.” Psalm 119:32

The crowd began to roar as the runners came into view, arms pumping and feet pounding. All of their training and discipline came into play during that last mile. Their faces reflected the struggle to continue – to finish the race. If you’ve ever witnessed a marathon, you know what I’m talking about. These athletes train for months to be able to finish that grueling 26-mile race.

So how do they manage this amazing physical feat? They’re not born with the ability to run these distances; no one is. It takes training, months and years of discipline and sacrifice—and a larger heart. That’s right; doctors have found that long distance runners have significantly larger hearts than the average person. This is a result of their intensive training. They need this larger muscle to pump additional oxygen through their blood to compete at this level.

As believers, we also have a race to run. God has a purpose for each of us. At times, it’s a grueling marathon of faithfulness and work. But God also provides the strength, the larger heart, to accomplish His purpose through us. As we practice daily obedience and discipline, our capacity for the lifeblood of the Holy Spirit increases. Our hearts enable us to be used by God in His work. We, too, can become elite spiritual athletes – an example of what God wants for all His people.

So join me as I train for my marathon. Feel the joy that comes from a life lived with purpose and discipline. Accept God’s training and provision as He enlarges your heart.

Edie Melson is a writer whose passion can be summed up in three words—Speak the Truth. She loves digging in and finding out what’s relevant to her readers, whether the medium is fiction or non-fiction. Married 28 years, with 3 sons, she knows the world is constantly changing and often finds herself on the cutting edge of that process. As a freelance writer, speaker and editor with over 14 years experience, her byline has appeared in several national magazines and top websites, including Focus on the Family and Crosswalk.com. She currently works as Managing Editor for Centered Magazine, an online men’s collegiate magazine.Read Edie’s devotions.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17

“This leg is my tight leg, that’s why this is so hard,” chattered my six-year-old daughter. She was in a circle of fifteen other pint-sized aspiring gymnasts, attempting to do a split.

“My mom says I grew really fast all of a sudden and that’s why I’m so tight. I’ll be better on the other leg.” On and on her narrating went, as I watched from the mother’s gallery.

Come on, Jessa, you can do this. You need to stretch if you ever want to do the more exciting stunts. Quit complaining and get on with it.

Unfortunately, Jessa was discovering that stretching takes time. According to exercise physiologists, you have to hold a stretch for 20-30 seconds before any change takes place in the muscle. While painful for a short while, it pays off in the end. A few minutes of daily stretching improves the body’s performance dramatically.

While we may not all stretch in order to perfect a split, the Bible says we are all stretched in spiritual ways. Our stretch may come in the form of a difficult child, situation at work, or struggle within, but one way or another, it comes. And it seems to stay for awhile.

The good news is, God calls these stretches, or troubles, “light and momentary.” Not because they’re easy, but because He can see them in proportion to the reward we will receive.

Our perspective on earth is limited. The way we see it, our spiritual stretches seem like the gymnastic stretches did to Jessa—unbearable and pointless. However, from God’s perspective in heaven, they are our ticket to much greater things.

Take a moment today and identify the stretch that you’ve been asked to endure. Rather than succumbing to the temptation to complain and give up—get on with it. After all, who knows what exciting stunts God may have waiting.

Heather Kindel is married to her college sweetheart, Curt, and has two beautiful daughters, Jessa and Maura. She received her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Saint Francis University and currently works part time there as an adjunct instructor in the physical therapy program. Heather enjoys spending time with her family, building relationships, reading, cross stitching, scrapbooking, sewing, and writing. Her passion is helping her daughters and others see God in the ordinary moments of life. Read Heather’s devotions.

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”  Philippians 3:20-21

Becoming a citizen of the United States requires a waiting period, testing, commitment, and certain other criteria. Those who eagerly seek to become a U.S. citizen look to the example of others who have blazed the trail of opportunity, freedom, and liberty in order to receive these hard-earned benefits. It is a privilege and an honor and one should understand and appreciate the great sacrifices made in forming this great country.

In the book of Philippians, Paul urged the people of Philippi to follow his example as he followed Christ. Paul knew that in order to receive citizenship in heaven, the people would need to take the responsibility of knowing and becoming like Jesus, eagerly committing to serve Him by serving others. The benefits would be transforming and eternal.

Becoming a citizen of heaven requires no test. It is a privilege, an honor, and a free gift. It does, however, require transforming power which we do not possess unless we accept the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. He requires our cooperation and willingness to follow the blazed trail of His will. Are you ready to make that kind of commitment? There is no waiting time … or should I say, there is no time to waste.

Prayer: Lord, through your power and transforming Spirit, help me commit to the responsibility of following your will for my life. I desire to be a good citizen of your coming kingdom. Show me the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sue Payne is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in home schooling newsletters and church news bulletins. She is experienced in curriculum planning and design and uses her writing skills to encourage and teach others. Sue lives in Delaware, is married, and has two boys whom she home schooled for a total of fourteen years.
Read Sue’s devotions.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13

The roasting pan my mom used to create many delicious entrees as I was growing up, always looked dirty to me. I was often tempted to scrub off what I deemed as grime so that it would look like all the rest of the cookware. It was not until I was older that I realized the importance of the seasoning process and how it enhanced the flavor of whatever was cooked in it.

For thousands of years, salt has been used as a seasoning, a preservative, and even as a disinfectant. Jesus’ disciples are referred to as “the salt of the earth.” If you are a follower of Christ, you too are considered part of the flavor that not only cleanses the world’s pallet of temptations while adding spice to life, but also helps to preserve what is good and right in the sight of God!

Salt that has lost its flavor is usually found to have been contaminated with other minerals, making it useless. How many times have we, as Jesus’ disciples, found ourselves contaminated by the world? Whether we are tempted to compromise our behavior in a certain situation or expose ourselves to questionable material on TV or the computer, contamination causes “salt” to lose its saltiness. We are rendered flavorless in a world that desperately needs to be fed the flavorful Word of God. Instead of offering the world a chance to taste and see that the Lord is good, we find ourselves stripped of our seasoning and effectiveness as His disciples.

The sanctifying or seasoning process for a flavorful Christian involves the work of the Holy Spirit. Our cooperation is necessary, though, if we want to be well seasoned. With God, we can help preserve the Good News and disinfect the world of evil.

Read the Book! Like a recipe is necessary for a successful dish, God’s Word needs to be followed and implemented into our lives. Be bold, using the unique gifts God has given you to enhance the environment in which He has placed you. And invite others to take a taste. They will see that the Lord is good!

Sue Payne is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in home schooling newsletters and church news bulletins. She is experienced in curriculum planning and design and uses her writing skills to encourage and teach others. Sue lives in Delaware, is married, and has two boys whom she home schooled for a total of fourteen years.
Read Sue’s devotions.

“For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.” Psalms 48:14

My mother’s family is from North Carolina. A while back I had driven my mom down to visit her sister. On my return drive home to Virginia I stopped at one of my favorite places to eat, Parker’s Restaurant. I ordered a barbecue sandwich and a sweet iced tea to go.

When I got back to my car I popped in a teaching tape, unwrapped my barbecue sandwich and headed towards the exits for Interstate 95. I wheeled onto the interstate, turned up my tape and settled in for the three hour drive home.

After driving, eating and listening to my tape for a while a weird thought popped into my head.

If I were broken down beside the road and I needed to tell someone where I was, would I be able to tell them?

I had no idea why this thought suddenly invaded my head, but I decided to read the next road sign just to appease my brain. When the next sign came along it said “Smithfield, NC 25 miles.”

“Smithfield?” I muttered with a mouth full of sandwich. “I’m supposed to be heading away from Smithfield.”

Then I noticed the sign said “Interstate 95 south.”

“South?” I mumbled.

This was a big problem since I should have been headed north toward Virginia.

I believe God thumped me on the head to help me realize I was driving in the wrong direction. I said a quick prayer of thanks, turned around at the next exit and got my car pointed in the right direction, north.

It’s easy to get headed in the wrong direction in life, barreling down the road at breakneck speed, oblivious to the warning signs. Fortunately, God has provided the Holy Spirit as a built-in GPS (Global Positioning System), helping us to navigate our way through life. The Holy Spirit can help us avoid confusion, chaos, heartache and decisions that could impact us for the rest of our life. In our busy lives we need to be sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and be willing to change direction when required.

Psalms 48:14 says, “For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.”

So if you find yourself on the wrong road, don’t panic. Ask God for directions. He has a much bigger map than we do.

Polly Boyette is the author of Life is a Buffet So Save Room for Dessert. She was born and raised in Virginia where she still lives today. Her friends will tell you she has a strong sense of humor and a gift for telling stories. Polly has worked in Russia with orphans providing humanitarian aid and giving them hope through the gospel of Christ.

Publisher: iUniverse, Inc.
ISBN-10: 0595367976
ISBN-13: 978-0595367979

“Count it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

I was proud and smiling as I listened to my 2 year old grandson count from 1 to 10 perfectly! Of course, he is very smart, but I also recognized that the “counting lessons” from his mom and dad had taken root in him. They had captured teachable moments here and there, and the efforts paid off.

The Lord is just as diligent with me when it comes to counting lessons. He is teaching me to count the trials of life as “pure joy.” This is not the standard way to respond in difficulties, so I have to set aside my normal way of thinking. How can I count something that is a problem as a joy? The task is not easy, but these gentle reminders help me as I learn to count His way:

• Each difficulty is an opportunity for me to grow
• Each trial brings its own “gift”
• Each testing offers me a new perspective

As with any lesson, learning to count the Lord’s way takes some time and effort. But we have help from an excellent Teacher who is patient, understanding, and who loves us with His whole heart. So the next time difficulties come along – stop, take a deep breath and say, “Lord, I’m ready for my counting lesson!”

Jan Loy, a free lance writer and speaker is actively involved in guiding others to greater personal growth. Jan is the author of numerous life application Bible Study Guides as well as individualized coaching and mentoring programs. Jan is a co-facilitator with her husband, Rick in training opportunities addressing temperaments/personality styles and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Jan and Rick have been married for 34 years and have two married sons and one grandson.

“With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:7-8

Fingerprints amaze me. Nothing more than a series of little squiggles that are unique to every individual, they can be used as critical information in locating a missing person or identifying someone involved in a police investigation. When a crime scene is dusted for fingerprints and matched with the records of known and convicted criminals, a match can be quickly made.

One day during my morning devotions, the Lord prompted me to look at fingerprints in a different light. Thinking back over my life, I could not help but wonder how many people I have touched, leaving my fingerprints for my Heavenly Father to see? How many people have I encouraged and inspired along the way? It could have been something as simple as a smile, a hug, or a kind word.

Just as others have reached out to me with a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on, I want to bless people in whatever way I can. There are many, many ways to impact someone’s life, but the greatest gift is time spent in prayer. That is when we truly lay up treasure in Heaven.

The truth is, we touch people daily and the impression we leave, whether positive or negative, is our choice. Imagine if you will, being put on trial for being a Christian and doing good for others. Would there be enough evidence to convict you? Would your fingerprints of love, compassion and kindness be visible enough to be entered as exhibits A, B and C? How many witnesses would be available for the defense? Would your attorney be wringing his hands, wondering how in the world to prove your case, or could he confidently approach the jury, asking them to look closely at the life of his client, examining all the facts and considering all the testimonies entered as evidence? Could you confidently predict the verdict?

The Bible is full of instruction about how we are to treat other people, but our primary responsibility is to have a proper attitude and keep the motive of our heart pure.
One thing is for certain. The only thing we will leave behind us is a legacy. What will yours be?

Andrea Merrell is a freelance writer with a passion to help others see God’s Word as practical and relevant for ordinary, everyday life. She has written material for ladies’ groups, marriage retreats, skits, websites and brochures, and served as both columnist and editor for Pan Am Bank Notes in Tampa, Florida. She loves Christian fiction and is currently working on three novels, along with countless devotions.
Andrea (a new “grandma” with two more on the way) has been married to her husband and best friend, Charlie, for 37 years and lives in South Carolina. Read Andrea’s devotions

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. ” Col. 1:9-10

Five hours before the Allied troops hit the beaches of Normandy, glider pilots flew troops and supplies behind enemy lines. Gliders were towed by a cargo plane, and flew at low altitude over the English Channel. Once across the water, the pilots maneuvered the planes to increase altitude and avoid hitting trees. After clearing the trees, the gliders were cut loose to fly over the coastal areas of France. Crossing the English Channel caused many flights to be like a foggy roller coaster ride. After an unusually rough landing, they placed supplies and gave reinforcement to the men landing on the beaches. The exploits of these brave men are included in The Silent Wings Museum located near Lubbock, Texas.

For Christians, this world is like being behind enemy lines. God has given us our own supply package; it’s called the Bible. The truths that are found within its pages will provide strength to get us through the day. They aren’t spiritual facts for us to use in Bible Trivia, but knowledge we can use to live in the manner worthy of Christ.

In the book of James we find that we’re to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. When I have to deal with problems at work it doesn’t matter if I have a quick come back or a smart answer. I should listen and rely on the Holy Spirit to help me act as I should, so those around me will see Christ.

Your daily Bible reading is not just a spiritual exercise routine, but a source of spiritual strength. Let the words of the Bible guide your life, and be a witness for Christ.

Like the Allied troops were able to advance because of the supplies planted by the glider pilots, we will gain strength from God’s Word. In this way, we will advance the cause of Christ.

Danny Woodall lives in Port Neches, TX. He and his wife have three children. He has a monthly column in the Christian Online Magazine, and has written for LifeWay’s Essential Connections and Bible Express magazines. This past year he contributed to Daily Devotions for Writers. He and his wife, Arlene, work with the fourth grade Sunday school.

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20

Things come in pairs. Two hands, two feet, two arms, two chunks of Almond Joy in a bar–two. There must be something divine in twos because Noah called the animals two-by-two. God likes pairs.

When there is a match or a compliment, things seem to work better. They’re balanced and in sync. When one is lost it’s like a wagon short a wheel. That’s where I find myself at times—a wheel short.

When it comes to asking for help, I struggle. My problems appear small compared to the greater needs of others and asking seems selfish. But I also know that pairing up is both scriptural and necessary. When things in my heart are falling apart, when the deep sense of loneliness overtakes me, I can count on my prayer partners to pray me through.

There is security and hope in sharing our needs with someone who can pray “along side” us. I can’t say with certainty that two prayers carry more clout than one, but God called us to pray for one another so at least it’s scriptural.

I recall teaching a young adult class and telling the students, “Don’t wait until you’re in your mid-thirties before you figure out your relationship with Christ. Find a partner and buddy up. Pray together, be accountable to one another, help each other. Be a spiritual team.”

Pray with a partner. In fact, pray with several. This is one time two’s company and three is even better. Assemble a chorus of voices and call to the Father. Join hands and reach toward Him. March on heaven and petition God with your prayers and supplications.

I think sometimes we don’t receive because we ask alone—we try to manage things on our own. The Father answers our prayers but He loves it when we pray with one another. So buddy up and ask with a friend. God promises to join our prayer circle when we come together as one.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles
are friends and co-founders of
ChristianDevotions.us. They
co-write the popular He Said, She Said
devotions and host BlogtalkRadio’s
Christian Devotions Speak UP!
along with Marianne Jordan. Their devotions are published nationwide.