A Devotion May Be Someone's Only Bible

Spirit & Trust

Trust is hard. It’s easy to say there is trust but actually taking the step – making the leap into mid-air without a visible net is the most difficult thing man can do. But with the Spirit of God our leap lands us safe in His palm.

Him Too

“Lord, please help that man find You, and help the police find him.”

That was the prayer of my then seven-year-old daughter on the night a stranger tried to get her nine-year-old brother in the car with him earlier that afternoon.

The children played in front of the house where we lived in a small cul-de-sac of a middle-class neighborhood. The man had driven into the cul-de-sac and attempted to get my son into his car. Both children immediately ran, but only after my daughter got the license plate number. After making sure they were both okay, I notified the police. In a short time, an officer was at the door. He gathered the information, including the children’s description of the man and his car, and assured me they would do everything possible to catch him.

The words my daughter prayed that night cut to my heart. I confess to having many thoughts toward the stranger, but not one had been about his salvation. I was immediately convicted as the Holy Spirit whispered, “I died for him as much as I died for you.” My daughter’s concern for his spiritual well-being preceded her request that the police find him.

Police apprehended him later the following night in our neighborhood. He only spent a few hours in jail before police released him on bond. I wish I could say he was tried and convicted, but ultimately, attorneys decided they didn’t have enough evidence for a trial.

I learned a lot about trusting God. Even though the justice system let us down, I knew the man would ultimately answer to God. I prayed for him and asked God not to let him victimize anyone else. And yes, to save him.

That incident occurred many years ago. My children are now adults, but I will never forget my daughter’s prayer or its impact on me. Yes indeed, Jesus did die for all.

Who is the person, perhaps even an enemy, whose salvation you should pray for?

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and RyanMcGuire.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)



Do Not Step in the Exhaust

When our car passed a horse-drawn buggy moving along the state highway, my three-year-old granddaughter said, “Look, there are some of those ‘Almond’ people.”

I chuckled at her incorrect terminology but even more at the hand-painted sign on the back of the buggy: Energy efficient. Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in the exhaust.

Seeing the horse’s tail swaying as he trotted along made me miss the smell of new-mown hay after an April rain. The evening lowing of cattle and a cowbell gently ringing always lulled me to sleep when I was a girl back on Dad’s ranch.

Most of us have longed for the good old days when life was simpler and our culture had not lost its sense of morality. In 1860, a citizen of Virginia could be fined $250 for using a curse word in public. How far our society has moved since then. When society promotes a different standard, using the media as their vehicle, I lament that stepping in their exhaust is almost unavoidable.

Change is inevitable, leaving many people confused and wondering what remains that is stable and sound. I find the answer to that question in the pages of my Bible, which tells me God’s Word is settled forever in heaven.

For many years, I have turned to those supernaturally inspired pages to find comfort, strength, guidance, and hope that does not disappoint. God’s Word is a chariot that lifts and carries me through and over life’s stormy seas. We’ll find no confusion there—only a solid foundation for our lives.

How are you handling society’s moral lapse? 

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and doungtepro.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)



Trusting God

“Mom, when I look in the mirror, all I see is black.”

It was five in the morning when my son knocked on the door, rousing me to tell me he needed help. That morning, he confessed he was an alcoholic and hooked on cocaine. He knew after looking in the mirror that if he didn’t seek help, his addiction would kill him.

As he lay beside me, I told him that the day he was born was one of the happiest of my life. I would do everything I could to help him if he was ready. He was twenty-four years old and had to choose to seek help. 

I left him at rehab that day. Many thoughts and emotions danced through my head. As the go-to person when someone had a problem, I was frustrated that I had no power or control over the situation. I couldn’t fix it. 

I found guidance and strength in Paul’s words. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. These spiritual truths helped me realize no amount of worrying would change the situation. I needed to trust God and let Him handle it. The best thing I could do for my son was to pray.

As a Christian, these were familiar concepts, but we often have the knowledge and fail to practice what we know. 

One practical way to give God my circumstances is to write the issue on paper and put it in a small wooden box—my faith box. This simple act helps me release the situation and give it to God. 

Ten years later, my son is healthy, happy, and working toward a degree in counseling.

How do you give your circumstances to God?

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and Myriams-Fotos.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)



Grace, Mercy, and the Rocket Scientist

In my younger days, I was full of ambition and self-confidence.

When I landed a job at a high-tech medical company, I already had my B.A. degree but was eager to learn more. I just didn’t find out how to use their computer system. Instead, I read all twenty binders of instructions for the information technology team. I took every class offered to become certified in a related discipline. I also read widely in the realm of general business books.

When the company opened a new position in a sub-discipline, the vice president invited me to apply for the position, which would be a promotion.

I took a test and made it through several rounds of interviews. Since the company made it a practice to promote from within, I became more excited about the prospect. Imagine my surprise when the company president announced they were hiring someone from the outside for the position.

After recovering my professional demeanor, I asked the vice president where I had gone wrong and what had made the other candidate a superior choice.

“Was he a rocket scientist?” I inquired. “Had he written a book?”

The vice president threw his head back and laughed for several moments. When he recovered, he said, “Actually, he comes to us from NASA, so in a way, he is a rocket scientist. But he didn’t write a book. He wrote two books on the field.”

We laughed together, and I learned a lesson about humility. I may have worked to earn the promotion, but the other applicant deserved it more than I.

On further reflection, I discovered this extended far beyond my work life. We cannot work hard enough to earn our salvation because we do not deserve it.

Dwight Moody said, “A man does not get grace till he comes down to the ground, till he sees he needs grace. When a man stoops to the dust and acknowledges that he needs mercy, then it is that the Lord will give him grace.”

What have you been working hard to earn? Can you humbly accept what God offers you by His grace?

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and whitedaemon.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)

 

 

 

 



He Did Not Hesitate

I thought I knew what love was. I really did, but then . . .

It’s never good when your phone rings before six a.m. This was no exception. The quivering voice of my niece brought me out of my chair.

“Mom and Dad’s house burned to the ground this morning. They’re okay, but the house is a total loss.”

No one plans for disaster, but it somehow manages to wiggle its way into our lives at some point. Our test then becomes maneuvering our way through.

As I prayed for my brother’s daily needs, God spoke to my heart, impressing that we would know His presence and feel His love through strangers. Over the next three weeks, hundreds of people, strangers to my family, saw the need and provided. God kept His word, and we saw and felt His love through strangers.

Known as the one Jesus loved, John stayed close to Jesus. Perhaps they were like brothers, having more in common. So, when John penned this verse, his desire to show the depth of God’s love poured out. Jesus continually taught that to love Him was to love God. To know Him was to know God—believe in Him. Imagine the devasting blow it was for Abba Father to allow Jesus to become the lamb slain on our behalf. That is pure love.

We are quick to buy valentines and candy and send cards to those we love on Valentine's Day, but how quick are we to send and share the love of the Father and Jesus? After all, Jesus died for us. He died in our stead. A great price was given that we might have the gift of eternal life.

As you share your earthly love with family and friends, do not forget the heart that loved you so much that He gave His Son. Take time to offer praise to the God of heaven and earth. Thank Him for this gift that cost Him such a high price. Don’t hesitate, for He did not hesitate for you. His love is strong and unending.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and Kranich17.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)



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