A Devotion May Be Someone's Only Bible
The peace we find in the presence of Christ is like crawling under a warm blanket on a cold winter’s day or feeling the soft breeze on a warm spring morning. Seeking after God is a continual process that grows us into a deep and long lasting relationship with Him. Come into His presence and find peace.
John Donne said, “Change is the nursery of music, joy, life, and eternity.”
Let’s admit it, most of us do not like change. We want our neat little world where we control what’s happening in our lives, but change is inevitable. It will come, and how we react to it speaks volumes about our faith walk with Jesus.
We don’t ordinarily welcome change unless it comes from the store’s cashier. It pops up at inopportune times and causes discord in our lives, families, and jobs. Or the change could be something we hoped for, but it didn’t happen the way we planned.
What happens when we reject the change and fight against it? It will tax us and drain our energy. We may even become angry and unwilling to see the good that could come from the situation, much less admit it if we do.
How much better to face change with faith that trusts God’s wisdom? Begin by praying and asking God to grant strength and guidance to handle the situation. Next, pray for a spirit that can discern His will. This puts change into perspective.
Change will always come, and often it will be beyond our control. We can fight it or lean on God. We can ask Him to help us walk through the changes and have faith that He will show us the way.
What changes do you need to make to face the next changes that come your way?
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One day, I lost a booklet.
That may not seem like much, but it held importance to me because of its personal history. I plowed through the house—opening drawers, lifting pillow cushions, and looking under the beds. I invested two days in my version of a manhunt. The possibility that I might have thrown it into the trash pestered me. Still, I pressed on, believing the item was somewhere in the house. I spent another day searching before finally giving up.
I never found the booklet, but later in the week, I read this verse: If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. Immediately, I saw a picture of myself looking for something I treasured. I recognized then that God wants the same desire, energy, and determination when we search the Scriptures.
We should search God’s Word the same way we would if looking for lost treasure. The Bible promises we will find God and learn to reverence and trust Him when we explore this way.
How can you make a regular habit of hunting for treasure in your Bible?
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Coastal life can be lovely until a ravaging hurricane prances to your paradise.
I weathered a major hurricane when my children were small. Although we lived forty-five minutes inland, the wind impacts frightened me. I wondered if I could hold them tightly enough should the winds breach our home’s walls.
Later, my daughter’s family lived through a Category 4 hurricane in their coastal paradise. Again, we trusted God to calm their spirits and bring them safely through it.
Different seasons of life bring various kinds of storms. Some are sudden with no warning, while others are swift. Still, others remain for long periods. Regardless, the Lord is always there with me as I weather them. I can find Him when I stop to look for Him, pray, and cast my burdens on Him. I must let go and give my cares to God.
Storms of nature, sickness, trauma, relationships, or financial woes pile up through life’s journey, building layer upon layer. By casting our burdens or cares on the Lord, He sustains us. Jesus calmed the seas and will calm our hearts and spirits. We can lean our heads on His shoulder, for He will carry us through dark times and into His glorious light.
Only the Lord can hold me up with His strength and power during life’s storms. In Him, I experience real peace. Whether my storm waters are ankle-deep or waist-high, God can bring calm before the storm, guide me through the storm, and bring me out of the storms of life.
God is with us no matter what happens. Are you relying on God to carry you through the storm you’re facing?
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Words are the public expression of our private thoughts. We may have immoral, cruel, and unkind thoughts, but if we can keep our mouths shut, no one must deal with them.
Often, when we get angry with someone, we say what’s on our minds. And it’s then that we must consider another person as we deal with our thoughts and words. Our thoughts are like birds in a cage—they do not take flight until we give them wings with words.
The curse in our text means to utter evil against someone—to make public our desire for another to be destroyed by evil. For example, if an employer hears a begrudged employee say they wish some evil would befall the employer or if the employee curses the employer, the employer should ignore it.
We are to ignore it because we have cursed others too. We cannot justify getting upset when we have done the same thing.
Christianity does not allow those who know Christ to curse anyone. On the contrary, we are to bless those who curse us and do to others as we would have them do to us. We cannot harbor malice, carry a grudge, or return evil for evil.
People may tell lies and speak evil about us. But when they do, we should let it roll off our back like water off a duck’s back, knowing we have often done the same thing.
What are some ways you can forget what you have heard?
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Teddy Roosevelt died on January 6, 1919, and William Taft cried after the funeral. The two men had been close friends when Taft served in Roosevelt’s cabinet. They were so close that Roosevelt endorsed Taft as his presidential successor.
Taft had served loyally for several years, and Roosevelt, who had become increasingly progressive by the standards of the early 1900s, believed Taft was the man to carry his political vision forward. Unfortunately, Taft turned out to be quite conservative, and Roosevelt felt betrayed. Roosevelt was so unhappy with Taft’s presidency that he decided to run against him in the election of 1912, after which Taft felt betrayed.
The two men split the vote sufficiently, allowing Woodrow Wilson to win the presidency. Fortunately, at some point before January 1919, Taft and Roosevelt worked out their issues. At his friend’s funeral, Taft would say their reconciliation brought him great peace.
Life is short. We need to forgive people. Those who hurt us might not deserve our forgiveness, but then again, we don’t deserve Christ’s forgiveness, yet He offers it to us anyway.
Whom do you need to forgive today?
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(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)