A Devotion May Be Someone's Only Bible

Spirit & Soul

Spirit and Soul is all about eternity. Life ever after with a God who has prepared a place in advance for us. Dig into the Word. Search out your heart. Contemplate where you will spend eternity. . .then choose to offer your life to God.

Get Out of the Attic

An old country church was being torn down and a new one built across town. To raise money for the new church, members sold the wooden pews that had served the country church well.

One man bought a twelve-foot pew and took it to his farm. With much difficulty, he put it in the attic of his home.

Years later, when the man’s health declined, he had to sell the farm. Unable to get the pew out of the attic, he sealed the attic and left the pew there.

Like the old church pew, I felt my age prevented me from doing anything more in ministry. Over the years, I had taught Bible studies and served in many ministries. But now I was spending much of my time at home and keeping doctor appointments.

Lacking the strength and vigor I possessed in my younger years, I believed I could no longer make long-term commitments or do much. Later, I discovered this was a lie the Devil spoke in my ear. I could still do plenty. God made me special and gifted me to serve.

The spiritual gifts listed in I Corinthians and Ephesians stay with us for life. We can use them in new and different ways as we enter our senior years. I discovered I had additional time to pray for others and the church’s needs. I could help in the nursery, giving young couples a needed break. I learned to use technology from home to connect to church and other ministries.

Our senior years can bring much satisfaction and joy if we look around and discover new ways to use our spiritual gift. Like the psalmist, we can serve the Lord with gladness. We don’t have to shut ourselves away. We can get out of the attic and serve the Lord again.

Never forget that there are ways you can serve God, regardless of your age.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and Kincse_j.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)



Stronger than Dirt

Years ago, a commercial described a laundry soap as “stronger than dirt.”

In the early 1970s, we lived near San Francisco. The hippie movement was in full swing. I was a new Christian. My husband’s brother Larry was a wild man who didn’t like me and thought his little brother had gone off the deep end with religion. But he and his wife ended up in church because they needed money. He told us later that he planned to scam the Christian couple who had evangelized us.

The church folks were thrilled that this ragged, wild-looking hippie couple had come to church. Larry made a big show for them so he could get more out of them later. Larry was the first when the pastor asked if anyone wanted to come to the altar and pray. “A good sympathy move,” he said.

While kneeling—not so humbly—at the altar, Larry thought about ways to steal a car from the couple. But then something unexpected happened. Jesus came. Larry found himself crying and praying. Before knowing what had happened, he earnestly prayed and asked God to forgive him. He lived for God 100 percent for the rest of his life.

I had zero faith in Larry and didn’t believe that even God could help him because the soil of his heart was so hard, like cement. But the truth is that we can’t see what is really going on inside the hearts of others.

I think of terms like digging up dirt, a dirty trick, dirty dishes, and talking dirty as allegories for the human heart. The Bible discusses dirt with rocks and thorns and good dirt where seeds can grow. When we look on with a faithless eye, none of the dirt looks too promising. It can be discouraging when we sow a seed (God’s Word) and nothing happens. But God taught me a lesson with Larry that I’ve never forgotten.

Good fruit doesn’t happen accidentally. Someone must sow, weed, water, fertilize, and love. We might think some people are unreachable or that a problem is just too big, but never forget that God keeps sowing because His love and mercy are stronger than dirt.

 

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and klimkin.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)



Good Luck with This One

As I put the water on for the pasta and angrily clicked the burner, I tossed a snarky quip to God, “Good Luck with this one!”

I bustled around my kitchen, feeling frustrated and raking my hands through my hair. My sister had just served us three siblings with a lawsuit. She wanted everything that remained of our mother’s estate instead of dividing it four ways as Mom wished.

My sister had always been tyrannical and made her own rules. She was smart and savvy. With scary histrionics, she successfully got others to do her bidding. I would not be surprised if she was also the victor in this legal action.  

Whenever I’ve experienced trials, I’m astounded at the creative way God comes through with solutions. Why would He let me down this time?

The apostles freaked out as that little boat rocked and rolled, seawater sloshing over the sides. I would panic too if I were stuck on that boat. Jesus, however, admonished their lack of faith. I would probably have looked at Him and bellowed, “Are you serious? You’re scolding us? We are about to drown!” But Jesus is like Aladdin on the roof in the Disney movie, reaching out His hand to Jasmine before she jumps, asking, “Do you trust me?”

God challenges me to give my faith an upgrade. I must say daily, “Who is on the throne?” When I flippantly say, “Good luck with this one,” I put the Creator of the universe on the same level as puny me. How preposterous. Jesus understands us and our exploding anger and excruciating fear. But He also sits at the right hand of God, seeing the end from the beginning. I can do all the footwork, but I’ll never be in charge of God’s outcome.

Often, I think of my sister’s strength and amazing abilities. She is intelligent enough to cure cancer. God will take care of all of us, including my sister, even though it may not appear He will at the moment.

How can you learn to trust God with your unpleasant situations?

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and Engin_Akyurt.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)



Satan's Zombie Children

I once came to understand that I was a zombie, along with everyone else.

One of my least favorite entertainments is in the many zombie movies and television programs such as “The Walking Dead.” These programs have a common theme in which animated dead bodies with unquenchable appetites seek out those who have life, seeking to devour them. The walking dead are energized by desires with no morality or respect. They have no awareness of God or guilt but only obey their hunger.

After becoming God’s child through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we live daily by interacting with zombies who desire our needs above all others. Knowing this, I felt heightened concern for my family.

I also became aware that any Christian who walks in this current world without dressing in God’s armor is a person walking naked among hungry zombies who lust after what they have. Sadly, only a percentage of the living have the new life in Christ.

But we don’t have to be afraid. The one who is in us is greater than the enemy of our souls. Our job is to walk carefully.

What are some ways you can resist Satan’s zombie children?

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and klimkin.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)



Grace Woke Us

As I enjoyed sitting in the morning sun, I thought about how the grace of God had awakened me for a beautiful day of holiday relaxation. The grace of God blesses each of us to wake up, so I decided to enjoy each moment.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth come through Jesus Christ. I read this verse and thought about how God sent us His greatest undeserved grace, Jesus, our Lord. Through Him, we are blessed to enjoy our prayers and blessings in humble faith.

We can all hope our future as Christians looks bright. We can pray to be united. We can harness the power of positive prayer by seeking inspiration from our Lord.

We are all saved through Jesus’ great love and sacrifice for us all. This is how God enriches each day of our lives with goodness, mercy, love, healing benefits, and forgiveness. Jesus is our true manifestation of grace, so together, we can pray to wake up and have peace for all.

How does God’s grace awaken you?

(Photo courtesy of pixabay and Shingo_No.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)



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