Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

Friday was the last football game of the season. It would have been nice if it had been a beautiful crisp evening, but unfortunately it was cold and rainy - "real football weather" was what some people called it. With resignation we all donned layers of Under Armor, sweatshirts, warm jackets, and rain gear. I grabbed a few blankets, Dad brought plastic bags to place on the moist seats, and we set out to watch the wet, muddy guys give it their best one more time.

One can learn a lot about life from living on a farm, even one as small as ours. The same God who made everything around us in the physical world has also made everything in the spiritual realm. It only makes sense that the same Designer would use similar principles in either realm, doesn't it?

One of the main services of our company is to liquidate real estate. We regularly help people sell or buy new homes. Recently we have sold some lots of bare ground on which the purchasers have decided to build new houses.  It can be an exciting time in someone's life as they plan and prepare for this huge project.

His tired gray eyes scanned the horizon just as they had done time after time, day after day, for who knows how long. Ever since his youngest son had demanded his portion of the inheritance and took off to places unknown, this loving father had prayed and waited and watched. How many times had he heard a strange sound and run to the window to search the horizon for the familiar figure of his precious boy? He had lost count a long time ago.

Why is human nature drawn to drama and tragedy? All through the years people have been mesmerized by the tragic and horrible. In the days of ancient Rome, citizens gathered at the Colosseum to watch men and women be torn apart by raging lions and wild beasts. They cheered and celebrated as the sharp teeth of vicious animals crunched the bones of the unfortunate gladiators and defenseless criminals.

The dewey grass soaked the cloth of Jesus' robe as He knelt in prayer that terrible night. Surrounded by the pungent smell of olives in Gethsemane and serenaded by the snores of His followers, the Savior sought comfort and strength from His heavenly Father. The minutes ticked by as great drops of sweat, the color of blood, dripped from His face and moistened the ground even further. Understanding fully what He was about to suffer at the hands of hateful men, the Son of God firmly set His mind on fulfilling His Father's will.