Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

Have you ever felt like you were carrying a load of bricks on your chest? Sometimes life drops a heavy bundle of cares and concerns on your heart that threaten to crush you. During these times friends may try to comfort with words like, "I know just how you feel," or "I understand what you are going through." While appreciating their concern, it is easy to wonder if anyone could truly comprehend the weight of your burdens.

The smell of strong coffee and savory sausage wafted through the damp morning air as I strode down Soybean Avenue.  Maneuvering my way through the growing crowds of people, I caught snatches of conversations buzzing around me discussing the newest farm equipment and the price of corn. 

Making a decision to follow Jesus involves a large cost. Yes, God's gift of salvation is free - Christ paid the price for our sins when He took our punishment on the cross, but following Him has a steep price tag. It is essential to think about the price before you make a decision to commit yourself as a disciple of Jesus Christ.  In other words, one needs to count the cost.

This weekend Dad started digging up potatoes. The cool September weather was perfect to begin uncovering this buried treasure. You carefully penetrate the earth at the base of the hill with your fork, turn over the soil, and examine what you find.  The dirt falls through the fork tines leaving an abundance of tubers.

Why don't you just admit it? Deep down everyone has a desire to do something great - to be really good at something, to leave behind a legacy, to be recognized for something worthwhile. If you are honest you are no different than I am. No matter how hard you try to stuff it, down deep that aspiration is there. 

The large crowd travelled up the dusty road to Bethany. They had heard that big doings had been going on there. Word travels fast, especially when it involved the great miracle worker who had stirred up such controversy. After allegedly raising a dead man from the grave, he had disappeared, melting away with his disciples into the wilderness.