Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

Change is a huge part of life. From season to season and experience to experience the day to day patterns of our existence are constantly changing. For some this variety is exciting, but for most huge changes create an unsettled feeling. 

This weekend I stepped back into time. The warm sun glistened on the small pond that graced the front of the home where we held a special auction on Saturday. No one who attended would argue that the temperature, the setting, and the atmosphere were not perfect. Many attenders came to buy, but others just to drink in the nostalgia created by the beautiful antique furniture and memorabilia from years gone by.

The crisp cool weather of a Midwest autumn ushers in football season. Who doesn't like to bundle up in their favorite teams colors and join friends and classmates at the high school stadium? The steady cadence of the snare drums and marching band just makes your blood start pumping and the thrill of seeing the team stampede onto the field brings a huge rush.

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.