Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

Communication is one of the most important aspects of any campaign. When this crucial link is missing or faulty, a message can be lost or misunderstood and tremendous damage can be done. That is why we must seek to share what God has given us and ensure that our words and our methods of communication are appropriate and clear. The Apostle Paul had spent most of his life taking the gospel throughout the world. As he approached his last days on earth, he was concerned for the integrity of the truth. He knew false teachers would seek to tarnish the message, and if godly men and women didn’t step up, the spread of the gospel would be hindered. He urged his spiritual son, Timothy, to keep the chain of communication going. By entrusting the things he had learned from Paul to other faithful men and training them to teach the truth, it would remain strong and spread even farther throughout the world. The word we use for this today is discipleship.

As we live our lives there will be times when we reach special milestones. Learning to walk, entering school, accepting our first job, and getting married are a few. Yesterday I celebrated another landmark event: yesterday I turned fifty. I have never been one to care much about my age. I have enjoyed every stage of life and had much to look forward to. But somehow turning fifty has felt different. This particular number causes a person to stop and take notice.

Have you ever had someone fail to keep his promise? I have. A number of years ago someone promised to pay me for work I did, but never came through. I kept waiting and waiting but “no go!” I don’t know if he forgot, didn’t have the money, or didn’t care, but whatever the reason I was left in the lurch. Sometimes this happens with people but never with God. I was reminded of this truth yesterday while reading Genesis 21. The Living Bible words the Scripture as follows, “Then God did as He had promised . . .” What a comfort these seven words were! The power of this statement becomes real when you read the rest of the story.

This is the time of year when many Americans decide that they are going to get fit. We have just come through a time of celebration that included excess eating along with limited exercise, and most of us are feeling the effects. “Today is the day” has become a famous motto around our house, and healthy meals are on the menu to jumpstart our goal of becoming strong.

The older I get the more I realize how much people need each other. This is true in all sorts of ways and particularly when it comes to growing spiritually. God has created us to live in relationship with Him and others and it is crucial for our health and well-being. Many celebrations have occurred in the past week. Friends and families gathered together to celebrate the advent of the New Year. Our family’s activities were a bit laid back but nevertheless enjoyable and fun. After eating delicious calzones prepared by Luke and Brianna we settled in for a night of Rocky.

It’s that time of year again; it's the time when everyone comes to the bend in the road that leaves the past behind and moves them forward into the future. It is a common practice to look back one last time to consider all that has transpired and plan for what can be accomplished in the future. In so doing many make a list of New Year resolutions. As I have thought about the days ahead, I have decided that 2017 will be the year of death.