Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

Human nature tends to want revenge. When someone treats you badly, it is natural to want to return the favor. But for those who are God’s children there is a better way. Our Father tells us always to seek after that which is good for ALL people – not just those who are nice to you. When a child of God is obedient to His command, sometimes the results are surprising!

Having artistic, creative friends inspires me. Such is the case with my college friend Haley Jo. Recently, she sent us handmade postcards with beautifully designed pictures, script, and, best of all, hidden messages. Using invisible ink, she embedded words personalized to each one of us that we can only see with a special flash light. The kids and I had fun searching our card to discover words popping out at us in that light.

Most of us have experienced a time when we trusted someone only to find out they were wrong. A fellow student told us what chapters to study for a test, but we arrived on exam day to find out that nothing we studied is on the test. A boss assured us of a raise or improved working conditions that never panned out. These things are very discouraging but they are nothing compared to believing what a “religious leader” tells us is from God, only to find out that God never said it. To avoid these experiences we must . . . "Trust, but verify!"

 Appreciation goes a long way. There is not much harder than working your tail off for someone who doesn’t appreciate what you are doing. We are called to do this – work without recognition – but it sure is nice when someone takes the time to thank you for what you have done.

There are just some things you can’t get enough of: encouragement, kindness, success . . . or maybe even chocolate cake to name a few. But something that exceeds all these is love. We cannot receive too much love, but we also cannot give too much love.

It’s county fair time! Though we are not showcasing any animals this year, I still feel the pull to get out in the barn and start washing, trimming, and preparing livestock for this big week. It is a memory that will always come to mind the first of August.