Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

Who are you more likely to believe – a storyteller who is reciting a tale 2nd or 3rd hand or an eyewitness to an event?

Why doesn’t God answer all our prayers the way we wish He would? This is a question that humanity has asked down through the ages. Even the Apostle Paul had a request with which God did not comply.

From the beginning of time there has always been a trend to cast blame. When one is caught in sin, it is very natural to point at someone else as the cause for the indiscretion instead of taking responsibility for his or her own actions. Adam and Eve were the first people to try this ploy for getting off the hook. Eve, deceived by the serpent, ate some of the fruit from the tree that God had forbidden, and then offered some to her husband. Without any argument Adam also ate of the fruit. Sometime later, when confronted by God with their disobedience, Adam tried to pass the buck to Eve. Then Eve, when questioned, blamed the serpent. The facts were right, but the attitude was wrong. Instead of taking responsibility for their own decisions, they tried to cover up their sin by blaming someone else.

I am going to let you in on a secret. For days when I am craving sweets I keep a hidden stash of my favorite sugary treats tucked away in easy reach! Shhh!! I am not going to tell you where they are because then they will disappear before I can eat them. Nevertheless, these sweet morsels are there for when I feel the need for something delicious.

Absolutely nothing is too hard for God! He can even bring life from dead places. The other day a thought occurred to me. It seems like there are a lot of infertile women in the Bible who miraculously give birth. I suppose there are many more who become pregnant with no trouble, but it seems that the barren ones are constantly highlighted. Other than the fact that it is very interesting, why is that?

Every once in a while it happens! We have an auction. We collect payment. We deposit the money in the bank. And a few days later we receive an official letter informing us that a check was returned for insufficient funds. Whether you are the writer or the depositer of the check, it is so frustrating to receive this notification. Upon writing or accepting the check, you trust that behind each small slip of paper there is money to back up the promise. But sometimes it just isn’t there.