Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

Thanksgiving dinner was ready to eat - well, almost. There was still one dish baking. The traditional scalloped oysters had been prepared and slid into the oven, but because of the doubled recipe it was taking a lot longer to bake. We waited and waited, but finally decided to get started anyway. Hey, the top of the casserole was crispy, so we were sure it would be fine.

What is love not? This is a question that has been running through my head lately. In the last hours of Jesus' life on earth He spent a great amount of time exhorting His followers to love one another. God is love and if we want to be like Him we must exhibit the characteristics of love that prove we belong to Him. But do we sometimes misunderstand what love is and replace it with actions or attitudes that are not in tune with God's love nature?

Ripples of water licked the edge of the beach front on beautiful Lake Pleasant in the Adirondack Mountains. The summer sun shimmered pleasantly while many guests lounged on the warm sand soaking in its rays or cooled their tanned skin in the crystal clear waters. In the distance engines roared to life, laughter filled the air, and water skiers tried their sea legs for the first time of the season. Everyone was relaxed and away from the pressures of every day life except for a few.

Life is full of day-to-day difficulties. It is important during these experiences to call out to the Lord in prayer. He wants us to pray continually and keep in touch with Him through the day. But there are other times when a critical situation rears its ugly head - you know, one of those disasters that sneaks up unawares and drops you to the ground in desperation.

On the last day of our camping trip this summer, we had packed all our gear and were preparing to return to the car for the twelve hour ride home. I settled my pack in the middle of the canoe and then cautiously made my way to the bow of the boat. As I was waiting the vessel started to drift. When Dad reached for it, we became unbalanced, tipped, and I fell into the water. 

The hills reverberated with intimidating words hurled across the valley. The bronze covered nine foot frame was bathed in the morning sun as the armies lined up for yet another face-off. For forty days now the Philistines and the Israelites had been battling. Every morning and evening the war cries echoed across the valley only to be replaced by the pounding of hundreds of Israelite feet fleeing from the scene of terror. The bravest warrior's heart melted with fear when the Philistine champion, Goliath, appeared on the scene.