Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

The end of 2019 has whipped around us like a strong wind blowing us into a season of monumental changes. Life is never static. Year after year new opportunities present themselves, deep losses bring sorrow, and new relationships spring forth. Some of these changes are scary, and some are exciting, but we all must develop flexibility. No matter how hard we try to keep things the same we will fail. There is only one thing – one Person – Who always remains the same. He is the stability we all long for and to Whom we must hold on.

What does the Christmas season bring to mind? For some it might be the perfect tree, lights, decorations, fancy cookies, caroling, and the giving and receiving of gifts. But of course, you must also mention the numerous Hallmark Christmas movies. Over the years these G-rated films have portrayed basically the same plot in abundant ways using different protagonists and various twists to shake things up. Usually in the end the hero and heroine choose to follow their dreams, finding true love and the “perfect” life as a reward. But what do these Christmas movies not tell you?

Christmas! It’s the time of year when kids try to be extra good. They know that Santa Claus is making a list and checking it twice to find out who has been naughty and nice. The nice children will receive good gifts on Christmas morning. But the naughty ones will be disappointed. They will only receive coal in their stockings. So during the month of December the disobedient try to make up for lost time with the hopes of getting back into Santa’s graces.

How does a person find happiness? Our materialistic culture promotes the belief that the path to pleasure is found in more stuff. All you have to do is watch a little TV or walk through any department store and you will see and hear the telltale signs of this acquisition doctrine. But those who fall prey to the false creed eventually recognize the truth. More stuff doesn’t bring happiness. In fact, it usually brings headaches.

Wisdom is a virtue for which we all should strive. But usually someone referred to as a wise guy thinks more of himself than he should. This particular person always has the answers and won’t listen to reason. He highlights his own cleverness by using smart retorts and sarcastic remarks to belittle others. Worldly wisdom of this sort does not endear itself to people or originate with God. If you want to be the right kind of wise guy then you must seek the wisdom from above.

This has been quite the weekend! Saturday you got married and we all worked hard to make it a special day. Now that the dust has settled, I sit collecting my thoughts and rehearsing everything that’s happened over the past week, months, and years. Time just seems to fly. Little boys and girls too quickly grow into men and women who launch out and start homes of their own. I now know that from the day I first stared into my little Emily Suzanne’s eyes the clock started ticking. And the lump in my throat reminds me that when I said the first hello to that little seven-pound strawberry blonde I also said goodbye to my heart.