Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

Now that we have come through the holiday of giving and getting, it is time to take inventory . . . not of the gifts we received, but of our attitude towards those gifts.

There are many things one could say about the Christmas season. One of those is that it is a time for eating well! Over the past two weeks Dad and I have attended at least five parties – all of which included delicious food. Goodies and treats have also been streaming into our office as well-wishers stop by to spread holiday cheer. Everywhere you turn delicacies and high calorie treats are being shared so that by the end of this season most people will discover a noticeable increase in their waistline.

People’s words and intentions do not always add up. A kind gesture or pleasant inquiry may mask a less than stellar plot. This was certainly true when the Wise Men of old came to find the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.

Our actions and our emotions are usually driven by our thoughts. This can be a good thing if our thoughts are correct but if they are wrong we are in for some trouble.

Humans were made for relationship. From the very beginning God pronounced that it was not good for man to be alone and made provision for deep and lasting relationship. Somehow our culture has developed a pride in our ability to handle things by ourselves. Whether by choice or by circumstance and lifestyle we often try to forge our way through life on a solitary road. This was never meant to be. Most things are much easier to do with companionship.

Faith is the key that unlocks the answers to our prayers. We must be so acquainted with the God of the universe that we genuinely believe who He is, understand His heart, and are confident that He rewards those who genuinely seek Him. When we desire to expand the boundaries of our faith in God, He often uses small answers to prayer to move us forward.