Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

Goal setting is a common practice in all walks of life. Cross country runners seek to attain a personal best time as the run their race. Businesspeople set goals for advertising and financial gain. Weight watchers choose a goal weight for their height and bone structure. And teachers decide what goals they want to accomplish in the education of their students. The Apostle Paul was a very active writer with very specific goals. He penned numerous letters to various churches for the purposes of strengthening, encouraging, and teaching the members about the things of God. In the book of 1 Timothy, Paul wrote to an individual. Timothy, his protégé in the faith, was a member of Paul’s missionary team, and at Paul’s request he stayed in the city of Ephesus to stand against some tough opposition to the church and the Christian faith. Paul recognized the difficulties Timothy was facing and wrote him a letter. It wasn’t a newsy note, but a letter with a purpose. Early on Paul explained that his letter would be full of instructions with certain goals in mind. He desired that Timothy and the Ephesian congregation would develop love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

Have you ever noticed how often prideful words come back to haunt you? It has happened to me lots of times. Knowing when to keep my mouth shut is an important lesson to learn, but some habits are hard to break. Often the recompense for my boasts is known only to me but other times . . . AARRGGHH!!! It was the summer of 1987 – that glorious summer Dad and I met. As is common with young couples falling in love, I went through various emotions of elation and insecurity. I was constantly trying to be my best self so as to impress the guy who had succeeded in making my heart beat wildly every time he was around. In the course of one of our conversations the topic of cooking came up. Well, what better way was there to capture a man than with culinary skill? So I casually worked into the conversation my amazing abilities to create lovely dishes – my specialty being lemon meringue pie. I figured there was no need to mention that I had only made the pie a few times, and that with the help of my grandmother.

When you know someone well, it is easy to identify his or her handwriting. Each person has a particular way of putting the printed word on the page. We even use our signatures to verify our identity on documents. As a notary public, I check a signer’s driver’s license if I do not know them, but when they are personally known there is no need for this proof. I can vouch for their signature because of our relationship. When I was young my grandfather sometimes sat at the table and practiced his signature. He loved to write and his name was penned in old-style, free-flowing loops and clipped lines. I would recognize it anywhere. If I found a piece of paper where he had been practicing I would know his writing even if his name were not on it. At the end of the book of 2 Thessalonians Paul gives a personal comment about his own handwriting. In a time where scribes would often take dictation, Paul mentions that this letter is penned with his very own hand and that it is a distinguishing mark in every letter. It seems strange that he would stress that this is the way he writes, and you wonder why he was making such a big deal about it.

Everything is a gift for which we must give thanks. As children one of the first things we are taught is gratefulness. “Say, 'Thank you,'” was constantly on my lips when you were babies as a reminder to be grateful for what you were given. It is polite and kind but it is also an obligation. When we receive a gift, the correct response is thankfulness. The Bible tells us in many places to give thanks. 1 Chronicles 16:8 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples.” Psalm 92:1 “It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.” Ephesians 5:20 “…always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

You just can’t outgive God. A sure test of a person’s verbal commitment to the Lord is how she uses her money. When we honor Him by giving sacrificially, we put our wallet where our mouth is. Not only is it an act of obedience, but it is also a step of faith showing that we trust God to provide for our needs. When we give to Him first, God has a way of giving back more. As an old country song said, “When we hand it out the front door, He hauls it in the back door." The benefits we receive from obedient giving may not come in a financial form, but God will bless us when we demonstrate our trust and devotion.

Yesterday was a happy day! After a long summer, our family was together again. John-Keith and Nathan made the long road trip from camp in New York State to Ohio. After being cramped in a loaded hatchback for over ten hours, the boys pulled into the school parking lot where all seven of us were reunited at Abigail’s volleyball game. It felt fantastic! My heart swells when I think of everyone’s work ethic this summer. I have seen each of you work hard. I have heard positive comments from others regarding your willingness to complete even menial tasks in a timely manner and with a pleasant attitude (waitressing, cleaning, yard work, and food delivery to a bunch of hungry girls, to name a few). This pleases me!