Christian Devotionals and Scripture Applied to Everyday Life

Most of us have experienced a time when we trusted someone only to find out they were wrong. A fellow student told us what chapters to study for a test, but we arrived on exam day to find out that nothing we studied is on the test. A boss assured us of a raise or improved working conditions that never panned out. These things are very discouraging but they are nothing compared to believing what a “religious leader” tells us is from God, only to find out that God never said it. To avoid these experiences we must . . . "Trust, but verify!"

 Appreciation goes a long way. There is not much harder than working your tail off for someone who doesn’t appreciate what you are doing. We are called to do this – work without recognition – but it sure is nice when someone takes the time to thank you for what you have done.

There are just some things you can’t get enough of: encouragement, kindness, success . . . or maybe even chocolate cake to name a few. But something that exceeds all these is love. We cannot receive too much love, but we also cannot give too much love.

It’s county fair time! Though we are not showcasing any animals this year, I still feel the pull to get out in the barn and start washing, trimming, and preparing livestock for this big week. It is a memory that will always come to mind the first of August.

I can’t get it out of my mind! A couple of weeks ago while vacationing at Camp-of-the-Woods we heard Erwin Lutzer, the pastor emeritus of Moody Church in Chicago, Illinois, speak. During his sermon He mentioned that every day he prays, “God, glorify Yourself at my expense.” Since then I have continually thought about the meaning of those words.

“The world says that ‘seeing is believing,’ but God wants us to believe in order to see.” I read this quote yesterday in L.B. Cowman’s devotional, Streams in the Desert, and it really struck me because it highlights one of many huge differences between God and the world. God’s way of doing things is often opposite of our way of doing things. We say, “Make it happen;” He says, “Wait.” We say, “Stay;” He says, “Go.” We say, “Worry;” He says, “Trust me.” We say, “Forge your own way;” He says, “Let Me guide your path.” Following Him is often counterintuitive to our nature, but it is always best. Faith is what pleases God.