Category: Daily Devotions

“He began to send them out two by two …” (Mark 6:7) We are hands on people and we do plenty of learning, and we do that by being active in our community interacting with others, sharing ideas, working by trial and error. As we experience success and failure we debrief and analyze and adjust…

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) Don’t just see the problem, look for the opportunity. When President John Kennedy was asked how he became a war hero, he smiled and quipped, “It was easy. Somebody sunk my boat!” While it’s true that certain individuals have…

“A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.” (Proverbs 14:15) Whatever the situation evaluate the problem carefully and prayerfully. Here’s what King Solomon said about reacting impulsively instead of taking time to get all the facts. “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” “To…

“Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ And they threw him out of the vineyard…

“Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” (John 21:15) It is popular today to restore old things or repurpose items for a new use. Some TV shows, stores, and internet pages are dedicated to this idea. My wife and I walk through a nearby antique mall sometimes on my day off.…

“If only your descendants are careful in all they do to walk before me …” (2 Chronicles 6:16) In his prayer at the dedication of the temple, Solomon remembered the promise that God had made to his father David: that the descendants of David would occupy the throne of Israel if they were careful to…

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:12–13) Don’t be surprised. The world hates…

“Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness.” (2 Chronicles 20:21) Many nations have favorite songs celebrating their underdog victories over enemies who were bent on conquest or oppression. In 2 Chronicles 20 we have a fascinating account of how God protected his people from…

“My son … acknowledge the God of your father … If you seek him, he will be found by you …” (1 Chronicles 28:9) Imagine the weight of responsibility Solomon felt that day. When his aging father, David, placed the scepter of the empire into Solomon’s young and inexperienced hands, it weighed a ton. Then,…