“Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes, but rather what is inside the heart — the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” (I Peter 3:3-4, CSB) Are you beautiful? If you…
“Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph’s character” (Psalm 105:19, NLT) When I recently did an online search for the meaning of character, I knew it wouldn’t be easy to define when one entry came up as the ”best 74 definitions of character.” The list included…
“Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.” Ecclesiastes 7:3 I know, this really isn’t a scripture that sounds encouraging but it holds a powerful lesson. Think back over your life and remember all the moments that truly defined and shaped you as a person.…
As you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. (I Thessalonians 2:11-12, NKJV) Today is Father’s Day in various nations of the world. Although…
“As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” (Proverbs 27:19, ESV) If you have ever gone on a job interview, you probably did your best to make a good first impression. Hopefully, you dressed neatly, combed your hair, and had good hygiene. (And turned…
[do_widget id=polylang-2] We all have them. Some more than others. James tells us to count them all joy (1:2), but it’s easier said than done. The book of Job offers wisdom for trusting God in times of distress. When Job emerged from his test of faith, he told God, “I…
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. I Corinthians 9:25, NIV “Of all the battles a SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) must fight, none…
Whether a story or a novel, a publication has at least one main character, usually a good guy, facing an obstacle. The story has three parts—a beginning, middle, and end. It is a journey to solve a problem that ends with a satisfactory conclusion. The biblical journey begins with the…
Gravity is not influenced by popular opinion. It just exists. Our preference has no effect on its properties. Many other principles in life hold true whether we like them or not. If we plant watermelon seeds we will not harvest corn or tomatoes. How we live our lives today determines to a great extent the quality of life we experience tomorrow. The Bible declares, “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Often that statement has ominous connotations, but the opposite is true too. If we sow love, peace, kindness, and gentleness into those around us, we will receive a beautiful crop in return.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help is to be aware of what we are planting each day. Give us the grace and strength we need to consistently sow the right things.
Devotion by Bonnie Peacock