Daily Devotional

Fellowship with Jesus June 22, 2018 Read: Philippians 3:7–14 | Bible in a Year: Esther 6–8; Acts 6 I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:8 I’ll never forget the time I had the privilege of sitting next to Billy Graham at a dinner. I was honored but also somewhat nervous about what would be appropriate to say. I thought it would be an interesting conversation starter to ask what…

Telling Time June 21, 2018 Read: Psalm 90:9–17 | Bible in a Year: Esther 3–5; Acts 5:22–42 [Make] the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16 “Westerners have watches. Africans have time.” So said Os Guinness, quoting an African proverb in his book Impossible People. That caused me to ponder the times I have responded to a request with, “I don’t have time.” I thought about the tyranny of the urgent and how schedules and deadlines…

Every Moment Matters June 20, 2018 Read: Philippians 1:12–24 | Bible in a Year: Esther 1–2; Acts 5:1–21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21 When I met Ada, she had outlived her entire group of friends and family and was living in a nursing home. “It’s the hardest part of getting old,” she told me, “watching everyone else move on and leave you behind.” One day I asked Ada what kept her…

Impaired Judgment June 19, 2018 Read: Matthew 7:1–6 | Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 12–13; Acts 4:23–37 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Matthew 7:1 I’ve been quick to judge anyone I saw walking in the street while staring at a phone. How could they be so oblivious to the cars about to hit them? I’ve told myself. Don’t they care about their own safety? But one day, while crossing the entrance to an alleyway, I was…

Blessing in the Mess June 18, 2018 Read: Genesis 28:10–22 | Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 10–11; Acts 4:1–22 He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 I got myself into this mess, so I’d better get myself out, I sometimes find myself thinking. Although I believe in a God of grace, I’m still prone to act as if His help is available only when I…

Our Safe Place June 17, 2018 Read: Psalm 91 | Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 7–9; Acts 3 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 My very first job was at a fast-food restaurant. One Saturday evening, a guy kept hanging around, asking when I got out of work. It made me feel uneasy. As the hour grew later, he ordered fries, then a drink, so…

As Advertised June 16, 2018 Read: John 16:25–33 | Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 4–6; Acts 2:22–47 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 During a vacation, my husband and I signed up for a leisurely rafting tour down Georgia’s Chattahoochee River. Dressed in sandals, a sundress, and a wide brimmed hat, I groaned when we discovered—contrary to the advertisement—that the trip included light rapids. Thankfully, we rode with a…

“Lovable!” June 15, 2018 Read: Jeremiah 31:1–6 | Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 1–3; Acts 2:1–21 I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 “Lovable!” That exclamation came from my daughter as she got ready one morning. I didn’t know what she meant. Then she tapped her shirt, a hand-me-down from a cousin. Across the front was that word: “Lovable.” I gave her a big hug, and she smiled with pure…

Quieting the Critic June 14, 2018 Read: Nehemiah 4:1–6 | Bible in a Year: Ezra 9–10; Acts 1 Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Nehemiah 4:4 I work with a team to put on an annual community event. We spend eleven months plotting many details to ensure the event’s success. We choose the date and venue. We set ticket prices. We select everything from food vendors to sound technicians. As…

Humble Love June 13, 2018 Read: Philippians 2:1–11 | Bible in a Year: Ezra 6–8; John 21 The greatest among you will be your servant. Matthew 23:11 When Benjamin Franklin was a young man he made a list of twelve virtues he desired to grow in over the course of his life. He showed it to a friend, who suggested he add “humility” to it. Franklin liked the idea. He then added some guidelines to help him with each item…

 Called by Name Read: John 20:11–18 | Bible in a Year: Ezra 3–5; John 20 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” John 20:16 Advertisers have concluded that the most attention-grabbing word that viewers react to is their own name. Thus a television channel in the UK has introduced personalized advertisements with their online streaming services. We might enjoy hearing our name on television, but it doesn’t mean much without the…