Fun Moment - Quadruplet Babies Laughing

If this doesn't bring joy to your heart, I don't know what would. These babies are precious.

 

Writers' Moment: Write a Memorable Devotion in Three Steps

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:11-12 (ESV)

Devotionals may be short but pack a message and inspiration into very few words. Many times, I have people ask how I come up with the ideas for my devotionals. Most often, I say that the key is to be sensitive – to the Holy Spirit when He speaks to you with an idea, to the circumstances surrounding you where you'll find inspiration, and to the people you interact with or listen to who may motivate or inspire you to share a message.

Have you read a devotional first thing in the morning that stayed with you all day? How do you affect your readers?

• 1. First and foremost, ask, "Is my writing in line with Scripture?"

Many times, God will give you a message as you're reading and meditating on His Word. Even if God gives you an idea first, your next step is to research the Bible to make sure your message is biblically sound.

• 2. "Is my message relevant?" 

Are you writing to moms? Dads? Grads? Grandparents? Children? The list goes on and on. With so few words, you must focus on your audience with precision addressing their needs and concerns.

• 3. "How's my summation?"  

A devotion is so short that you have to conclude with a punch - a challenge, a question, an encouraging word, a prayer. What do you want your reader to remember?

I could go on and on about the subject, but I'm giving advice about writing with brevity. I'll simply say – Ask the Holy Spirit to help you share the message God wants you to share today. Read your Word. Pray. Listen. Be sensitive. Write.

Devotion: Which Path Have You Chosen?

Verse of the Day: Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. - Matthew 7:13-14 ESV

Have you ever been waiting in line to check out at some place like Sam's Club and a new register opens? Whoosh! The people in the other lines flock to the new one hoping to get checked out faster. After a few seconds, most disperse and end up at the back of the lines they were in originally. I've done it myself -- and oh, is it exasperating! 

It's easy to follow the crowd, isn't it? We've all done it. Have you ever done something really goofy just because some of your friends coaxed you into it? Again - I've done it myself. 

When it comes to standing strong in your walk with Jesus, sometimes you have to go against the grain, stand out against the crowd, and dare to be different. If the gate to destruction is wide, then that would be the easier path. Our natural tendency is to take the easy way, but Jesus never said it would be easy. He said, "Remember the word that I said to you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also" (John 15:20). 

I don't want to be led down a path of destruction and I'm sure you don't either. I'm always struck by the fact that the Jesus said that those who find their way to heaven will be few. I want to be a part of that number, don't you? 

Prayer: Lord, I call on You for strength as I journey down this road of life. Thank you for that narrow path that lead to life everlasting. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen. 

Devotion: Let's Go to Church!

Verse of the Day: Hebrews 13:15 - By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

How about this for a change? Instead of thinking, "Oh, man, I SHOULD go to church today..." why not flip that around to "I GET to go to church today!" It's a privilege and a blessing to get to be with like-minded believers, worship God. get re-charged, and come away REVIVED.

Prayer: Lord, I thank You that I can worship You any place, any time, but today, I make the choice to be with brothers and sisters to praise You as a member of the Body of Christ. Bless this day and Your Church. We honor You. In Jesus' precious, sweet, holy Name I pray. Amen.