Corona Devo 3253

On a recent college campus tour, we found ourselves in the locker room of one of their sports teams. One of my favorite takeaways from that campus visit was a mirror in that locker room, framed in colored sticky notes with positive mantras written on them by the teammates.

Positive thoughts, motivating motto's, and encouraging ideas were handwritten in all different penmanship, and on all different colored sticky notes. 

I read each one, and they were uplifting for sure, with phrases such as "Never quit!", and "Pain is temporary, but pride is forever" stuck neatly around the mirror's edge.

I was hoping for at least one posting that might include a Bible verse, and as I read my second-to-last note: there it was.  

One note out of thirty-some notes breathed a word of encouragement from God's Word, and I praised the Lord for that (one) player's boldness and her faith.

A slacker will not plow in season, so at harvest he looks but finds nothing.  ~Proverbs 20:4

Essentially--work hard today, or tomorrow we won't have anything to show-for-it, or to enjoy.
How many other voices are preaching that kind of encouragement and motivation into our hearts today?  
Let me count...none.

The world offers much good advice.  People present and proclaim motivation and personal wisdom and inspiring experiences.
But no (world) truth or motto has the grounding or foundation of God's Word.  Nothing can combat or compete with the truth of the Word of our Lord.

In a world where others will cite many sources, I pray that we can be the one citing our Savior as our one true Source.

Our source of encouragement. 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, (25) not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 
(26) If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left,   ~Hebrews 10:24-26

Our source of peace.
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  ~Isaiah 26:3

Our source of strength. 

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’   ~Isaiah 41:10


Our source of health and wellness.  

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness[ will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.  ~Isaiah 58:8


Our source of sanity. 
So speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.  ~Titus 3:2

Our Lord is our source of life-inspiration.  We can turn to His Word (the Bible) for encouragement (for the small feats as well as the mighty ones).

He always has a word for us, and we can find Him in His Word.  

The world can have their mottos and jingles and superstitions and traditions.  
But the people of God will take the Word of God every time instead.  

There is no substitute (or substance) to anything but God's Word.  Let's cling to it.  Let's read it. Let's memorize it.  Let's post it up verbally to ourselves and to others, and let's be the one who offers God's advice when everyone else is looking to the world's.

It is so easy and comfortable to blend in.
But it is so Biblically-ordained that we step out for Christ.

Let's be the lone sticky note shouting Scripture today.
Let's be the one that doesn't go along with the group or the crowd today.
Let's work for the Lord, and for His glory today.

  • Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.  ~Proverbs 12:11 
  • He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.  ~Proverbs 10:4   
  • Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! (7) It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, (8) yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. (9) How long will you lie there, you sluggard?  When will you get up from your sleep? (10) A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—(11) and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.  ~Proverbs 6:6-11
In a world where others will cite many sources, I pray that we can be the one citing our Savior as our one true source.


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