Corona Devotionals

Fickle faith.  We've seen it.  We've lived it.    In a crowd of believers--they (we?) are all-in.  Hands raised and hearts-thumping...we step forward boldly for God (and mean it).   But then the beautiful faith-bubble bursts, and life sucker-punches us. Where is our faith now? Faraway?   Or are we running to the Bible for God's direction and peace before we freak out?   ~~~ King  Nebuchadnezzar was fickle in faith. When he was hot...he was hot, but when he was not... he was not . When he got what he wanted (via God), he was all-for/all-about/and all-in for God. And he brought many others with him as he rallied for God. For instance, King  Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, and it wasn't one that you just roll-over and go back to sleep and forget about. It disturbed him because he couldn't figure it out. One night during the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had such disturbing dreams that he couldn’t sleep. ( 2) He ...

Does anyone have a paperbag?   Sometimes I read the headlines, or glance at the newsfeeds, or listen to the podcasters and...I feel my pulse quicken and the fight-or-flight response kick in.   I could just-about hyperventilate! I can't be the only one who gets overwhelmed with the world sometimes...   Feeling outnumbered... Afraid to stand...  Intimidated by the intimidators... Does anyone have a paperbag?   ~~~ But when I woke up this morning and looked out my window, there were no (mental/emotional/intellectual/or physical) threats: there were deer.  About four of them, meandering through our yard, with their snoots to the ground and munching on acorns as they ambled.   They weren't stressed.  They were not skittish.  They were not even cautionary.  And they certainly were not on the verge of hyperventilating and needing a paper bag to breathe into.  They were just doing what it was time for them to do: ea...

What's the secret to enjoying life ?  If we want to see many happy days , what's the input for that outcome? The media, magazines, and mega-stars say, "money".   Rich doctors getting richer say plastics and botox. Satan says sex, substances and all fleshly pleasures... when we want, and in any derivation that we desire. But satan only comes to steal and kill and destroy , and those are the eventual results of seeking to enjoy life  without God. But don't be duped: Jesus says, " The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,   and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Jesus came so that (in Him) our lives might be full.  But --how do we get there?  How do we achieve  the pinnacle experience of enjoying life and see ing many happy days ?   Is it possible?   Is it probable? Is enjoying life and see ing many happy days even Biblical ? Yes. And how do we unlock  these deep daily blessing...

Do we ever wonder where to start  in reading the Bible?   Which Book?  ( Romans ?  Mark ?  Genesis ?  Revelation ?) Which verses?   John 3:16 ?  ( For God so loved  the world that he gave  his one and only Son,  that whoever believes  in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  ~John 3:16 )  Romans 3:23 ?   ( ... for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  ( 24)  and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.    ~Romans 3:23-24 )  Isaiah 40:31 ?  (. .. but those who hope in the  Lord  will renew their strength.   They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not grow weary,  they will walk and not be faint.  ~Isaiah 40:31 ) Personally, I prefer to read the Bible straight through (one day at a time, of course), but there are times and situa...