Corona Devotionals

What do cheeseburgers, burnt pepperoni bread, and steamed clams all have in common? (Hint: It sounds  like a complicated riddle, but it's not.) The answer is: family. ~~~ Cheeseburgers, burnt pepperoni bread, and steamed clams are all meals that I have  enjoyed lately with our family and extended family. The cheeseburgers were good!   (To me) the pepperoni bread was not even edible. And--I've never even (wanted) to try clams, but...(my point is), the food didn't matter because it was the family gathered around the table(s) that did. It doesn't even matter  what we serve or sit down to eat...it is much more the experience of who  we are gathered to enjoy it with.  Honor your father and your mother,  so that you may live long  in the land  the  Lord  your God is giving you.  ~Exodus 20:12 Might we think (or experience) that it honors our father's and mother's (and other fmaily members) when we take a moment, an evening, an a...

(97) Oh, how I love your instructions!   I think about them all day long.  ( 98)  Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, f or they are my constant guide.   ( 99)  Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, f or I am always thinking of your laws.   ( 100)  I am even wiser than my elders,  for I have kept your commandments.   ( 101)   I have refused to walk on any evil path,  so that I may remain obedient to your word.   ( 102)  I haven’t turned away from your regulations,  for you have taught me well.   ( 103)  How sweet your words taste to me;  they are sweeter than honey.  ( 104)  Your commandments give me understanding;  no wonder I hate every false way of life.  ( 105)  Your word is a lamp to guide my feet  and a light for my path.   ( 106)  I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again:  I will obey your ri...

Like one sunflower in the middle of a complete field of other flowers, I read a Bible verse...( a section of a Bible verse) that JUMPED OFF OF THE PAGE for me today. The entire chapter (II Peter 1 ) is filled with excellent Scripture. Peter is telling his listeners then (and us today) that he was present and that he witnessed Jesus' life and God's blessing over Jesus while Jesus carried out His earthly ministry. (Wow!) And Peter goes on to say that because they saw Christ , and experienced His validity...then we should look back to what the prophets said (before Christ)... about Christ , and about His coming. (Wow!) Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. ~ I Peter 1:19 For those of us who would rather press "fast-forward" through the Old Testament of the Bible...not so fast. Peter is directing us back there... but why? Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message p...

"I feel like I have wasted my whole life.  Like I haven't done anything that has really made a difference or mattered." Whoa!   Weren't we just talking about grocery lists and hectic schedules?  And then, WHAM!  My friend got authentic, and transparent, and vulnerable all in one heavy sentence.   I wasn't expecting that to come from her mouth.  I wasn't expecting that to come from her heart.  But... if we are honest , that idea/thought/doubt/fear has come from all of our hearts from time to time, hasn't it?   It's okay to admit, and it was okay for my buddy to say.  It's understandable and even relatable for us to be in that "place". But (the Bible says) that it is not okay for us to stay in that "place", because God's Truth is not in any statement that claims that we do not have value or purpose.    The Lord knows that we feel that way sometimes.  He sees us today.  We all tramp through the trenches of l...

Remind, reminding,...remember... Sometimes I feel like my kids feel cornered by me and my reminder s.   And I don't just mean reminders such as: "Put your shoes away", "pick up your room", or "put your dishes in the dishwasher".  If my kids remember me for anything, I hope it is for my Biblical reminders , even though from time to time they can get  a glazed look in their eyes and there is an inaudible " Again? " that hangs in the air when I run and get my Bible to "read them a few verses" for their day.   But--I can't help it!  And nor do I want to (help it).  The Holy Scriptures within the Bible were spoken from God  to the people and prophets  who wrote the Bible, and we will do well to be reminded  of  these things  even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. Even though  we know  it--it's good to be reminded today about how critical-in-our-lives  the Bib...