Guidelines For Living Devotional

Is Everyone Really Special?

A sign over a mirror in a public school reads, "You are now looking at the most special person in the world." The message is part of a program designed to build self-esteem in children, and there is no questioning the fact that some kids suffer from a lack of self-esteem. At times parents disparage the achievements of their kids—like, "Why can't you do as well in school as your sister?"  Or, "You're dumb," or "Get up, you lazy girl."  Or, "You'll never amount to anything when you do that sort of thing."

Guidelines To Find Meaning For Your Life

"My husband and I have been listening to you for a long time," writes a friend of Guidelines.  Omitting the very kind things she wrote, she continues: "We have been ever evolving in our spiritual walk and find ourselves at a painful standstill, not knowing how to proceed." 

Is There Hope In Heaven?

As a child, Florence Chadwick wanted more than anything else to become a great swimmer. At the age of six she persuaded her parents to enter her in a 50-yard race. They did, and she came in last.  She practiced every day for a year and then entered the same contest. Again she lost, but this time by not so great a margin.  At the age of 11 she entered an endurance competition and completed a 6-mile course—a remarkable feat for her age.  As a teenager she competed for a spot on the Olympic team and failed to make the team. 

Where Is God In Your Trials?

When a friend of more than 40 years was felled with a rather severe case of pneumonia and struggled to regain his health, a pastor called and told him that surely he had sin in his life and if he would only confess and forsake his wrongdoing, then God would heal him.  It sounds much like some of the advice that good old Job got from his friends, too. But, as they say, with friends as that, who needs enemies?

Does The Bible Have Hidden Meanings?

You'll find them online and in book stores— books about the Bible, with a different twist.  They all claim to be revealing hidden, secret codes contained in the Bible; and the average person thinks, "Wow!  This is great.  New revelations which computers have brought to light."

Spotting A Fake Gospel

The document's final words read, "Gospel of Judas," and the content of the same would lead anyone to conclude that the author is the disciple of Jesus, the one who betrayed Him in the garden for 30 pieces of silver, and then hanged himself in contrition for the dark deed.  It seems to be more than a mere coincidence that National Geographic released a special on this manuscript during Holy Week as though it was something just discovered, when, in effect, scholars have known about the document discovered in the sands of Egypt for a long, long time.

What Exactly Defines A Church?

Should you ever have the opportunity to visit St. Paul's Cathedral in London, you must see the painting done by artist Holman Hunt—one of my favorite religious paintings.  The artist pictures Jesus, a lantern in his left hand, knocking on the door of an English cottage. He based his painting on the closing words of a letter to a backslidden church in the city of Laodicea.  In this, Jesus said, "I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).  Most evangelical pastors have quoted that verse, suggesting that Jesus stands at the door of your heart and wants to come within, taking up residence in your life. While that is true, the context conveys another thought.

Is Tomorrow Distracting You From Today?

My friend Wayne Pederson used to sign his letters and e-mails with the words, "Focus forward!"  No more. He's changed the complimentary close to read, "Seize Today!"  He discovered that when he was always focused forward, pushing to reach goals and objectives, he missed a lot of the view on the journey. Here's how he describes it: "At a meeting I was checking e-mail when the leader asked me a question. I had entirely tuned out of the discussion. Busted! 

Why Hope Is Essential For Life

 The late Dr. Karl Menninger, the famed psychiatrist, was intrigued by the emotion hope.  Many studies have been done relative to the importance of love and faith; but as a psychiatrist, Dr. Menninger became convinced of hope's great importance related to survival. Hope is the enduring quality of the soul that gives strength to live and go on in the darkest of night.

Can You Prove God Exists?

The young Marxist looked his guest in the eye as he said, "Do you mind if I ask you three questions?  First‑‑how can you be so sure there is a God?  Can you prove God's existence?  Secondly‑‑how do you know that the Bible is true?  Thirdly‑‑if there is a God, why does He allow so many people to suffer?"