Guidelines For Living Devotional

Who Is Jesus To You?

Night had draped its dark curtain around the Sea of Galilee.  The Palestinian sky, which usually had countless stars, was darkened with an ever-increasing number of black storm clouds. Thirteen men made their way to the water's edge.  One by one they entered a waiting ship, and when all were on board, they launched out onto the choppy waters, and steered for the opposite shore.

3 Ways To Determine Right From Wrong!

Where do you draw the line?  I thought of that issue when Brother Andrew—the man often described as “God’s Smuggler”—sat at lunch with me and a group of friends and of being severely criticized because he had reached out to the Hezbollah, in an attempt to bring peace between them and Israel. “Anybody who is a friend to them is an enemy to Israel,” said his critics.

Are There Two Different Gods In The Bible?

"Dear Dr. Sala," writes a friend of Guidelines, “I have a question. How come the God of the Old Testament, who allows killing of men, women and children, is so different from the God of the New Testament who says love your enemies? Did God change His mind, or are we talking about two different Gods? There is a big movement…that is saying that they are two different Gods. I would greatly appreciate your thoughts."

Can You Fall Out Of Love?

So you have fallen out of love, have you? And it didn’t take long after he moved in with you. In fact, you are not sure whether he ever loved you, though he said he did. This, of course, brings up the issue of what love really is.

How Do I Seek God’s Kingdom?

When God's hand touches your life, no matter who you are or where you are, it is always earthshaking. It was true of the time Jesus sat with his disciples, perhaps overlooking Galilee, and taught them. What He said was disturbing to be sure. He talked about loving your enemies, not storing up vast treasures here on earth, not worrying about life, or earning a living, and not judging other people.

What Price Will You Pay For Success?

"What price are you willing to pay for success in the business world? Are you prepared to reach the top though it may cost your marriage, or the affection of your kids?"  So what if you climb the ladder of success, only to find that it was leaning against the wall of the wrong building?

Stop Work Stress From Ruining Your Marriage

Michael Gordon is an attorney who often gets up at 3 a.m. and goes to the office before the roosters start to crow so he will be prepared for the "big one." Knowing he was a workaholic who was committed to succeeding, his brother gave him a hard hat and a pair of construction goggles when he got married along with this bit of advice: "Juggling family life and work is hard. Really hard. But if you keep at it and work hard, the rewards are sweet as sugar." 

4 Steps To Balancing Work And Family

How do you balance business with family commitments? How do you respond when your son says, "Dad, how come you can never come to my game?  All the other kids' dads are there"?  So you stutter and stammer about how you can't get off work and that you are overloaded and so forth, but your son simply knows you are not there.

Here’s How Hope And The Glory Of God Are Connected

“We are terrible hopers in this day and age,” says pastor and writer, Francis Chan. “We expect the worst because we’ve been let down too much. If something even halfway decent happens in a day we consider that a good day.” Does this describe you? The Bible says that “hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12 ESV). Part of the human condition on this planet is loss, pain and disappointment.  Perhaps you feel heartsick more often than not.  Are you trying your hardest but still feel that there isn’t much hope on your journey through this life? 

How To Avoid The #1 Relationship Killer

“Dear Dr. Sala,” writes a friend of Guidelines, “when my husband and I get into an argument, he walks away and comes back as though nothing had ever happened. When he has hurt me and never asks for forgiveness, I feel offended and want to withdraw.  Do you have any suggestions which might help?”