Guidelines For Living Devotional

Transformed for Good

One of the most powerful cases for the authority of Christianity, is the way it transforms the lives of people into something better, something different, something more Christ-like than the individual was before an encounter with Jesus Christ. “Well,” you may be saying, “look: Christianity isn’t the only belief system that transforms lives,” as you quickly add, “Let me tell you about…”   Yes, I concede the point, but the question is, “Does transformation produce hatred, anger, strife, and murder or does it result in compassion, in generosity, in kindness and love?”

Conformed or Transformed?

The battle for your body takes place in your mind.  Everything that defiles the human body--whether it comes through drugs, food in excess, or sexual license-- first originates as a thought. When Paul wrote to the Romans who were struggling to determine what God expected of them, he urged them to “stop being conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds”—a negative followed by a positive.

Your Body or God’s?

When Paul wrote his classic letter to the Romans, he spoke of sacrifices—something that both Jews and Gentiles understood clearly.  Wherever anthropologists have unearthed the remains of a temple, they have found sacrifices of one kind or another.  Temples and sacrifices went together as part and parcel of the same experience: this god, no matter how the deity was defined, had to be worshiped; and because of our shortcomings, of necessity, sacrifices should be offered as an acknowledgment of human frailty.

What Do You Owe God?

Anthropologists will tell you that in almost every known culture and civilization there is an unspoken understanding that comes with a gift–a reciprocity that, in effect, says this: Because I have done this for you, you have an obligation to return the favor by doing something for me.  In some cultures there are very clear expectations that need to be followed. I remember, years ago, being invited to a child’s first birthday celebration in Korea. It was not a balloons and birthday cake sort of thing for the one-year-old, but a very formal gathering of family and friends. Many were dressed in ceremonial attire and there was a veritable feast of wonderful food. But what I most remember is that everyone who attended brought quite expensive gifts or sums of money for the birthday child, and all the gifts were duly noted by the family of the birthday child in a book. With each gift there was an obligation, over a period of years, to return the same value to the donor.

Breaking Out of the Prison of Loneliness

"Dear Dr. Sala," writes a friend, "I'm in my early 20's and find it very difficult to meet other people.  I'm so lonely.  What can I do?"  Scores of people can identify with the feeling--parties, people, laughter, entertainment and perhaps even good food, yet you feel so inadequate that you ask yourself, "What am I doing here?  I just don't fit."

Curing the Loneliness of an Empty Life

A lonely, dejected man sat in the office of Dr. James Hamilton, a British physician who practiced in Manchester, England.  The patient told of a sickness which he said was taking his very life.  "I am frightened of the terror of the world around me.  I am depressed by life. I can find no happiness anywhere.  Nothing amuses me, and I have nothing to live for."  He continued, saying, "If you can't help me, I shall kill myself."

Alone with God

Research reported in the Harvard Business Review stated that despite our increasing connectedness via technology, more and more people are desperately lonely.  Virtual “friends” come without shoulders to cry on or hands to hold.  Feelings of loneliness drive home the sense for many that we are on our own in this increasingly complex, frightening and unstable world.  The number of people who report having a close confidante in their lives has been declining over the past few decades, says former US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy.

Yes, I Am Responsible

“I acknowledge my responsibility and accept the full blame for what happened!”  You don’t hear words such as these very often.  It’s usually, “Well, I’m really not responsible.”  Or, “I can’t help what took place.  I was a victim of circumstances.”   Today we often play the “blame game,” pointing our fingers at everybody else for whatever happens.  When Paul wrote to the Ephesians he said, “Live life with a sense of responsibility, not as those who don’t know the meaning of life, but as those who do” (Ephesians 5:15, Philips).

The Trouble with the World

K. Chesterton was a man I would like to have met. This British journalist had a voracious appetite and weighed nearly 300 pounds. He was also a heavyweight in the literary world.  He had a keen grasp of human nature and a sharp tongue which often cut to the bone.  When a magazine ran an article entitled, “What’s Wrong with the World?”  Chesterton responded.  He told them what’s wrong with the world in two words.  His reply, “I am,” and signed it, “Yours truly, G. K. Chesterton.”  Wow!  Chesterton was big more ways than one because it isn’t easy to say, “What’s wrong with the world is me!”

When Things Don't Go Well

You prayed that your husband would get the position, and after the third interview, it seems that he’s got it wrapped up.  Then at the last minute, a local man shows up, one who can be hired for considerably less money.  He gets the job.  Your husband gets a polite “Thanks, but no thanks” phone call.