Devotions

I mentioned yesterday that last Saturday my Verse of the Day was Philippians 2:14-16. That passage begins with a vital command. “Do everything without complaining and arguing.” The goal of that command is “so that no one can criticize you.” [NLT]

Unfortunately, that is one of those commands that often fall by the wayside. We are a culture that loves to complain and loves to argue and that cultural norm has at times invaded the church. I know I have fallen victim to it!

What makes this attitude even more horrendous is that persecuted Christians around the world think American Christians are living a miracle. (It is estimated that 380M Christians faced some form of persecution in 2025. That ranges from hunger, lack of medical care, lack of access to work or school, to imprisonment without a trial, torture, and martyrdom.)

I have been reading some of the testimonies of these persecuted ones. They marvel that American Christians can meet whenever we want to, that we can sing our music as loud as we want to, that we have access to Bibles (as many as we want in whatever format we want.)

While they suffer for Christ, I’m often complaining about how loud the music is – or something just as trivial. God forgive me. Amen & Amen

Last Saturday one of my Verse of the Day emails was Philippians 2:14-16. “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.” [NLT]

It had my complete attention. The night before Bob and I had watched two “law” shows. One was “Alaska Law,” and the other, “Ozark Law.” Both rattled me!

I know that the intention of those shows is to rattle, but “Ozark Law” was most disturbing as it showed what happened last Memorial Day weekend at the Lake of the Ozark strip. I watched scantily clad women, drunks, fights, foul language, and scenes of what my generation might label debauchery. I wanted to cry over the hopelessness and lostness of so many of our young people.

As Christians, we are commanded to “live clean, innocent lives as children of God.” We are commanded to shine brightly “in a world full of crooked and perverse people.”

We need to pray for our young people. We need to shine brightly with hope. We need to live clean lives. There can be no deviation from the Word of Life.

If our young people do not see Christ in us – where will they see Him?

One of my favorite verses and expressions is found in Genesis 25, in the passage recounting the birth of Isaac’s and Rebekah’s twins, Esau and Jacob. Rebekah had been barren. Then Isaac prayed and God answered his prayer. Now Rebekah was dealing with the answer to prayer.

“And the children struggled together within her; and she said, ‘If it be so, why am I thus?’” Genesis 25:22 KJV]

I know various translations make that sound more modern (“Why is this happening to me?”), but I love reading it in the King James. How often I have quoted it back to God. “If everything is good, why am I thus?”

 There are times in life that contain difficult circumstance – even though our relationship with our Father God is solid and secure. Being a child of God does not make us immune to the “why am I thus” happenings in life.

And while God told Rebekah why she was “thus,” (“The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals.”), He doesn’t always tell us why we are “thus.”

We often need to handle those kinds of questions with faith and the knowledge that God loves us and we can trust Him even when we don’t have all the answers. Amen & Amen

“Huggers are happier.” I saw that phrase in a Max Lucado 365 Devotional I started reading for 2026. I researched that statement and found multiple studies done on hugging. Each study gave multiple reasons why that statement is true.

I spent a few days in the hospital recently and I was “touched” quite a bit. But none of the touching involved a hug given in love… except one afternoon. Two of my beautiful granddaughters came to visit. Initially they sat quietly because I was sleeping and they didn’t want to wake me. They were about ready to leave when I woke up.

The next few minutes were filled with hugs. That did much more for me than sleeping did. It lightened my spirit and warmed my heart.

If you remember the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15, you probably remember the joy of verse 20. “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” [NLT]

The father stepped out of the cultural role and ran to his son and the first thing he did was throw his arms around him to hug him. I can almost feel the strength of those arms tightening around him. I have felt the same strength of the arms of love around me.

Huggers (and those being hugged) are truly happier.

Ever wonder how you fit in? I was saved in a small Pentecostal study and prayer meeting. A few weeks after, the leader decided to pray over various people about their motivational gifts. I had no idea what he was talking about. (I discovered quickly that I had to learn a brand-new language and brand-new concepts.)

The leader explained that this is how I would “fit in” the body of Christ. He went around the room and spoke over various people. It sounded wonderful! Prophesy, Teaching, Administration, Mercy … such grand concepts. When he got to me he said one word, “Encouragement” and moved on.

“Encouragement?” That’s it? That’s how I will fit in the body of Christ? Sounded a bit wimpy to me, but I have learned over the years that he was correct. I have also come to appreciate the motivation of encouraging.

Romans 12 is a marvelous practical chapter (especially after all the heavy doctrine that proceeds it in Paul’s letter). It begins with presenting ourselves as living sacrifices and goes on to speak of how we “fit.” (Read it today if you get a chance.)

“In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to …. Do it gladly.” [Romans 12:6-8 NLT]

A couple things happened recently which took my mind back to the mid-80’s and a Christmas event at Loomis church. I’ve told this story before but today it has a different emphasis for me.

I had picked a Christmas musical play for the youth to perform at Christmas. It had a “rap” song in it. In comparison to “real rap” this was simply a song with a light rhythmic beat and the words spoken instead of sung. Still, it was cutting edge in the 80’s for a church where there were older people who had been Christians for decades. I worried about it a bit but went ahead anyway.

I looked out on opening night and right up front was an older couple. She was in her early 90’s and he was a couple years younger. When the performance was over she headed straight for me. My initial thought was, “Oh no, I’m in for it now.”

She got right up in my face and said, “It’s about time we got some life in this place!” and turned away with a smile.

I have always looked at that event as an encouragement. Today I looked at it differently. Today, I realized I want to be her! I want to be that old lady that is right on the cutting edge of the new things God is doing in the church today! I want my battle cry to be “It’s about time … and I am all in!”

 “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?” [Isaiah 43:19 NLT]

I don’t make resolutions at the new year, but if I did, I found one posted by a Facebook friend that I think I might actually be able to keep.

“New Years Resolution. Laugh a little louder, smile a little bigger, love a little deeper and walk through life a little slower.” [Kelly’s Treehouse]

I love to laugh! I love to smile! I love to hug people and find ways to show love and encouragement to others. And whether I like it or not, life itself is forcing me to walk a little slower.

I have always been “fast.” I walked fast, worked fast, talked fast. I drove my parents crazy because I was always on the go. I think I drove my husband and kids a bit crazy also as I wanted things done “now!”

But aging demands a slowdown. My body no longer tolerates “fast!” It laughs when I even try to incorporate “fast!” into daily life. I am forced now to abandon “fast!” for a much slower life, and to be honest, while this slower life is in many ways frustrating – it is also infinitely better.

Being slower means I sense God’s Presence with me more often. I hear His Voice better. I appreciate this beautiful world He created. Walking through life a little slower is a wonderful blessing. Amen & Amen

“You are a steward of every moment, of every talent, of every gift, of every resource that God has given you. Choose wisely what you do today!” [Paul Washer]

I came across this quote recently and it reminded me of something James wrote in his letter.

James said it this way. “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” [4:14 NLT]

There is an old year behind us and there is a new year ahead of us, but what we really have is just today. There is no guarantee of tomorrow. That became clearer after my recent hospital stay.

I am trusting God that the new year has great things for me. I am praying for opportunities to share the glories of God. I am praying for the energy to walk through the doors God places in front of me. I am praying for a focus that is not on my difficulties, but on my Savior and LORD.

But I am also aware I only have today—this day January 14 2026 – and that I need to choose wisely how I use it. I need to make sure that every talent, gift, and resource God has granted is used for His glory. Amen & Amen

Just as 2026 began I came across one of my favorite invitations issued by Jesus. “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” [Mark 6:31]

In Mark Chapter 6, Jesus had dispatched His disciples two-by-two into the surrounding villages to carry the message of repentance and to heal the sick and deliver the oppressed.

Upon their return Jesus (who was being hounded by the crowds Himself) invited the disciples to go with Him and rest in a quiet place.

I had been thinking about rest and quiet places before I ended up in the hospital. That certainly wasn’t a quiet or restful place, but since I have been home, I’ve found that this new “condition” is demanding quiet and rest.

And honestly, I’m not so sure I like quiet and rest. I much prefer to be in the bustle of things, to be among people who love to laugh and love to talk about Jesus. I am not sure what God is doing – maybe He’s teaching me to talk more TO Jesus than to talk ABOUT Him.

During my recent hospital stay I saw love in action … just as John commanded. “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” [1John 3:8 NLT]

That love flowed toward me from all types of people. No one asked me my political affiliation, my religion, or my “gender identity.” They just cared for me … love in action.

Love in action … love shown in the truth of our actions … is not a “qualified” or “conditional” action. We don’t question or survey someone first before showing our love. And Jesus said we were to not just love those like us; we were also to love and pray for those who set themselves against us.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.” [Matthew 5:43-45 NLT]

Love … agapaó … to love wholeheartedly, unconditionally, with devotion. This type of love that the Scriptures command isn’t even a feeling. It is a determination of the mind. This love is what is commanded of us.

Let us show our love by our actions!