Devotionals - Published in Victory In Grace Magazine, April 2005

Thursday, April 29th
" Test Time"

Today's Quote: “ . . . choose today whom you will serve . . .” - Joshua 14:15

Scripture: Proverbs 3:6

Multiple choice tests can be tricky. Some possible answers are so close to the right one that it can be hard to decide. Often, there seems to be more than one correct answer, and we search for the “All of the Above” option. True/False tests offer little relief when there seems to be no black or white answers.

When my spouse indicated he didn’t want to attend a marriage seminar because he no longer wished to work on our relationship, I wondered if I should obtain an attorney so that I could mark the “Divorce” box. I searched God’s word for comfort, and He always gave the same answer: demonstrate love. My flesh cringed as I prepared my husband breakfast. Now, a morning meal together, served with a side of laughter, has become a family ritual. As for attending marriage seminars, my husband is the first one dressed and ready to go.

Life seems to favor “pop quizzes,” and sometimes we don’t know what to say or how to respond. God says that there is an answer in those situations. Ask him! He gives open book tests, instructing us to use the Bible. Isn’t it wonderful when we can seek the One who holds the answer key?

PRAYER: Oh, Lord, we’re faced with so many choices, and sometimes they seem so overwhelming. Let us seek your face, and therein find the answers we seek.

Friday, April 30th
"Humbled by Homework"

Today's Quote: Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord and depart from evil. (Proverbs 3:7)

Scripture: Proverbs 16:18

“ Mom, you’ve got some explaining to do.” My son, Marcus, unzipped his backpack and showed me his previous night’s homework. All of the answers I’d insisted that he change were wrong. I felt shame when I remembered how frustrated I’d been with him in trying to prove my correctness, and fed up, had directed him to just simply change his responses. Tearfully, he did as I insisted.

“That’s o.k., Mom,” he continued. “The teacher didn’t grade it. Lots of kids didn’t get it right, so we worked on it in class.” Maybe there were some other parents who had given their children the same sort of “help” I’d given Marcus. After wiping the egg off my face, I apologized to Marcus and he graciously forgave me.

Isn’t that how God reacts to our mistakes? He shows us grace and mercy, even when we become vaunted up with our own pride, and stumble. God comes along, dusts off our wounded spirits, and guides us in making the right decisions.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we can become so self-righteous with our limited knowledge that we even intimidate or force others into doing things our way. Help us to realize that when we empty ourselves of pride, we make room for you to fill us with wisdom. Amen.

Lord, Give Me Strength for the Weight Loss Challenge

Scripture: The sovereign God is my strength. He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains. - Habukkuk 3:19:

For those of us who struggle with excess weight, we sometimes feel as if we’re climbing a mountain, or that we’re carrying it--or both! It’s hard to understand the old hymnal asking God not to remove the mountain, but to give us the strength to climb it. What’s wrong with asking Him to make it disappear?

God knows that we become stronger working through difficulties. With each step, we add another victory. It may be small, like ignoring the fun-sized candy bar calling our name, but these victories add up. In what we give up, our trust in Him increases. God tells us that He’s our portion and our strength. We can be sure that He’ll help us reach the top. Not only will we be stronger for having made the journey, but we’re sure to find that our body has become a temple for Him to dwell.

PRAYER: “Lord, I need you. This mountain is too big for me to climb. Give me strength to overcome any obstacles, including urges for food my body doesn’t need. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.”