by Jon Walden | Jul 11, 2011 | Devotions
On life’s road, crucial decisions are like intersections that call for a choice of direction. If we barrel through without seeking the mind of Christ, the road we pick may lead to regret and heartache. Although the Lord is ready and willing to offer clear...
by Jon Walden | Jul 8, 2011 | Devotions
At the ripe old age of eighty-five, Caleb said to Joshua, ‘the Lord has kept me alive, just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day. And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb...
by Jon Walden | Jul 7, 2011 | Devotions
Let’s break this Scripture down: ‘Surely goodness and mercy.’ People may disappoint you, but God’s goodness and mercy are sure things! ‘With [God] there is never the slightest variation or shadow of inconsistency’ (James...
by Jon Walden | Jul 6, 2011 | Devotions
In Ancient Greek marathons a torch was handed to each runner at the starting line. To win, they had to cross the finish line with their torch still burning. What a picture! ‘unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required’ (Luke 12:48...
by Jon Walden | Jul 5, 2011 | Devotions
When gold is refined over extreme heat the first thing to come to the surface is dross. The next thing to be separated from it is silver, a less precious metal that blends with the raw gold ore. There is an important lesson here. Most of us are unable to...
by Jon Walden | Jul 1, 2011 | Devotions
Sometimes we defend our lack of love, kindness, gentleness, patience, and all those other ‘fruits of the spirit,’ in the name of productivity and hard work. But we can’t square it with Christ’s teachings. He said, ‘whatever...
by Jon Walden | Jun 28, 2011 | Devotions
We all worry from time to time, but wise people have learned to avoid over-anxiety by following these guidelines.(1) Define the situation clearly. What exactly is it you are worrying about? Be specific. Often when we take time to clarify the problem, a way...
by Jon Walden | Jun 27, 2011 | Devotions
Your obituary says a lot about you. King Saul’s last words were: ‘I have played the fool'(1 Samuel 26:21 NKJV). Israel’s first king was destined for greatness until he decided to do things his own way instead of God’s way.When the...
by Jon Walden | Jun 24, 2011 | Devotions
One of the great benefits of finding and fulfilling your life’s calling is that it settles the question of what constitutes true success. Many of us have a faulty definition. We have bought into the idea that success is measured by how well we do...
by Jon Walden | Jun 21, 2011 | Devotions
To be used by God, you must wear the two coats Joseph wore namely, those of favor and integrity.First, the coat of favor. ‘Now [Jacob] loved Joseph and he made him a coat of many colors’ (Genesis 37:3 KJV).Like Joseph’s multicolored coat, the favor...
by Jon Walden | Jun 16, 2011 | Devotions
Do you remember your school days? When you were being tested the teacher was silent.The Bible says: ‘Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and He saw the...
by Jon Walden | Jun 14, 2011 | Devotions
One child complains about the other: ‘Mom, he hit me!’ She’s convinced it’s her brother’s fault, that he ought to be punished, that she should have Mom’s sympathy and be absolved of all responsibility. But her brother is...
by Jon Walden | Jun 13, 2011 | Devotions
If you are going through a difficult time right now, read these words: ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life’...
by Jon Walden | Jun 10, 2011 | Devotions
Faithfulness is more than just a nice concept; you must be faithful to something or someone. Actually, it’s in making and keeping commitments to others that we demonstrate our faithfulness to God. ‘Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name...
by Jon Walden | Jun 7, 2011 | Devotions
On a busy morning, a nurse in the crowded emergency room seated an elderly gentleman who had come to have stitches removed from his hand. He said, ‘I’m in a hurry, nurse. I have an appointment in an hour.’ As the line of...
by Jon Walden | Jun 1, 2011 | Devotions
It’s normal to get angry, but uncontrolled anger can cost you dearly. When Nabal refused to feed King David and his soldiers, David’s anger almost drove him to murder. Only Abigail, Nabal’s wife, saved David from the destructive potential...
by Jon Walden | May 31, 2011 | Devotions
When God doesn’t do what we want it’s not easy, it never has been, and it never will be. Faith is the conviction that God knows more than us, and He will get us through.Disappointment is caused by unmet expectations and it’s cured by revamped...
by Jon Walden | May 26, 2011 | Devotions
In Ancient Greek marathons a torch was handed to each runner at the starting line. To win, they had to cross the finish line with their torch still burning. What a picture! ‘unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required’ (Luke 12:48...
by Jon Walden | May 25, 2011 | Devotions
To protect themselves from the barbaric hordes from the north, the people of China built the Great Wall. It was so high nobody could climb over it and so thick nobody could break through it, so they settled back to enjoy life. During the first hundred...
by Jon Walden | May 18, 2011 | Devotions
Your words can bring two things. First, encouragement. Ella Wheeler Wilcox said, ‘A pat on the back is only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the seat of the pants, but is miles ahead in results.’ Solomon said, ‘Kind words heal and...