In Devotions

Devotional Passage: Luke 9:57-62 
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62

My Dad grew up in Ruby, South Carolina. There were many times I heard him talk about holding onto a plow and walking behind a mule to prepare the family garden. Dad always related a basic principle of plowing to today’s devotional passage: a backward-looking plowman cannot expect to produce a straight furrow.

In the same way, there can be no turning back in our service to Jesus. There is no place for procrastination, indecision, or excuses. The job at hand demands our full concentration and dedicated service.

I know I have plowed a few crooked rows at times. For whatever reason, I’ve taken my eyes off what is involved in following Jesus, and I’ve made excuses for my less-than-stellar plowing.

Perhaps that’s why Jesus urges us to keep our heads up and our eyes straight ahead. Only when our focus is on the Author and Finisher of our faith can we become all He wants us to be.

Father, keep my chin up, eyes on You, and furrows straight in heaven’s direction today.

©Fall 2008 Open Windows devotional guide. Used by permission. For information about Open Windows, go online: www.lifeway.com/magazines

Devotional Passage: Mark 1:40-43
And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. Mark 1:41

While driving home for the holidays across northern New Mexico, my son, Kirby, stopped for gas and was approached by a Navajo man who asked for a ride. “I’m not going far,” Kirby told him. “I’ll be turning off the highway a few miles out.” The man asked if he could ride with him that far. In spite of misgivings about picking up strangers, Kirby felt impressed to let the man ride with him. Kirby witnessed to the man, who accepted Christ. My son couldn’t see leaving him stranded on the highway, so he drove 100 miles out of his way to take him home.

Trying to explain his late arrival to his clearly upset parents, Kirby simply said, “I celebrated with joy all the way home because I helped a lost man find Jesus.” Even as Jesus showed compassion on the leper, my son showed compassion on one who not only needed a ride but a Savior as well.

Ask God to help you be a champion of compassion today. Someone in need is waiting.

Father, in a world that is often cold and unfeeling, help me show concern for 
someone going through a difficult time.

©Fall 2008 Open Windows devotional guide. Used by permission. For information about Open Windows, go online: www.lifeway.com/magazines

Devotional Passage: Mark 10:13-16 
Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, He shall not enter therein. Mark 10:15

Children come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. Watching a room of children at play can be quite entertaining at times. One child may sit in the corner by himself, play quietly and seem contented. Another child may desire to have a toy that another is playing with and take it from her. Sometimes a minor scrap may occur, or the child who has lost a toy might simply cry or look sad at the loss.

While children are different in many ways, they all have one thing in common. They are completely dependent on adults for their daily care.

As adults, we are unique, too. But as Christians, we have one thing in common. If we want to live a productive and acceptable life for our Lord, we must maintain an attitude of dependence on Him daily.

The children who came to Jesus portrayed trust, humility, and obedience. Those same qualities are essential for Jesus’ disciples today.

Help me Father, to realize that in this world I can do nothing without your presence and guidance each day if I am to be an obedient follower.

©Fall 2008 Open Windows devotional guide. Used by permission. For information about Open Windows, go online: www.lifeway.com/magazines

Devotional Passage: Hebrews 4:12-13
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Those who have lived in regions of the United States where tornados are prevalent know the power of these storms. They cause major destruction by uprooting trees, destroying homes, and throwing cars hundreds of feet. The tornadoes can slam into the ground with such force that nothing but large holes remain.

God’s Word is more powerful than even these great winds. It can reach deep into the joints and marrow of our lives, convicting us of sin or assuring us of God’s unconditional love for us. When we have soul-wrenching need, God’s Word is there to immerse our lives with the assurance of His grace.

Furthermore, God’s Word exposes our thoughts and intentions. Nothing is hidden from God’s searching eye. 

Take time to read God’s Word, and allow it to pierce your life and see what great things God will do for you.

Father, help me to spend more time in Your Word and allow it to penetrate my life so I may live in accordance with Your will and be a blessing to others.

©Fall 2008 Open Windows devotional guide. Used by permission. For information about Open Windows, go online: www.lifeway.com/magazines

Devotional Passage: Psalm 34:11-16
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. Psalm 34:14

The battle between the two neighbors had been raging for years, and the only thing they had in common was their animosity for each other. One Sunday morning, however, everything changed. The church was in revival and one person responded to God’s call to repentance and made his way to the altar, stating publicly, “There is a person here today with whom I have been at extreme odds. I’ve come to make it right.” There was much weeping and rejoicing in my husband’s little church that Sunday as the two enemies forgave each other and embraced. Charles was only 8 years old at the time, and the lesson he learned then still impacts his life today. 

The devotional passage points out that when we love and fear the Lord, we will choose to turn from sin, and do that which is good, pursuing peace every step of the way.

Do you have such love for God that you seek peace and choose to do good? To do so will bring the Father’s blessing.

Father, help me consistently choose to depart from evil and do that which is good in Your sight.

©Fall 2008 Open Windows devotional guide. Used by permission. For information about Open Windows, go online: www.lifeway.com/magazines

Devotional Passage: Philippians 1:18-21
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, 
or by death. Philippians 1:20

David and Maggie were unpacking boxes in their new home when a neighbor walked over to introduce herself. In the course of the conversation Maggie mentioned that she and her husband were Christians. The neighbor’s eyes lit up as she gave Maggie a warm hug and exclaimed, “I’m a Christian, too, but I keep quiet about it around here in order to get along. People would never understand.”

The Apostle Paul was facing trial in Rome knowing that his life was hanging in the balance. He could be put to death or released, based on his testimony. Even so, Christ so permeated Paul’s life that the apostle’s greatest desire was to magnify his Lord by life or by death.

Are you faithful to lift up Christ to the people around you or do you keep silent from fear of persecution or rejection?

Father, live through me to magnify the Lord Jesus in everything I say and do.

©Fall 2008 Open Windows devotional guide. Used by permission. For information about Open Windows, go online: www.lifeway.com/magazines

Devotional Passage: Psalm 19:7-12
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:8

About a year ago I took a basic accounting course at a local college. This subject was out of my comfort zone. Reading and comprehending the content in the textbook was a challenge to me. While I was stimulated by the chance to learn, I can’t say I enjoyed it.

When I want to read for enjoyment, I don’t pick up my accounting book. I turn to a western novel or a baseball story. In those moments I am refreshed by the opportunity to relax. Any learning is incidental.

How do we approach the Bible? Do we read for enjoyment or to learn? Do we read with only our spirits or with our minds as well? In Psalm 19 David developed a carefully constructed poem celebrating God’s glory revealed in the written Word. David affirmed that the Word refreshes the inner person and brings joy to the heart. But this Word also enlightens the mind with truth. What a treasure God has given us in His Word.

Father, thank You for Your Word. In reading it I find You and, 
thereby, both my heart and mind are refreshed.

©Fall 2008 Open Windows devotional guide. Used by permission. For information about Open Windows, go online: www.lifeway.com/magazines

Devotional Passage: Isaiah 41:10-13
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

The star player won yesterday’s game with a home run. Everyone cheered. His fielding error today led to a loss. The fans who had wildly cheered him yesterday unmercifully booed him today. He had let them down when they were counting on him. Unrealistic as it is, people want their team heroes to always perform at the highest level. They know their performance can often be the difference between winning and losing.

If we desire consistency and faithfulness in a person, surely that is what we would expect even more so from God. Without any question, He passes the test.

Whether in this life or in eternity, the Lord God is dependable, reliable, and trustworthy. He never lets us down, no matter how critical the time. In Him we never lose; we always win.

Father, I know I can count on you today, no matter what comes. Therefore, I live not in fear of defeat but with confidence of victory.

©Fall 2008 Open Windows devotional guide. Used by permission. For information about Open Windows, go online: www.lifeway.com/magazines

 Devotional Passage: Matthew 18:10-14
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:14

I cradled Hensley, our newborn granddaughter, in my arms, holding her close, marveling at the miracle of new life, admiring her beauty just as I had done when our other two grandchildren were born. That’s why a news story reporting on the search for a little girl who had mysteriously disappeared caught my attention. Knowing how I feel about the precious little ones who are part of our family, I imagined the tremendous feelings of despair this little girl’s parents and grandparents must have felt. A relentless search was on. She must be found. All others things paled in significance compared with restoring this little one to safety.

Apparently that is how God feels toward the little ones of this world who are lost. He loves each and every one: a defenseless child, an abused woman, a neglected senior, a forgotten veteran, and any other of society’s little ones whom others may not consider significant or important. These little ones are of worth and importance to Him. His great desire is that they be found.

Father, thank You for sending Jesus to seek and to save even the lost little ones like me.

©Fall 2008 Open Windows devotional guide. Used by permission. For information about Open Windows, go online: www.lifeway.com/magazines

Devotional Passage: Ephesians 1:1-6
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 
Ephesians 1:6

A couple waits for a call that will bring closure to a long and often heart-wrenching international adoption process. Over the past several months, they have traveled to the birth country, held the baby, provided care, taken pictures, and developed a bond. Alas, they have not yet been able to bring the baby home.

Why all the effort and the willingness to endure the pain of waiting? These young friends are driven by a desire for a relationship and the pleasure it will bring. They have love in their hearts for this child. By choosing to adopt her they will, in effect, free her from a life of uncertainty and give her the benefits that come with being raised as their own daughter. No doubt when the baby finally is home, they will celebrate like never before!

Look back at the words used to describe this couple’s efforts. Perhaps you will see why Paul used the image of adoption to describe what God did in Christ. He chose us with love and grace that we might be blessed. Hallelujah!

Father, my heart leaps in praise for Your glorious act of grace in choosing me in Christ!

©Fall 2008 Open Windows devotional guide. Used by permission. For information about Open Windows, go online: www.lifeway.com/magazines