Inspirational Devotionals for Christian Living

By R. I. Hope

Be uplifted daily with Inspirational Devotionals for Christian Living. 

Daily quiet time listening to God is essential to your faith. You find peace and strength when you come before the Lord with an open heart ready to learn and grow. We want to help you in your daily walk with Christ with these daily devotionals aimed towards your spiritual growth and understanding. Whether you are a long-time believer or a new Christian, these Bible devotions will bring you encouragement and inspiration as you seek to apply the Word of God to your everyday decisions and living. It’s time to find freedom from sin, worry, and anxiety and pursue a life of joy through the love of Christ!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rest In Hope Ministries
• Release date: Mar 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524254667

R. I. Hope

R . I . Hope is a collaboration of authors from the team at Rest In Hope Ministries.  Find encouragement when you need it. Rest in Hope is about encouraging others, spreading hope, and being a light in a hurting world. Discover More at RestInHope.com

Book preview

A Full Stomach But An Empty Heart

Who doesn’t like to go out to a fine restaurant with friends and have a wonderful time without having to worry about the bill? Isn’t it wonderful if you can simply shrug your shoulders and smile when the mailman drops an unexpected, big bill on your doormat because you can easily handle it? Having money in this present world makes things easier, but the downside is that money has become the driving force for many in our materialistic society, and God has been pushed out of the picture. However the Bible doesn’t say that money is the root of all evil. It calls the love (and lust) for money the root of all evil. Money and how to handle it can easily become a temptation, even for sincere Christians. As with everything, it’s all about balance

"A false balance is an abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight."

* A young woman visited an old friend of her father’s. This man had been very successful and had more money than he knew what to do with. Her own father however had not been much of a success in a worldly sense. He had focused mostly on spiritual matters, and money had not been his main concern. His passion had been the Word of God and his faith had always carried him through. As a result he had been a light for many a wandering soul. But since money had not been his main concern, he had been poor and had to strive for every penny. Now he had gotten sick. His days on earth were numbered and he had asked his daughter to let his dear friend know about his critical condition. And here she was, telling the rich man of her father's life, so filled with goodness. Even now, in the face of death, he remained peaceful and was full of faith. Never a complaint was heard and he still thought more of others than of his own welfare. While the rich friend heard the words of the daughter he grimaced and a painful expression appeared on his face

"You don’t like to hear about the life of my father?" the girl asked politely, when she saw the man’s struggle

On the contrary,  he said

I marvel at your father. But you must understand something...

He stopped for a moment as if deep in thought. Then he said: Put yourself in my shoes; your father is about to receive his riches, while I am about to leave them all behind.

Many people are well-fed on the outside, but if you would be able to look on the inside you would see a different picture. Hidden in the seclusion of their lonely hearts, many people are undernourished and even starving. They are starving for love, hope and faith but just can’t quite bring themselves to take the hand of the Master. Their eyes are on the outside. It happened in the Bible with the rich farmer who made plans to build bigger barns, so he could store even more of his profits, in a feeble attempt to secure his future. But God had other plans and told him, Oh fool. This night your soul will be required of you. Then whose shall all these riches be?

A well-fed body, a fat bank account, a head full of knowledge and a heart as empty as the ruins of the Roman Colosseum. How is that possible? It happens if you feed your body but starve your soul. Of course you have physical needs. After all, you do have a physical body and as such there is nothing wrong with providing for the body and the physical. But when you neglect your spirit and fail to look at life through the glasses of eternity, you are on the wrong track. The famous and wealthy poet Lord Byron shouted at the height of his fame: I have drunk of every fount of pleasure and quaffed every cup of fame, yet, alas, I die of thirst!

He was dying of thirst? Yes, because he overlooked the needs of his spirit. Just like your body needs food and shelter to grow properly, so your spirit also needs to be nourished and protected. Jesus compared Himself to bread. He said, I am the bread of life. He that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

* Take time for the Word. Take time for God in your inner chamber and hear what He has to say to you. Proverbs 11:1 John 6:35 2 Corinthians 4:16

Technology Musings

Days ago, there was an online video clip of a father attempting, with the use of technology, to calm his crying baby who was in a crib. I believe that it was a fictional account, but it spoke volumes, nonetheless. The father used his phone to show the baby a live video of the child’s mother while she was grocery shopping. The mother cooed into the camera as the father held the phone in front of the baby, who continued to wail in cry mode. Finally, the father lifted the child from the crib. Instantly, he stopped crying. The touch of the father quieted the precious little one. Yes, that video clip spoke volumes. Technology wasn’t the solution in that situation, and couldn’t substitute for the father’s loving touch. Technology has done marvels to aid us in our personal and business tasks. Fun is also contained in the use of the multiple gadgets. I have no clue of the array of what’s available in technology in these times in which we live. Certainly, we’re grateful for the technological offerings that provide so many opportunities, advancements and helpful benefits. How often, though, do we weigh the costs of what we gain from device usages? I was surprised to learn that, in at least one report, Steve Jobs had shared that his children didn’t have iPads. Also, Sarah Lesnar, in a September 18, 2014, article expressed, Especially in Silicon Valley, there is actually a trend of tech execs and engineers who shield their kids from technology.

The CEO of 3D Robotics, Chris Anderson, expressed that he’d seen the dangers of technology firsthand. Yes, indeed, I was surprised to learn of the sentiments of those people in the tech business. Another recent article reported about how teenagers are so often distracted by using devices while they drive. Accidents have occurred because of practices of engagement with electronics. I saw an online video clip where a woman fell into a mall fountain while texting. Commonly, when we’re out and about, we observe folks glued

to their phones or some other gadgets. Socially, some folks are inconsiderate and disrespectful with electronic usage in the presence of others. I have a friend who expressed that he’s jealous of his wife’s love affair with her iPad. That ought not be an issue of such imbalance. Amtrak has a quiet train area where the use of cell phones is banned, as is allowing usage of noise features on other electronic devices. I love that Amtrak has those policies in place. Definitely, we love the use of technology. The conveniences are wonderful. Countless capabilities abound and we sure are grateful for what’s available for our indulgences. It’s great to have bibles and Christian materials available online and on our phones and tablets. There are huge selections of e-Books and apps to help in our spiritual growth. The capabilities are astounding and manifold in choices. Pastors use electronic bibles in pulpits; congregants use them in services. I’m old school, though, and prefer my print bibles for deep reading; mostly, I use my electronic ones for searching and quick views. Personally, I don’t like how quickly devices become obsolete. Some folks regularly jump on purchasing the newest versions. Nope, doing such doesn’t float my boat.

As the saying goes, Different strokes for different folks.

It seems that as soon as I become sufficiently comfortable with usage of my devices and the manufacturers software packages, I learn that a newer version is available. I feel like such often happens in less than a year. How can my purchases be obsolete already? Anyhow, typically, I hold on to what I posses until, at some point, I’m forced to upgrade because what I possess is no longer supported or something else won’t function until I upgrade. Ugh. Reluctantly, I reconcile the inevitable, and eventually adjust my attitude accordingly. It’s truly in our best interest to have technology in perspective. So many of us have gotten away from the enjoyment of nature and the joy it provides. Love and education is in what surrounds us—the sun, the moon, the water, the animals, the trees, the plants, the sand and so much more. We’re prone to neglect God’s creations due to overwhelming occupation with technology. Too often, folks, including me, miss out on the love and beauty contained in enjoying nature and its manifold treasures. Yes, I’ve gained a new appreciation for people and the other creations of our dear Creator, God. This very morning I woke up to the radio playing, and the noise of a siren outside my window. What else, though, did I hear? Birds were chirping at the same time as the other two sounds. Their melodic voices were music to my freshly awakened ears. I smiled at the awareness and gratitude that what breathes and lives speaks better than what doesn’t.

Isaiah 55:12 - KJV For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Song of Solomon 2:4 - KJV He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Pastors Wives in Perspective

In some denominations, the wives of pastors are called First Ladies.

Often, people perceive those roles as glamorous, and there are some women who covet being wives of pastors for reasons that aren’t necessarily for the love of God. The positions do have their perks,

but the true roles of the wives of pastors are to love God first, and to support their husbands in the homes and in the missions assigned by God. When the marital unions complement the calls of ministries, those are indeed harmonious placements. Positive matrimonial team choices benefit in manifold ways. Outside the realms of balance, the wives of pastors can be lonely and neglected women. There have even been reports of them being abused by their husbands. Misunderstanding the wives of pastors is another issue of concern. Some church members knowingly and unknowingly put stress on them. There are folks who have unreasonable expectations of pastors, their wives and families. Inconsideration comes in to play in various circumstances. Occasions manifest when some folks cross boundaries relative to pastoral family lives. Unnecessary phone calls to the homes of pastors can cause friction to arise in their marital relationships, as can intruding on the personal time of the families of pastors in other inconsiderate ways. Yes, pastoring can take tolls personally and professionally. Respect should be held for their personal lives and responsibilities. Certainly, the wives of pastors are grateful when treated with love, care, and appreciation. Also, their time is valuable and should be respected as such. They need encouragement as individuals, wives and mothers. We all need encouragement; sometimes folks aren’t sufficiently mindful that the wives of pastors need reassurances, too. Pastors sure do need the support of their wives, and to maintain awareness that their wives need their care and support, as well. It’s vital that marital relationships are cherished with love motions demonstrated on a regular basis. It’s essential to keep love for God, family and ministry in perspective.

1 Peter 3:7, 8 - KJV Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one