Daily Devotional

Few people have made an impact on the basketball court like Shaquille O’Neal. In 1992, Shaquille was drafted number one in the NBA draft. He first played for the Orlando Magic before moving to the Los Angeles Lakers. It was in Los Angeles that he won three consecutive World Championships. Standing 7’1” and weighing in at 325 lbs. Shaquille was one of the most imposing figures on the court. His list of basketball accomplishments is significant. The four-time NBA champion is one of only three players to win the NBA MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and the Finals MVP.

Shaq retired from playing basketball in 2011. He is now an active media personality, helping to anchor NBA basketball on TNT. There is no doubt that Shaq is one of the best to ever play the game. However, Shaq makes an even bigger impact off the court. He is widely known for his surprise generosity.

Recently, Shaquille stopped into a Best Buy to purchase a new phone for himself…

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” -Hebrews 10:24-25

Elisha Hoffman served as a Union Solider during the American Civil War. There has never been a more divided time in our country’s history than the time around the Civil War. During that terrible war, more than 2.75 million Americans took up arms to fight. They fought over slavery, state’s rights, the hope of a unified country, and whether or not our country could live up to ideals, “That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The war was so brutal that over 620,000 soldiers were killed, many dying of complication from their wounds or disease. It remains one of the most brutal, and most costly wars in American history.

Seeing the death, disease, and destruction of the war took a significant toll on the country…

Labor Day is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September.  It is often celebrated as the “unofficial end of summer.” Today, people all over the United States will spend time at the lake, grilling their favorite foods, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and simply relaxing and enjoying an extended weekend.  Labor Day first became a holiday in 1894. During a time of tremendous unrest in the United States, industrial workers began to organize and fight for better working conditions. There were multiple strikes across the country, many of which turned violent. The first Monday of September slowly became known as the, “Working man’s holiday.”

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.

“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

Unfortunately, our neighborhood, like most of Oklahoma, has gone for some time without significant rain. The stream that feeds this pond is dry, and the water has become stagnant. Much of the water has evaporated in the hot Oklahoma summer, while algae and moss has begun to grow on top of the water that remains. The dry, hot weather is difficult for the life of the pond. Rain is needed to refresh our neighborhood escape.

The late summer condition of our pond made me think about how dry our spiritual life can become. Our life of faith can become dry, quickly…

The Bible is filled with stories of ordinary people who bless others through their faithful service to God. Because these special people were willing to say “yes” when God called, lives were changed, and the world was changed for the better.

One of my favorite, faithful followers of Jesus is Ananias. He is a disciple who lived in Damascus, far from all the action that was happening in Jerusalem.  One day God called to Ananias and asked him to go to a house in Damascus and pray for a man named Saul of Tarsus.

I have no doubt that Ananias was shocked when God called him into service that day. Not only was he surprised to hear God’s call, but also the call was for him to go and see Saul.  Ananias had heard about Saul and how he was persecuting Christians around Jerusalem. Now the persecutor had come to his hometown…

It has been hot outside. You didn’t need me to tell you that, did you? When the dog days of summer are upon us, there are only a few ways to escape the heat. You can close the blinds, turn on the fans and AC and hunker down inside, or you can jump in the nearest body of water to cool off. Both options are acceptable. If you live near the beach, a big swim in in the ocean is ideal.

That is why so many people hit the beach this past week in Florida. However, the cool, refreshing water of the ocean also presents dangers. At Flagler Beach, a local person decided to go out on their boogie board. It was just what they needed on a hot day. It was not long until the danger of a rip current swept him out away from shore…

The Christian faith takes great courage. Much of what we do comes naturally. Yet, Jesus challenges us to move beyond what comes naturally, or what we normally do.  Jesus challenged the people he encountered to move beyond what was simple and easy. He invited them to follow Him into a deeper and more challenging faith.

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is questioned by a man who wanted to know, “What good thing must I do to get eternal life? (Matthew 19:16) Jesus returned his question with a question of His own, “Why do you ask me about what is good? (Matthew 19:17)  The man who questioned Jesus was no stranger to good deeds. It would seem he had lived a good life. He followed the law and was conscientious about his spiritual life. What was he missing? Why did he approach Jesus with his question?

“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” – Romans 12:13

School has started and Bobbie Wright is on the job helping the children of Fairview Park, Ohio safely walk to and from school. Bobbie is a crossing guard, employed by the Fairview Park Department of Public Safety. She is also a reserve deputy, among other duties. Bobbie takes her job seriously. She has helped generations cross the busy streets. This past week, Bobbie started her 50th year as crossing guard.

It is impossible to count the number of cars that Bobbie has stopped.