“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” (James 1:2) It may have been fourteen years ago, but the summer of 1995 was a memorable time for me. I celebrated my 42nd birthday and only now affectionately refer to that summer as my “Summer of 42”. Everything seemed to be falling apart. I learned that my childhood asthma, which I was told I had outgrown, had returned; I had an annual physical only to learn that I had diabetes; and I lost one of […]

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” (Romans 6:14) I sure love living under grace. It doesn’t mean I can sin and move on with life as if nothing happened. It means that God will accept me in spite of sin in my life. Now that’s forgiveness with a capital “F”! We all know that grace is the unmerited favor of God. But John Piper, a Baptist pastor in Minnesota, takes grace one step farther: “Grace is not […]

(This is part three of a three-part series on the seven habits of highly effective Christians) “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16) One of problems with a series of devotions on the same subject is everyone doesn’t read my devotion from week-to-week. Therefore, I have to restate some of what I said in the interest of clarity and continuity. Of course, the two previous devotions covering six of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians may be read on my website, www.devotions.com. […]

(This is part two of a three-part series on the seven habits of highly effective Christians) “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27) Webster’s defines a habit as a recurrent, often unconscious pattern of behavior that is acquired through frequent repetition; an established disposition of the mind or character. It is the latter statement that inspired me to examine what I consider to be the seven most important habits that every Christian should possess. Mind you now, my list is not all-inclusive. […]