Minute Devotionals 1-5

How sad and lonely our lives would be if during our lifetime we had no friends. But could you imagine going through your life and not availing yourself of the greatest friend that one could ever have—the Almighty God. What does it take to have a friendship with God? We are told in James 2:21-23 "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." Because Abraham’s faith was coupled with works of obedience he was called the "friend of God". Friendships are precious and dear to us; but no friendship should be more precious and dear to us than that of God’s. I ask you, is God your friend? Have a great day!

People cheat on tests, on their taxes and even on their spouses. Cheating can have devastating effects on a person. A person who cheats on a test might be suspended from school. A person who cheats on their taxes might have to go to jail. A person that cheats on his spouse might have his marriage end in divorce. Usually a person cheating ways will catch up with him and that’s why we say, "cheaters never win."

Have you ever stopped to consider what happens when a person tries to cheat God spiritually? Ultimately that person will be denied a home in heaven. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Mt. 7:21). People today have a variety of ideas on what it takes to get heaven--Jesus has but one.

Physically or spiritually the results will always be the same—cheaters never win. Have a great day!

Each choice we make in our lives has consequences. This eternal principle is set forth by the apostle Paul in Galatians 6:7, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." What is the consequence for a person choosing to live his life apart from God? "For the wages of sin is death…" On the other what is the consequence for a person choosing to live his life for God? "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Which will you choose—a life with or a life without God. Both the choices and the consequences are clear. What will your answer be?

A first grade teacher seated her students in a circle. She asked them what they wanted to be when they grew up. One by one, each child got up and announced, "I'd like to be a nurse like my mother," or "I want to be a banker like my father," or "I want to be a teacher like you, Miss Smith." The last child to speak was the most shy and timid little boy in the class. He said, "When I get big, I'm going to be a lion tamer in the circus. I'm going to face those animals with my whip and chair and make them leap through hoops of fire and obey all of my commands." Seeing the disbelieving looks on the faces of his classmates that he could ever act so boldly or bravely, he was quick to reassure them, "Well, of course, I'll have my mother with me."

We are sometimes shy and timid about standing up for Christ in the midst of an immoral society. We keep quiet when we ought to speak up. We cower when we ought to take a stand. Where do we get the inner strength to be bold and brave? Only through the assurance that we have Christ by our side. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13). "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Eph. 6:10). In the Old Testament we find these encouraging words, "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" (Isa. 41:10). With that knowledge, take courage today to do something for God that you've been hesitant to do. Have a wonderful day!

Good fortune demands aims, belief and courage; but these three would be in vain without the fourth diligence. Strong characters have wills; feeble ones, only wishes. Diligence is that industrious trait which is always attentive and active, which stands opposed to indifference, carelessness and laziness. Perhaps you have read in story books the fable of the race between the rabbit and the turtle. The rabbit was quick and swift; the turtle, slow and clumsy. But the turtle possessed one thing that the rabbit did not have—diligence. The fleet rabbit would run awhile and nap awhile, but the slow-footed turtle kept plodding along; and while the rabbit dozed, the turtle came in first. The moral is victory does not always go to the fastest and most talented, but rather the most diligent. "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," (Heb. 12:1). Have a wonderful day!

* Devotional By: 
Mike Gurganus
PO Box. 916
Henderson, NC 27536

Credit to the author had been provided for devotionals wherever possible.  If no credit is given here, it is because we do not have that information.  If the original author of any of these devotionals contacts us and requests that appropriate credit be given or that the devotional be removed, we will gladly comply.