Keeping God in the Small Stuff: Devotions for Every Day

JANUARY 1

God Is in the Small Stuff

Little is much if God is in it.

          A national best-selling book suggests that youshouldn't sweat the small stuff. Many people treat the smallstuff in life as if no one?not even God?has any control overwhat happens. They call it "fate" or talk about how they are"lucky" or "fortunate" when certain things happen or don'thappen.

          We're not suggesting that you should involve God inevery decision you make no matter how small (for example, youdon't have to ask God what you should wear in the morning).But if you're like most people, you tend to ask for God's involvementonly in times of major need or crisis, and consequentlyyou miss out on the joy and wonder of watching God work inthe small stuff of your life. There's no question God is in the bigevents, but He delights in working in the details.

* * *

Do not despise these small beginnings,
for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin ...
Zechariah 4:10

JANUARY 2

Use for the Purpose Intended

The person with an unread Bible has no advantage

over the person who doesn't own one.

          You would laugh if someone expressed belief in a"lucky" rabbit's foot dangling from his key chain. (Okay, maybeyou wouldn't laugh, laugh, but we are pretty sure that you wouldsnicker.) Why? Because "good luck charms" are foolishness andoffer nothing but a false sense of security.

          Sadly, some of us relegate our Bible to the status of"good luck charm." Somehow we get a warm, fuzzy feeling justknowing that it is propped up in the bookshelf or lying on thenightstand. But we never read it. It is just there for looks (andfor luck).

          But the Bible will do you absolutely no good sittingunread. Only if it is opened, read, and studied can you accessall of God's wisdom and direction that the Bible contains. Youneed to know all that God has written for you to learn aboutHim (and yourself). You need to read the Bible. Move it offthe shelf and into your heart.

* * *

For these commands and this teaching are

a lamp to light the way ahead of you.

Proverbs 6:23

JANUARY 3

In the Beginning

Either God created the heavens and the earth, or He didn't.

          Unless we know where our world came from, wedon't really know where it's going. And we don't know wherewe're going, either. That's why there's such a huge debate abouthow the universe began. The answer goes to the heart of ourvery existence.

          There are only two options When it comes to the be beginningof the universe. The first option is that a personal, intelligent,all-powerful, all-knowing, self-existent Creator madethe heavens and the earth in perfect balance and harmony. Thesecond option is that everything in the universe came fromnothing. It "made" itself. (To get a sense of this, next time youget into your car, imagine that it came into existence on its ownwithout the help of a designer and manufacturer.)

          There are no third or fourth options that some impersonal"force" brought the universe into existence, or that aspeck of energy exploded into stars and planets and life.Either God made everything or He didn't.

* * *

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:1

JANUARY 4

Conduct

Sometimes you have to choose between following God

and impressing your friends.

          Living a godly life may make you different. You mayend up doing just the opposite of everyone else. Sometimesyou may find that your conduct pleases God but offends yourfriends, or vice versa. Should you compromise and try to findan acceptable middle ground?

          Jesus gave the two analogies of "salt" and "light" toshow the importance of conduct. Salt is a seasoning, but it'salso used as a preservative. God wants you to be like a moralpreservative, bringing a virtuous and ethical flavor to your culture.God also wants you to shine into the darkness, not foryour own publicity, but to bring credit to God.

          Salt doesn't do any good if it stays in the shaker. A candledoesn't do any good under a bowl. So go forward today beingsalt and light in your world.

* * *

"You are the light of the world ...
Don't hide your light under a basket!
... let your good deeds shine out for all to see,
so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."
Matthew 5:14-16

JANUARY 5

You Can't Prove God Exists

Don't worry about proving God's existence,

because no one can disprove it.

          Sometimes we think we can prove God exists, but itjust can't be done. You can't stick God under a microscope orview Him through a telescope, because God is a Spirit. Noone has actually seen God (John 1:18).

          On the other hand, no one can disprove God's existence.If someone says that God doesn't exist because you can'tprove it in a science experiment, then you must also concludethat light doesn't exist, because you can't prove that, either.

          But light does exist, because there's evidence. We cansee it, feel it, and witness the effect of light on the world and inour lives. The same goes for God. We know He exists becausewe can see the perfect order of the universe. We can feel Hispresence in our hearts. And we see the evidence of God'sinvolvement in the world and in every detail of our lives.

* * *

They can clearly see his invisible qualities?his
eternal power and divine nature.
Romans 1:20

JANUARY 6

What It Takes

If you want results that are excellent, diligence is required.

          The coach of any athletic team will tell you thatyou've got to practice if you want to win. In the...