Category: Through the Bible Devotions

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Watch what you say

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A “through the bible” devotion from Ecclesiastes 10.

“A little bird told me…”

“The walls have ears…”

These little truths warn me to be careful what I say, even if I think I’m alone. I’ve been told that my voice carries. You never know who’s listening.

These truths come from scripture:

“Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter” (Ecclesiastes 10:20).

Our best efforts at privacy fail. Phone cameras capture every moment of our lives. Security cameras watch intersections, self-checkout lanes, and gas pumps. I can’t even talk to my dog. A sign at the veterinarian alerts me that conversations are being recorded.

When someone speaks negatively about a person I’ve never met, it affects the way I interact with that person when I do meet them. That’s unfair.

And if I speak negatively about someone, even to myself, that attitude shows up in my conversations about them. They’ll know.

Word gets out, one way or the other.

Is there any solution? Sure. Think and speak positively. Put the best construction on everything. Give that person the benefit of the doubt. Use words that build up rather than tear down. Focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Tracks on the road: everyone knows where the big dog lives

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Three days ago workers were walking through the neighborhood, stuffing flyers in front doors. It was information about road resurfacing, which would begin that very day. We were instructed not to park on the street and not to turn the car wheels if we weren’t moving until the new black surface had set.

Sounds easy enough. I leashed up the big dog for a walk, and by the time I looped around, the crew had put the first layer on. Uh-oh. Can we walk on the road? Do I need to stay on the grass?

Lots of yellow-vested road crews were at every intersection. They assured me the surface would be hardened enough to walk on. Good enough for me.

When we got to my driveway, we had to walk across a section that was just barely hardened. A worker said, “Go ahead.” I didn’t leave any footprints. But the Great Dane did. And now her paw prints are on the road surface, just like a kid who couldn’t resist stepping in wet cement.

In time, passing traffic may press it down and smooth the road out. But for the moment, everyone now knows where that big dog lives!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

He’s the God of cold, too

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Annie Nyle on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 147.

When I think of God’s creation, especially the Garden of Eden, I imagine of a sunny day, with spring-like temperatures, and a gentle breeze. After all, the first man and woman were naked, so it would have been a nice, warm, comfortable place.

It turns out that the Creator is the God of cold, too.

He gives snow like wool;
    he scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
    who can stand before his cold?
He sends out his word, and melts them;
    he makes his wind blow and the waters flow. (Psalm 147:16-18)

I love these unlikely pairings. Snow covers the ground like a warm blanket. Frost blows through the air like ashes from a fire, settling on tree limbs and rooftops. Ice crystals resemble cookie crumbs falling after a bite. God’s word, which created the wintry weather also melts it. He thaws out a frozen world.

At times, God is a consuming fire. When his people disobey, his anger burns. God sends down fire to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and to consume Elijah’s sacrifice on Mt. Carmel. God leads his people through the wilderness as a pillar of fire. Spirit comes down on the apostles like tongues of fire on Pentecost. When John sees Jesus in Revelation, “His eyes were like a flame of fire” (Rev. 1:14). In heaven, God is surrounded by seraphim, fiery creatures who never stop repeating, “Holy, holy, holy!”

I think it’s cool that he’s the God of cold, too!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Finding Sweet Sleep: Biblical Wisdom from Proverbs 3

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Shane on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Proverbs 3.

There is no shortage of advice on how to get a good night’s sleep. No screens an hour before bedtime. No eating or drinking a couple hours before. No caffeine after lunch. An evening workout. A warm bath. A good book. A cool room. A comfortable bed, pillow, and sheets.

Benedryl, melatonin, Ambien, Sominex, warm milk, almonds, high-carb snack.

Those are just the ones I’ve recently heard. I’m sure there are many more.

I came across this one in the bible:

If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet (Proverbs 3:23)

Sounds good. What is the secret to that sweet sleep?

It starts a few verses earlier, in the encouragement to find wisdom and understanding.

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
    and the one who gets understanding (Proverbs 3:13).

The writer isn’t talking about any wisdom and understanding, but that which comes from trusting God, leaning on God, fearing God, honoring God, and following his ways.

My son, do not lose sight of these—
    keep sound wisdom and discretion,
and they will be life for your soul
    and adornment for your neck (Proverbs 3:21,22).

Then you will walk on your way securely,
    and your foot will not stumble.
If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet (Proverbs 3:23,24).

A life rooted and built up in Christ, a faith firmly established in him, full of gratitude is safe and secure. You can rest easy and sleep well because you know he’s taking care of you.

I think it’s interesting that sleep has a spiritual as well as a physical dimension. It’s as much about resting your soul as it is getting rest for your body. In the bible, a soul thirsts, hungers, gets weary and needs rest.

How nice to know that God arranges for that. He’s faithful, powerful, wise, and understanding. His steadfast love endures forever. You don’t have to worry. You can rest easy.

And you can get some sweet, sweet sleep.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Finding Truth in a World Full of Lies

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 120.

“Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips” (Psalm 120:2).

Whoa. That’s a big ask, isn’t it? I mean, think about it. How many people lied to you today? Or what about this: how many people have lied about you?

  • “This offer is only good today.” “Sale…today only!” “Call in the next ten minutes.”
  • A nice young man or woman knocks on my door to tell me that my neighborhood has been plagued by home invasions, car break-ins, and insect infestations. I need a security system, monthly pest treatments, and a personal bodyguard.
  • “I never got your text.”
  • “I’m fine.” “No worries.” “We’re good.”
  • “Trust me.”

Here’s what I want to believe: they are all sincere, just tying to get your attention, and sell you something.

Here’s what I know: you’re all just lying to me. The world is filled with lying lips.

I hate living in a world where I don’t trust, don’t know who to trust, and am afraid to trust anyone.

So that’s my prayer, too. “Deliver me from lying lips.” Don’t let me be a liar. Show me who I can trust. Make me a genuine person in a genuine place.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

“I knew you were going to say that.”

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by saeed karimi on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 139.

Sometimes you just know. You just know what someone is going to say.

  • The gate agent at the airport has just announced a full flight. But I ask if we can seats together. It never hurts to ask, and once in a great while, they can do it. But most of the time, they say, “I’m sorry, it’s a full flight.”
  • When you call up to cancel a subscription – assuming you can get an actual person to talk to – they offer you something to keep you subscribed.
  • The standard response to “Thank you” is “No problem.” Not, “You’re welcome.” Unless you’re at Chick-fil-A, and there the response is, “It’s my pleasure.”
  • As the barber struggles to run a comb through my thick mane, he or she always says, “Wow, you’ve got a thick head of hair!”
  • When I call the vet, the friendly tech answering the phone says, “Can I put you on hold?”
  • On a walk through the neighborhood with my Great Dane, I always hear, “Is that a horse?”

My day is filled with predictable responses. This is not a new idea. It’s in the bible.

“Before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it” (Psalm 139:4).

God knows exactly what you’re going to say. He knows before you do. Yes, he knows you that well.

That’s an interesting dynamic, isn’t it? You pour out your heart in prayer, you enumerate all the things you’re thankful for, and you bring your whole prayer list to God, and his response could be, “I knew you were going to say that.”

So why pray? Part of our faith is conversation. We converse with a God who speaks. We are people who respond. Of course we’re not telling him anything he doesn’t know. But we need to talk to him. It reminds us who he is. It brings to mind what he does and can do. It makes us aware of his presence. It’s part of being created in his image. In the beginning God spoke, so we speak, too.

I like the truth that God knows. He knows what I need and what I think I need. He knows where I am. He knows where I’m going even if I’m not certain. He knows me better than I know myself!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Productivity or Leisure: The Art of Doing Nothing

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jeswin Thomas: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-sitting-on-bench-under-tree-1280162/
Daily writing prompt
What do you wish you could do more every day?
View all responses

I wish I could do more “nothing” each day.

Even though I’ve been retired for a few years, I still set daily productivity goals. I still have a “To do,” “Doing”, and “Done” Kanban board on the wall. I feel compelled to redeem my time each day.

I consistently write, read, exercise, and practice music each day. I’ve always got a house project going on, do a little online teaching, love to cook and bake, and have dogs who need lots of exercise. Time for family, a few church activities, and learning new technology (3D printing and edible ink printing) and before you know it, my week is full.

I’m fascinated when I hear people talk about all the TV or movies they watch, or completely wasted days when they got nothing done. I’m not saying I want to live those kind of days. I not sure I would even last 24 hours trying to do nothing.

Maybe I should schedule a little nothing into my day as well. They say that simply sitting and doing nothing stimulates creativity, and I love the science of creativity. So if I could spend more time doing less, I would actually be accomplishing more?

There I go again.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Bring on the summer!

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite type of weather?
View all responses

My short answer: summer.

Yep. I love summer. Even in Florida, where I’ve lived for twenty eight years. `

I love hot temperatures, humidity, waking up to 75 degrees in the morning, and a day of shorts and nothing else.

I love sweating from the moment I walk out the door in the morning. I love the boiling hot car seats that only cool off after two minutes after starting the car AC. I love walking the dogs in warm predawn weather, knowing that this is as cool as it will get all day.

I love sweating while working in the yard or a sweaty garage gym workout. I love feeling the sun beat down on me while walking the dogs at dawn or cutting the lawn in the evening.

I love having to smear sunblock all over my body every day. I love the rumblings of distant thunderstorms. I love the longer hours of daylight.

Everyone else escapes the hot summer months. I relish them!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

My choice: Cross-country cycling

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Lorenzo Rui on Unsplash
Daily writing prompt
You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?
View all responses

While I would love to take a long train ride across the country or take the bus, my first choice would be biking from the Pacific to the Atlantic ocean.

I know it takes about three months to cycle across America. I’ve followed the Instagrams of a few cross country riders, and I would love to bicycle those three thousand or so miles.

The physical challenge of such a ride appeals to me. I love being outdoors, laboring uphill and careening down the other side. I relish traveling light, with everything I need in just a few panniers front and back. I’m more than ready to spend the night in a small tent by the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.

It’s not an easy way to cross the country, but for me, it’s better than being cooped up in a car, train, or bus.