Devotionals

---

“Why do my brownies look like this?” I complained to my mom. The county fair was coming up quickly and my pan of brownies came out of the oven rather flat and had spots. “Hmm, they taste ok.” I nibbled at little pieces of the brown concoction as my mom helped me wash the dishes and start over again, this time following the directions slowly so I wouldn’t miss any ingredients this time. There wasn’t much left of my disaster pan by the time the new batch came out of the oven, looking perfect. That evening I thought about the blue ribbon I was hoping to earn next month as I scratched at the hives that started to make their appearance. What in the world did I do to that first batch of brownies?

4-H was a big part of my life growing up in Iowa and participating in the county fair was something I always prepared for each year. Despite my mistakes in baking, and ripping out seams on dress sleeves, I enjoyed competing and seeing the ribbons on my projects displayed on the tables. I learned a valuable lesson with that pan of brownies. Follow instructions carefully and don’t skip an ingredient!

Just like all ingredients are important in order to come up with the end result I’m looking for in my recipes, my spiritual life has “ingredients” as well. Prayer, studying the Bible, attending church, using my gifts and talents, and fellowship with believers are all ingredients that come together to make my spiritual life complete. And each ingredient is important for the recipe of my life to turn out pleasing to the Lord. Are you skimping on, or totally skipping, any ingredients in your spiritual life? I encourage you to make time for the Lord, and He will help your daily schedule fall into place if you put Him first. Yes, my brownies won a blue ribbon that year. And I’m still working toward getting that blue ribbon in life as I strive to keep the ingredients of my spiritual life balanced.

Psalm 18:30 “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.”

Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Psalm 122:1 “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE