“He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.” Prov. 11:28 Today’s Christian daily devotional

John and I drive slowly through the heavily wooded neighborhood of Winnetka. We are searching for Larry’s house.

“Oh, there it is!” His eyes light up in recognition of the prominent white house to the left of us. John despises using our GPS. To a man that is hard-wired to win at everything, it is equal to the white flag of defeat.

As we turn our tiny car into the circle driveway of the looming Georgian-style estate; a somber mood fills the car. Quietly bracing ourselves, we close the doors and head up the hill towards the sprawling mansion.

“Hi. We are here to see Larry.” John addresses the thin middle-aged hospice nurse that answers the door. She nods very seriously and opens the door wide for us to enter. Muttering a few words in broken English, she leads the way up the winding marble staircase.

Pointing her thin finger towards the heavy timber door, she retreats back down the stairs to allow us some privacy.

“Larry?” John gingerly knocks on the door; I hover a few feet behind him.

“Come in.” A muffled but familiar voice beckons from behind the heavy door.

“Hey buddy.” Walking slowly up to the bed, John takes a seat next to his dear friend.

Smiling and trying his best, John entertains Larry with the latest gossip and funny stories from the movie set he is currently working on. They both chuckle lightheartedly and for a little while, Larry’s health issues seem to fade into the background.

I sit on the edge of a heavy dresser and pull a magazine out of my purse to pass the time.

Silence fills the room.  The atmosphere feels heavy and I look to see what is the matter.  We both turn our eyes to Larry.

His eyes resemble large blue pools of water, tears grappling on the edge of each one. The horrific moan of a grown man fills the large room; his cries echo off the barren walls.

“Johnny.  I’m dying.  This shouldn’t be happening. I am only 47. No amount of money will make this problem go away.” His voice is strained and weak, but the words are potent and unforgettable.

“What was the point of my life?” Larry’s eyes searched John’s, desperately looking for an answer.

When it comes to today’s standards of success, many people seem to ‘have it all.’  They drive the latest model of their favorite car, live in the best neighborhoods, dine in the hottest spots and sport the latest fashions. Nice things are nice, but they have never been and will never be the end all.

We cannot count on the pleasures and treasures of life to add any value to our eternal stock.

What are you investing in? Make sure it is something that won’t loose it’s value. Don’t waste your life hoping to figure it all out in the end.  No one has a guarantee of when that will be.

“Dear Heavenly Father,

There are so many things that seem to get me off tract so easily.

I look at the successful people around me and feel so frustrated.  I compare myself to them, and I feel like I will never measure up.

Help me to stop thinking like this.  I know you value the things that man does not value and you see things from an eternal and heavenly perspective.

Can you help me to start looking at life that way?  I know that life goes by quickly, so I want to start making smart choices now.

When I get on the other side of eternity, I don’t want regrets. Lord, from this day forward I ask for a life that is full of rich meaning and substance that could never be able to be added up in the bank. But, those very things are priceless in your eyes.

I trust your value system, because you are God and you are good.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”

*If you would like to accept God’s free gift of eternal salvation, you can ask Jesus into your heart.  When you do this, the Holy Spirit will lead you and motivate you towards making choices that are spiritual investments.

Speak this prayer from the heart:

“Dear Heavenly Father,

I realize I am a sinner that could never earn or buy my own salvation.  This is a gift that is so priceless it can never be bought, only given. 

I see now that Jesus was the Son of God sent to earth.  He suffered the death of the cross to atone for my sins.  I accept his sacrifice.  I ask Jesus into my heart.

Lord, I accept that Jesus paid the price for my freedom, and I will no longer accept the guilt of my past.

I am washed clean by the blood of Jesus. Thank you for salvation.  Baptize me in the Holy Spirit so my life can be empowered.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”

Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: Proverbs 11:28

Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!

Author: Julia Shalom Jordan