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“The Natural Response of a Life Committed to the Lord”

Thoughts for Today:

In the movie "The Natural" Robert Redford plays the part of Roy Hobbs, a young man who might ultimately become the best baseball player of all time. However, on his way up the ladder of success to the majors, he is distracted from his journey by a "black widow" type of character (Barbara Hershey) and disappears for many years. When he reemerges, now much older, he lands a spot with a New York team and begins tearing up the league -- he's still The Natural.

For many of us, the ending of this movie is how we would like or expect our lives to play out. In Roy Hobbs case, a lightning bolt hits a tree, and from the remnant a bat is crafted that not only crushes baseballs but also revives his career. Are you waiting for your magical lightning bolt before you find or get back to your "natural" talent or ability as a Christian? Think back to when you first became a Christian, how did you feel when you came out of the baptismal waters? Did you feel joy, relief, freedom, love? What about the unbelievable desire to want to give back; to do something for others; to share your joy and newfound life in Christ? That is the natural response of a life committed to Christ and is exactly how Lydia from our passage today felt as well. She wanted to give and persuaded Paul and his company to accept her offer of hospitality, "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house."

Questions to Ponder:

Too often we let the pressures of our own selfishness get in the way of our natural desire to give and be hospitable. When was the last time you freely offered yourself or your home to someone else? Have you been giving joyfully and in fullness to the Lord as He has given to you? Take a moment and pray about this.

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.