It was a beautiful spring day! The front door was left open to enjoy the breeze. I was in my office at one end of the house while Gabriel and his grandmother were mixing up homemade bread in the kitchen at the other end. The sun was shining brightly, the enticing aroma wafted on the breeze, and all things seemed right with the world.
Then it happened!
All of a sudden, the distant squawking of a panicked chicken grew rapidly in volume until, in just a matter of seconds, it seemed like I was going to be run over by the oncoming freight train.
I leapt from my chair and rushed out into the big room just in time to see a chicken, YES, A FULL BLOWN POULTRY PROJECTILE, darting across the room. Following closely behind the escaped convict was our faithful chicken herder, Dexter, the family dog.
“No, Dexter! No!” I yelled as he cornered the frightened foul beside a cabinet.
Next thing I knew, Cindy had grabbed a broom and, while I held Dexter’s leash, she began herding the bird toward the door.
The details of what happened after that are kind of blurry. All I know is somehow that panicked bird missed the door and ended up under my desk. It had its head firmly planted in the corner with its trembling rear end waving at me from the shadows. “I hate that dog!” I could hear it squawk. “I really hate that dog!”
Devotional
1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Do you ever feel like that chicken? Do you ever feel like the devil is snapping at your heels and the walls are closing in around you? Me too!
In those moments of stress and panic, be sure to reflect on the words that immediately follow the verse above.
1 Peter 5:9 (NIV) “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
Three practical principles:
1. Resist him! The very best thing that chicken could have done on that day was just stay away from the dog. I have spent a lot of time and money preparing a very safe place for all my chickens. All they have to do is stay in it. The church is intended to be a safe place. If yours isn’t, find one that is. The best way to resist the devil is to stay away from him and close to the people God favors.
2. Stand firm in the faith! Faith is the resistance. Build relationships that are going to bolster your faith, not pull it down.
3. Remember, you are not alone! Celebrate the family of God.
Note: Sharing these Sonny Day Devos is a great way to open doors for conversations about God and His values. Just follow these simple steps:
- Print it off!
- Pin it up!
- Pass it out!
- Prepare for conversation!
The story above was taken from the book, “A Funny Thing Happened On Our Way to Heaven” by Sonny Childs. In the spirit of those chicken soup books, this collection of 52 short stories is sure to inspire.
To purchase your copy, use the buy now button below.