Rural Route 3:16 devotionals are written for you.
Rural Route 3:16
Our devotionals are written from everyday life in agriculture. Most often the simple truths of God are all around us. We just need to look around each day to see them. The best way to start your day is to feed on God's word.
The Gift of a new day.
If you are a farmer or rancher you see God's work everyday. New life begins small and grows. Our faith does the same.
Rural Route 3:16 utilizes stories that relate to life in everyday agriculture. Each day provides scripture, a brief story from rural life, and a short prayer that can begin a conversation with God that can last all day.
Time with God.
Whether you are traveling horseback, on a tractor, in an old pickup, or just walking down some cow trail, allow Rural Route 3:16 devotionals to be a tool that can reveal God's view of the countryside we call life.
Devotional Sample
Bucking Broncs in the Living Room
Ephesians 6 verse 4
"Fathers, do not exasperate your children, instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
Throughout the ages it has been one of the biggest events in Western history. In the minds of those competing, it is an event that is far greater than the National Finals Rodeo. It is an event where the crowd roars with applause and laughter. Only the absolute toughest stock is used - mounts like "Big Daddy," "Pops," or the greatest of all, "Granddaddy." It is a contest of strength, endurance, and mental toughness to withstand the challenge of eight seconds of teeth-jarring action. All across this great land, children have competed in arenas that have been cleared of coffee tables and magazine racks. Little cowboys and cowgirls love to compete in this event known as "living room bronc riding."
With determination children hold onto the bronc rein of dad's shirt collar and give it all they have got. The ducks, dives, and rearing up of this paternal mount is a challenge to the young at heart. It is their first taste of danger, their first quest to conquer. This event is our duty as fathers.
Children learn from you. Even when you don't realize it, great lessons are being taught. We are not supposed to exasperate our children. Our discipline should be that which helps them to grow in the ways of God. As Godly men, we should train our children with patience, direction, and love. Where does that start? By never being too tired to give a bronc ride.
"Living room bronc riding" teaches that sometimes in life you get thrown off onto the softness of the couch and sometimes you hit the edge of the fireplace. It teaches that you have to get back on and try again. It challenges your ability to believe that you can. It builds the relationship of a loving father who, yes, will challenge you but never harm you. Isn't that like our heavenly Father? Doesn't He challenge us sometimes? Doesn't he give us a bronc ride in life sometimes just to make life fun? And doesn't He always say to us afterwards, "Are you okay?" We as fathers should do the same.
Daily Prayer
Lord, give me the confidence I need as a father to teach my children your values and your ways. May they learn to trust you by watching me trust you. May they learn to follow you by watching me follow you. May they know how much you love them, by the way that I love them. Be with my children as they ride through life. Amen
