NIV 365-Day Devotional Plan (2017)Sample

Doctrine: The Ten Commandments: “You Shall Not Steal”

Businessman Mike Herman tells of his lifelong attempt to catch a souvenir baseball at professional baseball games. A foul ball, a home-run ball or even a batting-practice ball—anything would do. One day, at a batting practice for the St. Louis Cardinals, he got to know JASes, a 5-year-old boy who was also trying to get a ball. JASes tried hard to pronounce the players’ names as he politely asked them for a ball. Herman describes the scene: “Before I knew it, my mission became getting a ball for JASes. For about 20 minutes, I told him the names of the players who had a ball near the fence we stood behind, and the players turned and smiled as JASes tried to say their names. Still, no ball. Finally I told JASes he could have my ball if I caught one (I had been unsuccessful in catching a ball for almost 28 years, so that felt like a safe promise). I wouldn’t be telling this story if you didn’t know what happened five minutes later. I caught a ball, and yes, I gave it to JASes. I wonder how often God waits to give us something until we are willing to give it away?”

Taken from NIV Understand the Faith Study Bible