Posts from 2018 (Page 21)
Daily Devotions: May 7, 2018
May 7, 2018 Acts 1:15-17, 21-26…“And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.” vs. 26 It seems like there should have been a better way for the disciples to find a replacement for Judas. They had the sense that the number 12 was important, mostly for its symbolic value. They had all been called so it wasn’t a job for a volunteer. Finally, after weighing the obvious credentials,…
Daily Devotions: May 6, 2018
May 6, 2018 John 15:16-17…“You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.” vs. 16 Sometimes we’ll hear folks offering up prayers that end with the phrase, “in Jesus’ name, Amen.” It’s a reminder of their attachment to Jesus, a recognition that he is the vine and they are the branches–and that’s a…
Daily Devotions: May 5, 2018
May 5, 2018 John 15:12-15…“I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” vs. 15 The song, “What a Friend We Have In Jesus,” isn’t sung much anymore–probably because it doesn’t have a catchy tune. But many Jesus-people still regard it as a favorite, primarily because of verses like…
Daily Devotions: May 4, 2018
May 4, 2018 John 15:9-11…“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love.” vs. 9 Living as a follower of Jesus is remarkably uncomplicated! Jesus had known from the day of his baptism that God loved him, and throughout his ministry he had passed that love on to the hurting people that he encountered. Later, he told those who had become his disciples to abide in that love–they are to revel in it, bask…
Valuing Religious and Ethnic Diversity
When Carla Skladany met with Richard Andersen, Executive Director of Spirit in the Desert in 2017, she told him she was interested in being a volunteer at the retreat center. Volunteering has always been an important part of Carla’s life during the years she and her husband, Jan, lived in Downers Grove, Illinois and since they permanently moved to Carefree in 2007. As Richard and Carla’s conversation continued, Richard surprised her when he asked her to be the Coordinator of…
Daily Devotions: May 3, 2018
May 3, 2018 1 John 5:1-6…“Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” vs. 5 To believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God, was a huge step for those early Christians. And then, once they had come to faith, they went on to make the audacious claim that they were going to conquer the world. Think of it! They had nothing going for them. At most…
Daily Devotions: May 2, 2018
May 2, 2018 Psalm 98:4-9…“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.” vs. 4 For many believers, congregational singing is a highlight of worship. They love to come together and lift up their voices with songs of praise and thanksgiving! It’s their one opportunity to actually sing out loud in public, and, since they don’t have to worry about hitting a wrong note, they can let loose! After all, as…
Daily Devotions: May 1, 2018
May 1, 2018 Psalm 98:1-4…”O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.” vs. 1 Periodically, in the context of sharing news about the latest happenings in their lives, people will say “God is good.” By that, they generally mean that life is going well, that there has been healing or reconciliation. Maybe they’ve gotten a good job or gotten an unexpected financial windfall.…
Daily Devotions: April 30, 2018
April 30, 2018 Acts 10:44-48…“The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles,” vs. 45 From the beginning, followers of Jesus have been plagued by spiritual myopia. We imagine that what we believe and experience is all that matters and that God couldn’t possibly have a larger plan. Initially, believers thought the Spirit could only work through the circumcised and were astounded when Gentiles…
Daily Devotions: April 29, 2018
April 29, 2018 John 15:6-8…“Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” vs. 6 Some verses of our scripture bring amazing comfort and peace. Others are wielded like clubs to manipulate and exclude. Jesus’ words about the vine can be used in both ways. Today’s verse has been used for centuries as a warning. People are told that if they don’t abide in Jesus…
Daily Devotions: April 28, 2018
April 28, 2018 John 15:1-5…“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me.” vs. 4 While faith is a great gift for followers of Jesus, there is nothing more important in their lives than bearing fruit. Over and over Jesus hammered this home in his teaching. We can have proper theologies and know all the creeds but, if…
Daily Devotions: April 27, 2018
April 27, 2018 John 4:17-21…“Those who say, ‘I love God,’ and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.” vs. 20 John sets a high bar for believers! In his estimation, loving God isn’t as easy as it might seem. Not only do we have to figure out how to be generous with what we call possessions, we also…