Posts from September 2020 (Page 3)

Posts from September 2020 (Page 3)

Daily Devotions

Matthew 18:18-20 … “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” vs. 18 As the early Christian communities began to deal with internal disputes, Matthew laid out some guidelines based on his remembrance of Jesus’ teachings. They followed a logical progression, beginning with one on one conversations and ending with possible dismissal from the community. In other words, this was no small matter,…

Daily Devotions

Matthew 18:15-17 … “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.” vs. 15 By the time Matthew wrote his gospel the community of believers was pretty well established in the larger cities of the Roman Empire. Congregations weren’t large and there were no church buildings as we know them. Rather, believers would meet in homes,…

Daily Devotions

Romans 13:11-14 … “The night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;” vs. 12 There are some who believe that we are drawing near to the apocalypse, that humanity is teetering on the edge of calamity and that destruction awaits. It would seem that Paul was looking toward the same end, that the day of reckoning was near. But gloom was not what he…

Daily Devotions

Romans 13:8-10 … “Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” vs. 8 Jesus had but one commandment for his followers, to love one another as he had loved them. Paul echoes that sentiment as he closes out his closely argued letter to the Christians in Rome. “All you need is love,” he says, in full agreement with The Beatles, and if they did, they would have fulfilled the…

Daily Devotions

Psalm 119:37-40 … “Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.” vs. 37 When the word “vanities” is Googled, the search results are exclusively related to those furnishings most often found in our bedrooms and bathrooms. There is an endless variety to choose from, all including mirrors and extravagant lighting. The styles change frequently and the message is that vanities should be changed out frequently. The psalmist had nothing like this in mind when he…

Daily Devotions

Psalm 119:33-36 … “Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.” vs. 34 The Jews had deep affection for the law. They rightly understood that its precepts provided a guide for healthy and orderly life in community. No country or nation can expect to know internal stability without an overwhelming allegiance to what is called the “rule of law.” Many in our land have expressed deep concern over what has been called…