Posts from June 2020

Posts from June 2020

Daily Devotions: June 30, 2020

June 30, 2020 Zechariah 9:11-12 … “Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.” vs. 12 When the Jews returned from exile they were faced with an enormous challenge. Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside had been ravaged by the armies of Babylon. The temple and protective walls of the city were gone; there were few who even remembered the days of glory. In that context Zechariah presents a vision of…

Daily Devotions: June 29, 2020

June 29, 2020                                                                                                          Zechariah 9:9-10 … “Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” vs. 9 For the next four months, whether we like it or not, we’re going to be subjected to intense campaigning as candidates flood the media with their distorted accusations and claims. We’ll see slick expensive commercials on television…

Daily Devotions: June 28, 2020

June 28, 2020 Matthew 10:40-42 … “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” vs. 40 It’s been the custom in recent years for congregations to announce that all are welcome in their faith communities, and that no distinctions will be made. It’s a worthy mission statement and reflects a move toward inclusivity that is to be admired. But it’s also a reversal of the situation that early disciples found themselves in—one that…

Daily Devotions: June 27, 2020

June 27, 2020                                                                                                  Romans 6:19-23 … “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” vs. 23 Paul’s language in this section of Romans can easily be read from a dualistic perspective. Two alternatives are offered: death or eternal life, and it’s implied that the choice is ours. If we continue in sin we will die, but if we stop sinning and submit to God we will have…

Daily Devotions: June 26, 2020

June 26, 2020                                                                                                          Romans 6:12-18 … “But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” vss. 17-18 Some wonderful and devout followers of Jesus are obsessed with perfection. They’re conscious of all their words, thoughts, and actions and know instantly when they’ve sinned—and their weakness drives…

Daily Devotions: June 25, 2020

June 25, 2020                                                                                                          Psalm 89:15-18 … “Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance; they exult in your name all day long, and extol your righteousness.” vss. 15-16 The Psalmist knew the joy that came from being part of a community of faith that was centered around a common allegiance to the House of David. That community came together regularly for worship of the Lord and to celebrate the…

Daily Devotions: June 24, 2020

June 24, 2020                                                                                    Psalm 89:1-4 … “I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.” vs. 1      Sometimes when we read the Psalms we wonder just who these Pollyanna writers must have been. We imagine that they lived in more tranquil times than ours; that they didn’t face the societal upheavals that get daily attention from our news sources. Otherwise, how could they have possibly written such optimistic…

Daily Devotions: June 23, 2020

June 23, 2020                                                                                    Jeremiah 28:7-9 … As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.” vs. 9 Upon hearing the words of Jeremiah, the prophet Hananiah upped the ante by repeating his prediction that peace was just around the corner for Judah, and Jeremiah went away in silence. He didn’t believe the prophecy of peace, but only time would reveal the…

Daily Devotions: June 22, 2020

June 22, 2020                                                                                                Jeremiah 28:5-6 … “and the prophet Jeremiah said, ‘Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord fulfill the words that you have prophesied, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles.” vs. 6 Jeremiah wasn’t the only Prophet in town during the years of his ministry. There were many rivals and he was familiar with them all. One of them, Hananiah, was a particular…

Daily Devotions: June 21, 2020

June 21, 2020 Matthew 10:35-39 … “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” vs. 34 There are many who wish that Matthew had not bothered to include these words of Jesus in his Gospel. They’re disquieting and harsh, especially to those who love harmony in daily living. Frankly it would be nice if we could just take scissors to these verses and excise them…

Daily Devotions: June 20, 2020

June 20, 2020 Matthew 10:24-33 … “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted.” vss. 29-30 Discipleship was harrowing work in those early years and Matthew remembered that Jesus had told them it would not be easy, that people would treat them like they treated him, and life would be difficult. But Jesus had also assured…

Daily Devotions: June 19, 2020

June 19, 2020 Romans 6:1b-11 … “Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? 2By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it?” vss. 1b-2 At some point it became fashionable for Christians to speak of their personal relationship to Jesus and many have become comfortable with that kind of talk. They’ve learned to recount the story of their conversion and what it is like to have Jesus come into their…