Posts from 2020 (Page 12)
Daily Devotions
Psalm 126:1-3 … “The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.” vs. 3 In times of stress and tension, it’s a blessing to have a great memory! That’s what gave solace to the psalmist, and it’s what we hang on to when uncertainty plagues our daily living. The psalmist remembered that the Lord had done great things for Israel and that the people had rejoiced in that moment of triumph–and that memory gave him hope for the…
Daily Devotions
Jeremiah 15:15-21 … “I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; under the weight of your hand I sat alone, for you had filled me with indignation.” vs. 17 When the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah he had been filled with joy and gladness. He was thrilled to be called by the name of the Lord and gladly began his prophetic ministry among the people. But his work did not bring him joy;…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 17:16-20 … “Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.” vs. 20 Much has been made of the so-called “Messianic Secret” that the gospel writers mention. Why would Jesus not want the disciples to tell anyone that he was the Messiah? Explanations abound and whole books have been written in support of various theories, but we really can’t know for sure. What we do know is that, when a person is identified…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 16:13-16 … “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’” vss. 15-16 The question of Jesus’ identity was a hot topic among the followers of Jesus in the early years. And even when they came to think of him as Messiah or Christ, their debate didn’t end. Some understood Messiah in strictly nationalistic terms, the promised Son of David who had come…
Daily Devotions
Romans 12:4-8 … “For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.” vss. 4-5 Paul’s words about the body of Christ are familiar. We’ve understood from the beginning that the many members of the Church have different functions, and that together we make up the one body. Even though we’ve had to fight…
Daily Devotions
Romans 12:1-3 … “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” vs. 2 With the erosion of truth in contemporary society, it has become more and more difficult to discern what is good and acceptable thinking and behavior. Every social media platform is besieged by memes and tweets that are outrageous lies–and too many people…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 138 … “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” vs. 8 It’s not unusual for the faithful to wonder about their purpose in life. Often our paths seem indistinguishable from those of the people around us–there’s a certain routine: education, career, marriage and family, and before we know it, we’re planning our retirement. And it’s possible to do all of that without an…
Daily Devotions
Isaiah 51:4-6 … “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and those who live on it will die like gnats; but my salvation will be forever, and my deliverance will never be ended.” vs. 6 The people of the prophet’s day worried about their continuing existence and the prophet affirms their concerns. The heavens will vanish and the earth…
Daily Devotions
Isaiah 51:1-3 … “Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the Lord. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.” vs. 1 Each of us have a history and if we look back to the beginning years of our individual timelines we will see the framework in which we began to learn decency, the kind of righteousness that is the starting point for life in community. For…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 15:25-28 … “Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.” vs. 28 Ironies abound as Jesus continues his ministry to the scattered Jews of the Gentile world. Matthew has carefully recounted the disciples’ melt-down on the Sea of Galilee where they are chastised for their miniscule faith convictions. Not only did Peter get scolded, the whole boatload got an earful from Jesus. And in…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 15:21-54 … “But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.’” vs. 23 The Jews of Galilee had been scattered through the years and by the time Jesus began his ministry some were living in what were considered Gentile areas. Naturally as Jesus was doing his preaching and healing he searched out those pockets of Jews that they too might be able to hear…
Daily Devotions
Romans 11:29-32 … “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” vs. 29 Paul was explaining to his Roman readers that the disobedience of the Jews had not separated them from the love of God. Just as Gentiles, in spite of their disobedience, had been shown the mercies of God, so it was with the Jews. His careful arguments to that effect are likely not of much interest to us, but his conclusions bring a mind-boggling word of…