Posts from 2020 (Page 17)
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…
An Open Dialogue: The Racial Divide in America
Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center Invites All to an Open Dialogue on The Racial Divide in America. Featuring: Joel Bjerkestrand and Sarah Payne Naylor Details: Thursday, June 25, 2020. 4:00 – 5:30 pm. At: Spirit in the Desert, 7415 E. Elbow Bend Rd, Carefree, AZ. Due to Social Distancing Guidelines, space will be extremely limited. Please call or email to reserve your seat: (480) 488-5218; sue@spiritinthedesert.org Facial masks must be worn during this event. This event will be streamed LIVE…
Daily Devotions: June 18, 2020
June 18, 2020 Psalm 69:16-18 … “Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.” vs. 16 Sometimes life seems to drag on and on with no discernible changes in our circumstances or condition. In those moments our feelings of impatience are often reflected in our prayers. Since we’ve been told and have come to believe that our Lord is full of steadfast love and abundant mercy, it’s hard to understand…
Daily Devotions: June 17, 2020
June 17, 2020 Psalm 69:7-10 … “It is zeal for your house that has consumed me; the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” vs. 9 We don’t know that Jeremiah wrote any psalms, but given the prophetic tone of Psalm 69, he could have penned its words. In every age Prophets spoke with passion and paid for it with rejection and persecution. Even friends and relatives turned against them. It’s that prophetic part of discipleship that…