Posts from April 2021

Posts from April 2021

Daily Devotions

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 1 John 4:14-21 Occasionally we run into people whose piety is unmistakable–it fairly oozes out of them as they regularly invoke the name of Jesus in their conversation. They know the marks of holiness well, and make sure that such attributes are…

Daily Devotions

Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.” vss. 11-12 1 John 4:7-13 Religious folks love to complicate matters of faith. We develop intricate rituals and profound doctrines designed to standardize worship practices and unveil the mystery of the Trinity. Not only do our efforts fail to draw us close to God,…

Daily Devotions

Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord, and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn, saying that he has done it.” vss. 30-31  Psalm 22:25-31 Twenty-five hundred years ago the psalmist declared to his congregation that future generations would be told about the Lord and hear the good news of their deliverance. And he was right! The good news of our gracious and merciful God continues to be heard all around the globe in…

Daily Devotions

As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’” Acts 8:32-40 The Ethiopian had been reading Isaiah 53, a passage that early Christians believed told them everything they needed to know about Jesus, which is exactly what Philip proceeded to do. By the end of Philip’s explanation the eunuch is convinced and asked to be baptized. Philip, unencumbered by denominational restrictions,…

Daily Devotions

So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him.” vss. 30-31 Acts 8:26-31 The Ethiopian, evidently a descendent of Jews who had settled in Ethiopia centuries before, had come up to Jerusalem to worship at one of the festivals. And now, as he was going home, he…

Daily Devotions

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” vs. 16 John 10:16-18 The early church had an expansive view of Christ’s flock. The disciples loved the good shepherd imagery and they realized that Jesus had come for the whole world and not just his early followers. There were never any limits on the size of crowds during…

Daily Devotions

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.” vss. 14-15 John 10:11-15 Shepherds were a familiar sight to the people of Jesus’ day. Someone had to watch the thousands of sheep that wandered the rocky hills around Jerusalem, and everyone knew that some shepherds didn’t give a rip about the sheep. They would lead…

Daily Devotions

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” vss. 8-9             1 John 1:8-2:2 For some these are familiar words. They were once said by pastors as an invitation to confession in nearly every regular worship service. We might not have known them as bible verses, but we…

Spiritual Practice: Praying the Labyrinth

Sue Palmer, spiritual practices specialist, traces the history of the labyrinth, and demonstrates several ways a labyrinth can be used to facilitate prayer and meditation as a spiritual practice today.

Daily Devotions

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.” vs. 5 1 John 1:1-7 Some of those who have experienced what are sometimes called “near death experiences” report having had a sense of being drawn to a light, and that it gave them a great feeling of peace. Skeptics, upon hearing those stories, dismiss them quickly, saying that this is just what happens…

Daily Devotions

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me.” vs. 4 Psalm 23:4-6 It’s no mystery why Psalm 23 is so frequently read at funerals and memorial services. Death is probably the darkest valley that we can endure. No matter what our religious beliefs might be, or even if they’re non-existent, death packs a powerful punch. Our friends and loved ones leave the land…