Posts from May 2021

Posts from May 2021

Daily Devotions

They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” vs. 8 Genesis 3:8-10 Every ancient civilization had creation myths, stories that were told to successive generations describing how the world had come into existence, and how human beings ultimately made their appearance. We’re familiar with many of these tales,…

Daily Devotions

Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” vs. 17 John  3:9-17 We are regularly reminded by scripture that followers of Jesus are to be “in the world, but not of the world.” It’s a distinction that can be difficult to maintain as we live out our lives. The world is full of temptations and offers multiple deceptive possibilities for finding happiness and…

Daily Devotions

Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’” vs. 3 John 3:1-8 It’s pretty obvious from watching the way people behave in our world that not everyone is tuned into the kingdom of God. In fact, some days it appears that the vast majority of people are operating on cruise control and don’t have a clue about how to live at peace with self and neighbor. A…

Daily Devotions

When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…” vss. 16-17a Romans 8:15-17 The “Our Father” has been around from the beginning days of the Church. Paul makes reference to it as he writes to the Romans with assurances of God’s love. God is our Father, he tells them, maybe even our “Daddy,” and each…

Daily devotions

for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” vs.13 Romans 8:12-14 There are many ways of describing the complexities of being human. Most would agree that we have a soul, that which is the essence of our personhood–it’s what gives us our identity, the sense of being “me,” as opposed to someone else. In addition, we also have flesh and…

Daily Devotions

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters.” vss. 1, 3 Psalm 29 As this psalmist contemplated the wonder and the power of God, it was completely natural for him to use the imagery of a thunderstorm, a violent hurricane-like storm blowing in from the Mediterranean, ravaging the forests of Lebanon, and pouring vast amounts…

Daily Devotions

And I said: ‘Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!’” vs. 5 Isaiah 6:5-8 Isaiah had caught a glimpse of God’s holiness, and became deeply aware of his own sin and inadequacy. And not only that, his eyes were opened to the fallen condition of his own people. Whatever he’d been trying to…

Daily Devotions

And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.’” vs. 3 Isaiah 6: 1-4 Next Sunday is Trinity Sunday in many congregations, and if in-person worship now includes singing, there’s a good chance one of the hymns will be some variation of “Holy, Holy, Holy.” It’s an old standard for many and includes lyrics from the seraph, one of the six-winged creatures from Isaiah’s temple vision.…

Daily Devotions

Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” vs. 7 John 16:4b-15 The disciples likely didn’t think it would be to their advantage to have Jesus go away–that’s not in our human nature. When we love someone dearly and have been fed by their presence, we like to keep…

Daily Devotions

When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf.” vs. 26 John 15:26-27 According to John, one of the prime tasks of the Holy Spirit was advocacy. Because Jesus had not defended himself at his hearing before Pilate, all sorts of malicious and defamatory things were being said about him by his enemies, the religious leaders. After his death and resurrection…

Daily Devotions

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” vs. 26 Romans 8:26-27 Praying isn’t always an easy thing, even for believers. Oh, we can do a pretty good job of moving through our daily prayer lists. We know what we would like for the people we love; peace, healing, joy, wisdom–and it’s not hard to just pass our…