Posts from October 2021

Posts from October 2021

Daily Devotions

So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” vs. 36 John 8:31-38 In Christ we live by grace and truth and not by the law–and this is all a gift, not our own doing. Therefore, John tells us, we have been set free, and furthermore as Paul told the Galatians, since we have been set free, we should never again submit to the slavery of the law. These are important truths, ones that we learn to…

Daily Devotions

Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” vss. 31-32 John 8:31-33 There are countless people in our world who have, at one time or another in their lives, made some sort of commitment to Jesus. Perhaps they went through the rite of baptism or confirmation, or maybe at a revival they made…

Daily Devotions

whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.” vss. 25-26 Romans 3:25-29 While we can’t know the mind of Paul, it is likely that he intended his words to…

Daily Devotions

For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” vss. 22b-24 Romans 3:19-24 Paul was a clever man and had come to believe that in Christ all things had changed. No longer would sinners need to battle against the unyielding demands of the Law–that was a hopeless struggle. All the Law did was reveal…

Daily Devotions

Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” vs. 10 Psalm 46:6-11 In the midst of tumult the psalmist shared his conviction that God was in charge and would bring peace and security to the earth. One day, he told the people, there would be an end to the desolations, weapons would be destroyed, and war would be no more. We need those words of hope and encouragement…

Daily Devotions

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” vs. 1 Psalm 46:1-5 When Martin Luther wrote and posted the 95 Theses in 1517 he had no idea what the outcome might be. He knew they were provocative and a challenge for the papacy, but he didn’t realize how earth-shattering they would be. In the ensuing tumult he found comfort in the scriptures, particularly some of the psalms. In fact Psalm 46 became the basis for his…

Daily Devotions

But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” vs. 33 Jeremiah 31:31-34 The Hebrews had come to believe that there was a special covenant between the Israelites and the Lord, and that the terms of that covenant had been laid out…

Daily Devotions

Then Jesus said to him, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man said to him, ‘My teacher, let me see again.’”  vs. 51 Mark 10:49-52 Jesus had a reputation as a healer. That’s the main reason crowds followed him from place to place and gathered whenever he stopped. We can understand their reaction. We all crave healing, and if conventional medicine doesn’t give relief many will seek out alternative sources, including those known as faith…

Daily Devotions

Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’” vs. 48 Mark 10:46-48 When Jesus and his followers passed through Jericho, a prosperous oasis town near the Jordan, its citizens took notice. Among them was Bartimaus, a blind beggar, and he called out at the top of his lungs, “Jesus…have mercy on me.” And many ordered him to be quiet! We can understand their reaction. It’s like that…

Daily Devotions

Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself.” vs. 27 Hebrews 7: 27-28 The writer of Hebrews used familiar imagery (for his readers anyway) to convey the truth of the gospel. For any who were wondering how they could possibly atone for their sins now that the temple was gone, he…

Daily Devotions

Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” vs. 25 Hebrews 7:23-25 After the death and resurrection of Jesus his followers continued to go regularly to the temple and make full use of the sacrificial system. After all they were faithful Jews and this is what they were accustomed to do. But after the temple was destroyed in 70 AD they were flummoxed–they needed…

Daily Devotions

May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.” vs. 5 Psalm 126:4-6 Those who are accustomed to live each day with praise and thanksgiving in their hearts understand the powerful role that suffering plays in a well-rounded and healthy life. We have been created with the capacity to cry, not just to cleanse our eyes, but to give evidence of deep feelings, sometimes of joy, but more likely of pain and sadness. In other words, God intends…