Posts from November 2021

Posts from November 2021

Daily Devotions

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.” vs. 68 Luke 1:68-75 As Luke studied all the writings available to him following the destruction of the temple he came across the song of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, and there he found exactly the word of hope he had been looking for. For centuries the people of Israel had considered themselves the Chosen Ones of God, but with…

Daily Devotions

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.” vs.1           Malachi 3:1-4 Advent is here! One candle has been lit and we’ve thought a bit about the Day of the Lord that was so much on the minds of the prophets. They were a remarkable group. Israel and Judah had wandered from the way of righteousness again and again through the centuries but the prophets…

Daily Devotions

Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap.” vs. 34-35a Luke 21:20-36 The apocalyptic sayings of Jesus as recalled by Luke make reference to “the day of the Lord,” that moment when God would act in a decisive way to bring salvation to humanity. Jesus tells his disciples that they should be able to discern when that day…

Daily Devotions

People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” vs. 26 Luke 21:25-28 For the past few years we watched as the nation of Yemen has been virtually destroyed by constant tribal warfare and unrelenting air attacks from Saudi Arabia. Thousands have been killed, disease is rampant, and, because relief efforts have been blocked, starvation is widespread. No end to the conflict seems imminent! Yemen’s situation…

Daily Devotions

And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you.” vs. 12 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 It’s a holiday weekend and, while many of us are with family and friends, some are not. For one reason or another, perhaps pandemic related, we haven’t been able to join in the feasting and football watching–we’re separated from those we love. Such was the case for Paul and his…

Daily Devotions

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” vs. 25 Matthew 6:25-33 People have emerged from the pandemic with a vengeance these last few days. It’s Thanksgiving and they are not about to be kept from celebrating with family and friends any longer. Many have traveled long distances and…

Daily Devotions

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.” vs. 10                                                                                         Psalm 25:6-10 Through the millenia humans have invented a remarkable variety of religions, some of which have prospered and grown as their adherents have spread across the globe. Many have comprehensive doctrines and scriptures to provide instruction to successive generations. Most members of these various religious groups believe that what they believe and teach is superior to any…

Daily Devotions

Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.” vs. 5 Psalm 25:1-5 We live in an information glut! Everyday we read and hear of new discoveries, new crises, new books and movies, and there are even daily updates for our smartphones. Just when we figure something out it becomes obsolete and we have to start learning a new jargon. And all the new technologies and…

Daily Devotions

Thus says the Lord: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” vs. 15 Jeremiah 31:14-16 Rachel was one of the revered matriarchs of Israel, the beloved wife of Jacob, and the mother of Benjamin and Joseph. According to tradition the defeated remnants of Israel were gathered in a vast company in Ramah, where she had been buried, before…

Daily Devotions

Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’” vs. 37b John 18:36-37 It would appear that truth has become a rare commodity in the climate of our culture and our times. Of course people still talk about the truth and say that they value it, but there is little agreement about…

Daily Devotions

Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’” vs. 35 John 18:33-35 There are some differences in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ death and crucifixion, but they are in general agreement that the Romans were the ones responsible. John implies that Pilate had some sympathy for Jesus and wonders why charges had been brought. Since Pilate had a reputation for cruelty and…

Daily Devotions

‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” vs. 8 Revelation 1:6-8 This phrase, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” pretty much sums up everything that we know and believe about the universe and human existence. Many believe that God is all that is and more–and if that is true, then all things have their beginning and ending in God, and that of course…