Posts from 2021 (Page 19)
Daily Devotions
and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, “He has gone out of his mind.’” vss. 20-21 Mark 3:20-27 According to Mark it took a while for Jesus’ family to adjust to his popularity as he began his ministry. And that’s probably to be expected. He had had what seems to have been a normal childhood and adolescence in Nazareth–there…
Daily Devotions
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” 16 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1 Whether we like it or not, every day each of us are getting older. Now there is a time in our lives when we appreciate the aging process, and we can hardly wait to get to the next stage, those times of graduation, leaving home, or reaching our physical maturity. But then comes…
Carefree participates in Spirit’s Virtual Silent Auction
The Carefree business community generously stepped up to support Spirit in the Desert by donating dozens of items for the Virtual Silent Auction fund raiser held the third week in May, 2021. More than 32 merchants, restaurants, individuals, organizations, and friends of Spirit contributed to the successful, first-ever, Virtual Silent Auction. Participants bid on gifts, home goods, accessories, vacations, a new Apple watch, restaurant gift certificates, and a gourmet meal for ten prepared by Spirit in the Desert’s Chef, Zoe…
Daily Devotions
Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.” vs. 15 2 Corinthians 4:13-15 Paul had endured significant suffering in the course of his ministry to the Gentiles. There had been numerous beatings and imprisonments and his body had been worn down–he’d been rejected even by those he’d considered friends. But he never gave up! When he was released from prison in one city,…
Daily Devotions
O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.” vs. 7 Psalm 130 The psalmist was at the end of his rope! Overwhelmed by a deep sense of sin and alienation from God, with all religious resources exhausted, he poured out his heart. Speaking for himself and for his nation, he reminds his readers of two things: with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with the…
Daily Devotions
The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.’” vs. 12 Genesis 3:11-15 The ancient storytellers nailed it in this account of divine-human interaction in the Garden of Eden. When the man is confronted by the Lord there isn’t a hint of remorse and certainly no acknowledgement of guilt. Already alienated, the man shifts the blame to the woman, and ultimately to God. This big mess is…
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…