Posts from 2021 (Page 30)
Daily Devotions
I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.” vs. 23 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Paul’s life had been resurrected by the gospel of Jesus Christ, and he wanted to share that blessing with as many people as he could. So he carefully crafted his message to fit the life situation of those he wanted to reach. He learned to speak the language his hearers would understand. To Jews he spoke as…
Daily Devotions
What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.” vs. 18 1 Corinthians 9:16-18 Paul was under attack by some opponents for profiting from his work as an apostle. He bristled at the charge and responded in a typical Pauline way. First he says that he has a right to receive compensation–a worker deserves to be paid!…
Daily Devotions
His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” vss. 10-11 Psalm 147:1-11, 20c We spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about how good we are at stuff. Our culture gives acclaim to those who can golf well or run fast or make bushel baskets full of money. Admittedly it feels…
Daily Devotions
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” vs. 31 Isaiah 40: 27-31 Let’s face it! There are sometimes massive challenges on our journey to wholeness. We need to make adjustments or changes in the way we’ve been living and we despair at being able to do what needs to be done. Some have become well…
Daily Devotions
It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in;” vs. 22 Isaiah 40:21-26 The prophet may not have had our cosmology–we’ve pretty much discarded the notion of a three story universe–but he certainly had an understanding of God that defies the centuries. In his estimation the Lord was above and beyond all things and human…
Daily Devotions
They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, ‘What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’” vs. 27 Mark 1:27-28 The crowd recognized that Jesus was teaching with authority and they were amazed. They were well acquainted with authority figures of several kinds. There was that of their Roman overlords, a kind of political authority derived from the emperor. And the scribes too claimed authority–they interpreted the religious…
Daily Devotions
Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’” vss. 23-24 Mark 1:23-26 According to Mark the demons knew exactly who Jesus was–they spotted his holiness a mile away and called him out. They not only knew his name but they knew his divine origins, and…
Daily Devotions
They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” vs. 22 Mark 1:21-22 According to Mark, Jesus began his ministry in the vibrant little city of Capernaum, at the north end of the Sea of Galilee. Today there are only ruins on the site, but one of the excavated buildings is an old synagogue dating from the first century. Standing inside its confines, visitors can get a sense of the…
Daily Devotions
But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” vs. 9 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 Jesus came proclaiming liberty to the oppressed and for generations believers have embraced that good news with enthusiasm. It fits our notion of the American dream where life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the highest aspirations. Some carry this to an extreme and say that there is nothing that can be forbidden to them–they’re inclined…
Daily Devotions
Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” vs. 1 1 Corinthians 8:1-6 The Corinthians were divided between those who thought eating food sacrificed to idols was just fine and those who thought it should be forbidden. Paul’s inclination was to support those eating such food–after all he knew that idols were imaginary, and besides, the steaks at the pagan temples were the best in town. But…
Daily Devotions
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.” vs. 10 Psalm 111 Over the last decades there has been a steady movement away from religion in our country. Denominations report large membership losses, and while independent churches have picked up many of those folks, reputable polling groups report that in general the number of unaffiliated people is increasing. Many of us can see those trends…
Daily Devotions
I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command.” vs. 18 Deuteronomy 18:15-20 When the Galileans encountered Jesus and heard his authoritative words some of them believed that he was the prophet spoken of in Deuteronomy, a man like Moses who would speak to them all that God commanded. They were wrong! Jesus did…