Posts from 2021 (Page 4)
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…
Daily Devotions
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” vss. 4b-5 Revelation 1:4b-6 There is a line in the hymn, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,” that is particularly fun for children to sing. Even adults love the sounds of the…
Daily Devotions
More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters, more majestic than the waves of the sea, majestic on high is the Lord!” vs 4 Psalm 93:3-5 In the days of the monarchy in Israel there were periodic ceremonies in the temple acknowledging that the Lord reigned over the nation. Psalms were chanted and there would be a symbolic enthronement of the Lord as the sovereign ruler. It was likely a popular sentiment in Israel–most people like to think of their…
Daily Devotions
The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed, he is girded with strength. He has established the world; it shall never be moved;” vs. 1 Psalm 93:1-2 As the psalmist searched for ways to describe the power and majesty of the Lord he ended up using the word “king.” It meant something different in those days than it does now. For us it simply designates the head of the royal family in those few countries…
Daily Devotions
As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him.” vs. 13 Daniel 7:9-10,13-14 Some people love to analyze dreams. They believe that these night visions, as they’re called in Daniel, can reveal hidden fears and aspirations, that they can even serve as windows to our souls. And if we happen to reveal our dreams to such persons…