Posts from 2022 (Page 9)
Daily Devotions
Why do you make me see wrong-doing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.” vs. 3 Habakkuk 1:1-4 Twenty-four-hour news channels have made it possible for people to know everything that goes on in the world at any given moment, and many are overwhelmed by the stories of destruction and violence that they hear and see. Some have reacted by turning off the news and starting to watch the Hallmark Channel. The strife…
Daily Devotions
He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” vs. 31 Luke 16:26-31 There were plenty of warnings about the danger of riches in the laws of Israel, and especially in the writings of the prophets. But there was little inclination among the rich to take any of that seriously. They likely considered the different strata in society to be God’s intention. Of…
Daily Devotions
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.’” vs. 25 Luke 16:19-25 If we are at all alert to the world around us, it’s hard not to notice that there is an intrinsic unfairness built into the systems we have constructed for ourselves. Some people get their share and more of good things while others reap…
Daily Devotions
As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” vs. 17 1 Timothy 6:13-19 We should not imagine that all of the followers of Jesus were poor people. Just as in our time, people from all walks of life were attracted to him and to his message, and he loved…
Daily Devotions
Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” vss. 6-8 1 Timothy 6:6-12 The wisdom in these few short verses is overwhelming. Obviously, accumulation was an issue even for first century followers of Jesus, and some seem to have been infected by the notion that more is better.…
Daily Devotions
The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!” vs. 10 Psalm 146:5-10 Those who believe that the whole idea of God is an artificial construct, an invention designed to explain the unanswered questions of primitive humans, are likely looking forward to the day when people will be able to see all the dead and dying religions in the rear-view cameras of their fusion-powered starships! While they know this will likely take a few…
Daily Devotions
Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.” vss. 3-4 Psalm 146:1-4 We don’t know exactly when this psalm was written, but the writer had obviously been around the track a few times. He’d lived long enough to know that princes were not to be trusted–and in our day we could probably add politicians to that list.…
Daily Devotions
Alas for those who are at ease in Zion, and for those who feel secure on Mount Samaria…who lounge on their couches…who drink wine from bowls…but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!” vss 4a, 5a, 6a, 7b Amos 6:1a, 4-7 Amos broadens his scathing critique of Israel to include the leaders of Judah, and sees nothing but disaster for their respective nations. The leading families are living in the lap of luxury and sparing no expense in the…
Daily Devotions
No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” vs. 13 Luke 16:8-13 Most of the time the parables of Jesus are focused on a particular point, and if we study them long enough, we can see what he’s up to. The parable of the dishonest manager is more difficult to deal with. Many have…
Daily Devotions
So he summoned him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give me an accounting of your management, because you cannot be my manager any longer.’” vs 2 Luke 16:1-7 When we hear Jesus’ parable of the dishonest manager, it’s likely that we will be stirred to reflect on our own management of the resources that have been entrusted to us by God. Whether it’s our intention or not, each of us comes into possession…
Daily Devotions
This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” vss. 3-4 1 Timothy 2:3-7 Early Christians were encouraged by their leaders to pray for everyone, because those leaders believed that God desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. What had happened in Christ Jesus wasn’t just for a few but for all people. It’s…
Daily Devotions
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” vss. 1-2 1 Timothy 2:1-2 First century Christians lived in a different world from ours. There weren’t many of them, and they continually lived in fear of the despotic Roman rulers and the military legions scattered throughout the Empire.…