Posts from 2023 (Page 13)
Daily Devotions
He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.’” vs. 33 Matthew 13:31-33 Jesus was not only familiar with the ways of farmers; he evidently knew his way around the kitchen too. At least he knows the properties of yeast and uses this simple single-celled micro-organism to teach an important lesson about the kingdom of heaven. So often as the…
Daily Devotions
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” vss. 38-39 Romans 8:31-39 Paul began this ending paragraph of chapter 8 in his letter to the Romans by writing “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Martin Luther…
Daily Devotions
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” vs. 28 Romans 8:26-30 Those who pray and meditate regularly know that there are times when the problems of this broken world pile up for us, and prayer becomes difficult. We don’t particularly know what to pray for, and the words we do choose seem repetitive and trite. Paul knew those feelings from his own life, and knowing that…
Daily Devotions
Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments.” vss. 129-131 Psalm 119:126-131 Most people only have a vague notion of what the Law meant to the Jewish people. We’ve heard it disparaged in countless sermons and have come to think of it as a stumbling block, an obstacle to the gospel of grace. But to…
Daily Devotions
Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you.” vs. 12 1 Kings 3:9-12 After Solomon had ordered the death of his older brother and thus consolidated his power, the ancient court history recounts in a scene reminiscent of the Arabian Nights that the Lord, like a genie, appears to him in a dream and offers to give him whatever he wants. Solomon…
Daily Devotions
And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.” vs. 7 1 Kings 3:5-8 Reading in scripture about the accession of Solomon to the throne of David is like reading an excerpt from a mafioso godfather’s diary. It was a bloody affair, to say the least. Solomon was not David’s eldest son, but…
Daily Devotions
The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” vss. 41-42 Matthew 13:36-43 The parables of Jesus were short, pithy descriptions of life in the kingdom. Generally they had one main point but were occasionally difficult to understand. In Matthew’s gospel, a few have allegorical descriptions attached…
Daily Devotions
And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’” vs. 27 Matthew 13:24-30 Most of us live pretty sheltered lives. We have our secure neighborhoods, filled with people who are pretty much like ourselves. We have faith communities for worship and fellowship, again the people are almost identical to ourselves. But occasionally we have the opportunity to “mix with the unwashed…
Daily Devotions
For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” vss. 24-25 Romans 8:19-25 Paul’s letter to the Romans is not easily understood. He pours out his heart and his convictions about the new life in Christ, and many times his arguments seem forced and repetitive. He knows that the Spirit of God…
Daily Devotions
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God…” vss.15-16 Romans 8:12-18 When we, by the grace of God, begin to lead lives that bring us joy and that are a blessing to others, it’s not because we have somehow found the strength in ourselves to…
Daily Devotions
Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant; save the child of your serving girl.” vs. 16 Psalm 86:14-17 The psalmist was in a tough spot. He had enemies, ruffians who were indifferent to the Lord, and they were seeking his life. At the end of his rope he pleads for God’s intervention and rescue, asking for strength in his time of trouble. He had been trained from his youth that God could be…
Daily Devotions
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.” vs. 11 Psalm 86:11-13 When we began to walk with the Lord, however many years ago that might have been, we likely didn’t realize that it would be so difficult and that sometimes the path would be hard to distinguish. But that’s how it is, and we soon discover that we need constant guidance to stay on the…