Posts from 2023 (Page 14)
Daily Devotions
Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one.” vs. 8 Isaiah 44:6-8 One thing that made Israel different from other peoples and nations was the bold assertion that there was no other god besides the Lord, not even one. We who are Israel’s faith descendants continue to make that claim, even though…
Daily Devotions
But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” vs. 23 Matthew 13:18-23 Even though Jesus used parables to describe the Kingdom of God, most people did not understand what he was talking about… and the parable of the sower, as he explained it to his disciples, was a way to…
Daily Devotions
Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘Listen! A sower went out to sow.’” vss. 2-3 Matthew 13:1-9 According to scripture Jesus regularly made use of parables as he spoke to the crowds who gathered to hear him teach. The form wasn’t necessarily unique to him, but he polished it for regular use. Parables differ…
Daily Devotions
But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” vs. 10 Romans 8:6-11 Through the centuries, humans all over the world have celebrated God’s indwelling presence in their various religions and have developed whole systems of thought devoted to the accessing of that Divine Spirit. Paul taught that this indwelling presence was Christ, and his words are a source of enormous good news to all who take them…
Daily Devotions
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” vss. 1-2 Romans 8:1-6 Even though it drove Paul crazy to keep on doing the things that he didn’t want to do, and he couldn’t stop doing them no matter how hard he tried, he did not despair. He knew that God would not…
Daily Devotions
You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it.” vs. 12 Psalm 65:9-13 As the psalmist meditated on the wonders of the natural world he was overwhelmed by the way everything worked together in seamless fashion. There was sunlight and rain, rivers that seasonally watered the crops, and it was all under the direction of God. Because of…
Daily Devotions
Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” vs. 13 Isaiah 55:12-13 The myrtle is a fragrant flowering shrub, common to the mountains of Lebanon and Judea, that had enormous significance for the prophet. He told the returning exiles that it would be an everlasting sign of God’s favor and…
Daily Devotions
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth…” vss. 10-11a Isaiah 55:10-11 The prophet had made some bold promises to the exiles in Babylon. Speaking for the Lord, he tells them that they will return to their native land…
Daily Devotions
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” vss. 28-29 Matthew 11:25-30 Let’s face it! There are times when life is not easy! We all know the symptoms and the feelings! Our bodies fail, cracks appear in foundational relationships, dread diseases stalk us, employment…
Daily Devotions
But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’” vss. 16-17 Matthew 11:16-19 Jesus makes several references to children in his teaching ministry, having obviously observed them at their best and at their worst. He rightly holds them up as a model of faithfulness and welcomes their presence in the…
Daily Devotions
Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh I am a slave to the law of sin.” vss. 24-25 Romans 7:21-25 Like one of the psalmists of old, Paul lifts up his voice in a painful lament. Sounding like a golfer who has just ripped his first…
Daily Devotions
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” vs. 15 Romans 7:15-20 There’s probably not a person on the planet who could not identify with what Paul says here, particularly if they’ve ever had a golfing experience! In that particular sport, athletes approach each shot with definite expectations, and again and again they are horribly disappointed. No matter how much they might want to make…