Posts from 2023 (Page 17)
Daily Devotions
While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader of the synagogue came in and knelt before him, saying, ‘My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.’” vs. 18 Matthew 9:18-26 When his daughter died, the leader of the synagogue, presumably a Pharisee, wasn’t the least bit concerned about Jesus’ association with sinners. Instead this righteous man humbled himself, knelt down at Jesus’ feet, and pleaded with him to…
Daily Devotions
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.’” vss. 11-12 Matthew 9:9-13 All people have been made righteous in Christ! This is a basic tenet of Christianity 101. But an astounding number of people seem to believe their righteousness derives from their own acts and decisions.…
Daily Devotions
No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” vss. 20-21 Romans 4:18-25 We all know believers whose faith seems to grow stronger as they age, not because they have had prayers answered or seen miracles, but simply because they have continued to trust in the promises of God. And where do such…
Daily Devotions
For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham…” vs. 16 Romans 4:13-17 As Paul searches the scriptures in his attempt to communicate the wonder of the gospel to the Romans, he decides to use Abraham and not Moses as the model for the new life in Christ.…
Daily Devotions
I will not accept a bull from your house, or goats from your folds. For every wild animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.” vss. 9-10 Psalm 50:7-15 The psalmist was convinced that the people were misusing the sacrificial system that had been set up in Israel as a way to connect with the Lord. The people had begun to think that their offerings elevated their own status, a concept that has served as a…
Daily Devotions
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” vs. 6 Hosea 6:4-6 Somehow the people of Israel and Judah had managed to get the Lord’s message all screwed up during their time of prosperity. Their forefathers had developed a sacrificial system that provided times for pilgrimages and offerings. It was a way of giving thanks and praise to the Lord while also atoning for sin. But through the years it had become…
Daily Devotions
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.” vs. 3 Hosea 5:15-6:3 During the 8th century BCE, Hosea was called to bring a word from the Lord to the rival kingdoms of Israel and Judah. They had begun to think they were pretty special and had become enamored of wealth and power. In…
Daily Devotions
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” vss. 19-20a Matthew 28:18-20 The gospel of Matthew concludes with what has come to be known as the Great Commission, and these few mountain-top words have pretty much defined the Church’s understanding of its mission from the beginning. While the early disciples likely did…
Daily Devotions
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” vss. 16-17 Matthew 28:16-17 The gospels are amazing in their depiction of the disciples. There seems to be no effort to gloss over their fears, doubts, and squabbles. They regularly miss the point of Jesus’ parables and never do figure out the purpose of his ministry. To the end they keep thinking that he…
Daily Devotions
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” vs. 13 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 It would be another 300 years or so before church leaders would get together to formalize a primitive notion of the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. And some would argue that we’d be better off if those ecumenical creeds had not been formulated. After all, in their attempt to compose one statement…
Daily Devotions
Yet you have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet…” vss. 5-6 Psalm 8:5-9 Having acknowledged the insignificance of humanity in the whole scope of creation, the psalmist then makes the audacious claim that humans are close to divine and have been crowned with glory and honor. More than that, he says, they have…
Daily Devotions
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” vss. 3-4 Psalm 8:1-4 When the psalmist ventured out to the hilltops around Jerusalem and took time for meditation, he would have been overwhelmed by the brilliance of the dark sky that stretched in every direction. Most of us, in our age of artificial…