Posts from 2025
Daily Devotions
There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus…who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table;” vss. 19-21 Luke 16:19-26 It’s hard to miss the point of Jesus’ parable about the rich man and Lazarus. The contrast is striking. It seems the two men knew each other–at least they were neighbors. The rich man…
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 6:11-19 In the first century, as congregations sprang up in all the major cities around the Mediterranean, most of those who came to faith in Christ Jesus were from the poorer classes, with many of them being…
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. 5-8 1 Timothy 6:6-10 That little phrase, “godliness with contentment brings great gain.” is worth remembering and holding close to our hearts. And in case we’re wondering what godliness is, Paul tells us that it’s connected to the pursuit…
Daily Devotions
The Lord watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.” vs. 9 Psalm 146:5-9 After his baptism, when Jesus was in the wilderness hammering out the terms of his call in the distracting presence of the devil, he didn’t get a new playbook from the Spirit. When he emerged from the desert, all his preaching and teaching came directly from the words of the prophets and the…
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 This psalmist obviously spoke from experience. He’d lived long enough to realize that princes, no matter how appealing their promises, had a limited life. They wouldn’t be around forever. Because of this reality the psalmist recommended that people put their trust in the Lord, the…
Daily Devotions
Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall;” vs. 4 Amos 6:1a, 4-7 Amos wasn’t on a tour when he ventured north into Israel, so he was unimpressed by the stone fortresses of the capital Samaria and the trappings of wealth and prosperity. Like the rich of every time and place they spared no expense in furnishing their homes and they feasted on…
Daily Devotions
Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.” vs. 10 Luke 16:10-13 Occasionally a person will excuse the telling of a mistruth by saying, “It was only a white lie!” Such an attitude, unfortunately common among believers, is sadly misguided. It’s the little things that count in the journey of faith, and whenever we tell a lie, however inconsequential it may seem, we’re…
Daily Devotions
Then the manager said to himself, ‘What will I do, now that my master is taking the position away from me? I have decided what to do so that, when I am dismissed as manager, people may welcome me into their homes.’” vss. 3a, 4 Luke 16:1-9 Money talks! We all know it. Jesus knew it too. In this parable he shows how the dishonest steward used the power of money to secure his uncertain future. Even if he got…
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 The early Christians had no problem praying for the leaders of the Empire because they believed that God desired everyone to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. There were no exceptions! Sometimes in our efforts to combat the brokenness of this world we…
Daily Devotions
Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall;” vs. 4 Amos 6:1a, 4-7 Amos wasn’t on a tour when he ventured north into Israel, so he was unimpressed by the stone fortresses of the capital Samaria and the trappings of wealth and prosperity. Like the rich of every time and place they spared no expense in furnishing their homes and they feasted on…
Daily Devotions
First of all I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should 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 2:1-4 The Church was birthed in the Roman Empire, an autocratic and authoritarian regime, with appointed governors and provincial leaders at every level. Periodically for a variety of reasons, including the whims of the emperor, Christians…
Daily Devotions
Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap…” vss. 5-6 Psalm 113:5-9 While we may not share the psalmist’s belief that God is seated at a distance from the earth, we can certainly agree that God is intimately connected to the poor and the needy. God is, and there is no…