Posts from September 2025 (Page 3)
Daily Devotions
I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment…I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.” vss. 10, 12 Philemon 1-16 Slavery was a way of life in the Roman Empire. It is estimated that in the areas visited by Paul on his missionary journeys, about 20-30 percent of the population were slaves and served in a variety of positions in households and businesses. Some did menial labor…
Daily Devotions
They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.” vs. Psalm 1 In the psalmist’s worldview people were either good or wicked and the secret to finding happiness was to walk in the way of the righteous and avoid the path of the wicked. That’s a popular perspective, and many of us have been taught this dualist way of thinking…
Daily Devotions
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before your life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live…” vs. 19 Deuteronomy 30:17-20 Deuteronomy tells us that obedience for the Israelites was a binary choice: there were only two options regarding the Law. The people could either obey or not obey. Obedience would bring them life and disobedience meant death. Now it’s certainly true that choices are…
Daily Devotions
If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I am commanding you today… then you shall live and become numerous, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to possess.” vs. 16 Deuteronomy 30:15-20 The Law of Moses was foundational for Judaism. Throughout the history of Israel people were taught that everything hinged on their obedience to the commandments of God as revealed in their scriptures. If they loved the…