Posts from 2025 (Page 3)
Daily Devotions
Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple.” vs. 26 Luke 14:25-33 There are times when reading gospels can be confusing. It seems strange for instance that Jesus would tell his disciples that following him would mean they would have to hate their biological families. We can only begin to understand when we realize that he’s talking about the cost of discipleship.…
Daily Devotions
So, if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.” vss. 17-18 Philemon 17-24 What a gift this letter is for us! It’s likely the only piece of personal correspondence to make it into scripture, and its inclusion gives us a glimpse of Paul’s everyday life. He has grown to love Onesimus and considers him a brother in Christ,…
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…
Daily Devotions
But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.” vs. 13 Luke 14:12-14 Jesus doesn’t seem to care if his host was offended by his parting remarks. In fact, he’s oblivious to the social conventions that are so important in our world. When we interact with others, whether inviting folks over to our homes for a meal, or going out to eat with friends and acquaintances, most people are always keeping a record,…
Daily Devotions
On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.” vs. 1 Luke 14:1, 7-11 Jesus interacted with a variety of people, and he often accepted dinner invitations from his opponents. On this occasion he was in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and Luke notes that they were watching him closely. They knew that he was unpredictable and that…
Daily Devotions
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” vs. 16 Hebrews 13:15-16 For generations the faith life of the Jewish people had revolved around the sacrificial system, and when some of them had become Christian there was a question about whether those sacrifices were still appropriate. Of course, when the temple was destroyed by the Romans this became a moot point. But there was still within the people a…
Daily Devotions
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’” vs. 5 Hebrews 13:1-8 As the writer to the Hebrews concludes his letter to the Jews who had become Christians, he has some directions for how they shall live their lives. After mentioning the mutual love which binds them together, he advises hospitality toward strangers, a concern for those in prison and…
Daily Devotions
They have distributed freely; they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.” vs. 9 Psalm 112:6-10 The psalmist is effusive in his praise of the righteous, those believers who walk in the way of obedience, and it’s interesting to see what attributes he holds up as deserving of special honor. He doesn’t mention a thing about their grand houses or estates, nor does he note their exploits on the battlefield. Instead, he…
Daily Devotions
It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice.” vs. 5 Psalm 112:1-6 The psalmist tells us here that those who fear the Lord and who walk in the paths of righteousness will be blessed in a multitude of ways. We can say the same for those who live in Christ and who follow in the way of Jesus. The behavior is not intended to impress God or ensure a seat on the…