Posts from 2025 (Page 9)
Daily Devotions
But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’” vs. 40 Luke 10:38-40 This wasn’t just a squabble between sisters. What Mary was doing was a serious violation of the hospitality code. Just as Sarah had prepared the bread for the three men Abraham had invited to dinner, and then…
Daily Devotions
I became its servant according to God’s commission that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints.” vss. 25-26 Colossians 1:21-29 Paul doesn’t believe that he is presenting anything new to the Gentiles. He’s simply making the word of God fully known. He says it’s like a mystery that has been hidden from the beginning…
Daily Devotions
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.” vss.19-20 Colossians 1:15-20 These verses are found in the Christ Hymn, a beautiful and moving tribute to the Lord Jesus Christ, that was probably composed toward the end of the First Century. While descriptions of Jesus abound in the gospels, and…
Daily Devotions
O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;” vss. 1-2 Psalm 15 This psalmist believed that the Lord had strict standards for all who were a part of the Jewish faith community. This strictness has long been a principal teaching for followers of Christ as well. Some know what it’s like to have every word and deed…
Daily Devotions
Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son. And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him.” vs. 10 Genesis 18:8-10a Once Abraham and Sarah take over the pages of Genesis her barrenness quickly becomes an issue. How could all the promises made to Abraham be fulfilled if the two of them have no son? The text implies that the problem is Sarah’s. Abraham seems to have…
Daily Devotions
He said, ‘My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.’” vss. 3-4 Genesis 10:1-8 The Old Testament Trinity is an icon created by the Russian painter Andrei Rublev in the early 15th century. It’s considered by many to be the most famous of all Russian icons and shows Abraham entertaining three men under the oak of Mamre, the…
Daily Devotions
Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” vss. 36-37 Luke 10:29-37 Jesus subtly expanded the world of the kingdom seeking lawyer with the short story we know as “The Parable of the Good Samaritan.” The man had asked, “Who is my neighbor?” But after telling the parable, Jesus asked, “Which…
Daily Devotions
And Jesus said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’” vs. 28 Luke 10:25-28 The lawyer’s question had been, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And as he frequently did, Jesus answered the question with a question, “What is written in the law?” And to his credit the lawyer gives the right answer, quoting what is known as the Great Commandment of love from Deuteronomy and even adding its corollary…
Daily Devotions
He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” vss. 13-14 Colossians 1:9-13 It’s obvious that we live in a creation that is both good and broken. That’s true whether we are followers of Jesus or on the path of self-indulgence. But there are differences in the way we experience the world, with some being caught up in the powers of…
Daily Devotions
Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God.” vs. 6 Colossians 1:1-8 We’re not sure who brought the gospel to Colossae. It was not visited by Paul during his missionary journeys, but there were many traveling preachers in those days, and their labors bore fruit. A congregation had sprung up in this city in Asia…
Daily Devotions
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!” vs. 7 Psalm 25:6-10 Even as the psalmist affirmed his trust that God was full of mercy and had been that way from the beginning, he knows that his behaviors have not always been proper or prudent. Perhaps he even fears that the record of his deeds and words is disqualifying. At any rate he launches…
Daily Devotions
Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long.” vs. 5 Psalm 25:1-5 Humans have always had a sense that there is a way to live that is particularly pleasing to God and that will be of benefit to them. In fact, the great religions of the world have been planted by those who had a sense of what such a life might be like and…