Posts by Rev. Steve Holm
Daily Devotions
Romans 12:1-2…“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” vs.2 In recent years countless entrepreneurial types have discovered they can make millions of dollars by using social media to advertise products of various kinds to their followers. They simply take a video of themselves, well made-up and looking beautiful, showing how their life is being…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 138…“The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” vs. 8 If we care at all about this world and our place in it, we will more than likely wonder about our purpose. Since none of us receive instruction books at birth many will feel as though they are having to make things up as the years fly by. Surely, they think to themselves, there…
Daily Devotions
Isaiah 51:4-6…“Listen to me, my people, and give heed to me, my nation; for a teaching will go out from me, and my justice for a light to the peoples.” vs. 4 The prophet knew that, even though the people were living in captivity, Israel had a purpose that went beyond the present circumstances. Some day a teaching would go forth that would transform the world, and God’s justice would be a light to the nations. And whatever we might…
Daily Devotions
Isaiah 51:1-3…“Listen to me, you that pursue righteousness, you that seek the LORD. Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.” vs. 1 Many people have a strong interest in genealogy and ancestry. They like to trace their national and ethnic origins, and to learn as much as they can about their historical roots. Isaiah encouraged the Israelites to do exactly that as they languished in captivity, and advised them…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 15:27-28…“Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.” vs. 28 Periodically in the course of Jesus’ ministry he encountered faith in the most surprising people, and it always impressed him. This pagan woman had irritated his disciples with her loud cries for assistance, and she’d even gotten under his skin a bit, but when she followed up his put- down with a clever…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 15:21-24…“Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, ‘Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.’ But he did not answer her at all.” vss. 22-23a It’s not clear why Jesus entered into Gentile territory with his disciples. It could be that he simply wanted time away from the crowds that were following him everywhere that he went. He doesn’t seem to have been interested in ministry…
Daily Devotions
Romans 11:30-32…“For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.” vs. 32 While Paul is to be cherished and admired for his remarkable apostolic ministry, we can’t help but wish that his writings were easier to understand. Sometimes we have particular difficulty as he explains his insights on God’s relationship to the Jews. He obviously cared deeply about his people, and wanted to clarify their place in salvation history. The problem is that the…
Daily Devotions
Romans 11:1-2a…“God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew…for the gifts and thecalling of God are irrevocable. Because Paul was skilled in the debating style of his time, and used arguments that can seem convoluted to us, it’s not always easy to figure out his logic. Sometimes the words spin in our brains, and we wonder about his point. It’s no wonder then that some just skip over the difficult passages in his letters, and that’s okay. Our salvation…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 67:4-7…“The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us. May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.” vss. 6-7 The psalmist today gives us an insight that we should fold into our hearts during these dark and contentious times. Yes, people are showing themselves to be liars and untrustworthy. Yes, billionaires continue to manipulate the government and the economy to amass even more wealth for themselves and their families.…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 67:1-3…“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.” vss. 1-2 In many faith communities the Aaronic Benediction from the book of Numbers is pronounced by the pastor at the close of worship. It’s a blessing for the people as they leave the sanctuary and go out into their mission field. But here, presumably as a…
Daily Devotions
Isaiah 56:1, 6-8…“Thus says the Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.” vs. 8 Some might wonder why so many of the Old Testament scriptures that are read in our congregations on a weekly basis come from the book of Isaiah. If we’ve been paying attention, the answer should be obvious. Isaiah was Jesus’ favorite! Not only was Isaiah the scroll that he chose to read when he came…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 14:28-33…“Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’” vs. 31 Whatever else might be said of Peter, Matthew wants us to know that he didn’t shy away from a challenge. When Jesus told him to get out of the boat and walk on the water, he actually did it. And what we often forget is that he was successful! He was able to imitate Jesus, and did…