Posts by Rev. Steve Holm (Page 140)
Daily Devotions
Genesis 50:19-21 … “Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.” vs. 20 Joseph’s brothers had initially intended to kill him, but at the last minute sold him into slavery, and then lied to their father, saying wild beasts had taken their beloved younger brother. After Jacob’s death, they conjure up one more lie, saying that their father’s dying wish was for…
Daily Devotions
Genesis 50:15-18 … “Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, ‘What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?’” vs. 15 The death of a matriarch or patriarch often provokes interesting reactions among family members. Sometimes there are disputes about the will that cause deep ruptures and unending strife. Often there is a deep sense of loss–mothers and fathers are hubs that hold…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 18:18-20 … “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” vs. 18 As the early Christian communities began to deal with internal disputes, Matthew laid out some guidelines based on his remembrance of Jesus’ teachings. They followed a logical progression, beginning with one on one conversations and ending with possible dismissal from the community. In other words, this was no small matter,…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 18:15-17 … “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.” vs. 15 By the time Matthew wrote his gospel the community of believers was pretty well established in the larger cities of the Roman Empire. Congregations weren’t large and there were no church buildings as we know them. Rather, believers would meet in homes,…
Daily Devotions
Romans 13:11-14 … “The night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;” vs. 12 There are some who believe that we are drawing near to the apocalypse, that humanity is teetering on the edge of calamity and that destruction awaits. It would seem that Paul was looking toward the same end, that the day of reckoning was near. But gloom was not what he…
Daily Devotions
Romans 13:8-10 … “Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” vs. 8 Jesus had but one commandment for his followers, to love one another as he had loved them. Paul echoes that sentiment as he closes out his closely argued letter to the Christians in Rome. “All you need is love,” he says, in full agreement with The Beatles, and if they did, they would have fulfilled the…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 119:37-40 … “Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.” vs. 37 When the word “vanities” is Googled, the search results are exclusively related to those furnishings most often found in our bedrooms and bathrooms. There is an endless variety to choose from, all including mirrors and extravagant lighting. The styles change frequently and the message is that vanities should be changed out frequently. The psalmist had nothing like this in mind when he…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 119:33-36 … “Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.” vs. 34 The Jews had deep affection for the law. They rightly understood that its precepts provided a guide for healthy and orderly life in community. No country or nation can expect to know internal stability without an overwhelming allegiance to what is called the “rule of law.” Many in our land have expressed deep concern over what has been called…
Daily Devotions
Ezekiel 33:7-11 … “So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.” vs. 7 Whenever Israel embraced wickedness, Ezekiel had been charged by the Lord to issue a warning. The people were to turn from their wicked ways, and if they did not, they would die! There are some for whom that would be a dream job! They love pointing out…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 16:24-26 … “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” vs. 24 Jesus did not consult a marketing expert when he began his historic mission in the towns and villages of Galilee. If he had, he would have been told that self-denial is not the way to attract followers. It just doesn’t work! Which is why contemporary Christian leaders have largely abandoned any…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 16:21-23 … “But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’” vs. 23 Peter likely felt honored to have been elevated to the position of “messianic advisor” among the disciples of Jesus, so when Jesus began outlining his mission plan, Peter was ready to offer his opinion. But Jesus isn’t impressed with his new chief of…
Daily Devotions
Romans 12:17-21 … “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” vs. 18 Paul is enough of a realist to advise the Romans that it might not be possible to live peaceably with all. His words are not a surprise to most of us. We’ve been around long enough to know that some folks aren’t interested in reciprocal acts of kindness. For one reason or another they rebuff our attempts at making peace…