Posts by Rev. Steve Holm (Page 169)
Daily Devotions: September 1, 2018
September 1, 2018 Mark 7:1-8 …“Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them.” vss. 1-2 The Pharisees were not particularly health conscious. They weren’t worried about germs or pathogens. When they noticed that some disciples had not washed their hands they objected on religious grounds. This was a violation of the law and they…
Daily Devotions: August 31, 2018
August 31, 2018 James 1:22-27 …“But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.” vs. 22 Surveys in recent years have shown that many people regularly associate the word “Christian” with the word “hypocrite.” Reasons for such an association might vary, but it’s certainly not something for Christians to be proud of. Some might say this has happened because the popular culture is at war with our faith and has plotted to ruin its reputation. Others…
Daily Devotions: August 30, 2018
August 30, 2018 James 1:17-21 …“You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.” vss. 19-20 According to James, those who are followers of Jesus are a kind of first fruits of God’s creatures. We have been given the power to live as God intends, a template of righteous living for others to emulate. James indicates that as God’s righteous ones the first…
Daily Devotions: August 29, 2018
August 29, 2018 Psalm 15 …“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 Many of us are pretty comfortable thinking of ourselves as sinners. We know what we’re like on the inside and that we regularly wander from the path of righteousness. It’s an identity that grows on us and we certainly don’t have any…
Daily Devotions: August 28, 2018
August 28, 2018 Deuteronomy 4:7-9…“But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children—” vs. 9 It’s not unusual for the faith convictions of our early years to be eroded away by the passage of time. Some of us grew up in homes with parents who were…
Daily Devotions: August 27, 2018
August 27, 2018 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6…“You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!’” vs. 6 Even in its best years Israel was not a particularly imposing country. It lacked size and resources and wasn’t in a position to rule or conquer. Through most of its history it was subject to the whim of…
Daily Devotions: August 26, 2018
August 26, 2018 John 6:62-69…“Simon Peter answered him, ’Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’” vss. 68-69 From time to time, disciples wander off and cease to be a part of a worshipping community. It could be that they’re burned out and want a break from heavy involvement. Or, maybe they’ve gotten upset, something that sadly seems to happen…
Daily Devotions: August 25, 2018
August 25, 2018 John 6:56-61 …“When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’” vs. 60 Many people are attracted to the person of Jesus. His teachings point us to a way of life that is admirable. We can all agree on how important it is to love others and give ourselves in humble service. But there are some teachings that have been contentious from the very beginning, and one of those…
Daily Devotions: August 24, 2018
August 24, 2018 Ephesians 6:16-20…“Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel…” vs. 19 Every week in thousands of congregations around the globe, preachers are called upon to present the word, usually in the form of a sermon. They need our prayers! Proclaiming the word of God is a scary proposition–the responsibility is great. It’s not a matter of showing off rhetorical…
Daily Devotions: August 23, 2018
August 23, 2018 Ephesians 6:10-15…“For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” vs. 12 Even in the face of regular persecutions, the early followers of Jesus knew that their greatest enemy was not the Roman emperor. They had a sense that beyond this world there were cosmic powers and spiritual forces battling…
Daily Devotions: August 22, 2018
August 22, 2018 Psalm 34:15-22…“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.” vs. 17 The psalmist was convinced that the Lord was just and would make sure that the righteous would ultimately be vindicated. He recognizes that good people will sometimes have bad things happen to them, but firmly believes that God will listen to their cries for help and rescue them. We applaud such convictions and want badly to affirm them,…
Daily Devotions: August 21, 2018
August 21, 2018 Joshua 24:16-18…“Then the people answered, ‘Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods…therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.’” vss. 16, 18b As they entered the land of Canaan the people of Israel were positive and optimistic. In their enthusiasm, they quickly endorsed Joshua’s challenge and said that they, too, would serve the Lord. Of course that’s not how it worked out. They didn’t realize…