Posts by Rev. Steve Holm (Page 182)
Daily Devotions: March 26, 2018
March 26, 2018 Isaiah 42:1-9…“He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.” vss. 2-3 As Israel took stock of its situation in Babylon–their land of exile–the prophet reminded them of their calling. Using the image of a Suffering Servant, he says that they have a mission to all people and…
Daily Devotions: March 25, 2018
March 25, 2018 Mark 15:25-39…“‘Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.’ Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.” vs. 32 According to Mark’s account, as Jesus’ crucifixion wore on to its sorry end, there was also no end to the mockery and insults. The entire crowd, even the two thieves alongside him, were united in their taunting and scorn. Jesus was utterly alone, feeling forsaken…
Daily Devotions: March 24, 2018
March 24, 2018 Mark 15:16-24…“And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’” vss. 17-18 Bullying has been getting a lot of press lately. People are rightfully beginning to pay attention to the horrible treatment children receive from their peers on a regular basis and many schools have attempted to develop a “no bullying” culture. But it’s hard…
Daily Devotions: March 23, 2018
March 23, 2018 Mark 15:1-15…“So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.” vs. 15 Pilate has been tough for historians to figure out. Aside from the gospel references, there’s not a lot of information available about his time as governor. What little we have from contemporary sources indicate that he was capricious and cruel in his dealings with the people. In Mark’s gospel he is pictured…
Daily Devotions: March 22, 2018
March 22, 2018 Philippians 2:5-11…“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave…” vss. 5-7a There is no doubt that Paul considered Christ Jesus as an object of worship. Indeed, he hoped that all humanity would one day bow down and give him praise and glory. But he…
Daily Devotions: March 21, 2018
March 21, 2018 Psalm 31:9-16 … “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.” vs. 9 At times it may seem as though our lives are charmed–that by some sweet combination of genes and luck–we’ve been able to skate through the minefields of existence unscathed and unharmed. We see the hurts of others and are grateful that such calamities have not visited us. For one reason…
Daily Devotions: March 20, 2018
March 20,2018 Isaiah 50:4-9a … “The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.” vs. 4 We get tired of the same old news as we interact with our world. Each day there are stories of disaster, conspiracy, cruelty, disappointment, terror, discontent–and it’s easy to lose…
Daily Devotions: March 19, 2018
Mark 11:1-11 “Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.” vs. 11 In the book of Zechariah there is a reference to the entrance of a triumphant king into Jerusalem. Instead of riding a war horse this king would be mounted on a donkey, a symbol of humility, and he would usher in an era of peace. It’s…
Daily Devotions: March 18, 2018
John 12:27-33 “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” vs. 32 For the Romans crucifixion was designed to strike terror into the hearts of those that they ruled. It was cruel, painful, and violent…and lasted for hours, even days. Bodies were left hanging on crosses on the main thoroughfares to remind passersby of the consequences that awaited any form of insurrection. But when Jesus was crucified there was an…
Daily Devotions: March 17, 2018
John 12:20-26 “They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’” vs. 21 As Jesus continued his ministry he worked mostly among the Jews…they were his people and he felt a special calling to bring the gospel to them. But the good news couldn’t be hidden…Jesus hadn’t put his lamp under a bushel basket but on a stand where it enlightened all who came near. Even foreigners heard about…
Daily Devotions: March 16, 2018
Hebrews 5:5-10 “So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’;” vs. 5 In the years before the destruction of the temple by the Romans the office of the high priest, once occupied only by the holiest of men, often went to the highest bidder. Herod the Great and later, the Roman governor would appoint and depose at…
Daily Devotions: March 15, 2018
Psalm 51:7-12 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” vs. 10 There may be some of us who are naturally blessed with pure and holy hearts, but evidence indicates that the numbers are few. Most of us struggle daily with contrary and even ugly thoughts and desires that rise up out of nowhere to plague our serenity and sense of peace. Sometimes all it takes is a glance at a…