Posts by Rev. Steve Holm (Page 199)
Daily Devotions: September 12, 2017
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 It’s doubtful that God caused Joseph’s brothers to abuse him and sell him into slavery…God is not the agent of sin. But is true that because of God’s goodness, that whole sorry event turned out to be a blessing for the entire family of Jacob. Sometimes, not all the time,…
Daily Devotions: September 11, 2017
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 Quite against all odds, the brothers of Joseph, the ones who had sold him into slavery, found themselves living in Egypt under his dominion. While their father, Jacob, was alive, Joseph had treated them kindly and had made gracious provision for their families.…
Daily Devotions: September 10, 2017
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 From the beginning, followers of Jesus formed faith communities and began to understand themselves as the visible presence of Christ in the world. It was almost immediately apparent that they would have to establish a means for discipline within the Body. These verses from Matthew became for them the “power of…
Daily Devotions: September 9, 2017
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 From the beginning of the church, broken relationships have been a part of life in community. Harsh words are spoken, feelings are hurt, and before long members are at odds with one another…and sometimes it can get pretty ugly. It’s not surprising then,…
Daily Devotions: September 8, 2017
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 Paul had the strong sense that the Lord was going to return in a very short time, probably within the next few years. He wasn’t alone in thinking this; many Christians of that early period shared his hope. Because he believed the time was short, he advised his readers to get…
Daily Devotions: September 7, 2017
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 Paul echoes the words of Jesus as he recommends that the Roman community fulfill the law by loving one another. It’s obvious from the context, that he is speaking of the way members of the church should treat each other within the largely pagan culture, and some have questioned whether that same injunction can be applied to…
Daily Devotions: September 6, 2017
Psalm 119:33-40 “Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.” vss. 36-37 There is a way to live that is pleasing to God and that gives life to the community of faith. The contour of that way is no mystery and has been made plain to believers for thousands of years. It was summarized in the Ten Commandments and clarified in the teachings of…
Daily Devotions: September 5, 2017
Ezekiel 33:10-11 “Say to them, As I live, says the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?” vs. 11 Ezekiel had a word from the Lord for the house of Israel, a declaration of tough love that would require turning away from their evil ways. Modern self-styled prophets…
Daily Devotions: September 4, 2017
Ezekiel 33:7-9 “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 Ezekiel, prophet to the exiles in Babylon, believed that he had been made a sentinel for the house of Israel, and understood rightly that his calling was crucial. It would be his responsibility to issue a warning from the Lord if the people engaged in wicked behavior. If…
Daily Devotions: September 3, 2017
Matthew 16:24-28 “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.” vs. 27 Those who love the regular assurances of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness in scripture can become a bit uncomfortable with verses indicating that one day there will be payback for all that we have done. The problem is that the verses are there…if we just ignore them we’re…
Daily Devotions: September 2, 2017
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 From a human perspective Peter was right. The scenario laid out for the disciples by Jesus was preposterous. Oh, they knew that these awful things could certainly happen; they were aware of the fate suffered by prophets who had run up against the religious…
Daily Devotions: September 1, 2017
Romans 12:16-21 “Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” vss. 16, 18 Paul continues his description of life in the Body of Christ with a plea to the Romans to live in harmony with one another. “If it is possible,” he says, “so far as it depends on…