Posts by Rev. Steve Holm (Page 2)
Daily Devotions
Luke 24:28-34…“Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” vs. 35 What happened at the table in Emmaus is one of the most insightful stories in all of scripture. Just hearing Jesus interpret the scripture wasn’t enough to open the eyes of Cleopas and his wife! They’d learned a lot of stuff as they walked along the road with the stranger, but it wasn’t…
Daily Devotions
Luke 24:13-27…“Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.” vs. 27 Even though the gospels indicate that Jesus spoke with his disciples about his death and resurrection during his ministry in Galilee, their reaction after his crucifixion indicates that they didn’t have a clue about what had been in store for him. Indeed, his death had devastated them and the resurrection only brought confusion. But as reports continued…
Daily Devotions
1 Peter 1:21-23…“Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart.” vs. 22 When the Christian community was established in Jerusalem after the resurrection of Jesus they were known for the deep love that they had for one another. And when missionaries like Paul brought the good news of Jesus to distant lands, that same characteristic was observed. Peter refers to that…
Daily Devotions
i Peter 1:17-20…“If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile.” vs. 17 From Peter’s perspective the people to whom he was writing were like exiles, people living in a land that was not their own who had been united by their invocation of God as Father. Here he also implies that one day their God will judge all people impartially according to…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 116:12-19…“What shall I return to the LORD for all his bounty to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.” vss. 12-14 The psalmist knew that he had been blessed by his Loving Lord and felt that it was his duty and delight to respond with a thanksgiving offering. Many are doing that today in…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 116:1-4…“I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.” vss. 1-2 As was typical among the psalmists, we don’t know the particulars of this writer’s situation. He’d come close to death, cried out to the Lord, and had been restored. Understandably, he now loves the Lord and offers this prayer of thanksgiving and praise–and promises to keep…
Daily Devotions
Acts 2: 2a, 36-41…“Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” According to Luke Peter’s sermon had a profound effect on the Judean Jews who were in Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost. They were convicted by his words and asked what they should do. What Peter suggests reminds us of the message…
Daily Devotions
John 20:26-31…“Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’” vs. 29 Because Thomas has been known as the doubting disciple, he’s a favorite for those who struggle with doubts in their faith journey. In reality though, John tells us that Thomas became a believer because he saw the Risen Jesus face to face. In other words, he got lucky! For the rest of…
Daily Devotions
John 20:19-25…“When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’” vss. 22-23 John combines elements of Luke’s Pentecost story and Matthew’s Great Commission in telling this account of Jesus’ post-resurrection encounter with his disciples. His words are carefully chosen and tell us plainly that the dynamic energy of the Church comes…
Daily Devotions
1 Peter 1:6-9…“Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy…” vs. 8 Even though these words were written to people living two thousand years ago they offer a precise fit for our situation. We have not seen the Risen Christ and yet we love him. We feast on his words and study his parables, believing that the new…
Daily Devotions
1 Peter 1:3-5…“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..” vs. 3 This little letter was probably sent from the Christian community in Rome and carried the name of Peter, who Roman Catholics regard as the first pope. It’s addressed to the large community of believers living in Asia Minor, present day Turkey.…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 16:7-11…“You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” vs. 11 The psalmist was sold on the Lord. He had no regrets about casting his lot with the Creator and Sustainer of life. We can rightly assume that he took every opportunity available for singing praises in worship and that he gladly brought his offerings to the altar. That’s how it is when we live in…