Posts by Rev. Steve Holm (Page 5)
Daily Devotions
Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.” vs. 20 Mark 1:19-20 Mark frequently uses the word “immediately” as he describes the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. Jesus felt a sense of urgency in his work; it’s as though he didn’t have much time to waste as he called his disciples. And what amazes us is how quickly they responded! They may have been familiar with him,…
Daily Devotions
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’” vss. 16-17 Mark 1:16-18 Mark is the action gospel. The writer doesn’t include much of Jesus’ teaching–there’s no Sermon on the Mount and only a few parables–and Jesus is always on the move. He seems to have been alone as he…
Daily Devotions
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’” vss. 14-15 Mark 1:14-15 According to Mark, the first gospel written, Jesus had been in Judea, near where John was baptizing, and when John was arrested he headed north to Galilee, his home territory, and began his ministry. Though he seems not to have…
Daily Devotions
I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning…” vss. 29-30a 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Paul had spent about 18 months working and teaching in Corinth and was well acquainted with the people who were a part of the congregation there. So later on, when he hears reports from there, he writes them letters…
Daily Devotions
Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” vs. 10 Psalm 62:9-12 People have been trying to figure out how to get rich for a long time. Even in the days of the psalmist people were willing to try extortion and robbery to pad their retirement funds. As time has passed those attempts have become ever more sophisticated and many are even touted as being completely…
Daily Devotions
For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.” vs. 5 Psalm 62:5-8 There are some who had occasion this holiday weekend to reflect on the life and ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. While in his lifetime many considered him to be a troublemaker and a threat to national security, we now see more clearly his intent and his purpose. He had a dream of a world in which divisions based on race…
Daily Devotions
When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.” vs. 10 Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Much to Jonah’s chagrin, the people of Nineveh repented and turned from their evil ways and in response, God too repented, and did not bring calamity upon them. His story reminds us of two things, first that it is possible…
Daily Devotions
And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’” vs. 51 John 1:47-51 Nathanael had made a confession of faith based on little evidence, and Jesus told him that his insight had been superficial. But it was a start! And according to the gospel writer, John, Jesus went on to tell him what was in store for him. The image used…
Daily Devotions
Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’” vs. 46 John 1:43-46 Nathanael was quick to dismiss the idea that Jesus was the messiah. For one thing he was from a town that had no standing in tradition. It wasn’t even mentioned in the scriptures. Nathanael wasn’t the only one to make such snap judgments. Most of us do the same sort of thing when introduced to someone whose geographic…
Daily Devotions
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?” vs. 19 1 Corinthians 6:16-20 Some of us who grew up in pietistic homes became accustomed to hearing that much of which we enjoyed doing and that seemed to be fun, was in fact horribly wrong. Our parents scrutinized what we ate or drank, how we behaved, what we read or…
Daily Devotions
‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are beneficial. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything.” vs. 12 1 Corinthians 6:12-15 One of the first reactions people have to the gospel of grace is, “Wow, if all my sins have been forgiven in Christ, I am free to do whatever I please.” When Paul heard that reaction, he went apoplectic. That attitude makes a sacrilege of the gospel! It…
Daily Devotions
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.” vs. 14 Psalm 139:13-18 The psalmist had obviously taken time to reflect on the wonder of his own body, and he was in awe. Every part has a function and a purpose and they are engineered to work together in perfect harmony. And because he wrote 2500 years ago he had only a minimal knowledge of anatomy or physiology–he knew little…