Posts by Rev. Steve Holm (Page 50)
Daily Devotions
The saying is sure: ‘If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.’” vss. 11-13 2 Timothy 2:8-13 Being a Christian in the first century was a dicey experience. To be a believer was often dangerous. Persecutions and imprisonments were common. Leaders like Paul and others faced an…
Daily Devotions
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.” vs. 10 Psalm 111 For centuries there wasn’t much question about the primacy of the Lord. Pretty much everyone, at least in the Judeo-Christian heritage, would have agreed with the psalmist–the Lord was in control and showered blessings over the entire earth. Our awesome God had power and might and was also gracious and merciful. But somewhere…
Daily Devotions
So Naaman came with his horses and chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go, wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.’” vss. 9-10 2 Kings 5:9-15c When the people of Nazareth rejected Jesus in their synagogue, he reminded them that even though there were many lepers in Israel at the time of Elisha, none were healed except Naaman the Syrian.…
Daily Devotions
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy.” vs. 1 2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-8 Aram was a neighboring kingdom to Israel, and the two countries were combative rivals for many years. Around the time of Elisha, Aram had an especially effective commander for its army and had won…
Daily Devotions
So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’” vs. 10 Luke 17:7-10 Most people love affirmation and appreciate thanksgiving for the work that they have done, but sometimes that doesn’t happen. Many times, followers of Jesus discover that there’s not much reward in their labors of love. They give themselves heart and soul to a good cause and no…
Daily Devotions
The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.’” vss. 5-6 Luke 17:5-6 On the surface the demand sounds reasonable. It’s the sort of thing we might have said to Jesus–it might even be the core of our daily prayers: “Lord, increase our faith!” Often we imagine that…
Daily Devotions
For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands…” vs. 6 2 Timothy 1:6-14 Confirmation hadn’t been invented yet in the life of the church when this letter was written, but its predecessor was certainly there. Paul says that when Timothy was a youth, he laid hands on him and gave him a precious gift of God. That sounds exactly like what happens when a pastor…
Daily Devotions
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.” vs. 5 2 Timothy 1:1-5 Some believers come to faith on their own; guided by the Spirit they are drawn to Jesus by his message of grace and mercy, and then make a decision to become his disciples. With most of us the story is different. Like Timothy, we are heavily influenced…
Daily Devotions
Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret—it leads only to evil.” vss. 7-8 Psalm 37:1-9 There is a plague of fretting going on in our world and it has infected millions of people, and unless we’ve quarantined ourselves from every kind of media, it’s likely crept into our homes as well.…
Daily Devotions
Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.” vs. 4 Habakkuk 2:1-4 For a variety of reasons there are millions of people in our country who no longer trust in the election process, and some are wondering if this will ultimately lead to widespread chaos. Obviously, many are concerned about this trend because once trust is gone, whether we’re talking about elections or relationships, it cannot easily be restored. And…
Daily Devotions
Why do you make me see wrong-doing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.” vs. 3 Habakkuk 1:1-4 Twenty-four-hour news channels have made it possible for people to know everything that goes on in the world at any given moment, and many are overwhelmed by the stories of destruction and violence that they hear and see. Some have reacted by turning off the news and starting to watch the Hallmark Channel. The strife…
Daily Devotions
He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” vs. 31 Luke 16:26-31 There were plenty of warnings about the danger of riches in the laws of Israel, and especially in the writings of the prophets. But there was little inclination among the rich to take any of that seriously. They likely considered the different strata in society to be God’s intention. Of…