Posts by Rev. Steve Holm (Page 60)
Daily Devotions
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” vss. 3-4 Psalm 8 The psalmist had never seen a picture from the Hubble Telescope; he didn’t have a clue about how old or immense the universe actually is. His conclusions were drawn completely from observations of the dark skies and years of contemplation.…
Daily Devotions
…then I was beside him, like a master worker; and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always, rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race.” vs. 30-31 Proverbs 8:22-31 Occasionally, when we look closely at the foundational writings of our faith community, we’re surprised at what we discover. For instance, many of us didn’t realize that in the Wisdom book of Proverbs the Lord is described as having had Sophia (Wisdom) as his female partner…
Daily Devotions
Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding raise her voice? … ‘To you, O people, I call, and my cry is to all that live.’” vss. 1, 4 Proverbs 8:1-4 Many thousands of years ago as humans began to live in community, they took note of those things that made for peace and harmony–the actions and behaviors necessary for people to achieve common goals and avoid discord. For generations these tidbits of wisdom were stored up by leaders and…
Daily Devotions
Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” vs. 12 John 14:12-17 As John recounts Jesus’ words to his disciples during his last evening with them, he makes his wishes and intentions crystal clear. Jesus wants them to continue the works that he began, i.e., to announce good news to the poor, release…
Daily Devotions
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.” vs. 11 John 14:8-11 Through the centuries Christians have put a lot of energy into figuring out how Jesus could be human and divine at the same time. Early on scholars, borrowing heavily from Greek philosophy, managed to cobble together some credal statements that have proved amazingly resilient. When some believers disagreed they…
Daily Devotions
When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God…” vss. 15b-16 Romans 8:14-17 Paul was totally dependent on the Holy Spirit for the direction of his mission and for the reformation of his life. On his own, he was driven by old traditions and convictions and totally incapable of doing the things that he desired to do. His desires dominated the direction of each day. But the Holy…
Daily Devotions
When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.” vs. 34 Psalm 104:30-34 The psalmist believed that all living creatures were a part of a constantly changing, always evolving circle of life. Creation wasn’t a once-for-all time event. Rather it occurred on a daily basis as the spirit of God breathed life into what had died and renewed the face of the earth. Death and the return to dust is never God’s…
Daily Devotions
O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” vs. 24 Psalm 104:24-28 When we read the foundational writings of our faith community, it is easily seen that our ancestors recognized that there was one God who had brought all things into existence. Mountains, plains, oceans, sun, moon and stars, together with living creatures of all kinds all have their origins in God, the one the Israelites knew…
Daily Devotions
In the last days it will be,” God declares, “that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” vs. 17 Acts 2:14-21 Something big had happened on that Pentecost day in Jerusalem, and some of the disciples realized that our experience of God on earth is not static but constantly evolving. No longer would people need temples…
Daily Devotions
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” vs. 4 Acts 2:1-14 Luke tells us that before he left, Jesus had promised his disciples that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them and they would then be his witnesses throughout the earth. After his departure they went into the city of Jerusalem and waited, probably wondering what this experience might be…
Daily Devotions
I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” vs. 26 John 17:24-26 John 3:16 is familiar to Americans, and some even know what it says! It provides the premise behind the entire gospel of John, “For God so loved the world that he sent his only Son….” The gospel then continues with a series of signs designed…
Daily Devotions
I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” vss. 20-21 John 17:20-23 John reports that Jesus spent his last evening with his disciples praying for unity, not only in their little group,…