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Daily Devotions
As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, they called out, saying, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’” vss. 12-13 Luke 17:11-14 There were several skin diseases endemic to the Holy Land, and those who suffered from them were known by the generic term “lepers.” It was believed that these diseases were spread by contact, and so anyone with a rash of any kind was considered contagious and subject to quarantine. Lepers evidently traveled in groups…
Daily Devotions
Remind them of this and warn them before God that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening.” vs. 14 2 Timothy 2:14-15 It’s true that words are important and that the meaning of an entire sentence can be changed by the omission or addition of just a word or two. And sometimes it’s fun to debate the precise meaning of sentences, and even wrangle over which words should be…
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 These verses are thought to be part of an ancient Christian hymn and review some of the basic truths that are important for believers to remember. We are encouraged…
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 many people, believing in a Higher Power is an afterthought, something to be considered when life starts to fall apart, and their plans for a good life go awry. Based on the declining levels of worship attendance, (fewer than 30% of the population each week), more people are living like this. Seemingly there…
Daily Devotions
But his servants approached and said to him, ‘Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, “Wash, and be clean”? vs. 14 2 Kings 5:7-15c Naaman had an elevated sense of his own importance. But when he came with his entourage to Elisha’s house, Elisha didn’t even come out to see him–he just sent out a messenger with instructions to go…
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 At the time of Elisha, about 850 BCE, Aram, Israel, and Judah were small monarchies clustered along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. They weren’t great powers, but they seemed to take great delight…
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 17:6-10 In this little parable Jesus says that the role of the slave is to do the master’s bidding without expecting praise or thanks. Presumably the disciples would have agreed. That’s how slavery works. But it must have been a jolt then when Jesus goes on to describe…
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.’” Luke 17:5-6 The disciples were a lot like many of us. They believed that it was possible for them to increase their faith. So, Jesus told them in no uncertain terms that size doesn’t matter. Their problem was 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; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.” vs. 6 2 Timothy 1:6-14 This verse will remind many believers of their confirmation day, that ritual in which confirmands receive the laying on of hands as they affirm their baptisms. The pastor places both…
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 Paul had encountered Timothy when he visited the city of Lystra on his first missionary journey and he’d been impressed by the strength of his faith. Later, after he and Barnabas had parted company, Paul returned to Lystra with Silas, and asked Timothy to accompany them as…
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.” vs. 7 Psalm 37:1-9 No matter who we are, no matter what our political stance, we are living at a time when it’s possible to be driven to distraction by what “the other side” is doing. And because there is seemingly nothing, we can do to alter the course of events, it’s possible…
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 Habakkuk has filed a complaint with the Lord and then settles back to wait for a reply. When he reports the answer, it seems cryptic, which is, from our own experiences with prayer, not all that unusual. But Habakkuk does receive some measure of assurance. God has not abandoned Judea, despite the external appearances. The key to an…