Blog (Page 113)
Daily Devotions
They were saying, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, “I have come down from heaven”?’” John 6:35, 41-44 As far as the people in the crowd were concerned Jesus had human origins–they knew his father and mother. For him to say that he had come down from heaven was too much to swallow–even if he did claim to be the bread of life. We shouldn’t be too…
Daily Devotions
Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” vs. 29 Ephesians 4:29-5:2 Paul’s picture of Christian community seems almost utopian, almost too good to be true. We’ve grown so accustomed to coarse, bullying, and degrading talk that we are hard-pressed to imagine a world in which each word is carefully weighed and gracefully used. But some…
Daily Devotions
Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy.” vs. 28 Ephesians 4:25-28 There’s something delightfully naive about this verse from Ephesians. Usually the writers of scripture come down hard on sinners–thieves are given warnings to change behavior or face harsh consequences. But here there are no threats or condemnation, just a heartfelt admonition for thieves to stop stealing and begin to work…
Daily devotions
O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.” vs. 8 Psalm 34:4-8 There are a multitude of grocery stores and restaurants that advertise organic and natural foods. They’re seeking to profit from the recent surge of interest in what is called “clean eating,” the desire to avoid processed foods and eat only what is whole or natural. Such eaters assiduously read labels and try to find products that have zero or…
Daily Devotions
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” vs. 1 Psalm 34:1-3 Occasionally we will meet people who regularly include words of praise and thanksgiving in their conversation. They’ll say, “Praise God,” or “Thank you, Jesus,” without any hesitation or sense of irony. They really mean what they say and aren’t at all reluctant to give public testimony of their faith. Like the psalmist they want to keep the praise of the…
Daily Devotions
But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’” vs. 4 1 Kings 19:4-8 Elijah had been quite successful in battling with the prophets of Baal in Israel, but Queen Jezebel was a formidable foe and he fled for his life. He was done! Alone…
Daily Devotions
So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?’” vs. 30 John 6:28-35 The people were asking a good question. They did understand that Jesus was a teacher and that he had a message, but how were they to know whether he was sent from God? They thought that a sign might give him credibility–and we can’t blame them for asking.…
Daily Devotions
Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.’” vs. 26 John 6:24-27 Jesus was no fool. He had a pretty good understanding of human nature and he knew folks were more interested in free food than they were in him. For many that’s still how it is! They turn up at church or tune into religious services not to get a…
Daily Devotions
We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming.” vs. 14 Ephesians 4:11-16 Not so long ago, as we began to enter the Age of Computers, there were some who hoped that the rapid dissemination of information and news would usher in a time of unity and peace. Since virtually everyone had instant access to all the accumulated knowledge of historians, scientists,…
Daily Devotions
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” vss. 1-3 Ephesians 4:1-10 Followers of Jesus from the beginning have understood themselves to be his living presence in the world. Early on they began to speak of living…
Daily Devotions
Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven; he rained down on them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven.” vss. 23-24 Psalm 78:23-29 The psalmist believed that the stories passed down about the wilderness experiences of Israel demonstrated the Lord’s faithfulness in every circumstance. Even when the newly freed slaves complained bitterly about the lack of water and food, the Lord did not respond in anger, but generously provided for all their…
Daily Devotions
I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” vs. 12 Exodus 16:9-15 As the Hebrews looked back on their time in the wilderness, their story centered on the ultimate graciousness of God. Even when they had complained to Moses and Aaron and wished they’d never been brought out of…