Blog (Page 116)
Daily Devotions
Romans 13:8-10 … “Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” vs. 8 Jesus had but one commandment for his followers, to love one another as he had loved them. Paul echoes that sentiment as he closes out his closely argued letter to the Christians in Rome. “All you need is love,” he says, in full agreement with The Beatles, and if they did, they would have fulfilled the…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 119:37-40 … “Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.” vs. 37 When the word “vanities” is Googled, the search results are exclusively related to those furnishings most often found in our bedrooms and bathrooms. There is an endless variety to choose from, all including mirrors and extravagant lighting. The styles change frequently and the message is that vanities should be changed out frequently. The psalmist had nothing like this in mind when he…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 119:33-36 … “Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.” vs. 34 The Jews had deep affection for the law. They rightly understood that its precepts provided a guide for healthy and orderly life in community. No country or nation can expect to know internal stability without an overwhelming allegiance to what is called the “rule of law.” Many in our land have expressed deep concern over what has been called…
Daily Devotions
Ezekiel 33:7-11 … “So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.” vs. 7 Whenever Israel embraced wickedness, Ezekiel had been charged by the Lord to issue a warning. The people were to turn from their wicked ways, and if they did not, they would die! There are some for whom that would be a dream job! They love pointing out…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 16:24-26 … “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” vs. 24 Jesus did not consult a marketing expert when he began his historic mission in the towns and villages of Galilee. If he had, he would have been told that self-denial is not the way to attract followers. It just doesn’t work! Which is why contemporary Christian leaders have largely abandoned any…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 16:21-23 … “But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’” vs. 23 Peter likely felt honored to have been elevated to the position of “messianic advisor” among the disciples of Jesus, so when Jesus began outlining his mission plan, Peter was ready to offer his opinion. But Jesus isn’t impressed with his new chief of…
Daily Devotions
Romans 12:17-21 … “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” vs. 18 Paul is enough of a realist to advise the Romans that it might not be possible to live peaceably with all. His words are not a surprise to most of us. We’ve been around long enough to know that some folks aren’t interested in reciprocal acts of kindness. For one reason or another they rebuff our attempts at making peace…
Daily Devotions:
Romans 12:9-16 … “Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.” vs. 16 Paul was writing these words to the little Christian community in Rome. He intended them to be a guide for their church family relationships and based them on his image of life in Christ Jesus. They stand in sharp contrast to what we see displayed on social media or at a…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 126:4-6 … “Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.” vs. 6 The psalmist had amazing insights about the journey of life, and he didn’t even have access to Dr. Laura or self-help books. There weren’t theologians or psychologists available for consultation–he had only the stories of his people and assorted wisdom sayings gleaned from various Hebrew sages. But those sources and his own observations inspired his…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 126:1-3 … “The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.” vs. 3 In times of stress and tension, it’s a blessing to have a great memory! That’s what gave solace to the psalmist, and it’s what we hang on to when uncertainty plagues our daily living. The psalmist remembered that the Lord had done great things for Israel and that the people had rejoiced in that moment of triumph–and that memory gave him hope for the…
Daily Devotions
Jeremiah 15:15-21 … “I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; under the weight of your hand I sat alone, for you had filled me with indignation.” vs. 17 When the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah he had been filled with joy and gladness. He was thrilled to be called by the name of the Lord and gladly began his prophetic ministry among the people. But his work did not bring him joy;…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 17:16-20 … “Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.” vs. 20 Much has been made of the so-called “Messianic Secret” that the gospel writers mention. Why would Jesus not want the disciples to tell anyone that he was the Messiah? Explanations abound and whole books have been written in support of various theories, but we really can’t know for sure. What we do know is that, when a person is identified…