Blog (Page 140)
Daily Devotions: November 25, 2019
November 25, 2019 For full passage click: Isaiah 2:1-5“ … He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” vs. 4 Isaiah believed that one day Jerusalem would be established as the hub of God’s rule. From there, God would establish order and justice among the nations and there…
Daily Devotions: November 24, 2019
November 24, 2019 For full passage click: Luke 24:39-43 … “Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’” vss. 42-43 In Luke’s Gospel Jesus continues his ministry as he hangs dying on the cross, first forgiving his taunting killers and then offering hope to the criminal hanging next to him. His promise concerning Paradise has been scrutinized and studied for centuries. It’s…
Daily Devotions: November 23, 2019
November 23, 2019 For full passage click: Luke 23:33-38 … “Then Jesus said, ’Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they cast lots to divide his clothing.” vs. 34 Those of us who watch the Netflix series called “The Crown” have gotten a pretty good idea of what it’s like to sit on the throne of England. We know the glory, wealth, and prestige that comes from being a king or queen. In the…
Daily Devotions: November 22, 2019
November 22, 2019 For full passage click: Colossians 1:17-20 … “He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…” vs. 18-19 The Christ who was in the beginning, who is the image of God imprinted in every human, is seen fully in Jesus of Nazareth. In Jesus we…
Daily Devotions: November 21, 2019
November 21, 2019 For full passage click: Colossians 1:11-16 … “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him.” vss. 15-16 These are two of the most spectacular verses in all of Scripture and deserve to be etched upon our hearts and maybe…
Daily Devotions: November 20, 2019
November 20, 2019 For full passage click: Psalm 46:6-11 … “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” vs. 10 The Psalmist knew that God is heard most clearly in the sounds of silence and not in sermons or even the singing of Psalms. It’s nice to have solid preachers and gifted choirs in congregations, but God comes closest to us when we put aside words and simply…
Daily Devotions: November 19, 2019
November 19, 2019 For full passage click: Psalm 46:1-6 … “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.” vss. 2-3 As global temperatures rise more and more, people are convinced that we are in the beginning-stages of significant climate change. Even though some aren’t convinced that this is human-caused, they do agree that preparations need…
Daily Devotions: November 18, 2019
November 18, 2019 For full passage click: Jeremiah 23:1-6 …”Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord.” vs. 1 Judah was in a tough spot and Jeremiah was convinced that it was the fault of the kings. Speaking for the Lord, in a biting and forceful sermon, he blames Judah’s shepherds, i.e. kings, for destroying and scattering the people, and he looks forward to a day when a new righteous king will establish…
Daily Devotions: November 17, 2019
November 17, 2019 For full passage click: Luke 21:10-19 … “This will give you an opportunity to testify.” vs. 13 When early Christians were arrested and hauled before courts and judges, they rejoiced at the opportunity they had been given to testify concerning the living presence of Christ Jesus in their lives. That’s generally how it has always worked for people of faith. No matter what disaster or trial may come our way in the course of our journeys, it…
Daily Devotions: November 16, 2019
November 16, 2019 For full passage click: Luke 21:5-9 … “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” vs. 6 When Jesus visited the temple during his lifetime, most of the restoration work begun by Herod the Great would have been completed. His builders had completely remodeled and redone the temple built by the returning exiles from Babylon. Modeled after Roman buildings, it…
Daily Devotions: November 15, 2019
November 15, 2019 For full passage click: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 … “For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.” vs. 10 This verse is familiar to folks who are generally unfamiliar with the Scriptures. We’ve heard it many times in a variety of contexts. Most often it’s used to buttress the belief that welfare recipients should work in exchange for their benefits. It’s not unusual for people in our…
Daily Devotions: November 14, 2019
November 14, 2019 For full passage click: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 … “Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us.” vs. 6 Paul was not all sweetness and light in his responses to some of the issues in the congregations that he had helped to found. To say that he was direct is an under-statement—he…