Blog (Page 148)
Daily Devotions: July 4, 2020
July 4, 2020 Matthew 11:16-19 … “But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’” vss. 16-17 Jesus marveled at the fickleness of the crowds that he encountered. They were never satisfied and always critical in their assessments of those God had sent to them. They called John demonic and…
Daily Devotions: July 3, 2020
July 3, 2020 Romans 7:15-25a … “Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” vs. 24-25a Paul had gotten caught up in what we might call ‘dualistic thinking’ and it was driving him crazy. He describes himself as being caught between the law of God, which was what he wanted to do, and the law of sin, which dictated his actions. When he wanted to…
Daily Devotions: July 2, 2020
July 2, 2020 Psalm 145:11-14 … “The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.” vs. 14 Through the centuries we’ve had varying attitudes about God and some very different definitions of God’s being. Those ideas even change within the course of a lifetime, as most all of us can testify. When we were children we probably tended to attach human attributes to God, making God a kind of a ‘superman in the sky.’…
Daily Devotions: July 1, 2020
July 1, 2020 Psalm 145:8-10 … “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” vs. 8 Words of love never get old! We can hear words of love and affirmation from one another every day, many times a day, and they never fail to work their magic. They bring healing to hurting hearts and lift our sagging spirits. In the same way, we never tire of hearing from Scripture that the Lord abounds in…
Daily Devotions: June 30, 2020
June 30, 2020 Zechariah 9:11-12 … “Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.” vs. 12 When the Jews returned from exile they were faced with an enormous challenge. Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside had been ravaged by the armies of Babylon. The temple and protective walls of the city were gone; there were few who even remembered the days of glory. In that context Zechariah presents a vision of…
Daily Devotions: June 29, 2020
June 29, 2020 Zechariah 9:9-10 … “Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” vs. 9 For the next four months, whether we like it or not, we’re going to be subjected to intense campaigning as candidates flood the media with their distorted accusations and claims. We’ll see slick expensive commercials on television…
Daily Devotions: June 28, 2020
June 28, 2020 Matthew 10:40-42 … “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” vs. 40 It’s been the custom in recent years for congregations to announce that all are welcome in their faith communities, and that no distinctions will be made. It’s a worthy mission statement and reflects a move toward inclusivity that is to be admired. But it’s also a reversal of the situation that early disciples found themselves in—one that…
Daily Devotions: June 27, 2020
June 27, 2020 Romans 6:19-23 … “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” vs. 23 Paul’s language in this section of Romans can easily be read from a dualistic perspective. Two alternatives are offered: death or eternal life, and it’s implied that the choice is ours. If we continue in sin we will die, but if we stop sinning and submit to God we will have…
Daily Devotions: June 26, 2020
June 26, 2020 Romans 6:12-18 … “But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” vss. 17-18 Some wonderful and devout followers of Jesus are obsessed with perfection. They’re conscious of all their words, thoughts, and actions and know instantly when they’ve sinned—and their weakness drives…
Daily Devotions: June 25, 2020
June 25, 2020 Psalm 89:15-18 … “Happy are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your countenance; they exult in your name all day long, and extol your righteousness.” vss. 15-16 The Psalmist knew the joy that came from being part of a community of faith that was centered around a common allegiance to the House of David. That community came together regularly for worship of the Lord and to celebrate the…
Daily Devotions: June 24, 2020
June 24, 2020 Psalm 89:1-4 … “I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.” vs. 1 Sometimes when we read the Psalms we wonder just who these Pollyanna writers must have been. We imagine that they lived in more tranquil times than ours; that they didn’t face the societal upheavals that get daily attention from our news sources. Otherwise, how could they have possibly written such optimistic…
Daily Devotions: June 23, 2020
June 23, 2020 Jeremiah 28:7-9 … As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes true, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.” vs. 9 Upon hearing the words of Jeremiah, the prophet Hananiah upped the ante by repeating his prediction that peace was just around the corner for Judah, and Jeremiah went away in silence. He didn’t believe the prophecy of peace, but only time would reveal the…