Blog (Page 82)
Daily Devotions
For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.” vs. 41 Mark 9:38-41 The disciples were thrilled to be a part of the Jesus brigade but they didn’t have a clue about what that involved. They were applying the world’s standards to the Peaceable Kingdom and believed that they had become insiders by following Jesus. It was a pretty small group,…
Daily Devotions
Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” vs. 16 James 5:16-20 It has become common for believers to speak of the personal relationship that they have with Jesus. We have learned to talk in this fashion because some religious leaders have had a fixation on what might be called individual salvation. They teach that “going to heaven” requires each person…
Daily Devotions
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.” vs. 13 James 5:13-15 James imagines that the community to which he is writing has close connections, not only to other members of the community, but to God, the Divine Presence and Source of all Being. This means, he believes, that in every situation of life the people will turn to God, not only with prayers for healing when there is suffering, but…
Daily Devotions
the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes…But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.” vss. 8, 12 Psalm 19:7-14 The psalmist loved the law–he found comfort and direction from its precepts and commandments. As he lived with it and learned obedience he experienced daily joy and enlightenment. But he also knew that he could do better! He knew in his heart that he wasn’t…
Daily Devotions
But Moses said to him, ‘Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!’” vs. 29 Numbers 11:24-29 Joshua was one of the 70 elders chosen by Moses to help with leadership responsibilities during the wilderness wanderings. Evidently Joshua was pleased with the resulting prestige and complained when unchosen men started speaking for the Lord. Moses nailed the problem with the question, “Are you jealous?”…
Daily Devotions
So Moses said to the Lord, ‘Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?’ vs. 11 Numbers 11:4-6,10-16 The people complained to Moses about conditions in their camp, and Moses complained to the Lord about the people. This incessant reciprocal whining was understandable and necessary. Humans have to be able to vent when the pressures pile up. It was true…
Daily Devotions
But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.” vs. 34 Mark 9:33-37 The disciples didn’t quite get Jesus and were afraid to ask him questions, but they knew exactly how to play religious games, especially when it came to power and control. For them following Jesus wasn’t so much about helping people as it was a road to greatness and prestige–by elevating themselves through their deeds, they could show how…
Daily Devotions
But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.” vs. 32 Mark 9:30-32 Sometimes we imagine Jesus to have been like a kind and gentle pastor, a leader who could warm our hearts with a smile, and who we could have come to at any time with any questions or concerns. That’s a nice thought and we are indeed blessed when we meet such persons. Unfortunately that description doesn’t fit the Jesus we meet…
Daily Devotions
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” vs. 8a James 4:7-8a James had figured some things out about God that are worth reviewing in our own search for intimacy with the Divine Presence. So often we imagine that the empty feeling we occasionally feel comes because God has moved away. The truth is that God just doesn’t operate like that–God is always present to us. That’s the nature of God. So when we feel alone, guess…
Daily Devotions
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.” vs. 17 James 3:13-4:3 In recent years we’ve seen an avalanche of purported wisdom poured out on social media and every kind of journalistic platform. Almost all of it is carefully designed to fuel our passions and promote discord and dissension on every level. It’s infected neighborhoods, schools, and even our churches–and we’ve…
Daily Devotions
With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.” vs. 6 Psalm 54:5-7 The psalmist here gives a glimpse of life under the temple’s sacrificial system. There were a variety of offerings that could be made–the suppliant chose the one that best fit the circumstances. In this case, because the psalmist had been delivered from enemies, he chose to make a free will offering, not because it…
Daily Devotions
For the insolent have risen against me, the ruthless seek my life; they do not set God before them. But surely, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.” vss. 3-4 Psalm 54:1-4 Many are saying that these are the most divisive times they have experienced, and national polls bear that out. Some have become reluctant to share their ideas and opinions with those they do not know–they don’t want to offend, and it’s hard to…