Blog (Page 83)
Daily Devotions
But you, O Lord of hosts, who judge righteously, who try the heart and the mind, let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause.” vs. 20 Jeremiah 11:18-20 Jeremiah’s life had been threatened by some people from his hometown and he didn’t like it! They evidently had taken offense at things he had said and were scheming to erase his name from the memory of his people. But Jeremiah believes that the Lord,…
Daily Devotions
He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” vs. 34 Mark 8:34-38 These familiar words have a quaint feel about them. Once they seemed so important, a description of a call to discipleship that could define the journey of our lives. But now there’s a kind of sad irrelevance about them. They’re a reminder of times past when…
Daily Devotions
He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’” vs. 29 Mark 8:27-33 There is little doubt that Jesus of Nazareth existed. Only die-hard skeptics continue to say that there never was such a person, that all reports of his existence are only fabrications. Even if we doubt the accuracy of some gospel accounts it seems obvious that he preached and taught in Galilee and Judea at some point in the…
Daily Devotions
With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.” vss. 9-10 James 3:6-12 James understands the power of the tongue. He says that it is like a fire, a small part of our body, yet capable of inflicting enormous damage, but he doesn’t give any hints about how it…
Daily Devotions
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” vs. 1 James 3:1-5 There is a strange paradox connected to the teaching profession. On the one hand we see teachers being regularly disparaged and discounted in popular commentary. It is said that they suck up massive amounts of taxpayer dollars while working short hours for only a portion of the year. As a group they’re…
Daily Devotions
The Lord protects the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.” vs.6 Psalm 116:6-9 The psalmist had come close to death, but he had survived, not because of his wealth or privilege, or because he had acted with wisdom and valor. He didn’t have any credits to his name, but for some reason the Lord had smiled on him in his misery, and he had been restored to life.There are whole bunches of folks who have had that…
Daily Devotions
The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.” vs. 3 Psalm 116:1-5 It’s possible for some to live in this world without giving much thought to the passage of time or the inevitability of death. In fact most folks don’t care one bit to dwell on the prospect of dying–they’d much rather talk of something else. But realistically, sooner or later, whether through our own experience or that of…
Daily Devotions
The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.” vs. 4 Isaiah 50:4-9a The prophet knew that he had a gift for teaching, one that he hadn’t sought, but that had come from God. His audience was the exiled community of Israel, and they were getting discouraged as they waited out…
Daily Devotions
Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it.” vs. 36 Mark 7:31-37 Readers have long wondered about a peculiarity in the gospel of Mark. Some have called it a mystery, and they’re referring to Mark’s account of Jesus’ repeated efforts to keep his messianic ministry a secret. New Testament scholars have debated this for centuries and many have written books that provide solutions to the mystery. Of course,…
Daily Devotions
He said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’” vs. 27 Mark 7: 24-30 To escape the bread-seeking crowds Jesus goes to the coastal city of Tyre where he imagines he can remain anonymous. Of course the plan doesn’t work and he is immediately approached by a woman seeking healing for her demon possessed daughter. Because she is a Gentile, Jesus initially denied…
Daily Devotions
If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,’ and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?” vss. 15-16 James 2:14-17 Many followers of Jesus are familiar with the slogans, “grace alone, faith alone, and scripture alone.” But they’ve probably never ever heard anyone say, “works alone!” It seems a contradictory phrase, one that doesn’t…
Daily Devotions
My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ?” vs. 1 James 2:1-10 Not all was so lovey-dovey in those early Christian communities of faith as we sometimes think. James had noticed a disturbing tendency–leaders were catering to rich folks and doing all they could to make them feel at home. Special seats at worship were reserved for them, while the poor were made to stand in the rear. It…