Daily Devotions by Steve Holm
Daily Devotions
1 Samuel 16:1-13…“Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Are all your sons here?’ And he said, ‘There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.’ And Samuel said to Jesse, ‘Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.’” vs. 11 Even though David was a handsome enough fellow, with his ruddy skin and beautiful eyes, he had one additional attribute that had caught Samuel’s ear. He was a shepherd boy! Based on what we…
Daily Devotions
John 4:31-42… “They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Saviour of the world.’” vs. 42 The woman had been an effective evangelist. When she went back into her home city and excitedly told the people about Jesus, many believed in him because of her testimony. But then when they actually met Jesus and had a chance…
Daily Devotions
John 4:16-26… “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.’” vss. 21-22 Jesus was a Jew, and he was proud of it. He loved the history, the rituals and practices, and the traditions. His faith had given him a cherished identity, and while he had issues…
Daily Devotions
John 4:5-15… “The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?’ (Jews do not share things in common with Samaritans.)” vs. 9 The Jews and the Samaritans were of the same ethnic background, but the Samaritans had not been a part of the Babylonian exile. When the Jews returned to Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah there were immediate tensions with the Samaritans. Those tensions continued through the…
Daily Devotions
Romans 5:6-11… “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die.” vss. 6-7 In most of the places where followers of Jesus gather for worship there will be a cross in a prominent position near the front of the church, sometimes in a crucifix form, bearing the body of Jesus, and often empty, a reminder…
Daily Devotions
Romans 5:1-5… “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand;” vss. 1-2a Sometimes we believers get our slogans confused, and we wonder things like, are we “justified by grace through faith,” or is it “justified by faith through grace?” And really it doesn’t make any difference which phrase we’ve learned–both contain the same essential truth about our relationship to God. But…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 95… “O come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” vs. 1 According to recent surveys 83% of Americans say that they believe in God but only about 30% participate in regular worship services. Now it is true that you don’t have to be a part of a worshipping community to worship God. Since God is not confined to buildings it’s quite possible to worship in a variety…
Daily Devotions
Exodus 17:1-7… “But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?’ “ vs. 3 It appears that when the people of Israel quarreled with Moses and then complained about his leadership, they pushed him over the edge. He became so angry that, according to the book of Numbers, he failed to honor God when he struck…
Daily Devotions
John 3:11-17… “If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?” Nicodemus didn’t get it, and there were no words to explain what he was missing. Sometimes that’s how it is when we try to share our deepest feelings and ideas with a curious questioner. We can know something so intimately in our hearts but when we try to share that truth all the words…
Daily Devotions
John 3:1-10… “Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’” vs. 4 There is nothing like being a literalist to hinder a person from grasping the Truth!Nicodemus, a teacher of the law, was eager to talk to Jesus. He’d been watching hisministry from a distance, but was reluctant to show his interest publicly. He comesunder cover of darkness with his questions, and…
Daily Devotions
Romans 4: 13-17… “If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither isthere violation.” vss. 14-15 There is much to be said for operating under the rule of law in our world. It’s whatenables businesses to flourish and governments to be trusted. Without it marketsare quickly taken over by cartels and politicians rake in billions…
Daily Devotions
Romans 4: 1-5… “But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.” vs. 5 Most people have a pretty good sense of how they have lived their lives. Oh, we forget some things, but in general we know exactly what we have done and what we have not done, and we’re particularly aware of our shortcomings. That’s why many folks find it really hard to believe that they are worthy in…