Daily Devotions by Steve Holm (Page 110)
Daily Devotions
Matthew 22:15-22 … “Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” vs. 17 The question the Pharisees asked Jesus is exactly like those heard frequently in presidential debates. It was straight forward, pointed, and called for either a “yes” or a “no” answer–and it was a trap! For Jesus to have answered it would have been folly, so like a skillful politician he evades the question. Most of the issues that…
Daily Devotions
1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 … “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit…” vs. 6 Paul hadn’t stayed long in Thessalonica. His preaching had been favorably received by some Gentile searchers but the Jews of the city had forced him to leave. He was worried that the word he had preached would be lost by those who had received it, and was overjoyed…
Daily Devotions
1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 … “We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” vss. 2-3 This letter of Paul to the Thessalonians is the oldest section of the New Testament and gives a glimpse into the inner life and concerns of the earliest Greek followers of Jesus. As such,…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 96:1-9 … “For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.” vss. 4-5 Religious folks and American politicians regularly speak of God, but we can’t always figure out what they’re talking about. Sometimes the word seems to be thrown into conversations or speeches haphazardly, and is used in a way designed to make the speaker…
Daily Devotions
Isaiah 45:5-7 … “I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe; I the Lord do all these things.” vs. 7 We don’t know if Cyrus, the king of Persia, ever received the message that the Lord sent him through the prophet. If he did, there’s little chance he took note of it–the gods of Persia were likely sufficient for his purposes. But since the time of Cyrus millions of people have taken note of these words–and…
Daily Devotions:
Isaiah 45:1-4 …“Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him— and the gates shall not be closed:” vs. 1 Jerusalem was conquered in about 587 BCE and the leading families were taken into exile in Babylon across the Euphrates River. In 539 BCE the Babylonian Empire was conquered by Cyrus, the leader of the Persians, one of…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 22:8-14 … “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless.” vss.11-12 Pastors love passages like this! On the surface the king’s response to the man’s breach of wedding etiquette seems heavy-handed, and a violation of the Jesus kindness principle. So preachers get to do a…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 22:1-7 … “But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them.” vss. 5-6 This parable obviously packed a punch for Pharisees when they heard it. They immediately ratcheted up their plans to eliminate Jesus–for them he was nothing but a troublemaker. For us it’s interesting, but not easily relatable–we don’t live in a time of regional kings and royal wedding…
Daily Devotions
Philippians 4:6-9 … “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” vs.8 Over the last few weeks, as we’ve dealt with the pandemic and the presidential election campaign, many have become despondent at the tone and the mood of social discourse. As rhetoric grows more harsh and divisions solidify it gets…
Daily Devotions
Philippians 4:1-5 … “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.” vss. 4-5 Paul tells the Philippians in the closing part of his letter that the “Lord is near.” Most often we read these words as a kind of warning–Paul wants the Philippians to be on their best behavior when Jesus returns–and it could be that this is what he has in mind. But it’s more likely…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 23 …“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” vs. 5 The psalmist was familiar with the banqueting table image that is so dear to our hearts as we consider our future life in Christ. In this familiar psalm he expands that vision in an unexpected way, and assures us that one day we will be at table in the presence of our enemies. Some have…
Daily Devotions
Isaiah 25:6-9 … “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.” vs. 6 As the people of God have looked toward the future, prophets like Isaiah have painted vivid pictures of the magnificent banquet that will be prepared for us by the Lord. This feast of victory will provide the best food imaginable, rich goodies…