Daily Devotions by Steve Holm (Page 111)
Daily Devotions
You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” vs. 8 Mark 7: 1-8 Jesus had harsh words for the Pharisees and their preoccupation with ritual and ceremony. He tells them that everything they considered so important, all the traditions they’d inherited from their ancestors–everything was purely human invention! Imagine the shock waves rippling through their community! Jesus was saying that all they held dear was rubbish, and that they had abandoned what really counted with God. Poor…
Daily Devotions
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” vs. 27 James 1:22-27 James cuts to the chase in his first century letter to believers. Already he was aware of those who used religion as a facade, as a societal means to improve their own standing. It’s nothing new! We know what he’s talking about–while about 70% of Americans claim…
Daily Devotions
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.” vss. 19-20 James 1:17-21 The letter of James was written to congregations of early Christians who had an appreciation for Judaism and provides a different perspective from that of Paul. The writer begins his words of guidance with three basic principles for life in Christ. “Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak,…
Daily Devotions
O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart…” vss. 1-2 Psalm 15 According to this worship liturgy, there were strict standards for entry into the temple sanctuary on the hill of Zion in Jerusalem. Any who presumed to enter the house of the Lord had better be sure that they had their ducks in a row, that…
Daily Devotions
But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life; make them known to your children and your children’s children—” vs. 9 Deuteronomy 4:7-9 It’s not unusual for the faith convictions of our early years to be eroded away by the passage of time. Some of us grew up in homes with parents who were committed followers…
Daily Devotions
You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!’” vs. 6 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6 Even in its best years Israel was not a particularly imposing country. It lacked size and resources and wasn’t in a position to rule or conquer. Through most of its history it was subject to the whim of its more…
Daily Devotions
Simon Peter answered him, ’Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.’” vss. 68-69 John 6:62-69 From time to time members wander off and cease to be a part of a worshipping community. It could be that they’re burned out and want a break from heavy involvement–or maybe they’ve gotten upset, something that seems to happen with some frequency, especially…
Daily Devotions
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, ‘This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?’” vs. 60 John 6:56-61 Many people are attracted to the person of Jesus. His teachings point us to a way of life that is admirable–we can all agree on how important it is to love others and give ourselves in humble service. But there are some teachings that have been contentious from the very beginning, and one of those has to do with…
Daily Devotions
Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel…” vs. 19 Ephesians 6:16-20 Every week in thousands of congregations around the globe preachers are called upon to present the word, usually in the form of a sermon. They need our prayers! Proclaiming the word of God is a scary proposition–the responsibility is great. It’s not a matter of showing off rhetorical skills or…
Daily Devotions
For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” vs. 12 Ephesians 6:10-15 Even in the face of regular persecutions the early followers of Jesus knew that their greatest enemy was not the Roman emperor. They had a sense that beyond this world there were cosmic powers and spiritual forces battling every day…
Daily Devotions
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.” vs. 17 Psalm 34:15-22 The psalmist was convinced that the Lord was just and would make sure that the righteous would ultimately be vindicated. He recognizes that good people will sometimes have bad things happen to them but firmly believes that God will listen to their cries for help and rescue them. We applaud such convictions and want badly to affirm them, but sometimes…
Daily Devotions
Then the people answered, ‘Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods…therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.’” vss. 16, 18b Joshua 24:16-18 As they entered the land of Canaan the people of Israel were positive and optimistic. In their enthusiasm they quickly endorsed Joshua’s challenge and said that they too would serve the Lord. Of course that’s not how it worked out–they didn’t realize how hard it…