Daily Devotions by Steve Holm (Page 113)
Daily devotions
O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.” vs. 8 Psalm 34:4-8 There are a multitude of grocery stores and restaurants that advertise organic and natural foods. They’re seeking to profit from the recent surge of interest in what is called “clean eating,” the desire to avoid processed foods and eat only what is whole or natural. Such eaters assiduously read labels and try to find products that have zero or…
Daily Devotions
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” vs. 1 Psalm 34:1-3 Occasionally we will meet people who regularly include words of praise and thanksgiving in their conversation. They’ll say, “Praise God,” or “Thank you, Jesus,” without any hesitation or sense of irony. They really mean what they say and aren’t at all reluctant to give public testimony of their faith. Like the psalmist they want to keep the praise of the…
Daily Devotions
But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: ‘It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.’” vs. 4 1 Kings 19:4-8 Elijah had been quite successful in battling with the prophets of Baal in Israel, but Queen Jezebel was a formidable foe and he fled for his life. He was done! Alone…
Daily Devotions
So they said to him, ‘What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?’” vs. 30 John 6:28-35 The people were asking a good question. They did understand that Jesus was a teacher and that he had a message, but how were they to know whether he was sent from God? They thought that a sign might give him credibility–and we can’t blame them for asking.…
Daily Devotions
Jesus answered them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.’” vs. 26 John 6:24-27 Jesus was no fool. He had a pretty good understanding of human nature and he knew folks were more interested in free food than they were in him. For many that’s still how it is! They turn up at church or tune into religious services not to get a…
Daily Devotions
We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming.” vs. 14 Ephesians 4:11-16 Not so long ago, as we began to enter the Age of Computers, there were some who hoped that the rapid dissemination of information and news would usher in a time of unity and peace. Since virtually everyone had instant access to all the accumulated knowledge of historians, scientists,…
Daily Devotions
I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” vss. 1-3 Ephesians 4:1-10 Followers of Jesus from the beginning have understood themselves to be his living presence in the world. Early on they began to speak of living…
Daily Devotions
Yet he commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven; he rained down on them manna to eat, and gave them the grain of heaven.” vss. 23-24 Psalm 78:23-29 The psalmist believed that the stories passed down about the wilderness experiences of Israel demonstrated the Lord’s faithfulness in every circumstance. Even when the newly freed slaves complained bitterly about the lack of water and food, the Lord did not respond in anger, but generously provided for all their…
Daily Devotions
I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” vs. 12 Exodus 16:9-15 As the Hebrews looked back on their time in the wilderness, their story centered on the ultimate graciousness of God. Even when they had complained to Moses and Aaron and wished they’d never been brought out of…
Dialy Devotions
The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’” vs. 3 Exodus 16:2-4 When Moses led the Israelites into the wilderness of Sinai he knew what he was getting into. He had spent 40 years of his life there, herding…
Daily Devotions
Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.” vs. 11 John 6:10-21 When we read the feeding stories in the gospels we can’t miss the connections that writers are making with Holy Communion. In each account Jesus takes the loaves in his hands, offers a prayer of blessing, and then distributes them to the people. And they were satisfied! It’s…
Daily Devotions
There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” vs. 9 John 6:1-9 When Jesus asked the disciples where they could get food for all the people, they were incredulous. They didn’t see any way that it could be done. There were just too many hungry people. We know the feeling. We are besieged by agencies and organizations asking for help to feed the hungry people of the…