Daily Devotions by Steve Holm (Page 132)
Daily Devotions: November 19, 2019
November 19, 2019 For full passage click: Psalm 46:1-6 … “Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.” vss. 2-3 As global temperatures rise more and more, people are convinced that we are in the beginning-stages of significant climate change. Even though some aren’t convinced that this is human-caused, they do agree that preparations need…
Daily Devotions: November 18, 2019
November 18, 2019 For full passage click: Jeremiah 23:1-6 …”Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord.” vs. 1 Judah was in a tough spot and Jeremiah was convinced that it was the fault of the kings. Speaking for the Lord, in a biting and forceful sermon, he blames Judah’s shepherds, i.e. kings, for destroying and scattering the people, and he looks forward to a day when a new righteous king will establish…
Daily Devotions: November 17, 2019
November 17, 2019 For full passage click: Luke 21:10-19 … “This will give you an opportunity to testify.” vs. 13 When early Christians were arrested and hauled before courts and judges, they rejoiced at the opportunity they had been given to testify concerning the living presence of Christ Jesus in their lives. That’s generally how it has always worked for people of faith. No matter what disaster or trial may come our way in the course of our journeys, it…
Daily Devotions: November 16, 2019
November 16, 2019 For full passage click: Luke 21:5-9 … “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” vs. 6 When Jesus visited the temple during his lifetime, most of the restoration work begun by Herod the Great would have been completed. His builders had completely remodeled and redone the temple built by the returning exiles from Babylon. Modeled after Roman buildings, it…
Daily Devotions: November 15, 2019
November 15, 2019 For full passage click: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 … “For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat.” vs. 10 This verse is familiar to folks who are generally unfamiliar with the Scriptures. We’ve heard it many times in a variety of contexts. Most often it’s used to buttress the belief that welfare recipients should work in exchange for their benefits. It’s not unusual for people in our…
Daily Devotions: November 14, 2019
November 14, 2019 For full passage click: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 … “Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us.” vs. 6 Paul was not all sweetness and light in his responses to some of the issues in the congregations that he had helped to found. To say that he was direct is an under-statement—he…
Daily Devotions: November 13, 2019
November 13, 2019 For full passage click: Psalm 98:6-9 … “Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord…” vss. 7-9a The Psalmist understood that all creation had been called into being by a word from God. So when he talks about making a joyful noise to the Lord he naturally assumes that…
Daily Devotions: November 12, 2019
November 12, 2019 For full passage click: Psalm 98:1-5 … “O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.” vs. 1 The people of Israel regularly offered praise and thanksgiving to the Lord as they traveled to worship in the temple. Special songs were composed by the Levites and if the country had been enjoying success on the battlefield, the rituals were particularly festive.…
Daily Devotions: November 11, 2019
November 11, 2019 For full passage click: Malachi 4:1-2a … “But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings…” vs. 2a Some prophets of Israel looked for the coming Day of the Lord, a final intervention by God in which the evil would punished and the good rewarded. There are still many who look for such a Day. Their hope is that the really bad people who are such a scourge…
Daily Devotions: November 10, 2019
November 10, 2019 For full passage: Luke 20:34-38 … “Indeed they cannot die anymore, because they are like angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.” vs. 36 Like the Pharisees, Jesus believed in the resurrection. He knew that there was life after death and that it was significantly different from life in this world. As to how it is different he doesn’t have a lot to say, just that there will be no such thing as…
Daily Devotions: November 9, 2019
November 9, 2019 For full passage click: Luke 20: 27-33 … “Some Sadducees, those who say there is no resurrection, came to him and asked him a question, ‘…the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had married her.’” vs. 27, 32-33 The Pharisees and Sadducees, the two major parties among the Jews, disagreed about the resurrection. For the Sadducees, since it wasn’t mentioned in the Torah, it couldn’t be true.…
Daily Devotions: November 8, 2019
November 8, 2019 For full passage click: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 … “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.” vss. 16-17 Paul has so much to say to this little congregation. He wishes he could be there to give them instruction and keep them connected to the true Gospel. Sometimes his letters…