Daily Devotions by Steve Holm (Page 136)
Daily Devotions: October 2, 2019
October 2, 2019 For full passage click: Psalm 37:1-9 … “Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices.” vs. 7 In these last years, some people have been caught up in what seems like a constant state of fretfulness. They wonder how friends and family can hold political positions squarely at odds with their own. They’re angry at societal trends that…
Daily Devotions: October 1, 2019
October 1, 2019 For full passage click: Habakkuk 2:1-4 … “For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.” vs. 3 Even though Habakkuk saw nothing hopeful in the injustice and the turmoil that surrounded him and cried out in complaint to the Lord, he did not give up hope. We, who are his…
Daily Devotions: September 30, 2019
September 30, 2020 For full passage click: Habakkuk 1:1-4 … “Why do you make me see wrong-doing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.” vs. 3 Living about the time of Jeremiah, Habakkuk was overwhelmed by the injustice and violence of Judah before the Babylonian invasion, and he couldn’t understand why God didn’t do anything about it. Some of us will resonate with his observations in our confused and troubled times. Even though…
Daily Devotions: September 29, 2019
September 29, 2020 For full passage: Luke 16:27-31 … “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” vs. 31 Luke’s gospel is full of warnings from Jesus about the dangers of riches. Again and again he tells the crowds and the disciples that those who desire to be wealthy are treading on dangerous ground. Some people took his words to heart! Many…
Daily Devotions: September 28, 2019
September 28, 2020 For full passage click: Luke 16:19-26 … “But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.’” vs. 25 This familiar story paints a stark contrast between the fate of the rich and the poor after death and satisfies a basic human desire for ultimate justice. We are reminded that both the rich and the…
Daily Devotions: September 27, 2019
September 27, 2020 For full passage click: 1 Timothy 6:13-19 … “As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty– They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share…” vss. 17a, 18 According to the Gospels, Jesus once told a rich young man that he should sell his possessions and give to the poor, and then come follow him. It’s a text that is familiar, but…
Daily Devotions: September 26, 2019
September 26, 2020 For full passage click: 1 Timothy 6:6-12 … “for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.” vss. 7-8 This little letter of pastoral instruction was written somewhere around the end of the first century and offers some bits of wisdom for people of faith. The writer maintains that there is “great gain in godliness combined with…
Daily Devotions: September 25, 2019
September 25, 2020 For full passage click: Psalm 146:5-10 … “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.” vss. 5-7 The Psalmist would have loved to know all the things that we know about the universe. It’s enormity, beauty, and complexity…
Daily Devotions: September 25, 2019
September 25, 2020 For full passage click: Psalm 146:5-10 … “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.” vss. 5-7 The Psalmist would have loved to know all the things that we know about the universe. It’s enormity, beauty, and complexity…
Daily Devotions: September 24, 2019
September 24, 2020 For full passage click: Psalm 146:1-4 … “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.” vss. 3-4 The Psalmist knew nothing of elections or democracy. He lived in a monarchy and the king ran the country like it was his private estate, taxing as much as the people could bear to fund the varied…
Daily Devotions: September 23, 2019
September 23, 2020 For full passage click: Amos 6:1a, 4-7 … “Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory–who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp–who drink wine from bowls–but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph!” vss. 4a, 5a, 6a, 6c Amos was not impressed with the life-styles of the rich and famous in the Israel of King Jeroboam II. He was a non-credentialed prophet from an obscure village in the hill country of…
Daily Devotions: September 22, 2019
September 22, 2020 For full passage click: Luke 16:10-13 … “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.” vs. 10 Golf is a sport with simplicity at its core. The object is to hit a ball off the tee box and then count how many strokes it takes to get it in the hole. Along the way there are penalty areas and occasional…