Daily Devotions by Steve Holm (Page 156)
Daily Devotions: March 6, 2020
March 6, 2020 John 3:1-8 … “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” vs. 8 It’s amusing sometimes to hear people talk with such great assurance about God’s presence in this world. They seem to have some sort of direct line to the Divine Presence that is available only to…
Daily Devotions: March 5, 2020
March 5, 2020 Romans 4:13-17 … For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us)…vs. 16 Paul was writing to a community in Rome that included both Gentile and Jewish followers of Jesus Christ, and he was thrilled to…
Daily Devotions: March 4, 2020
March 4, 2020 Romans 4:1-5 … “But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.” vs. 5 Paul takes pains to remind his readers that their ancestor, Abraham, was made righteous, not because of his works, but because of his faith. And then, in the process of making his point, he defines faith as trust. We would do well to remember his definition! Too often we fall into the trap of thinking…
Daily Devotions: March 3, 2020
March 3, 2020 Psalm 121 .. “I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” vss. 1-2 From ancient times humans have looked to the mountains as the dwelling place of the Divine Presence. The Hebrews were no different, people were forever building shrines in high places and using them for worship. The Psalmist likely shared in that understanding, he tells us that when trouble…
Daily Devotions: March 2, 2020
March 2, 2020 Genesis 12:1-4a … “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” vs. 2 Over the last few years large numbers of people have expressed a desire to see America become a great nation again. Although some would argue that America is already great, on the surface, there is certainly nothing wrong with aspiring to greatness. The question then becomes, “What is…
Daily Devotions: March 1, 2020
March 1, 2020 Matthew 4:1-11 … “The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’” vs. 3 Jesus had just experienced an encounter with God that had exploded his mind. He’d come out of the water and seen a dove circling down from the skies—and with the dove came a voice, “You are my Son, my Beloved, with you I am well-pleased.” It was an overwhelming word of…
Daily Devotions: February 29, 2020
February 29, 2020 Romans 5:12-19 … “Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all.” vs. 18 In Paul’s estimation, the Gospel can be understood logically. Just as Adam’s sin led to condemnation for all, so Jesus’ righteous act leads to life for all! In his mind, it’s as simple as that! Now we might find good reasons to argue with Paul’s syllogism, but there’s a…
Daily Devotions: February 28, 2020
February 28, 2020 Psalm 32: “Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.” vs. 9 Humans, horses, and mules all reflect the goodness and presence of the Divine Creator, but according to our Scriptures, only humans have been created in the image of God. We bear the stamp of the Divine DNA in our genes and act in this world as the…
Daily Devotions: February 27, 2020
February 27, 2020 Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 … “But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” vss. 4-5 The ancient Hebrews used this little story about the man and woman in the Garden of Eden to share some great insights about the nature of good and evil. Unfortunately the story has been used through the…
Daily Devotions: February 26, 2020
February 26, 2020 For full passage click: Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 … “but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.” vs. 20 We’re familiar with these words of Jesus; at the very least we’ve heard them read at worship during our Ash Wednesday services. They’re a yearly staple of our lectionary, the texts that are set aside for the three years of the liturgical cycle. And…
Daily Devotions: February 25, 2020
February 25, 2020 For full passage click: Isaiah 58:1-12 … “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” vs. 6 Isaiah 58 should be required reading for any who presume to be God-fearing believers. The Prophet was fed up with folks who claim to be religious, but who have no heart for the poor or the…
Daily Devotions: February 24, 2020
February 24, 2020 For full passage click: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 … “rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.” vs. 13 Israel had been invaded by a plague of locusts and the prophet Joel believed that relief would come only if the people turned back to God and repented of their sinful ways. Most of us probably…