Daily Devotions by Steve Holm (Page 18)
Daily Devotions
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” vss. 6-7 Psalm 46:1-7 As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, tensions are rising throughout the Middle East, and the ripple effect is felt throughout the world. While it is true that the conflict has been replaced by more mundane concerns in the hearts of many, leaders know that we…
Daily Devotions
But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” vs. 33 Jeremiah 31:31-34 The book of Jeremiah is full of laments. The prophet was no fool and he could see that the old covenant that Israel had taken so much pride in…
Daily Devotions
Then he said to them, ‘Whose head is this, and whose title? ‘They answered,‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’” vss. 20-21 Matthew 22:18-22 Jesus seems to imply that some things belong to the emperor and that some things belong to God. It’s a clever answer to the question asked by the Herodian’s, and they’re puzzled about how to respond to…
Daily Devotions
Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” vs. 17 Matthew 22:15-17 Taxes have always been controversial. American colonists hated it when the English levied taxes on them, particularly since they had no representation in the parliament. In fact, when the English put a tax on the tea that was to be unloaded in the Boston Harbor, the Sons of Liberty, in the dead of night and in front of hundreds…
Daily Devotions
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” vss. 6-7 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10 It’s easy for congregations to begin to think of the church in narrow and parochial terms. A pastor gathers a community of believers who begin to worship and who then organize themselves in councils…
Daily Devotions
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.” vs, 7 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5 Prayer is one of those great mysteries that are a part of our life in Christ. Most people, even those with minimal faith, use it at one time or another to make their requests known to God, particularly if it’s a matter of life or death. Many have it as a part of their daily routine and use it…
Daily Devotions
Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.” vs, 7 Psalm 96:1-9 To his credit, the psalmist did not consider the Lord to be Israel’s national God. Even though there was a temple in Jerusalem, there was no statue of the Lord to be found there. The God of Israel was also the God of the nations, and the psalmist dreamed of a day when all the families of the peoples would…
Daily Devotions
I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe; I the Lord do all these things.” 6b-7 Isaiah 45:5-7 According to Isaiah, Cyrus, the Lord’s anointed, did not know the Lord, but that didn’t make any difference. Because God is, all things have their being in God. In fact, Isaiah says, not only do light and darkness come from God, so do both good and evil! That thought…
Daily Devotions
Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their robes, to open doors before him— and the gates shall not be closed:” vs. 1 Isaiah 45:1-4 Talk about the ironies and the vagaries of history in the Middle East! Back in the days of Israel’s captivity in Babylon, the prophet wrote that Cyrus, the king of Persia, was the Lord’s anointed, and that Cyrus…
Daily Devotions
But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless.” vss. 11-12 Matthew 21:11-14 Matthew really didn’t need to add this little addendum to Jesus’ parable. Up to this point the story was straightforward and blunt, and it had a happy ending–the banquet hall was filled. But now…
Daily Devotions
…while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.” vss. 6-7 Matthew 22:1-10 In this parable Jesus tells about a king who issued invitations to the wedding banquet of his son, and how some who received the invitation actually responded by mistreating and killing the messengers. In his story the king was enraged, sent troops, and destroyed the murderers and their city. As…
Daily Devotions
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” vs. 8 Philippians 4:6-9 Paul’s final admonition to the Philippians is worthy of our attention, and many would reply to it with an “Amen.” It is important to focus our thoughts on those things which are uplifting and edifying–it’s a good way to…