Daily Devotions by Steve Holm (Page 235)
Daily Devotions: July 21, 2017
Romans 8:19-25 “For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” vss. 24-25 Hope is such a precious commodity. Really, it’s what keeps us going through tough times. Without it we’re tempted to throw in the towel and give up. Without it some even give up on living…they see no point in…
Daily Devotions: July 20, 2017
Romans 8:12-18 “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.” vs. 18 Folks who have remained followers of Jesus for a lifetime are often admired for their faithfulness, for their steady commitment to a life of worship and service. There’s a kindness about them…and a gentleness that is enviable and somewhat contagious. In conversation they express gratitude for the blessings they have received from the hand…
Daily Devotions: July 19, 2017
Psalm 86:14-17 “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” vs. 15 Again and again scripture reminds us that God is merciful and gracious…abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. It’s a constant theme, and one that we regularly need to hear. But often we crave even more assurance. It’s just not enough to hear that God loves us! Sometimes those words “God loves you” can sound like a…
Daily Devotions: July 18, 2017
Psalm 86:11-13 “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.” vs. 11 As the years roll by our changing bodies remind us that we are not immortal and that our time on this sweet sphere is limited. Of course we try to fight these changes with diets and exercise but birthdays keep coming…time moves inexorably on. In response some of us make “bucket lists” and, as…
Daily Devotions: July 17, 2017
Isaiah 44:6-8 “Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one.” vs. 8 The people of Israel were captive in Babylon and the Babylonian gods were beginning to look pretty good. It seems that some Israelites were thinking about switching their loyalty to the winning team…like beaten down sports fans they were tired…
Daily Devotions: July 16, 2017
Matthew 13:18-23 “But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” vs. 23 While we often call this the “Parable of the Sower” a good case can be made for calling it the “Parable of the Soils,” since that’s really the focus of Jesus’ interpretation. He implies that only about twenty-five…
Daily Devotions: July 15, 2017
Matthew 13:1-9 “And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up.” vss. 3-4 Jesus often used parables in his teaching ministry, mainly as a way to unpack the mysteries of the kingdom of God by using examples from everyday life. His intention was to clarify, but often people found his stories confusing and difficult. Many…
Daily Devotions: July 14, 2017
Romans 8:7-11 “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.” vs. 11 Some years ago a movie called “Dead Man Walking” portrayed the last days of a condemned killer as he appealed his conviction. The term has since been applied in any number of instances to describe the state of humans who…
Daily Devotions: July 13, 2017
Romans 8:1-6 “To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” vs. 6 The fleshly part of life can never be escaped…it’s a part of our environment and a big part of who we are. It’s necessary and important…and can be a deadly distraction! The flesh offers instant gratification through material gain and satisfaction of desires, but it never can give the satisfaction that our souls crave and…
Daily Devotions: July 12, 2017
Psalm 65:9-13 “You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it.” vs. 9 It’s possible to look at the earth and use science to explain how it has gradually evolved into the beautiful productive planet that we call home. And it’s true…there is an explanation for every change and development in our environment, a natural cause for everything…
Daily Devotions: July 11, 2017
Isaiah 55:12-13 “Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the Lord for a memorial, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” vs. 13 Day by day, as the water of the life-giving word of God seeps into our lives, we are being transformed by the re-creative power of the Holy Spirit. The effects may be minimal at first…a tiny blossom of…
Daily Devotions: July 10, 2017
Isaiah 55:10-11 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;” vss. 10-11a All of us would probably agree that there is power in words. We see them hurled back and forth on the national scene, tweeted and published in…