Daily Devotions by Steve Holm (Page 3)
Daily Devotions
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favor with his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered from leprosy.” vs. 1 2 Kings 5:1-3 At the time of Elisha, about 850 BCE, Aram, Israel, and Judah were small monarchies clustered along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. They weren’t great powers, but they seemed to take great delight…
Daily Devotions
So, you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’” vs. 10 Luke 17:6-10 In this little parable Jesus says that the role of the slave is to do the master’s bidding without expecting praise or thanks. Presumably the disciples would have agreed. That’s how slavery works. But it must have been a jolt then when Jesus goes on to describe…
Daily Devotions
The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea,” and it would obey you.’” Luke 17:5-6 The disciples were a lot like many of us. They believed that it was possible for them to increase their faith. So, Jesus told them in no uncertain terms that size doesn’t matter. Their problem was that…
Daily Devotions
For this reason, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.” vs. 6 2 Timothy 1:6-14 This verse will remind many believers of their confirmation day, that ritual in which confirmands receive the laying on of hands as they affirm their baptisms. The pastor places both…
Daily Devotions
I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.” vs. 5 2 Timothy 1:1-5 Paul had encountered Timothy when he visited the city of Lystra on his first missionary journey and he’d been impressed by the strength of his faith. Later, after he and Barnabas had parted company, Paul returned to Lystra with Silas, and asked Timothy to accompany them as…
Daily Devotions
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 Psalm 37:1-9 No matter who we are, no matter what our political stance, we are living at a time when it’s possible to be driven to distraction by what “the other side” is doing. And because there is seemingly nothing, we can do to alter the course of events, it’s possible…
Daily Devotions
Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.” vs. 4 Habakkuk 2:1-4 Habakkuk has filed a complaint with the Lord and then settles back to wait for a reply. When he reports the answer, it seems cryptic, which is, from our own experiences with prayer, not all that unusual. But Habakkuk does receive some measure of assurance. God has not abandoned Judea, despite the external appearances. The key to an…
Daily Devotions
Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.” vs. 2 Habakkuk 1:1-4 If we didn’t know that Habakkuk was reporting on what he was seeing 2500 years ago, we could swear that he was our contemporary. He’s complaining to God about all the awful things that were happening, and he wishes that he didn’t have to see them. There are plenty of folks who have been joining…
Daily Devotions
He said, No, Father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’” vs. 30 Luke 16:27-31 In the second half of the parable, attention moves away from the rich man’s wealth, as he expresses concern for his five brothers, and asks Father Abraham to send Lazarus to testify to them. He believes that they will repent if they hear the poor man’s story. Abraham is not convinced. The brothers have heard the testimony of Moses…
Daily Devotions
There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus…who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table;” vss. 19-21 Luke 16:19-26 It’s hard to miss the point of Jesus’ parable about the rich man and Lazarus. The contrast is striking. It seems the two men knew each other–at least they were neighbors. The rich man…
Daily Devotions
As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” vs. 17 1 Timothy 6:11-19 In the first century, as congregations sprang up in all the major cities around the Mediterranean, most of those who came to faith in Christ Jesus were from the poorer classes, with many of them being…
Daily Devotions
Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; 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. 5-8 1 Timothy 6:6-10 That little phrase, “godliness with contentment brings great gain.” is worth remembering and holding close to our hearts. And in case we’re wondering what godliness is, Paul tells us that it’s connected to the pursuit…