Daily Devotions by Steve Holm (Page 57)
Daily Devotions
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him.” vss. 15-16 Colossians 1:15-20 Like the gospel writer, John, Paul believed that Christ was in the beginning, and through him all things were made. And more than that, any who wished to know the…
Daily Devotions
O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart; who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors…” vss. 1-3 Psalm 15 As people of faith, we have learned from our ancestors that there are certain standards for human behavior that must be upheld at…
Daily Devotions
They said to him, ‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ And he said, ‘There, in the tent.’ Then one said, ‘I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.’” vss. 9-10a Genesis 18:5-10a Sarah wasn’t consulted when Abraham invited the three strangers to have a bite to eat in the shadow of the oak trees. It was all on him, but when he decided to serve some cakes, it was all on her.…
Daily Devotions
He said, ‘My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.’” vss. 3-4 Genesis 18:1-4 The stories of Abram and Sarai were precious to our faith ancestors, and they took care to preserve them in the writings that became our scriptures. The people in the stories seem real to us, and their God encounters resonate with our own experience.…
Daily Devotions
‘Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” vss. 36-37 Luke 10:30-37 When we think about loving our neighbor, our first response is to question who our neighbor might be. We look for definitions that would limit our loving responsibilities to those we have an affinity for. Like the lawyer, we…
Daily Devotions
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” vs. 29 Luke 10:25-29 The lawyer who came to Jesus had a pretty good understanding of what was required to inherit eternal life. He answered quickly, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” We would agree. These are the central commandments of the…
Daily Devotions
…so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” Vs. 10 Colossians 1:9-14 The Colossians had made a good start. They had heard the gospel of grace and had responded in faith, and their little community was growing quickly. But as every generation of Christians has discovered, what had happened was only a beginning. Paul reminds them that…
Daily Devotions
Just as (the gospel) is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God.” vs. 6 Colossians 1:1-7 Things were happening in that little congregation in Colossae. The gospel was bearing fruit and growing and Paul was rejoicing. Life was good! We love to hear those kinds of reports in our congregations–they build enthusiasm and hope. But too often in…
Daily Devotions
O my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame; do not let my enemies exult over me.” vs. 2 Psalm 25:1-10 Guilt and shame have haunted human existence from the beginning, a pair of companions on life’s journey that we would love to be free of. They’re universal feelings–everyone has experienced them, and of the two, shame is the most disheartening. We can negotiate with guilt. It comes as a result of something that…
Daily Devotions
Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away … No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.” vss. 11, 14 Deuteronomy 30:11-14 What is this word that the scribe is describing in these ancient texts, a word not found in a book, or across the sea? It is the very Word that the gospel…
Daily Devotions
For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees…” vss. 9b-10a Deuteronomy 30:9-10 The scribes of Israel believed that if the people obeyed the Lord by observing the Lord’s commandments and decrees, the Lord would take delight in bringing prosperity to the nation. The Lord would make Israel great again! We can understand why this was such a…
Daily Devotions
See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you.” vs. 19 Luke 10:16-20 Those who have discovered that they share their homes with scorpions are likely glad that they have been given authority from Jesus to tread upon them, preferably while wearing thick soled shoes. But it’s a bit of a mystery why such a verse should have made it into scripture. A few…