'devotions' Tagged Posts (Page 4)
Daily Devotions: March 30, 2018
March 30, 2018 Isaiah 52:13-53:12…“But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.” vs. 5 The message of Good Friday can be overwhelming and it’s hard to know what to make of the central story of our faith. Each of the gospels tells the story in slightly different fashion, and much has been made of those differences, but there is no denying…
Daily Devotions: March 29, 2018
March 29, 2018 1 Corinthians 11:23-26…“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” vs. 26 Families that eat together have amazing resiliency and develop connections that last for a lifetime. The same is true of our faith communities, as we gather regularly for the eating and drinking that is so central in our life together. Way back at the very beginning when Jesus gathered his disciples around the…
Daily Devotions: March 28, 2018
March 28, 2018 Hebrews 12:1-3…“Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.” vs. 3 From time to time we encounter people who have grown weary or lost heart as the years go by. They’re discouraged by the direction of politics and sense that things are changing quickly. Very soon, they tell themselves–and whoever will listen–this country will fall apart and everything we’ve held dear will be lost. They’re…
Daily Devotions: March 27, 2018
March 27, 2018 Psalm 71:1-14…“Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.” vs. 9 None of us can avoid the process of aging, but we tend to do whatever we can to slow it down. We eat natural and organic foods, take our vitamins and supplements, make sure we get plenty of exercise, and hope that we can get a few more healthy years under our belts. It…
Daily Devotions: March 26, 2018
March 26, 2018 Isaiah 42:1-9…“He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.” vss. 2-3 As Israel took stock of its situation in Babylon–their land of exile–the prophet reminded them of their calling. Using the image of a Suffering Servant, he says that they have a mission to all people and…
Daily Devotions: March 25, 2018
March 25, 2018 Mark 15:25-39…“‘Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, come down from the cross now, so that we may see and believe.’ Those who were crucified with him also taunted him.” vs. 32 According to Mark’s account, as Jesus’ crucifixion wore on to its sorry end, there was also no end to the mockery and insults. The entire crowd, even the two thieves alongside him, were united in their taunting and scorn. Jesus was utterly alone, feeling forsaken…
Daily Devotions: March 24, 2018
March 24, 2018 Mark 15:16-24…“And they clothed him in a purple cloak; and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on him. And they began saluting him, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’” vss. 17-18 Bullying has been getting a lot of press lately. People are rightfully beginning to pay attention to the horrible treatment children receive from their peers on a regular basis and many schools have attempted to develop a “no bullying” culture. But it’s hard…
Daily Devotions: March 23, 2018
March 23, 2018 Mark 15:1-15…“So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.” vs. 15 Pilate has been tough for historians to figure out. Aside from the gospel references, there’s not a lot of information available about his time as governor. What little we have from contemporary sources indicate that he was capricious and cruel in his dealings with the people. In Mark’s gospel he is pictured…
Daily Devotions: March 22, 2018
March 22, 2018 Philippians 2:5-11…“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave…” vss. 5-7a There is no doubt that Paul considered Christ Jesus as an object of worship. Indeed, he hoped that all humanity would one day bow down and give him praise and glory. But he…
Daily Devotions: March 21, 2018
March 21, 2018 Psalm 31:9-16 … “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also.” vs. 9 At times it may seem as though our lives are charmed–that by some sweet combination of genes and luck–we’ve been able to skate through the minefields of existence unscathed and unharmed. We see the hurts of others and are grateful that such calamities have not visited us. For one reason…
Daily Devotions: March 20, 2018
March 20,2018 Isaiah 50:4-9a … “The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.” vs. 4 We get tired of the same old news as we interact with our world. Each day there are stories of disaster, conspiracy, cruelty, disappointment, terror, discontent–and it’s easy to lose…
Daily Devotions: March 19, 2018
Mark 11:1-11 “Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.” vs. 11 In the book of Zechariah there is a reference to the entrance of a triumphant king into Jerusalem. Instead of riding a war horse this king would be mounted on a donkey, a symbol of humility, and he would usher in an era of peace. It’s…