'evil' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’” vs. 4-5 Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7 The ancient Hebrews used the story of temptation in the Garden of Eden to explain the presence of evil in the world–when not taken literally it contains profound truths about human nature and our relationship to God. Often we think…
Daily Devotions
As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me.” vs. 15 Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 Much of the book of Daniel is apocalyptic and similar to what we read in the book of Revelation. It’s not to be understood as history, nor does it have much in common with the books of the prophets. Rather it presents graphic images of an unsettled future, one in which evil forces threaten all that is…
Daily Devotions
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil.” vs. 15-16 Ephesians 5:15-17 We regularly see and hear television and radio pundits talking about our dangerous times and implying that profound evil is at hand. Paul had the same perspective about the city of Ephesus over 2000 years ago. He advised that followers of Jesus should live with care, not as unwise people but as…
Daily Devotions
Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!” vs. 35 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b Psalm 104 is a beautiful song of praise to the creation. Verse 24 describes its intent well, “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” The psalmist knows that God has created all things and that the spirit of…
Daily Devotions
Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.’” vss. 23-24 Mark 1:23-26 According to Mark the demons knew exactly who Jesus was–they spotted his holiness a mile away and called him out. They not only knew his name but they knew his divine origins, and…
Daily Devotions
Genesis 50:19-21 … “Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.” vs. 20 Joseph’s brothers had initially intended to kill him, but at the last minute sold him into slavery, and then lied to their father, saying wild beasts had taken their beloved younger brother. After Jacob’s death, they conjure up one more lie, saying that their father’s dying wish was for…
Daily Devotions: March 8, 2019
Excuse our lateness on this; our internet was down last night so this is a few hours late this morning. Thanks for your patience! March 8, 2019 For full passage click: Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 …“Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.” vss. 9-10 The psalmist was clearly confident in the benevolence of the Lord. He believed that when we make God…
Daily Devotions: August 23, 2018
August 23, 2018 Ephesians 6:10-15…“For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” vs. 12 Even in the face of regular persecutions, the early followers of Jesus knew that their greatest enemy was not the Roman emperor. They had a sense that beyond this world there were cosmic powers and spiritual forces battling…
Daily Devotions: August 22, 2018
August 22, 2018 Psalm 34:15-22…“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles.” vs. 17 The psalmist was convinced that the Lord was just and would make sure that the righteous would ultimately be vindicated. He recognizes that good people will sometimes have bad things happen to them, but firmly believes that God will listen to their cries for help and rescue them. We applaud such convictions and want badly to affirm them,…
Daily Devotions: May 13, 2018
May 13, 2018 John 17:11-17…“I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one.” vs. 15 In his High Priestly prayer, Jesus expresses concern for his disciples; he’s going to be leaving them behind and he wants them to be safe. Even though he knows that God loves the world, there’s also a sense that the world can be a dangerous place. Most of us know what…