'faith' Tagged Posts (Page 14)
Daily Devotions
I have passed out of mind like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel… Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.” vss. 12, 16 Psalm 31:9-16 As our lives continue through their varied stages, we are aware of death’s presence. Friends and family members pass away along with many acquaintances. If we live long enough we will have the opportunity to attend a significant number of funerals and memorial services.…
Daily Devotions
Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’” vs. 40 John 11:33-41 Martha had confessed her faith in Jesus as the messiah, but she really didn’t have a clue about what a blessing that would ultimately be for her. Jesus was able to do for her far more than she had ever expected–she hadn’t dreamed that she would ever see her brother again. She had sold her faith…
Daily Devotions
To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God…” vss. 6-7a Romans 8:6-9 There is a huge variety of television and movie programming available to us in these days of Netflix, Hulu, and Youtube. Everyday we have dozens of new options for our viewing pleasure–it’s virtually impossible to keep up! And it doesn’t…
Daily Devotions
They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Saviour of the world.’” vs. 42 John 4:27-42 Many of us have been believers since our childhoods. We learned the good news of Jesus from our parents and Sunday School teachers, and perhaps even in confirmation class. Those good people laid out credal definitions and we memorized a few…
Daily Devotions
But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God.” vss. 8-9 Romans 5:6-11 Sometimes it’s hard to understand how the death of Jesus fits into the whole scheme of salvation. We know what we’ve been taught, namely that the death of Jesus saves us from our sins,…
Daily Devotions
And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” vss. 3-4 Romans 5:1-5 Paul relished the gift of faith that he had been given in Christ Jesus, but he never imagined that his faith would make him immune to suffering. In fact, we could even say that he relished the suffering that had come his way as a servant of the Lord. That’s why he…
Daily Devotions
The people quarreled with Moses, and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’ Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?’” vs. 2 Exodus 17:1-7 The Israelites’ anger is understandable. Moses had led them into the wilderness and then had them set up camp in a place where there was no water. The people had faithfully followed, and now they had been left high and dry. Who could blame them for being upset?…
Daily Devotions
The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” vs. 8 John 3:5-9 The conversation with Jesus wasn’t going well. Nicodemus had been nurtured by a tradition that left nothing for granted. There was an ordinance or commandment for every situation–everything was black and white. So when Jesus said that it was…
Daily Devotions
Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’” vs. 3 John 3:1-3 Nicodemus had been impressed by the signs that Jesus had been doing, but he was also puzzled, and he wanted to have a chat. Concerned for his reputation, he came by night and served as a foil for Jesus’ comments about the nature of faith. Nicodemus had seen the signs, but he hadn’t seen the…
Daily Devotions
For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham…” vs. 16 Romans 4:13-17 Paul assures the Romans that the promise of God to Abraham rested on grace, and it was therefore guaranteed to all his descendants. This declaration has continued to be foundational for every following generation of…
Daily Devotions
But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.” vs. 5 Romans 4:1-5 It’s been pretty well accepted by folks nowadays that works are no advantage in our relationship with God. We’ve sung “Amazing Grace” so many times, in every setting, that we’ve pretty much taken it to heart. Since God has justified the ungodly, there’s even hope for a wretch like me. The bigger question for us is the matter…
Daily Devotions
I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” vs. 2 Genesis 12:1-4a Israel’s ancient origin story begins with Abram and Sarai, the intrepid pair who left home and family in favor of a wandering nomadic life that took them all the way from Mesopotamia to Egypt. They became revered, not because of their wealth or station, but because they lived by faith–they trusted…