'faith' Tagged Posts (Page 16)
Daily Devotions
Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.” vs. 13 2 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Evidently a kind of malaise had taken over the congregation in Thessaloniki. There had been some ongoing persecution, but the primary problem was confusion about the coming return of Christ. Some were saying it had already happened, and a few had stopped working in anticipation that the day was close. Paul too believes that the return will be soon, but he admonishes the…
Daily Devotions
In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.” vss. 13-14 Ephesians 1:11-14 As we observe the lives of fellow saints and sinners in our congregations, we are often touched by the serenity and peace that accompanies some…
Daily Devotions
Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.” vss. 27-28 Romans 3:25b-28 We know that our salvation is by the grace of God and not through our works, but Paul also says that we are justified by faith, and sometimes that gets confusing. Some folks focus on faith and…
Daily Devotions
And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” vss. 7-8 Luke 18:6-8 The parable of the unjust judge has been clear in affirming the faithfulness of God. If a crooked judge will answer persistent petitions, then certainly God will do…
Daily Devotions
The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.” vs. 8 Psalm 121 If we were to list our psalms of comfort, this one would probably rank near the top. This psalmist understood God, and he was able to provide a metaphor that describes the ever-vigilant nature of God better than any other. He writes, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from…
Daily Devotions
Then he said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well.’” vs.19 Luke 17:15-19 Faith is a big word for the followers of Jesus. We run across it regularly as we read the scriptures and have discovered that it can have a variety of meanings. In this instance, Jesus ascribes it to a Samaritan man who had been healed of his leprosy. Evidently all ten of the lepers had faith, they had trusted…
Daily Devotions
When he saw them, he said to them, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were made clean.” vs. 14 Luke 17:11-14 As we’ve learned to live with COVID, we’ve had to deal with ever-changing regulations for quarantine and travel. Once diagnosed, we have to be able to show a negative test to resume normal activities, and that hasn’t always been easy. We’ve missed family gatherings and had to cancel trips, all in the interest…
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.’” vss. 5-6 Luke 17:5-6 On the surface the demand sounds reasonable. It’s the sort of thing we might have said to Jesus–it might even be the core of our daily prayers: “Lord, increase our faith!” Often we imagine 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…” vs. 6 2 Timothy 1:6-14 Confirmation hadn’t been invented yet in the life of the church when this letter was written, but its predecessor was certainly there. Paul says that when Timothy was a youth, he laid hands on him and gave him a precious gift of God. That sounds exactly like what happens when a pastor…
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 Some believers come to faith on their own; guided by the Spirit they are drawn to Jesus by his message of grace and mercy, and then make a decision to become his disciples. With most of us the story is different. Like Timothy, we are heavily influenced…
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 For a variety of reasons there are millions of people in our country who no longer trust in the election process, and some are wondering if this will ultimately lead to widespread chaos. Obviously, many are concerned about this trend because once trust is gone, whether we’re talking about elections or relationships, it cannot easily be restored. And…
Daily Devotions
The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord!” vs. 10 Psalm 146:5-10 Those who believe that the whole idea of God is an artificial construct, an invention designed to explain the unanswered questions of primitive humans, are likely looking forward to the day when people will be able to see all the dead and dying religions in the rear-view cameras of their fusion-powered starships! While they know this will likely take a few…