'God’s Love' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus…who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table;” vss. 19-21 Luke 16:19-26 It’s hard to miss the point of Jesus’ parable about the rich man and Lazarus. The contrast is striking. It seems the two men knew each other–at least they were neighbors. The rich man…
Daily Devotions
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.” vs. 6 Psalm 138 The psalmist’s insight is precious. He regards the Lord as being high, almost elevated from the plane of the earth, which would fit the notion that some have of the “Big Guy Upstairs.” But that doesn’t mean that he considers God to be somehow removed from humanity. On the contrary he teaches that the Lord is very close…
Daily Devotions
If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?” vs. 17 Acts 11:11-30 This was Peter’s clinching argument as he talked to the Jerusalem leaders of the Christian community. The question was a good one, “Who was I that I could hinder God?” Peter realized that God’s will would be done, and it would be best for him if he didn’t…
Daily Devotions
But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” vs. 30 Luke 15:11-32 The parable of the prodigal son is one of Jesus’ best known and most loved stories. In it God is compared to a generous, long-suffering, and compassionate father, one who welcomes his wayward son with a kiss and a hug even before the boy has a chance to speak. And to celebrate the son’s return,…
Daily Devotions
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.” vss. 3-4 Psalm 63 In recent years the writers of praise songs have discovered the richness of the psalms and have used their lyrics in hundreds of their hymns. These two verses from Psalm 63 make up the entirety of the praise song, Thy Loving Kindness, and…
Daily Devotions
You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine abound. I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.” vss. 7-8 Psalm 4 The psalmist was content. Even though the people around him were yearning for a glimpse of light and some sign of good, he had all that his heart could desire. The Lord had put gladness in his heart and he was…
Daily Devotions
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?” vs. 14 Romans 10:12-15 Paul believed with all his heart in universal salvation, that there is no distinction between Jews and Gentiles, and that God’s love extends to all. But he also feared that until people believed this, they would not…
Daily Devotions
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh.” vs. 3 Romans 9:1-5 Midway through his letter to the Romans, after having described justification by faith in excruciating detail, Paul offers a section on Israel’s election as the chosen people of God. He tells the church in Rome that it breaks his heart that so many of his kindred, according to the…
Daily Devotions
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” vss. 38-39 Romans 8:31-39 Paul began this ending paragraph of chapter 8 in his letter to the Romans by writing “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Martin Luther…
Daily Devotions
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted.” vss. 29-30 Matthew 10:29-34 Outside of God there is nothing. Inside of God there is everything. Jesus teaches a view of God that challenges our minds and gives peace to our souls. Even the hairs of our heads are all counted, no one of us is beyond God’s…
Daily Devotions
But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” vs. 8 Romans 5:6-8 It’s easy to slide into believing that God’s love is conditional, mostly because that’s generally the nature of human love. Even the best of us will ultimately run out of patience when friends and family let us down. As we’re quick to tell one another, “Forgiveness has its limits!” It’s just too hard to keep on letting…
Daily Devotions
Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.” vs. 9 Psalm 71:1-14 For a lot of folks, life can roll along pretty smoothly for a long time. Oh, there are the usual bumps and bruises, and maybe even a few detours along the way. But as the years pass, the usual pattern is followed: there’s perhaps marriage, maybe a couple of kids or more, a solid job with…