'grace' Tagged Posts (Page 2)

'grace' Tagged Posts (Page 2)

Daily Devotions

O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;” vss. 1-2 Psalm 15 This psalmist believed that the Lord had strict standards for all who were a part of the Jewish faith community. This strictness has long been a principal teaching for followers of Christ as well. Some know what it’s like to have every word and deed…

Daily Devotions

He said, ‘My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.’” vss. 3-4 Genesis 10:1-8 The Old Testament Trinity is an icon created by the Russian painter Andrei Rublev in the early 15th century. It’s considered by many to be the most famous of all Russian icons and shows Abraham entertaining three men under the oak of Mamre, the…

Daily Devotions

Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God.” vs. 6 Colossians 1:1-8 We’re not sure who brought the gospel to Colossae. It was not visited by Paul during his missionary journeys, but there were many traveling preachers in those days, and their labors bore fruit. A congregation had sprung up in this city in Asia…

Daily Devotions

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!” vs. 7 Psalm 25:6-10 Even as the psalmist affirmed his trust that God was full of mercy and had been that way from the beginning, he knows that his behaviors have not always been proper or prudent. Perhaps he even fears that the record of his deeds and words is disqualifying. At any rate he launches…

Daily Devotions

He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.’” vs. 2-3 Luke 10:1-7 Paul closes his letter to the Galatians by pointing to the cross of Jesus Christ and affirming that cross as the center of his life. Nothing else mattered–even the debate over circumcision…

Daily Devotions

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!” vs. 7 Psalm 25:6-10 Even as the psalmist affirmed his trust that God was full of mercy and had been that way from the beginning, he knows that his behaviors have not always been proper or prudent. Perhaps he even fears that the record of his deeds and words is disqualifying. At any rate he launches…

Daily Devotions

As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” vs. 13 Isaiah 66:13-14 When a child falls and sustains some sort of injury, often the first impulse is to run for mama! A mother’s hug and embrace have amazing healing qualities, and if a crying boy or girl can somehow snuggle for some extra moments and be held close, the tears will often subside. The prophet was familiar with that sort of…

Daily Devotions

And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” vs. 5 Revelation 22:1-5 Occasionally people will fall into an illness which brings them to the brink of death. Doctors will advise family and friends that there is nothing more that can be done, that their loved one is in a coma from which there is likely no return. And…

Daily Devotions

And in the spirit, he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.” vs. 10 Revelation 21:10, 22-27 The city of Jerusalem has had enormous significance through the centuries, ever since David made it the capital of Israel over 3000 years ago. It’s been besieged, destroyed, and rebuilt dozens of times and even today is regarded as holy by Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Its streets are…