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Daily Devotions

Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” vss. 13-14 Philippians 3:10-14 Whatever we may think of him, Paul can always be counted on to provide a unitary model for our life in Christ without falling into the trap of dualism.…

Daily Devotions: April 17, 2018

April 17, 2018 Acts 4:8-12…“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” vs. 12 The disciples were ecstatic! They had such good news for their leaders…and for the entire world. Through the Holy Spirit they had come to believe that Jesus was the Christ and that through him God’s salvation had come to humanity. As they traveled about proclaiming that audacious message it seemed…

Daily Devotions: April 16, 2018

April 16, 2018 Acts 4:5-7…“When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’” vs. 7 When the religious authorities in Jerusalem heard that the disciples were preaching that Jesus had been raised from the dead and were actually healing the sick, they ordered them to be arrested. They weren’t an impressive group–just a few Galilean fishermen and some hangers-on. When the wealthy, well-educated priestly types saw…

Daily Devotions: April 15, 2018

April 15, 2018 Luke 24:44-48…“Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures,” vs. 45 Being familiar with the scriptures wasn’t enough for the disciples to have a clue about what had happened in Jesus. Nowhere was there a straightforward indication that the promised messiah would suffer, be crucified as a criminal, and then die. One option would have been for them to completely abandon the Hebrew scriptures and focus on building a new faith tradition–something no one ever seriously…

Daily Devotions: April 14, 2018

April 14, 2018 Luke 24:36b-43…“While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’” vs 41 While the experience of resurrection had galvanized the disciples of Jesus, there were plenty of questions remaining. In Luke’s story, multiple appearances weren’t enough to convince them and they needed further proof that he was really alive. Two thousand years later we’re still dealing with those same feelings! It’s wonderful to be able to…

Daily Devotions: April 13, 2018

April 13, 2018 1 John 3:4-7…“No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him.” vs. 6 Those who earnestly try to live by scriptural teachings can get tied in knots by what seem to be contrary messages. On the one hand we are told that all are sinners, and if we say we have no sin, we are liars. But the same writer then turns around and tells us that no…

Daily Devotions: April 12, 2018

April 12, 2018 1 John 3:1-3…“And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” vs. 3 John is happy to tell his readers that God loves them and that they are God’s children. He writes, “See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are.” What a powerful affirmation! This really is the core of the good news. Just think of it,…

Daily Devotions: April 11, 2018

April 11, 2018 Psalm 4…“When you are disturbed, do not sin; ponder it on your beds, and be silent.” Vs. 4 It’s impossible to live without becoming disturbed about some encounter or experience, and we can never predict what sort of thing might set us off. It could be some major calamity or just some small thing, a conversation or maybe a text that provokes our anxiety receptors. In these moments our minds go wild, blood pressure may increase, and…

Daily Devotions: April 10, 2018

April 10, 2018 Acts 3:15-19…“And now, friends, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. In this way God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, that his Messiah would suffer.” vss. 17-18 Once the disciples had come to believe that the suffering messiah was a part of God’s plan for salvation, it was relatively easy for them to give the leaders of their people the benefit of the doubt. Since those leaders had…

Daily Devotions: April 9, 2018

April 9, 2018 Acts 3:12-14…“When Peter saw it, he addressed the people, ‘You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk?’” vs. 12 Healing was an important part of Jesus’ ministry and it’s not surprising that the disciples, too, became known as healers. They did not hesitate to lay on hands and ask that people be healed of their infirmities. And…

Daily Devotions: April 8, 2018

April 8, 2018 John 20:24-31…“But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” vs. 31 John bares his soul as he makes plain his intention for writing his gospel. He tells us that every word has been chosen to help us believe that Jesus is the Christ. Notice that he doesn’t use the past tense–to believe that Jesus…

Daily Devotions: April 7, 2018

April 7, 2018 John 20:19-23…”Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” vss. 21-22 In John’s gospel, the commissioning of the disciples happens just prior to the giving of the Holy Spirit. It’s a vivid reminder that those who follow Jesus have a mission that is identical to his. We too, have…