'Jesus' Tagged Posts (Page 10)
Daily Devotions
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” vs. 8 Philippians 4:6-9 Paul’s final admonition to the Philippians is worthy of our attention, and many would reply to it with an “Amen.” It is important to focus our thoughts on those things which are uplifting and edifying–it’s a good way to…
Daily Devotions
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.” vss. 1-2 Philippians 4:1-5 For centuries Pauline scholars have wondered what it was that Euodia and Syntyche had been up to that caused Paul to mention them in his letter to the Philippians. Evidently both were equally culpable, but…
Daily Devotions
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom.” vs. 43 Matthew 21:42-46 The scribes and the high priests may not have gotten the point when Jesus told the parable of the unjust tenants, but they had no doubts about his interpretation. As he had many times in his ministry, he makes it plain that God doesn’t care a fig about our fine…
Daily Devotions
Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?” vs. 40 Matthew 21:33-41 The chief priests and the scribes were able to answer the question that Jesus asked at the end of his parable about the vineyard. It was easy, like the questions a pastor asks during a children’s conversation. The problem is that the question wasn’t the point of the story–it was a trap. Their answer was an indictment of themselves. It had…
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 3:8b-14 Because Paul knew Christ Jesus he had confidence that one day he would share in the resurrection to new life. But having said that he hastened to tell the…
Daily Devotions
Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” vss, 7-8a Philippians 3:4b-8a For many, success in life is measured by net worth at the time of retirement. They want to have enough socked away to ensure a comfortable lifestyle throughout their golden years. With that as a goal they choose lucrative jobs or…
Daily Devotions
Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” vs. 7 Psalm 80:3-7 When things were going bad for the people of Israel, something that happened with some frequency, it was not unusual for their prophets and psalmists to yearn for restoration. In recent years we’ve even seen that theme used as a political slogan as some have lifted up their voices to urge that America be made great again. Such persons remember a…
Daily Devotions
“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.’” vs. 31b Matthew 21:28-32 It must have been hard for the chief priests and the elders to hear these words of Jesus. They had understood his parable about the two sons asked to work in the vineyard – they knew which son had done the father’s will. But they likely didn’t realize the story was about…
Daily Devotions
“When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, ‘By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?’” vs. 23 Matthew 21:23-27 The chief priests and the elders were concerned about Jesus’ credentials, and they had a point. They had responsibility for what went on in the temple and it wasn’t appropriate for just any random teacher to come in and…
Daily Devotions
Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” vss. 12-13 Philippians 2:5-13 Paul is not telling the Philippians to forget about the grace of God with these profound and insightful words. Not at all! All…
Daily Devotions
Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child ismine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.” vs. 4 Ezekiel 18:1-4 It was written in the law of Israel, “I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation…” The sentiment seems severe, yet we can see its truth. Children suffer because of what…
Daily Devotions
Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’” vss. 14-15 Matthew 20:8-16 In this delightfully composed parable Jesus describes how the owner of the vineyard pays the same daily wage to all the workers that he had hired, whether they had worked twelve hours or…