'Lent' Tagged Posts (Page 4)

'Lent' Tagged Posts (Page 4)

Daily Devotions: February 20, 2018

February 20, 2018                                                                                                Psalm 22:23-26 “For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried to him.” vs. 24 The psalmist is full of thanksgiving as he joins the congregation in their prayers. The Lord has heard his cries and did not abandon him in his affliction. Sometimes when we read words like this we might think, “Well, good for him…but that’s not been my…

Daily Devotions: February 19, 2018

February 19, 2018                                                                           Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.’” vs. 1 According to Genesis, immediately after the Lord introduced himself, Abram fell on his face—a phrase describing his worship posture that tickles our ears. Think of it! How would we react if asked to be blameless in all of our affairs and doings? It seems almost overwhelming.…

Daily Devotions: February 18, 2018

February 18, 2018                                                                                                     Mark 1:9-15 “He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.” vs. 13 Our forty days of Lent are meant to replicate Jesus’ post-baptism experience in the wilderness, and there actually are a few similarities. For one thing, we can pretty much count on being tempted by Satan. Oh it isn’t that the Evil One is trying to get us to sin—we do…

Daily Devotions: February 17, 2018

February 17, 2018                                                                                                  1 Peter 3:18-22 “And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” vs. 21 Noah’s ark was a favorite subject for the catacomb artists of the early church, even more popular than the now familiar pictures of Jesus on the cross. They liked the baptismal connections, the idea that water could bring salvation.…

Daily Devotions: February 16, 2018

February 16, 2018                                                                                         Psalm 25:1-10 “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.” vs. 9 According to the ways of our world, humility is more of a curse than a blessing. It’s the narcissists who get the power and the acclaim, and we absolutely love the arrogant and the proud. The psalmist would be appalled! In his estimation, such persons do not walk in the way of the Lord and are to be…

Daily Devotions: February 15, 2018

February 15, 2018                                                                                                Genesis 9:8-17 “When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” vs. 16 As the Hebrews recalled their ancient flood narrative, they included within it a powerful word of hope–the promise that the world would never again be destroyed by a flood–and the bow in the clouds would be the everlasting sign of that covenant.…

Daily Devotions: February 14, 2018

February 14, 2018                                                                                         Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” vs. 1 This year we’re reminded that Ash Wednesday is for lovers…a day to remember the deep and intimate love relationship that exists between us and our Maker. Scripture tells us clearly that God’s love for us is unconditional and unconfined…it knows no boundaries and overcomes even our persistent…