'life' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are beneficial. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything.” vs. 12 1 Corinthians 6:12-15 One of the first reactions people have to the gospel of grace is, “Wow, if all my sins have been forgiven in Christ, I am free to do whatever I please.” When Paul heard that reaction, he went apoplectic. That attitude makes a sacrilege of the gospel! It…
Daily Devotions
Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name.” vs. 11 Psalm 86:11-13 When we began to walk with the Lord, however many years ago that might have been, we likely didn’t realize that it would be so difficult and that sometimes the path would be hard to distinguish. But that’s how it is, and we soon discover that we need constant guidance to stay on the…
Daily Devotions
Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation.” vss. 5-6a Exodus 19:2-8a The ancient Hebrews had what some might call an elevated sense of their importance. They fervently believed that they had been set aside by God for a special purpose. Out of all peoples of the…
Daily Devotions
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us…” vs. 1 Hebrews 12:1-3 Since golf had not yet been invented, the writers of the New Testament were unable to use golf metaphors to describe the life that believers have in Christ. But the writer of Hebrews likely did know about…
Daily Devotions
But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” vs. 10 Romans 8:10-11 In his letter to the Romans, Paul tells them that they are both sinful and redeemed at the same time, and this side of the grave, that’s the way it’s always going to be. It’s not easy for us to get our heads around this paradox–essentially it means believing opposite things at the same time.…
Daily Devotions
To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God…” vss. 6-7a Romans 8:6-9 There is a huge variety of television and movie programming available to us in these days of Netflix, Hulu, and Youtube. Everyday we have dozens of new options for our viewing pleasure–it’s virtually impossible to keep up! And it doesn’t…
Daily Devotions
Then we will never turn back from you; give us life, and we will call on your name. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” vss. 18-19 Psalm 80: 17-19 As we look over the shoulder of the psalmist, we see the prayer that he put in the mouths of worshipers for a time of crisis. It’s not much different from the kind of prayer that many of us might use…
Daily Devotions
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” vs. 10 Isaiah 35:5-10 When the people of Judah were in exile in Babylon, some adapted and established roots there, but most longed to return to their homeland. These were encouraged in their hope by their prophets, faithful leaders who continued to believe that God would…
Daily Devotions
Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near.” vss. 11-12a Romans 13:11-14 It’s so easy to lose track of time. Everyone knows the feeling! We get involved in one thing or another and before we are even aware that time has passed, a glance at our watch…
Daily Devotions
Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’” vss. 31-32 John 8:31-33 When Jesus uses the word “truth” he’s talking about more than doctrines or theoretical propositions. Everything is relational with him, and here he’s promising his disciples a relationship that will put their hearts and minds at rest and also give them…
Daily Devotions
No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.” vs. 34 Jeremiah 31:31-34 In the midst of calamity, Jeremiah produced a vision that has captivated the hearts of all believers and is especially suited for people living in these troubling times. One day, he…
Daily Devotions
As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” vss.6-7 2 Timothy 4:6-8 The timing and the circumstances of our birthing are presumably out of our control. One day, in the fullness of time, we plop out into the world with a resounding cry, and from that point on it’s one adventure after…