'Presence of Christ' Tagged Posts
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 8:6-11 Through the centuries, humans all over the world have celebrated God’s indwelling presence in their various religions and have developed whole systems of thought devoted to the accessing of that Divine Spirit. Paul taught that this indwelling presence was Christ, and his words are a source of enormous good news to all who take them…
Daily Devotions
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” vss. 16-17 Matthew 28:16-17 The gospels are amazing in their depiction of the disciples. There seems to be no effort to gloss over their fears, doubts, and squabbles. They regularly miss the point of Jesus’ parables and never do figure out the purpose of his ministry. To the end they keep thinking that he…
Daily Devotions
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” vs. 42 Acts 2:42-47 Luke writes that after Pentecost the followers of Jesus, remembering his teachings about the folly of riches and the accumulation of wealth, practiced communism in their faith community. They had all things in common, sold their possessions and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Undergirding those practices was a community life that centered on the apostles’…
Daily Devotions
Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.” vs. 35 Luke 24:25-35 The post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, as recorded in the gospels, are mysterious and compelling. Each of the gospels has different stories with surprise endings and various twists. Luke’s account of the appearance to two unnamed disciples on the road to Emmaus has long spoken to the hearts of believers in every age.…
Daily Devotions
Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’” vs. 27 John 20:26-31 Thomas had told the other disciples that he would not be convinced of Jesus’ resurrection unless he could touch his wounds–he didn’t need another sign, the scars would be enough. He needed to know that the resurrected Christ was the crucified Jesus! And his wish was granted. Jesus…
Daily Devotions
Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! for it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.”’” vs. 10 Matthew 4:5-11 As Jews dreamed of the coming Messiah, they imagined a ruler like David to whom all the kingdoms of the world with all their splendor would be obedient. And in the wilderness, as he considered the dimensions of his call, Jesus came to realize that for that to happen he would need to make a…
Daily Devotions
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God….” vs. 1 Romans 1:1-7 Paul actually calls himself a “slave” of Jesus Christ, but since people are uncomfortable with that designation, translators have accommodated and usually substitute the word “servant.” But Paul meant “slave”! He considered himself to be owned, body and soul, by Jesus Christ, with a call to bring the gospel to the Gentiles. Many of us are uncomfortable using…
Daily Devotions
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death … But not a hair of your head will perish.” vss. 16, 18 Luke 21:10-19 During the years of the Jewish Revolt, the followers of Jesus were persecuted and afflicted, not only by the Roman armies but by the Jewish rebels. Many were squeezed out of their homeland–others, while trying to remain faithful to the traditions, were betrayed…
Daily Devotions
But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.” vs. 2a Malachi 4:1-2a Malachi, like other prophets in Judah, spoke of the coming Day of the Lord, a time in which God would rain down fire and destruction on evil-doers, while also preserving the righteous from any harm. We see that same prophetic discourse in these latter days as we look forward to a future that many believe is fraught with…
Daily Devotions
Bless our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept us among the living, and has not let our feet slip.” vss. 8-9 Psalm 66:1-9 From a practical or realistic standpoint, Israel’s survival as a people didn’t make much sense to the psalmist. They weren’t a powerful nation and had somehow managed to survive through the succeeding reigns of a series of superpowers. For him there was only one logical answer: their God had…
Daily Devotions
let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.” vs. 10 Acts 4:5-12 The early disciples were unabashed name-droppers! Whenever they were in a tough spot or needed a spiritual power boost they dropped the name of Jesus and were amazed at the results. People of faith…
Daily Devotions
Ephesians 1:15-17 “I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” vss. 15-16 The reputation of the congregation at Ephesus had spread among the little house churches that sprang up all over the eastern Mediterranean as apostles had proclaimed the good news of Jesus. According to the writer of this letter two…
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