'Purpose' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” vss. 12-13a 1 Kings 19:11-21 Huddled in his cave, Elijah waited for the Lord to make an appearance. First came a great wind, then an earthquake, and finally a great fire, but the Lord was…
Daily Devotions
At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” vs. 9 1 Kings 19:9-10 Elijah was on the run. Queen Jezebel and the prophets of Baal had forced him to flee for his life and he’d gone south into the desert mountains of the Sinai Peninsula. There in a cave, isolated from his country and kindred, he spent the night,…
Daily Devotions
Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it….” vs. 5 Isaiah 42:1-9 The prophets of Israel understood that the Creator God who had brought all things into existence had given the breath of life to all people. This breath, which could also be called “spirit,” is what animates humans…
Daily Devotions
Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry.” vss. 5-7a Psalm 146:5-10 It is true that we can’t know God–our little minds are limited when it comes to the divine. But that doesn’t mean we have to remain speechless! Like the…
Daily Devotions
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” vs. 8 Psalm 138 It’s not unusual for us to wonder about our purpose in this world. We know that time is passing and that the years are speeding by, sometimes, it seems, at an ever-increasing rate. Once we were teenagers and, in our eyes, the possibilities were endless; but then middle age comes and many…
Daily Devotions
Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” vs. 10 Psalm 46:6-11 In the midst of tumult the psalmist shared his conviction that God was in charge and would bring peace and security to the earth. One day, he told the people, there would be an end to the desolations, weapons would be destroyed, and war would be no more. We need those words of hope and encouragement…
Daily Devotions
Matthew 16:21-23 … “But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’” vs. 23 Peter likely felt honored to have been elevated to the position of “messianic advisor” among the disciples of Jesus, so when Jesus began outlining his mission plan, Peter was ready to offer his opinion. But Jesus isn’t impressed with his new chief of…
Daily Devotions
Psalm 138 … “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” vs. 8 It’s not unusual for the faithful to wonder about their purpose in life. Often our paths seem indistinguishable from those of the people around us–there’s a certain routine: education, career, marriage and family, and before we know it, we’re planning our retirement. And it’s possible to do all of that without an…
Daily Devotions: January 31, 2020
January 31, 2020 For full passage click: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 … “He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption…” vs. 30 Paul reminds the Corinthians that by the world’s standards, most of them were pretty unremarkable, and that’s how it has continued to be for the people of God. We are, for the most part, pretty ordinary folks, and yet we have an extraordinary calling…
Daily Devotions: January 12, 2020
We apologize for the content not being in what was sent. I had a hiccup here, please forgive me! Cyndy, Program & Development (including website) Director January 12, 2020 For full passage click: Matthew 3:16-17 … “And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.” vs. 16 According to the Gospels, Jesus’ ministry began…
Daily Devotions: July 12, 2019
July 12, 2019 Colossians 1:9-14 … “so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” vs. 10 Paul’s deepest desire for the Colossians was that they would lead lives worthy of the Lord. That remains the highest aspiration for any who claim to walk in the way of Jesus. We do this out of love and not obligation. God’s…
Daily Devotions: June1, 2019
June 1, 2019 For full passage click: John 17:20-23 …”I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us…” vss. 20-21a As John recounts Jesus’ final prayer with his disciples, his language can seem repetitious and obscure. As a result, we can easily miss an…