'Religion' Tagged Posts
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
For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” vs. 23 Acts 17:22-25 The ruins of the Parthenon in Athens are spectacular. Every year millions of tourists come to gape at the wonder of its columns and the delicate beauty of its carvings. When Paul came to Athens on…
Daily Devotions
Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.’” vss. 34-35 Acts 10:34-43 The early followers of Jesus were almost exclusively Jewish and had continued to practice their faith according to the commandments laid out in the Law. Peter was one of their leaders and carried the message of the Risen Christ to the scattered villages of…
Daily Devotions
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly…” vss. 11-12 Titus 2:11-14 The book of Titus reflects the conviction of early believers that God’s saving grace had been showered upon all humanity in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. That’s a truth worth holding close to our hearts, especially in these times of religious…
Daily Devotions
For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything!” vs. 15 Galatians 6:11-16 Some of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem didn’t get what the new life in Christ was all about, and they drove Paul to distraction. Their representatives had followed him into the cities of Galatia and were telling new believers that they needed circumcision–baptism wasn’t enough. This conflict within the ranks of the newly formed Church provoked real anger in Paul, and he didn’t…
Daily devotions
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 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Religions were developed by humans for some good reasons. They provided a way for people to worship and discern the Divine Presence in the creation. Through the centuries, worship practices were developed to give expression to faith, codes of ethics for community living took shape, and eventually particular writings and stories…
Daily Devotions
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.” vs. 10 Psalm 25:6-10 Through the millenia humans have invented a remarkable variety of religions, some of which have prospered and grown as their adherents have spread across the globe. Many have comprehensive doctrines and scriptures to provide instruction to successive generations. Most members of these various religious groups believe that what they believe and teach is superior to any…
Daily Devotions
John 1:15-18 “No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.” vs. 18 Through the centuries humans have been told that the study of religions will lead them to an understanding of God. And so we have done our work. We’ve dug into holy scriptures, listened to learned teachers, and probed deep into the intricacies of the world’s religions–and for the most part the search…
Daily Devotions: May 14, 2020
May 14, 2020 1 Peter 3:13-17 … “Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence.” vss. 15b-16a The people Peter was addressing were living in turbulent times and their situation was quite different from ours. Believers were very much a minority group and regularly faced questions and even persecution from their adversaries. Peter advises patience in suffering but also…
Daily Devotions: November 26, 2019
November 26, 2019 For full passage click: Psalm 122 … “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, and security within your towers.’” vss. 6-7 Jerusalem was not only the capital of Judah, it was the center of worship life for all devout Jews, no matter where they lived in the world. The temple was here and three times each year there were important festivals to attend. Even today three major…
Daily Devotions: December 28, 2018
December 28, 2018 To read full passage click: Colossians 3:12-17 …“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” vs. 12 Imagine what an impact Christianity could have had on the world if God’s chosen ones had actually sought to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Suppose these had been our identifying marks rather than doctrines about the nature of Christ, or a proper understanding of the Trinity? Of…