'truth' Tagged Posts
Daily Devotions
They answered him, ‘You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?’ And they drove him out.” vs. 34 John 9:28-41 The man who had been blind wanted to share the insights derived from his life-changing experience with the Pharisees, but they refused to listen. More than that, they drove him from their presence, likely with insults and blows. Not having been schooled in the Law of Moses, in their eyes, he lacked the proper credentials.…
Daily Devotions
For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light—for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.” vss. 8-9 Ephesians 5:8-14 In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said to his disciples, “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works, and give glory to God.” That theme dominated the faith and practice of the early church, and…
Daily Devotions
They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Saviour of the world.’” vs. 42 John 4:27-42 Many of us have been believers since our childhoods. We learned the good news of Jesus from our parents and Sunday School teachers, and perhaps even in confirmation class. Those good people laid out credal definitions and we memorized a few…
Daily Devotions
But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” vs. 32 Matthew 5:27-37 As Jesus eliminates the loopholes that were a part of the law of Moses, he doesn’t deal with peripheral items. Instead he tackles the biggies: adultery, divorce, and truth-telling. And if those topics were important in the first century, they are at the core of the…
Daily Devotions
It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; they will be remembered forever.” vss. 5-6 Psalm 112:1-9 Life goes well with people who are righteous and generous; their love of justice and mercy will be remembered forever. That’s the way it’s always been, the psalmist assures us, and that’s the way it will always be. Some would call this ancient observation a universal truth, a…
Daily Devotions
O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill? Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart…” vss. 1-2 Psalm 15 In the psalmist’s world, there were standards that went beyond mere obedience to the law. Certainly the Torah was honored and people tried to live according to its precepts, but such behaviors didn’t even come close to what was expected of God’s holy people. It…
Daily Devotions
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.” vs. 2 Isaiah 9:1-4 In August of 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a speech in front of a quarter million civil rights marchers, in which he laid out his dream of an end to racism and the beginning of freedom and equality in the United States. Today, on…
Daily Devotions
Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” vs. 11 Matthew 11:7-11 Jesus had to be careful in talking about John the Baptist. He was a well-known radical preacher who had gained enormous popularity by speaking truth to power. Large numbers of people had become his disciples, and they had been deeply upset by his arrest and imprisonment.…
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
In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’” vs. 6 Jeremiah 23:4-6 In the midst of uncertainty and upheaval, Jeremiah dared to dream of peace and stability, a time when Judah and Israel would live in safety under the rule of a good shepherd king. The name of this new leader gives a clue to his identity. The one…
Daily Devotions
Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.” vs. 26 Luke 6:20-31 Most of us have an enormous need to be liked, a character flaw that the social media giant Facebook has exploited to generate traffic on its pages. People will go to any lengths to post pictures and comments that will get them “likes” from their hundreds of make-believe “friends.” The vulnerable among us, particularly the young…
Daily Devotions
And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” vss. 22-23 Ephesians 1:15-23 From the beginning, the church formed by the followers of Jesus has been understood to be the Body of Christ. We’ve grown accustomed to that designation and have come to take it for granted, but it really is an audacious claim. We…