Steadfast Devotions on 1 Peter 5:1-14 Monday–Steadfast “I exhort the elders among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it” (1 Peter 5:2). First Peter was late enough in the history of the Christian Church that […]
Author: Kevin Ruffcorn
1 Peter 4:1-19, Constant Love
Constant Love Devotions on 1 Peter: 1-19 Monday–Constant Love “So as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2). Do you remember the terrible twos—not your terrible twos, but those of your offspring, younger siblings or close relatives? Around the […]
1 Peter 3:13-22, Persecution
Persecution Devotions on 1 Peter 3:13-22 Monday, Persecution “But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed” (1 Peter 3:14a). “The times they are a changin’.” Bob Dylan sang and prophesied well. Who would have guess that there would be a time when the two words, “Christian,” and “Activist” would […]
1 Peter 2:1-9, 19-25, Living Stones
Living Stones 1 Peter 2:1-9, 19-25 Monday–Living Stones “Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander” (1 Peter 2:1). We make excuses for ourselves. “We have a short fuse,” we explain, “Our anger is like a volcano. Once it blows we can’t do anything until it stops. It’s beyond […]
An Enlightening Journey
An Enlightening Journey Such a Mind as This: A Biblical-Theological Study of Thinking in the Old Testament, Richard L. Smith (Wipf and Stock, Eugene, 2021). This is a book for the serious student of the Bible. If you place yourself in that category, then this is a great book for you. Richard Smith, offers up […]
Exodus 19:3-7, 20:1-17–Moses and the 10 Commandments
Moses and the 10 Commandments Devotions on Exodus 19:3-7, 20:1-17 Monday–Moses and the 10 Commandments “The Lord called to him [Moses] from the mountain” (Exodus 19:3). Toshi and Tyneal had been friends since grade school. Recently though they had a little spiff over a girl to whom they were both attracted. They had’t been […]
Philippians 2:1-13, Jesus Emptied Himself
Jesus Emptied Himself Devotions on Philippians 2:1-13 Monday–Jesus Emptied Himself “Make my joy complete” (Philippians 2:2a) Amy was frightened. After being groomed to take over a four generation family business, she was going to tell her father that she wanted to pursue another career. Taking a deep breath, Amy knocked on the office door, […]
A Handbook and Study Guide
The Soul’s Slow Ripening Twelve Celtic Practices for Seeking the Sacred The Soul’s Slow Reopening: Twelve Celtic Practices for Seeking the Sacred, Christine Valters Paintner (Soren Books, Norte Dame, IN, 2018) A common desire of many 21st century Christians is a greater experience of the divine. A few moments spent in prayer, weekly worship attendance, […]
Philippians 1:1-18a–Paul, Who Wrote Philippians
Paul, Who Wrote Philippians Devotions on Philippians 1:1-18a Monday–Paul, Who Wrote Philippians “I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:3). Family and friends gathered around Sally for her one hundredth birthday. Part of the celebration, as usual, was an opportunity for Sally to share with everyone the wisdom that she had learned […]
Acts 17:16-31, Paul in Athens
Paul in Athens Devotions on Acts 17:16-31 Monday–Paul in Athens “He was deeply distressed to see that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16). Cal participates in several of his congregation’s missions projects. It wasn’t until he participated in a Habitat for Humanity build that he got hooked. As Cal tells the story, when […]