“Look toward the heaven and count the stars … so shall your descendants be” (Genesis 15:5) Devotions for Genesis 15:1-6 Monday–Promises “Do not be afraid” (15:1a). The playground was filled with children. Screams of excitement along with laughter filled the air. The children didn’t have a care in the world. They were free to enjoy […]
Author: Kevin Ruffcorn
Genesis 2:4b-25, Adam and Eve
Adam and Eve Devotions on Genesis 2:4b-25 Monday–Adam and Eve “Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7) Cal ran the pieces of lumber through the saw and the router. He handled each piece […]
Daniel 6:6-27, Daniel in the Lions Den
Daniel in the Lions Den Daniel 6:6-27 Monday, Daniel in the Lions Den “So the presidents and satraps conspired and came to the king” (Daniel 6:6). Envy is a terrible thing. It sours our lives, sucking any joy we might have out of them. We look around us and see people who can do things […]
Where the Spirit Is
Where the Spirit Is, R. Shea Watts (Pickwick, Eugene, 2023) Christians hold a variety of perspectives on the Pentecostal movement. Some branches of the Christian family tree believe that the movement, which began in Los Angeles in the early twentieth century, is a fake. Encounters with the Holy Spirit and the demonstration of spiritual gifts, […]
Daniel 3:1, 8-30–Fiery Furnace
Devotions on Daniel 3:1, 8-30–Fiery Furnace Monday–Fiery Furnace “King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue … he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon” (Daniel 3:1). Followers of Jesus have always struggled in the relationships with governing authorities. St. Paul, wanting in ensure domestic tranquility, instructed his readers to […]
1 John 4:1-6, Love One Another
Devotions on 1 John 4:7-21, Love One Another Monday, July 9, 2018, Love One Another “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God” (1 John 4:7). Mother Theresa cradles the head of a dying man in her lap. An Albuquerque police detective and his wife adopt the child of a heroin addict, […]
1 John 1:5-2:2, If We Confess Our Sins
Devotions on 1 John 1:5-2:2—If We Confess Our Sins Monday—If We Confess Our Sin “God is light and in him there is no darkness” (1 John 1:5). Abe sat in the dark, quiet solitude of the early morning, facing East. As he watched the blackness of the night sky took on shades of purple and […]
Job 31:35-37; 38:1-11, God Speaks
God Answers Job in a Whirlwind God Speaks Devotions for Job 31:35-37, 38:1-11 Monday–God Speaks “O that I had my indictment written by my adversary” (Job 31:35). Job was feeling pretty proud of himself. For over twenty chapters of his story Job has withstood the accusations of his friends. Job has maintained his integrity […]
Job 14:7-15, 19:23-27–Hope in Suffering
Hope in Suffering Job 14:7-15, 19:23-27 Monday–Hope in Suffering “For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down it will sprout again” (Job 14:7). It had been a harrowing nine months for Salvador. A routine colonoscopy had discovered polyps that were cancerous. Salvador had endured surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Throughout the process […]
Interview with Joab
Interview with Joab Interview with Joab, Michael Braswell (Wipf and Stock, Eugene, 2014). They say, “History is written by the victors.” We are currently learning the validity of this observation, as minority historical accounts emerge, such as African American, Native American, and Feminine. History looks quite different when viewed from these different perspectives. The same […]