Joseph sold into slavery Joseph’s Story Genesis 37:3-34; 50:15-21 Monday–Joseph’s Story, “But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him” (Genesis 37:4). Conner was a middle child and, as a middle child, he felt neglected and ignored. His two older brothers excelled in both athletics and […]
Author: Kevin Ruffcorn
Genesis 15:1-6, Promises
“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 […]
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 […]