Threshing Floor Devotions on Ruth 4:1-22 Monday–Threshing Floor “No sooner had Boaz gone up to the gate and set down there than the next of kin … came passing by” (Ruth 4:1). Sickness and death were experienced more often at younger ages three thousand years ago, when the story of Ruth took place. Often a […]
Wayside Rests
Devotional Thoughts
Ruth 3:1-18, Boaz and Ruth
Boaz and Ruth Devotions on Ruth 3:1-18 Monday–Boaz and Ruth “I need to seek some security for you, so that It may be well with you” (Ruth 3:1). It would be appropriate in the opening scene in chapter three to have the song, “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” from the play “Fiddler on the Roof,” playing in […]
Ruth 2:1-23, Ruth and Boaz
Ruth and Boaz Devotions on Ruth 2:1-23 Monday, Ruth and Boaz “Now Naomi had a kinsman on her husband’s side, a prominent rich man … whose name was Boaz” (Ruth 2:1). The writer of Ruth introduces Boaz by sharing two facts with the reader. Boaz is “family” to Naomi and he is rich. He has […]
1 Peter 5:2-25, Steadfast
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]