May 27-June 2, 2019–Praise the Lord Monday “Praise the Lord” (Psalm 113:1a)! Some people believe that it is their mission in life to complain. They complain when it is cloudy and rainy, and are then upset when the sun comes out because it is too bright. While grabbing items off the store shelves […]
Wayside Rests
Devotional Thoughts
Devotions on Matthew 16:24-17:8–Transfiguration of Jesus
February 25-March 3, 2019 Monday–Transfiguration of Jesus “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross” (Matthew 16:24). Denying oneself is not an American tradition. American’s have accumulated the greatest personal debt in the world largely because when we see something we want we purchase it immediately. Americans […]
Devotions on Matthew 14:13-33–Feeding of the Five Thousand
February 18-24, 2019–Feeding of the Five Thousand Monday –Feeding of the Five Thousand “Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him” (14:13). In everything else Jesus is a role model, but I don’t think he is […]
Apology
I apologize. There will be no daily devotional thoughts this week on Matthew 7:1-14, 24-29. Devotional thoughts will continue next week.
Devotions on Matthew 6:7-12, The Lord’s Prayer
January 28–February 3, 2019—The Lord’s Prayer The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Monday, January 28, 2019 —The Lord’s Prayer “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases” (Matthew 6:7). Two new bikes fresh from the wrapping paper of Christmas leaned against the park picnic table. Sitting on top of the table the bike’s […]
Jesus in the Wilderness
Devotional Thoughts on Matthew 4:1-17–Jesus in the Wilderness January 14-20, 2019 Monday–Jesus in the Wilderness “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). Odd. We never think of the Spirit leading us anywhere with the intent of having us tempted by the devil. We […]
Baptism of Jesus Christ
January 7-13, 2019 Matthew 3:1-17-Baptism of Jesus Christ Monday -Baptism of Jesus Christ “Repent for the kingdom of God has come near” (Matthew 3:2). Diego was following the directions of his GPS but he had a nagging feeling that he was going the wrong way. The neighborhood that he was driving through didn’t look familiar […]
Matthew 2:1-12–Magi Bible
December 31, 2018-January 6, 2019 Monday–Magi Bible “Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem” (Matthew 2:1). Faith pops up in the oddest places. Karen sat at the kitchen table surrounded by bills and trying to figure out how she was going to pay them. Tears of frustration welled up in her eyes and flowed […]
Samuel 12:1-9, Psalm 51–David and Bathsheba
Devotions on 2 Samuel 12:1-9, Psalm 51:1-9–David and Bathsheba October 15-21, 2018 Monday, October 15, 2018–David and Bathsheba “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:1a). It was an off-handed comment; one that was said without thought. It was not meant to offend, but rather to be funny. As […]
Luke 12:13-34, Parable of the Rich Fool
Devotions on Luke 12:13-34–Parable of the Rich Fool August 27-September 2, 20189 Monday, August 27, 2018–Parable of the Rich Fool “Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15). Greed is part of our DNA. The question that […]