Devotions for Ruth 1:1-17, Your People Will Be My People July 16-22, 2018 Monday, July 16, 2018, Your People Will Be My People “There was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons” (Ruth […]
Wayside Rests
Devotional Thoughts
1 John 4:1-6, Greater is He Who is in You
Devotions on 1 John 4:1-6–Test the Spirits July 2-8, 2018 Monday, July 2, 2018–Test the Spirits “Test the Spirits to see if they are from God” (1 John 1:1a). In the tabernacle and temple periods of Jewish history, the high priest would seek God’s leading through the use of the Urim and Thummim. As […]
1 John 1:1-4, That Your Joy May Be Full
Devotions on 1 John 1:1-4–That Your Joy May Be Full June 18 – 24, 2018 Monday, June 18, 2018–That Your Joy May Be Full “We declare to you … what we have heard” (1 John 1:1a). When we were children, we played a game called, “Telephone.” We’d sit in a circle. One person would […]
Exodus 20:17, Coveting and Luther’s Small Catechism
Devotions on Exodus 20:17 As you know, the Narrative Lectionary reading for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost is very short—one verse. It is rather difficult to prepare seven days of devotions on one verse. I have decided, therefore, to use Martin Luther’s Small Catechism and his explanation to the Ten Commandments as the basis for […]
Exodus 20:3-11, Love the Lord Your God
Devotions on Exodus 20:3-11 Monday–Love the Lord Your God “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). In ancient times, a person could make gods out of almost anything. Archeologists have found idol figurines made out of stone, pottery and wood. If we use Martin Luther’s definition of a god/idol as anything […]
Exodus 19:1-6; 20:1-2, Moses and the 10 Commandments
Moses and the 10 Commandments Devotions on Exodus 19:1-6, 20:1-2 Monday–Moses and the 10 Commandments “They … entered the wilderness of Sinai” (Exodus 19:2). Jim dropped his lunch in his backpack and headed off to the office. He had a long day ahead of him. There’d be a few challenges, but most of his […]
Philippians 4:4-7, Rejoice in the Lord Always
Philippians 4:4-7–Rejoice in the Lord Always Monday, May 14, 2018–Rejoice in the Lord Always “Rejoice in the Lord, always” (Philippians 4:4). Bobby McFerrin wrote the song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” in 1988. Exposing this simply philosophy, the song soon became one of the most popular hits of the year. The song’s perspective, at first […]
Devotions on Psalm 46 and Acts 2, Repent and be Baptized
Devotions for Psalm 46:1-11, Acts 2:37-42–Repent and be Baptized August 7-13, 2017 Monday, August 7, 2017–Repent and be Baptized “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). The sight of the hawk caused the ducklings to swim furiously to their parents. There they found both comfort and […]
Psalm 150, Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the Lord
Devotions on Psalm 150:1-6, Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the Lord July 3-9, 2017 Monday, July 3, 2017–Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the Lord “Praise the Lord” (Psalm 150:1a). Melissa had been told many times that in order to enjoy a secure retirement she should invest fifteen percent of her income […]
Psalm 30:1-12, Mourning into Dancing
Devotions on Psalm 30:1-12–Mourning into Dancing June 26-July 2, 2017 Monday, June 26, 2017–Mourning into Dancing “I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up” (Psalm 30:1). In an effort to help her team work more effectively together, Meg Higgins scheduled a day at a ropes course. Throughout the day, […]