God’s Covenant with Israel Devotions on Deuteronomy 5:1-12, 6:4-9 Monday–God’s Covenant with Israel “The Lord made a covenant with us at Horeb” (Exodus 5:1). The journey of the Israelites was drawing to an end. Before they crossed over the Jordan River and began to settle the Promised Land, Moses gathered the people together. The first […]
Wayside Rests
Devotional Thoughts
Devotions for Exodus 1:8-14, 3:1-15– I Am Who I Am
I Am Who I Am Devotions on Exodus 1:8-14, 3:1-15 Monday–I Am Who I Am “A New King arose over Egypt” (Genesis 1:8) Heraclitus was a six century BCE Greek philosopher, who first observed that, “The only constant is change.” How right he was. Things had changed for the Israelites. The had arrived in Egypt […]
Devotions for Genesis 32:22-30–Jacob Becomes Israel
Jacob Becomes Israel Devotions Genesis 32:22-30 Monday–Jacob Becomes Israel “He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything he had” (Genesis 32:23). Ken and Lea Takemoto sat by the side of their daughter’s hospital bed. They had brought her into the ER when she complained of severe headaches. A short time ago […]
Genesis 18 and 21–Waiting
Waiting Devotions on Genesis 18:1-5, 21:1-7 Monday “The Lord appeared to Abraham” (Genesis 18:1). The Lord appeared to Abraham in human form on that sunny day by the oaks of Mamre. God spoke to Mary of Nazareth by the angel, Gabriel, and appeared to Joseph in dreams. Paul saw the Lord in a flash of […]
Acts 2:1-21, The Holy Spirit Comes
The Holy Spirit Comes Devotions on Acts 2:1-4 Monday–The Holy Spirit Comes “They were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1). The panorama of the Serengeti in Tanzania was magnificent. Wildlife was everywhere. There were thousands of herds of wildebeests, zebras and various species of gazelle. The lions traveled in prides and the hyenas […]
Devotions on John 1:1-18–The Word Was God
The Word Was God Devotions on John 1:1-18 Monday, The Word Was God “In him was life, and the life was the light of all people” (John 1:4). The second chapter of Genesis contains a beautiful picture of creation. The writer of this chapter pictures God as a craftsman. God scoops up a pile […]
Genesis 1:1-2-4, God’s Image
God’s Image Devotions on Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a Monday–God’s Image “In the beginning God created” (Genesis 1:1). Things weren’t going right for Carlota; life was a struggle. She felt she was battling forces that were bigger and more powerful than she was—and she was losing. Luck and fate were against her. Bad karma was adversely […]
Song of Solomon 2:10-13, 8:6-7, Deep Love
Deep Love Devotions on Song of Solomon 2:10-13, 8:6-7 Monday–Deep Love “My beloved speaks and says to me” (Song of Solomon 2:10a). The Song of Solomon is a love poem about the love between two people. Most commentators justify its existence in the Bible by making it an allegory for God’s love. Though I don’t […]
Ecclesiastes 3:1-17–Seasons
Seasons Devotions for Ecclesiastes 3:1-17 Monday–Seasons “For everything there is a season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1a). People in Minnesota and Wisconsin enjoy four distinct seasons. There’s spring when the snow melts, trees bud and flowers start to peek out of the ground. Summer follows with its warm days, green grass and time spent by a lake. […]
Proverbs 1:1-7, 3:1-8, Wisdom
Wisdom Devotions on Proverbs 1:1-7, 3:1-8 Monday–Wisdom “For gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness, justice and equity” (Proverbs 1:3). One of the most precious gifts that God has given us is the ability to learn. We are all blessed with an innate curiosity. We use this ability to gain knowledge and understanding about what we […]