Elijah and the prophets of baal Devotions for 1 Kings 18:20-39 Monday–Elijah and the prophets of baal “How long will go limping with two different opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). Jamal was troubled. He had been approached by a head hunter and offered a position in another company. It was a tempting offer. Not only was […]
Year 2, Narrative Lectionary, Mark
1 Kings 12:1-17, 25-29–Rehoboam
Rehoboam Devotions on 1 Kings 12:1-17, 25-29 Monday–Rehoboam “You Father made our yoke heavy” (1 Kings 12:4a). Brad had just received his driver’s license four days ago, and it was the night of the big game. Arrangements had been made with his parents to take his mother’s car, pick up three friends and drive them […]
2 Samuel 5:1-5; 6:1-5 — David King of Israel
David King of Israel Devotions Samuel 5:1-5, 6:1-5 Monday–David King of Israel “While Saul was king over us it was you who led out Israel and brought it in” (2 Samuel 5:2a). Some kings begin their reign when they are still young children. For instance, Josiah, one of the kings during the divided kingdom began […]
Deuteronomy 5:1-6:9–God’s Covenant with Israel
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 […]
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 […]
Luke 2:1-14–The Birth of Jesus Christ
The Birth of Jesus Christ Luke 2:1-14 Monday–The Birth of Jesus Christ “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus” (Luke 2:1). It was a week before Christmas, one year ago, when Kai was called into his boss’s office and informed that he was being let go. The bottom dropped out of […]
Luke 11:2-4, The Lord’s Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer For the next four Sundays (August 16 – September 6), the Narrative Lectionary will focus on the Lord’s Prayer as it is found in the gospel of Luke (Luke 11:2-4). When working with the Lord’s Prayer, I have always found Martin Luther’s thoughts from his Small Catechism to be insightful and worth […]
2 Corinthians 8:1-15, They Gave Themselves First to the Lord
They Gave Themselves First to the Lord Devotions for 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 August 3-9, 2020 Monday, They Gave Themselves First to the Lord “We want you to know … about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia” (2 Corinthians 8:1). Some congregations include a brief litany in their […]