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 […]
Year 4, Narrative Lectionary, John.
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 […]
Acts 17:16-31, Paul in Athens
Paul in Athens Devotions on Acts 17:16-31 Monday–Paul in Athens “He was deeply distressed to see that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16). Cal participates in several of his congregation’s missions projects. It wasn’t until he participated in a Habitat for Humanity build that he got hooked. As Cal tells the story, when […]
Acts 16:16-34, Paul and Silas in Jail
Paul and Silas in Jail Devotions for Acts 16:16-34 Monday–Paul and Silas in Jail “’These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation’” (Acts 16:17). In the gospels, few people realized who Jesus truly was. The demons knew who Jesus was, though, and they frequently blurted […]
Acts 9:1-19, Paul’s Conversion
Bertholet Flemalle, Conversion de saint Paul sur le chemin de Damas Paul’s Conversion Acts 9:1-19 Monday–Paul’s Conversion “Still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1). Kyle was not a happy camper. His parents had dressed him in a funny looking white outfit and brought him to church. In the middle […]