Manna from Heaven Devotions on Exodus 16:1-18 Monday–Manna from Heaven “The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron” (Exodus 16:2) The words to an old, popular hymn chorus are, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and you’ll be surprised at what the Lord has done.” The gift of […]
Year 4, Narrative Lectionary, John.
Exodus 2:23-4:17, Moses and the Burning Bush
Moses and the Burning Bush Devotions on Exodus 2:23-25; 3:10-15; 4:10-17 Monday–Moses and the Burning Bush “The Israelites groaned under their slavery and cried out” (Exodus 2:23). It didn’t take long for Jonathan’s parents to learn his various cries. He had a cry for when he wanted his diaper changed and when he was […]
Genesis 27:1-28:17, Jacob and Esau
Jacob and Esau Genesis 27:1-4, 15-23, 28:10-17 Monday–Jacob and Esau “So that I may bless you before I die” (Genesis 27:4). One of the subplots in the story of Esau and Jacob is the favoritism of their parents. Strong, hairy, outdoorsy, successful hunter Esau (a man’s man) was the apple of his father’s, Isaac, eye. […]
Genesis 21:1-22:13 Abraham Sacrifices Isaac
Abraham Sacrifices Isaac Devotions on Genesis 21:1-3; 22:1-13 Monday–Abraham Sacrifices Isaac “The Lord dealt with Sarah as he had said” (Genesis 21:1). Promises are important to keep. We all know how devastating broken promises can be. They can destroy relationships. On the other hand, if a person has a reputation of keeping promises, it […]
Acts 15:1-18, Council of Jerusalem
Council of Jerusalem Council of Jerusalem Devotions on Acts 15:1-18 Fifth Sunday in Easter Monday, Council of Jerusalem “Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1). Jason was smitten by Katie Sue. They had […]
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 […]
Ruth 1:1-22, Your People Will Be My People
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 […]
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 […]