Esther 4:1-17, Book of Esther

Book of Esther

Book of Ester Devotional Thoughts on Esther 4:1-17    Monday–Book of Esther “Giving them orders to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews” (Esther 3:13) Injustice comes in all shapes and sizes. For Esther and Mordecai, the grave injustice that they faced was the edict to annihilate the Jews. We might face bullying at […]

Devotions on Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:2-4, 3:17-19–Habakkuk

Habakkuk

Habakkuk Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:2-4, 3:17-19 Monday–Habakkuk “O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen” (Habakkuk 1:1)? Ken opened the letter. It began, “We regret to inform you …” Ken had been praying and looking for a job for months, and this was another turn down. Ignacio and Amelia prayed […]

Isaiah 36, 31, 2–Swords into Plowshares

swords into plowshares

Swords Into Plowshares Devotions on Isaiah 36:1-20, 31:1-7, 2:1-4 Monday–swords into plowshares “King Sennacherib of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them” (Isaiah 36:1). What do you do when tragedy strikes? The doctor walked into the hospital room and told Mike that Mike had cancer. It wasn’t a “good” […]

Micah 5:2-4, 6:6-8–What Does the Lord Require

What Does the Lord Require of You

What Does the Lord Require Devotional Thoughts on Micah 5:2-4, 6:6-8   Monday–What Does the Lord Require “But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah” (Micah 5:2a). Have you ever noticed how often I use the small and the weak? It isn’t that I’m against rich and powerful. […]

1 Kings 3:4-28–King Solomon Temple

King Solomon Temple

King Solomon Temple Devotions for 1 Kings 3:4-9 (10-15) 16-28 Monday–King Solomon Temple “The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there” (1 Kings 3:4). Sacrifices come in all shapes and sizes. Sue sacrificed her time (and a good night’s sleep) chaperoning a lock-in for her congregation’s high school youth. Randy and Ken set their financial […]

2 Samuel 12 & Ps. 51-David and Bathsheba

David and Bathsheba Devotions on 2 Samuel12 & Psalm 51 Monday–David and Bathsheba“But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:1a). It was an off-handed comment; one that was said without thought. It was not meant to offend, but rather to be funny. As it turned out it was offensive and […]

Joshua 24:1-15–Covenant Renewal in the Bible

Covenant Renewal in the Bible Devotions on Joshua 24:1-15 Monday–Covenant Renewal in the Bible “I took your father Abraham” (Joshua 24:3a). A new day is about to begin, but before it does Joshua gathers the people and in a prophetic voice calls them to remember what God has done in their lives and in the […]