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, […]
Devotional Thoughts
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 […]
John 20:1-18–The Passion of Jesus Christ
The Passion of Jesus Christ Holy Week (Instead of focusing on Easter’s lesson of the day through Holy Week, I have chosen to reflect on what Jesus said and did each day of Holy Week. Many of my thoughts are drawn from Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan’s book, The Last Week.) Monday–The Passion of […]
John 19:16b-22, Jesus King of the Jews
Jesus King of the Jews Devotions on John 19:16b-22 Monday–Jesus King of the Jews “So they took Jesus” (John 19:16b) Pushing and shoving, the Jewish authorities and the crowd force Jesus to walk what we now call the Via De La Rosa. Foolishly they convince themselves that they have taken an itinerant preacher from […]
John 19:1-16a, Jesus Before Pilate
Jesus Before Pilate Devotions on John 19:1-16a Monday–Jesus Before Pilate “They kept coming to him saying “Hail, King of the Jews” (John 19:3)! Cindy Dawson, was raised in a conservative Christian family. She took her faith seriously, at an early age. This meant that she didn’t drink or take drugs at any of the […]
John 18:28-40, Jesus Before Pilate
Jesus Before Pilate Devotions on John 18:28-40 Monday–Jesus Before Pilate “They themselves did not enter the headquarters, so as to avoid ritual defilement” (John 18:28). In the middle of the drama of that first Holy Week, the Jewish leaders demonstrated a natural human inclination. They attempted to keep themselves “holy” by keeping themselves separate. […]
Devotions on John 18:12-27–Peter Denies Jesus
Peter Denies Jesus John 18:12-27 Monday–Peter Denies Jesus “Caiaphas, was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people” (John 18:14) Caiaphas was correct. It was better for one person to die for the people. His intention was that Jesus would die so that […]