May 27-June 2, 2019–Praise the Lord Monday “Praise the Lord” (Psalm 113:1a)! Some people believe that it is their mission in life to complain. They complain when it is cloudy and rainy, and are then upset when the sun comes out because it is too bright. While grabbing items off the store shelves […]
Devotional Thoughts
Devotions on Matthew 16:24-17:8–Transfiguration of Jesus
February 25-March 3, 2019 Monday–Transfiguration of Jesus “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross” (Matthew 16:24). Denying oneself is not an American tradition. American’s have accumulated the greatest personal debt in the world largely because when we see something we want we purchase it immediately. Americans […]
Devotions on Matthew 6:7-12, The Lord’s Prayer
January 28–February 3, 2019—The Lord’s Prayer The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany Monday, January 28, 2019 —The Lord’s Prayer “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases” (Matthew 6:7). Two new bikes fresh from the wrapping paper of Christmas leaned against the park picnic table. Sitting on top of the table the bike’s […]
Samuel 12:1-9, Psalm 51–David and Bathsheba
Devotions on 2 Samuel 12:1-9, Psalm 51:1-9–David and Bathsheba October 15-21, 2018 Monday, October 15, 2018–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 […]
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 […]
Exodus 20:3-11, Love the Lord Your God
Devotions on Exodus 20:3-11 Monday–Love the Lord Your God “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). In ancient times, a person could make gods out of almost anything. Archeologists have found idol figurines made out of stone, pottery and wood. If we use Martin Luther’s definition of a god/idol as anything […]