The Birth of John the Baptist Luke 1:5-13, 57-80 Monday–Birth of John the Baptist “In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah” (Luke 1:5). Luke could have started his account of Jesus’ ministry with the words, “Once upon a time, in a land far, far away.” Luke didn’t do […]
Devotional Thoughts
Ezra 1:1-4, 3:1-4, 10-13- Rebuilding the Temple
Rebuilding the Temple Devotions for December 9-15, 2019 Ezra 1:1-4, 3:1-4, 10-13 Monday–Rebuilding the Temple “The Lord stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia” (Ezra 1:1). It had been a tough week and Kim felt like she needed some shopping therapy. While browsing through a rack of sweaters, Kim bumped into a tall […]
Isaiah 40:1-11–Comfort
Comfort Devotions for Isaiah 40:1-11 Monday–Comfort “Comfort, O comfort my people, says the Lord” (Isaiah 11:1) Parents with seriously sick children are a wonder to behold. Most of them, after watching all of the medial procedures their children had to endure and seeing their children sick and in pain, would change places with their children […]
Jeremiah 33:14-18–Fulfilling a Promise
Fulfilling a Promise Devotions for Jeremiah 33:14-18 Monday–Fulfilling a Promise “The days are surely coming, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 33:14a). Life coaches frequently instruct us to focus on the present—live today. There is good reason for this. We struggle with time. Frequently we live in the past, struggling with the guilt and shame of […]
Isaiah 5:1-7, 11:2-5–The Lord’s Vineyard
The Lord’s Vineyard Devotions on Isaiah 5:1-7, 11:2-5 Monday–The Lord’s Vineyard “My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile field” (Isaiah 5:1). The beloved’s vineyard was situated on prime real estate. It was on a hill so that the vines would all get plenty of sunshine. The fertile soil assured that the vines would […]
Devotions on Hosea 11:1-9–Hope of God’s Love
Hope of God’s Love Hosea 11:1-9 Monday–Hope of God’s Love “When Israel was a child, I loved him” (Hosea 11:1a) Little Katelynn Simmons is eight months old. She is the apple of her parent’s eye. They shelter her, feed her, clothe her and change her dirty diapers. They spend countless hours playing with her and […]
1 Kings 12:1-17, 25-29–Rehoboam
Rehoboam Devotions on 1 Kings 12:1-17, 25-29 Monday–Rehoboam “You Father made our yoke heavy” (1 Kings 12:4a). Brad had just received his driver’s license four days ago, and it was the night of the big game. Arrangements had been made with his parents to take his mother’s car, pick up three friends and drive them […]
Ruth 1:1-17–Your People Will Be My People
Your People Will be My People. Devotions for Ruth 1:1-17 Monday — 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 1:1). Bob Warner and Jamal Lefebvre […]
Deuteronomy 5:1-6:9–God’s Covenant with Israel
God’s Covenant with Israel Devotions on Deuteronomy 5:1-12, 6:4-9 Monday–God’s Covenant with Israel “The Lord made a covenant with us at Horeb” (Exodus 5:1). The journey of the Israelites was drawing to an end. Before they crossed over the Jordan River and began to settle the Promised Land, Moses gathered the people together. The first […]
Devotions for Exodus 1:8-14, 3:1-15– I Am Who I Am
I Am Who I Am Devotions on Exodus 1:8-14, 3:1-15 Monday–I Am Who I Am “A New King arose over Egypt” (Genesis 1:8) Heraclitus was a six century BCE Greek philosopher, who first observed that, “The only constant is change.” How right he was. Things had changed for the Israelites. The had arrived in Egypt […]