Jacob Becomes Israel Devotions Genesis 32:22-30 Monday–Jacob Becomes Israel “He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything he had” (Genesis 32:23). Ken and Lea Takemoto sat by the side of their daughter’s hospital bed. They had brought her into the ER when she complained of severe headaches. A short time ago […]
Devotional Thoughts
Acts 2:1-21, The Holy Spirit Comes
The Holy Spirit Comes Devotions on Acts 2:1-4 Monday–The Holy Spirit Comes “They were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1). The panorama of the Serengeti in Tanzania was magnificent. Wildlife was everywhere. There were thousands of herds of wildebeests, zebras and various species of gazelle. The lions traveled in prides and the hyenas […]
Devotions on John 1:1-18–The Word Was God
The Word Was God Devotions on John 1:1-18 Monday, The Word Was God “In him was life, and the life was the light of all people” (John 1:4). The second chapter of Genesis contains a beautiful picture of creation. The writer of this chapter pictures God as a craftsman. God scoops up a pile […]
Genesis 1:1-2-4, God’s Image
God’s Image Devotions on Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a Monday–God’s Image “In the beginning God created” (Genesis 1:1). Things weren’t going right for Carlota; life was a struggle. She felt she was battling forces that were bigger and more powerful than she was—and she was losing. Luck and fate were against her. Bad karma was adversely […]
Song of Solomon 2:10-13, 8:6-7, Deep Love
Deep Love Devotions on Song of Solomon 2:10-13, 8:6-7 Monday–Deep Love “My beloved speaks and says to me” (Song of Solomon 2:10a). The Song of Solomon is a love poem about the love between two people. Most commentators justify its existence in the Bible by making it an allegory for God’s love. Though I don’t […]
Ecclesiastes 3:1-17–Seasons
Seasons Devotions for Ecclesiastes 3:1-17 Monday–Seasons “For everything there is a season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1a). People in Minnesota and Wisconsin enjoy four distinct seasons. There’s spring when the snow melts, trees bud and flowers start to peek out of the ground. Summer follows with its warm days, green grass and time spent by a lake. […]
Isaiah 61:1-11, Suffering Servant
Suffering Servant Isaiah 61:1-11 Monday, Suffering Servant “The spirit of the Lord is upon me” (Isaiah 61:1a). In this passage of Isaiah, the servant is talking. Who the servant is has been a hotly debated topic. The Church has appropriated this passage and applied it to Jesus. The writer of Isaiah probably didn’t have […]
Isaiah 9:1-7, Wonderful Counselor Mighty God
Wonderful Counselor Mighty God Devotions on Isaiah 9:1-7 Monday–Wonderful Counselor Mighty God“But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish” (Isaiah 9:1). Low clouds and rain had been hanging around the small Oregon town for two weeks. The weather was starting to affect even those with the hardiest psyches. Attitudes were tempered, […]
Isaiah 6:1-8, Isaiah’s Vision
Isaiah’s Vision Isaiah 6:1-8 Monday, Isaiah’s Vision “I Saw the Lord ….” (Isaiah 6:1a). The prophet Isaiah had a vision and saw the Lord. He isn’t the only one who has had this experience. Moses saw the Lord in a burning bush. Peter saw the Lord while working with his nets on the shore of […]
Devotions on Romans 5:1-11–Justified by Faith
Justified by Faith, We have Peace with God Justified by Faith Romans 5:1-11 Monday–Justified by Faith “Therefore since we are justified by faith” (Romans 5:1). Cody was working hard on his writing assignment, when his teacher walked by his desk. She bent down and pointed to the left hand side of Cody’s paper. “Cody,” she […]