The Ten Bridesmaids Matthew 25:1-13 Monday–The Ten Bridesmaids “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom” (Matthew 25:1). James was on the hunt. He had recently graduated magna cum laude from a well-known college. Armed with his degree, he was looking for a […]
Lutheran Pastor
Matthew 16:24-17:8 — Following Jesus
Following Jesus Matthew 16:24-17:8 Monday–Following 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 are […]
Matthew 6:19-34–Your Treasure-Your Heart
Your Treasure-Your Heart Devotions on Matthew 6:19-34 Monday–Your Treasure-Your Heart “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Heidi was a special education teacher. She loved her job, and as a follower of Jesus, Heidi thought that it was the vocation to which she had been called. When she […]
Matthew 4:1-17, Jesus Tempted
Jesus Tempted Devotional Thoughts on Matthew 4:1-17 Monday–Jesus Tempted “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil” (Matthew 4:1). Odd. We never think of the Spirit leading us anywhere with the intent of having us tempted by the devil. We even pray in the Lord’s Prayer, […]
Matthew 3:1-17–Prepare the Way
Prepare the Way Devotional Thoughts – Matthew 3:1-17 Monday–Prepare the Way“Repent for the kingdom of God has come near” (Matthew 3:2). Diego was following the directions of his GPS but he had a nagging feeling that he was going the wrong way. The neighborhood that he was driving through didn’t look familiar to him. When […]
Luke 2:1-14–The Birth of Jesus Christ
The Birth of Jesus Christ Luke 2:1-14 Monday–The Birth of Jesus Christ “In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus” (Luke 2:1). It was a week before Christmas, one year ago, when Kai was called into his boss’s office and informed that he was being let go. The bottom dropped out of […]
Matthew 1:18-25–Story of Jesus Birth
Story of Jesus Birth Devotions on Matthew 1:18-25 Monday–Story of Jesus Birth “Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place this way.” (Matthew 1:18a). My wife, Faye, and I moved to Arizona from the Mid-West. We have two granddaughters who live in Minneapolis—a fifteen hundred mile, three hour flight from us. We keep […]
Isaiah 42:1-9, A Light to the Nations
Light to the Nations Devotional Thoughts on Isaiah 42:1-9 Monday–Light to the Nations “Here is my servant, whom I uphold my chosen, in whom my soul delights” (Isaiah 42:1a). It was a warm, sunny spring day. Baseball was in the air, at least for Austin’s PE class. The teacher gathered the class together and picked […]
Esther 4:1-17, 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 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 […]