Swords Into Plowshares Devotions on Isaiah 36:1-20, 31:1-7, 2:1-4 Monday–swords into plowshares “King Sennacherib of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them” (Isaiah 36:1). What do you do when tragedy strikes? The doctor walked into the hospital room and told Mike that Mike had cancer. It wasn’t a “good” […]
Lutheran Pastor
Micah 5:2-4, 6:6-8–What Does the Lord Require
What Does the Lord Require Devotional Thoughts on Micah 5:2-4, 6:6-8 Monday–What Does the Lord Require “But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah” (Micah 5:2a). Have you ever noticed how often I use the small and the weak? It isn’t that I’m against rich and powerful. […]
2 Kings 5:1-15a–Naaman the Leper
Naaman the Leaper Devotional Thoughts on 2 Kings 5:1-14 For a little variety, I have written this week’s devotional thoughts as if God were writing directly to you and me.
1 Kings 3:4-28–King Solomon Temple
King Solomon Temple Devotions for 1 Kings 3:4-9 (10-15) 16-28 Monday–King Solomon Temple “The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there” (1 Kings 3:4). Sacrifices come in all shapes and sizes. Sue sacrificed her time (and a good night’s sleep) chaperoning a lock-in for her congregation’s high school youth. Randy and Ken set their financial […]
Joshua 24:1-15–Covenant Renewal in the Bible
Covenant Renewal in the Bible Devotions on Joshua 24:1-15 Monday–Covenant Renewal in the Bible “I took your father Abraham” (Joshua 24:3a). A new day is about to begin, but before it does Joshua gathers the people and in a prophetic voice calls them to remember what God has done in their lives and in the […]
Genesis 39:1-23–Joseph in Egypt
Joseph in Egypt Devotions on Genesis 39:1-23 Monday–Joseph in Egypt “The Lord was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:2a). His fall from grace was tumultuous. At the beginning of the day he was a favored son and a cocky kid and by the end of the day Joseph was sold as a slave and on his way […]
Genesis 12:1-9, Call of Abraham
Call of Abraham Devotions on Genesis 12:1-9 Monday, Call of Abraham “Now the Lord said to Abram” (Genesis 12:1a). Do you know of anyone who has sent his or her resume to God? “Hey God, I see you’ve got an opening in regional management that I think would be a perfect fit for me.” No, […]
Genesis 6:16-22, 9:8-15–Noah and the Flood
Noah and the Flood Devotions on Genesis 6:16-22, 9:8-15 Monday–Noah and the Flood “Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation; Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). I have always enjoyed writing but I never liked those times in English class when the focus was on diagramming sentences, memorizing the rules of punctuation and […]
Ruth 4:1-22, Threshing Floor
Threshing Floor Devotions on Ruth 4:1-22 Monday–Threshing Floor “No sooner had Boaz gone up to the gate and set down there than the next of kin … came passing by” (Ruth 4:1). Sickness and death were experienced more often at younger ages three thousand years ago, when the story of Ruth took place. Often a […]
Ruth 3:1-18, Boaz and Ruth
Boaz and Ruth Devotions on Ruth 3:1-18 Monday–Boaz and Ruth “I need to seek some security for you, so that It may be well with you” (Ruth 3:1). It would be appropriate in the opening scene in chapter three to have the song, “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” from the play “Fiddler on the Roof,” playing in […]