s God Shows No Partiality Acts 10:1-17, 34-35 Monday–God Shows No Partiality “He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God” (Acts 10:2). A video recently went viral. It showed a teenage boy on a New York sidewalk. It was […]
Narrative Lectionary
Devotions on Matthew 28:16-20–Go and Make Disciples
Go and Make Disciples Matthew 28:16-20 Monday–Go and Make Disciples “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them? (Matthew 28:16). Those of us who live in democracies are somewhat spoiled. We get to elect representatives who we think will vote in a way consistent with our values. […]
Devotions on Matthew 28:1-10–Empty Tomb
Empty Tomb Monday–Empty Tomb “After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, went to see the tomb” (Matthew 28:1). The neighbor’s barking dog woke Juanita from a fitful night’s sleep. She did not want to get up. The memory of burying her husband of thirty-seven […]
Matthew 21:1-17, The Triumphant Entry
, The Triumphant Entry Devotions on Matthew 21:1-13 Monday–The Triumphant Entry “Go into the village ahead of you and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her, untie them and bring them to me” (Matthew 21:3). Ten year-old Nathan slid the patio door of his Phoenix home open and stepped onto […]
Devotions on Matthew 25:13-46, The Son of Man Comes
The Son of Man Comes Monday–The Son of Man Comes “When the Son of Man comes to his glory and all the angels with him, then he will set on the throne of his glory” (Matthew 25:31-32). Very few high school students make it through four years of education without at least once being called […]
Devotions on Matthew 25:1-13–The Ten Bridesmaids
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 […]
Devotions on Matthew 22:1-14–The Wedding Feast
The Wedding Feast Monday–the Wedding Feast “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son” (Matthew 22:2). Life was hard. Villagers worked hard to sustain a meager existence. Times were slightly better when the weather was good and a little worse when the weather was bad. […]
Devotions on Matthew 20:1-16–Laborers in the Vineyard
Laborers in the Vineyard Matthew 20:1-16 Monday–Laborers in the Vineyard “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard” (Matthew 20:1). Wow, what a picture of heaven! There are no pearly gates, fluffy clouds, or gold streets. Nor are there feasts and […]
Matthew 18:15-35, Forgiveness+
Forgiveness+ Devotional Thoughts on Matthew 18:15-35 Monday–Forgiveness+ “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone” (Matthew 18:15). Jesus’ instructions seem so simple, but we certainly have a difficult time following them. Karen and Juanita served on their congregation’s outreach committee. During […]
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 […]