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 […]
Steadfast Love
Jeremiah 36:1-28; 31:31-34, A New Covenant
A New Covenant Devotions on Jeremiah 36:1-8, 21-23, 27-31 Monday, A New Covenant “Take a scroll and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel and Judah and all the nations” (Jeremiah 36:2). Cal Evers listened as Sunday’s gospel lesson was read. The text included Matthew 5:23, “So […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Devotions on Psalm 40:1-10, Trust in the Lord
June 22-28, 2015, Trust in the Lord Monday, Trust in the Lord “I wait patiently for the Lord” (Psalm 40:1a); Patience appears to be a key element in one’s spiritual life. The Apostle Paul lists it as one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). The Prophet Isaiah counsels the people of Israel to […]
The Lord is My Shepherd, Psalm 23:1-6
Devotions for Psalm 23:1-6 June 19-25, 2017–The Lord is My Shepherd June 19-25, 2017 Monday, June 19, 2017 ͞The Lord is my shepherd͟ (Psalm 51:1a). Sandra Connors was impressed by the young intern, Gail McNeil. Gail demonstrated a personal drive, attention to detail and ability to work with others that made her a valuable […]
Devotions on Psalm 13:1-6, Dark Night of the Soul
Devotions for Psalm 13:1-6–Dark Night of the Soul June 12-18, 2017 Monday, June 12, 2017–Dark Night of the Soul “Will you forget me forever” (Psalm 13:1a). At ninety-two, Clyde Holthauser could no longer live alone. Clyde’s two children and their families couldn’t provide adequate care for him either. So the decision was made […]
Come Worship the Lord, Psalm 100:1-5
Devotions for Psalm 100: 1-5–Come Worship the Lord June 5-11, 2017 Monday, June 5, 2017–Come Worship the Lord. “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth” (Psalm 100:1). At the end of the service, the younger members of the congregation rush to the front. Grabbing maracas, triangles, bells and tambourines, they begin […]