“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2 NIV84) I had not anticipated how emotional this devotion might be for me. This is the second verse (the first was John 3:16) that I memorized nearly 30 years ago. I wanted this verse to be […]
05/17/23 Daily Devotion – Remain true to the faith!
“They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.” (Acts 14:21–22, NIV84) It isn’t easy! The […]
05/08/23 Daily Devotion – Be mindful of the enemy!
“It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.” (Acts 12:1–3, […]
04/01/23 Daily Devotion – The last week of Jesus’ life – Saturday (The Sabbath Day)
“Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume. She poured it […]
03/15/23 Daily Devotion – Jesus did not die by crucifixion!
“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:46, NIV84) I get a lot of comfort from Jesus’ final statement from the cross. He no longer says, “My God, My God…”, but once again the deeply relational “Father” […]
01/08/2023 Daily Devotion – Not Peace, but Division!
“Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, […]
Christmas Devotion – Dec. 28: A promise of joy
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” John 15:11 As I promised we are focusing on joy. It is my desire to understand more fully what the shepherds and the wise men felt when they saw the fulfillment of the promises they pursued. […]
10/05/22 Daily Devotion – God provides hope in the misery of this life!
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV84) Today, I take a break from the devotional study on the Gospel of Luke to address what’s heavy on my heart and mind […]
07/07/22 Daily Devotion – The qualification for entrance into God’s kingdom – be born again!
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’ Jesus answered, […]
04/08/22 Daily Devotion – Don’t miss the truth right in front of you!
“‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’” (John 18:37, NIV84) This morning we look at […]