Daily Devotions from Firmly Rooted (archive of 975 devotions). Browse by book, series, or season, or search below.
“When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, ‘Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.’ Moses said to the…
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” — Exodus 20:17 (NIV84) We’ve heard the phrases, “The grass is greener on the other side” and “Keeping up with the Jones’s.” If you’re at all…
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” — Exodus 20:16 (NIV84) For most of us there is not much wiggle room with this commandment. Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, we (humanity) have used words to deceive and hurt others. We shy away from concepts of absolute truth unless…
“You shall not steal.” — Exodus 20:15 (NIV84) Like the commandment not to kill, this commandment is one we too quickly dismiss — we’re sure it doesn’t apply to us. When we think about stealing, we think about robbing someone or their business, and we are quick to justify ourselves because we have never overtly…
“You shall not commit adultery.” — Exodus 20:14 (NIV84) Martin Luther in his explanation to this commandment stated, “We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other.” Please notice that he referenced the marriage…
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” — Exodus 20:12 (NIV84) Please read Martin Luther’s explanation to this commandment carefully. His explanation states, “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other…
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” — Exodus 20:8 (NIV84) God created people in his own image. So besides the innate characteristics of love, grace, mercy, holiness and communication, we were endowed with the ability to create and work. God creates and works, and so do people. Adam and Eve were directed to work…
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.” — Exodus 20:7 (NIV84) How we use a name expresses how we feel toward that person or thing. The intent of our heart reveals itself as we begin to add actions and adjectives…
“You shall have no other gods before me.” — Exodus 20:3 (NIV84) Starting today, we are going to go through a series of devotions on the Ten Commandments. The numbering of the commandments differs from one denomination to another, but the integrity of the commandments remains the same. I come from a Lutheran heritage and…
“And God spoke all these words: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.’” — Exodus 20:1-2 (NIV84) As sinful human beings, we often look at the commands of God and feel like He is taking something away from us. We feel He is restricting…