Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.’” — Exodus 20:22-23 (NIV84) How silly it would be to have seen, […]
08/07/23 Daily Devotion – The amazing thing about prayer!
“…as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” — 2 Corinthians 1:11 (NIV84) The amazing thing about prayer is that there is such a thing. Certainly an omnipotent and omniscient God could choose to do […]
05/10/23 Daily Devotion – Let’s pray!
“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” (Acts 12:5, NIV84) I marvel at the spiritual maturity of this young Christian church. It had begun to experience heavy persecution. Even though Saul (Paul) had been converted to the faith, the persecution persisted from the Roman Empire and the […]
03/02/23 Daily Devotion – Sweat like drops of blood
“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:44, NIV84) In one of his books C. S. Lewis talked about temptation with a clarity I will never forget. He talked about how Jesus underwent temptation just like you and me. He faced […]
03/01/23 Daily Devotion – ‘Not my will, but Thine be done’
“‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done.’” (Luke 22:42, NIV84) There are those in the Christian faith who hold a doctrine on prayer that has been characterized as “name it and claim it.” They believe that if we ask God for something in prayer […]
02/28/23 Daily Devotion – Praying about temptation
“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’ ” (Luke 22:39–40, NIV84) Two to three times Jesus warned the disciples to pray about not falling into temptation during this short period of […]
02/27/23 Daily Devotion – He knows what’s coming!
“‘Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.’” (Luke 22:31–32, NIV84) For the first time, I draw comfort from these verses. Previously when I read them, my mind would jump directly to […]
01/30/2023 Daily Devotion – Prayer from God’s perspective!
“And the Lord said, ‘Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?’” (Luke 18:6–7, NIV84) Even an unjust judge will eventually respond to the repeated requests of an individual crying for […]
11/25/2022 Daily Devotion – Ask, Seek and Knock!
“’So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.’ Which of you fathers, if your son asks for […]
11/24/2022 Daily Devotion – The Lord’s Prayer
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us […]