Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
I laugh when I look at predictions from previous generations that the advances in technology would give us shorter work weeks and more leisure time. If anything, technology has increased the expectations about how productive we should be. We are busier than ever. But what about God? How do people with careers, families, etc. find … Read More “How to Spend Time with God When You Are Busy” »
A devotion based on 3 John 1:3. John was not just a theologian, he was a pastor. As much as he liked to talk about God, he also was very interested in what was happening with people. This letter was written to a church. Churches were not like today, large congregations with their own buildings. … Read More “Devotions: 3 John” »
A devotion based on 1 John 1:8. John’s first letter is rich in practical theology. The letter is an attempt to demonstrate what the Christian life is supposed to look like. One of the areas addressed is that of sin. He makes it clear that a life of sin is not compatible with following Jesus. … Read More “Devotions: 1 John” »
A devotion based on Jude 3. Like James, Jude was a half-brother of Jesus. His letter may be short but is filled with both theological and pastoral truth. One of Jude’s main concerns is the theological integrity of the church. People had infiltrated the church with false doctrine and this in turn had begun to … Read More “Devotions: Jude” »
A devotion based on 2 Peter 1:16. Peter came from humble beginnings as a fisherman from Galilee. He was called from his nets by Jesus and eventually became a part of Jesus’ inner circle. Despite a record of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, Peter became one of the most important leaders in … Read More “Devotions: 2 Peter” »
A devotion based on 1 Peter 2:12. In his first letter, Peter writes to a church that is under pressure. They are experiencing persecution and it is making the Christian life difficult. It is always easier to give up but Peter encourages them to hold fast. Among other things, Peter tells them to be careful … Read More “Devotions: 1 Peter” »
A devotion based on James 3:9. The letter of James is one of the most practical letters in the New Testament. James, who was the half-brother of Jesus, was not interested in purely theoretical aspects of theology. While rooted in biblical theology, James spent much of his time working out the applications for the Christian. … Read More “Devotions: James” »
A devotion based on Hebrews 4:15. The author of Hebrews is writing to Christians, probably of Jewish origin, who are struggling with their faith. Should they remain Christians or should they return to their former Judaism? The author has a very carefully crafted response that focuses on the identity of Jesus. Loyalty to Christianity stands or … Read More “Devotions: Hebrews” »
A devotion based on Philemon 1:21. Philemon is a wonderful letter that is unfortunately not read enough. The basic story is that Onesimus, a slave of Philemon, ran away and ended up meeting the Apostle Paul. Onesimus became a Christian and Paul sent him back with this letter requesting that Philemon be merciful and treat … Read More “Devotions: Philemon” »
A devotion based on 2 Timothy 4:6. The Apostle Paul had a long and fruitful ministry. From the moment he met the risen Jesus to his patient waiting in a cell before his execution, God had used him in a mighty way. Looking at his letters, it is likely that in the early years that … Read More “Devotions: 2 Timothy” »
A devotion based on 1 Timothy 2:1-2. Paul lived in the Roman Empire which included something called the Pax Romana or Roman peace. This was a double-edged sword (pun intended). On one hand, some nations enjoyed peace for the first time in centuries because of the Roman presence. However, if you were deemed to be … Read More “Devotions: 1 Timothy” »
A devotion based on 2 Thessalonians 1:3. A thanksgiving was a normal part of an ancient letter. Paul took what was a routine section of a letter and infused it with meaning. When Paul says “Thank God,” he is not just being polite, he is really thanking God. He had something specific for which he … Read More “Devotions: 2 Thessalonians” »
A devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:14. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul is dealing with a problem that is hard for us to imagine in our modern context. Christians in the early church thought that Jesus would return within a few years, if not within a few months. When that began to stretch out into decades … Read More “Devotions: 1 Thessalonians” »
A devotion based on Philippians 1:12-13. Paul had a rough life. A number of times in his life he went through some very difficult circumstances. Beatings, imprisonment, you name it, Paul had it. Philippians is one of the prison epistles, that is it was a letter that he wrote from jail. How would you feel … Read More “Devotions: Philippians” »
A devotion based on Ephesians 2:8-9. A key part of Paul’s theology is salvation of grace. This was very personal to Paul. As a Pharisee, Paul worked hard to fulfill the commandments of both the written and oral law. When Jesus met Paul on the road to Damascus, Paul was confronted with a salvation completely … Read More “Devotions: Ephesians” »
A devotion based on Galatians 1:6-7. These verses are key to the entire letter to the Galatians. Paul was upset the Galatians were considering abandoning the true Gospel of God. The Gospel that Paul preached was that people can become Christians through the grace of God, apart from any rules or rituals. After Paul left the … Read More “Devotions: Galatians” »
A devotion based on 1 Corinthians 15:17. In this chapter, Paul is providing an extended treatment on the resurrection, both of Jesus and of believers at the return of Jesus. The reason for this is that the Corinthians saw themselves as so spiritual that they could not imagine another level. They did not believe that … Read More “Devotions: 1 Corinthians” »
A devotion based on Acts 16:30. In this story, God releases Paul and Silas from jail in the city of Philippi. When the jailer discovered what had happened, he was prepared to commit suicide as he knew the punishment he would face from his superiors. He was surprised, therefore, to discover that the prisoners had … Read More “Devotions: Acts” »
A devotion based on John 3:3. You must be born again. What does that mean? That phrase has been misunderstood ever since Jesus first uttered them two thousand years ago. Nicodemus, who was a trained theologian living in Jesus’ culture and speaking Jesus’ language, had no idea what it meant. He dismissed it with a hyper-literal … Read More “Devotions: John” »
A devotion based on Luke 19:9. One of the most popular stories in the Gospels is the story of Zacchaeus. There is a reason why children are able to enjoy it. It is incredibly visual. We can picture this short tax-collector perched in a tree, listening to Jesus. We can imagine the surprise on his … Read More “Devotions: Luke” »
A devotion based on Mark 8:33. The Apostle Peter is known for saying and doing the wrong thing but one of the worst experiences was that which resulted in Jesus calling him Satan. Not even the denying of Jesus resulted in such a harsh rebuke. After calling him this name, Jesus went on to explain that … Read More “Devotions: Mark” »
A devotion based on Matthew 6:10. When I was in public school, we recited the Lord’s Prayer every morning. The church I attended prayed the Lord’s Prayer every Sunday. At least for that generation, the Lord’s Prayer was one of the most well known passages of the Bible. The problem is that the words can … Read More “Devotions: Matthew” »
A devotion based on Malachi 1:8. The Old Testament provides very clear guidelines for the sacrifices offered to God. Because God is holy and righteous, only the best animals are to be sacrificed. In the days of Malachi, the high standard for worship had fallen significantly. The priests were offering animals that were defective in … Read More “Devotions: Malachi” »
A devotion based on Haggai 2:5. The context of this passage was a very difficult time for Judah. Although the exile was technically over, things were not as prosperous as people had hoped. The Temple was still in ruins and things were not looking good for it to be rebuilt. The two main leaders were … Read More “Devotions: Haggai” »
A devotion based on Habakkuk 1:2. Although written thousands of years ago, Habakkuk’s prophecy is very timely. Habakkuk looked at the world around him with all its violence and injustice and felt despair. Where was God? When was he going to do something? Habakkuk did not feel the need to hide his questions as if … Read More “Devotions: Habakkuk” »
A devotion based on Jonah 4:2. Jonah is known for being the prophet swallowed by a fish. However, the most significant part of the book occurs near the end. Jonah had been hoping for the destruction of the people of Nineveh only to be disappointed by God’s grace. Can you imagine being angry that God … Read More “Devotions: Jonah” »
A devotion based on Obadiah 1:15. Obadiah is a one chapter prophet but that does not mean that he is at lack for something to say. His focus is on the punishment that will come upon Edom for all that they had done to God’s people. Judgment on the nations is a common theme among … Read More “Devotions: Obadiah” »
A devotion based on Amos 5:14. The book of Amos is fairly typical of the minor prophets. The people sin. The prophet proclaims judgment. The people are challenged to repent. I am sure there were times when the people wondered how they would ever get out of this. What exactly did God want? Amos presents … Read More “Devotions: Amos” »
A devotion based on Joel 2:28. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was closely connected with prophecy. Prophecy was closely connected with authority. That authority was limited to a very small number. Far back in the Old Testament, Joshua caught a group of people prophesying by the power of the Spirit. Jealous for his … Read More “Devotions: Joel” »
A devotion based on Ezekiel 37:5. At this point in history, Judah was in a terrible situation. People were in exile. Infrastructure was crippled. Political autonomy was crumbling. The Babylonians had taken everything away from Judah. It was as if Judah (and Israel before it) were nothing more than dead bones. It was during this time … Read More “Devotions: Ezekiel” »
A devotion based on Lamentations 3:22-23. These verses are some of the most beautiful words of praise found in the Bible. They are so wonderful that these verses are the basis for the popular hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness. But most people who sing that hymn have no idea that it is based on Lamentations. … Read More “Devotions: Lamentations” »
A devotion based on Song of Solomon 1:15. The Song of Solomon is one of the hardest books of the Bible to write a devotion. It just does not seem very spiritual. Some have seen it as an allegory of love between Israel and God or the Church and Jesus. However, a plain reading of … Read More “Devotions: Song of Solomon” »
