Daily Bible Devotions
Archive page 11 of 27.
Deuteronomy 5:1
Being a Witness of God's Love to Others
I'm going to start with the family! If your family is anything like mine, you will have at least one person who doesn't speak to another person. Sometimes that one person wants YOU to choose sides. W
Reviewed May 13, 2025
Jeremiah 6:15
The Diaconate
This passage of Acts gives us the institution of the order of Deacon. The purpose of the deacon was to serve. The word for deacon comes from the Greek word for "to serve." This is the first separatio
Reviewed May 12, 2025
1 Kings 11:4
The Lost Coin
We all know the story of the lost sheep and the prodigal or lost, son, but do we remember the story of the lost coin which is sandwiched between the two in Luke's Gospel? The ten drachma were most lik
Reviewed May 10, 2025
1 John 5:2
Sin's Punishment
People often blame God when bad things happen and feel it's God's punishment for sin But this passage from Genesis lets us know that sometimes sin brings its own punishment. We all know the story of
Reviewed May 10, 2025
2 Peter 3:10
My Light and My Salvation
This psalm is such a favorite of mine that I have requested it for my funeral. My life has seen a lot of loss, grandparents, parents, siblings, a child, grandchildren and my marriage. Especially foll
Reviewed May 10, 2025
James 5:5
Good Brings Forth Good
And evil brings forth evil. Honest people can be trusted to be honest and dishonest people can't be trusted, because they lie. Whether we like it or not, we are judged on our actions. People are alwa
Reviewed May 9, 2025
James 5:20
The Important Things
What is important to you? This proverb tells us what is necessary if finding knowledge of God is what we are searching for. When this is compared to the search for silver or hidden treasures, we see
Reviewed May 9, 2025
Judges 7:4
Some Rules to Live By
How does Christianity call us to live? Paul had some very specific ideas about this and outlines them in this letter to the community in Rome. I like especially the first: let love be without hypocris
Reviewed May 9, 2025
James 5:5
My Refuge, My Fortress
When we are in trouble, where do we turn? Is God our first thought? Do we really believe that God is our fortress, and our refuge? From the beginning Scripture tells us to trust in God. From Adam and
Reviewed May 7, 2025
Genesis 1:11
To Be Born Again
Baptism is an interesting sacrament among Christians, the only one that all Christian denominations accept as necessary if one is to be called a Christian. But there are questions about how and at wh
Reviewed May 7, 2025
2 Peter 3:14
The Path to Peace
Colossians talks about how not to live if we want to spend eternity with God, and in this passage tells us how to live in order to have happiness and peace now and forever. We need a compassionate hea
Reviewed May 6, 2025
1 Chronicles 13:5
He Meets Us Along The Way
Have you ever wondered where God was when you needed him? I'm sure that the two disciples on the road to Emmaus were wondering the same thing. But Jesus was right there walking with them and they didn
Reviewed May 6, 2025
2 Peter 3:3
Behaviors Not Acceptable
Look at that! All the things that today's "reality shows" present as not just acceptable, but as desired! What are we to believe? I would suggest we believe God. How do I feel when I am a victim of s
Reviewed May 4, 2025
2 Peter 3:14
You are a Temple of The Holy Spirit
This is a hard saying in today's world. Sexual immorality is so rampant and public that few people believe it to be immoral! People no longer think of sexual behavior outside of marriage as wrong and
Reviewed May 4, 2025
Joel 3:4
No One Lacked For Anything
The early Christians were known by the example they showed in how they loved one another. In this short passage, we learn that they shared what they had so that no one went without. If we read furthe
Reviewed May 4, 2025
Deuteronomy 5:1
To Whom Do We Listen
In another translation, we are told not to listen to philosophies based on "cosmic" powers. To me this can refer to a lot of things but what came to mind was astrology. I am not a reader of horoscope
Reviewed May 3, 2025
Proverbs 20:2
Loss or Gain
Paul is telling us and the Philippians that whatever he has suffered, whatever he has lost, it is nothing compared to what he has gained in Christ. Whenever we make changes in our lives, we lose as we
Reviewed May 3, 2025
2 Kings 12:3
The Rejected Stone
Once I was working with a group of teenagers and had given them a project where they needed to make a picture to illustrate one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit and they needed to work on it in teams.
Reviewed May 3, 2025
2 Peter 3:3
Abraham's Sacrifice
Did you ever wonder what went through Abraham's mind when he believed that God wanted him to sacrifice his son? Of course, at that particular time in history, sacrifice of the first-born was not unus
Reviewed May 1, 2025
James 5:8
Now It's Your Turn
Often we focus on the great, unearned, unlimited mercy God has shown us. Now we need to consider how we have shown mercy to others – and maybe even to ourselves! Where do you have a problem with bei
Reviewed May 1, 2025
James 5:1
Let us Bless The Lord
This is one of the psalms attributed to David. He is thanking God for rescuing him and promising to bless God at all times. He asks us to join him in his praises. He says his soul shall boast in the
Reviewed April 30, 2025
Genesis 1:6
Christ Our King
This phrase is both a statement and a question. Is Christ my king, or your king, and what does it mean to say yes? Today's gospel is a very familiar one. How often we hear the story of the "good thie
Reviewed April 30, 2025
Psalm 19:12
Be Steadfast
As I read this passage, what came to mind was the line from the hymn "Amazing Grace:" "I once was lost, and now am found." This is what Paul is saying to the Colossians, they were once alienated and
Reviewed April 28, 2025
Jeremiah 6:15
Lot's Rescue
When I read about Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, I tend to think about Lot's wife and her turning back just when salvation was in her grasp. The angels had brought the whole family to
Reviewed April 28, 2025
2 Peter 3:10
Spy Wednesday
What price do I place on Jesus' head? For Judas it was thirty pieces of silver. I know you're thinking, "Not me!" Stop and think: when was the last time you chose your needs over that of your family?
Reviewed April 28, 2025
Judges 7:4
God is Patient
This seems to be the answer to the question about why God isn't answering my prayers! God is just taking his time until the time is right! Are we patient with God? Probably not so much! We want every
Reviewed April 27, 2025
1 Chronicles 13:5
Say Thank You
As small children we were all taught to say please and thank you, but as adults we sometimes forget. This psalm reminds us that we owe God a thank you for everything we have. Gratitude is so important
Reviewed April 27, 2025
Genesis 1:11
One of You Will Betray Me
Judas betrayed Jesus, Peter denied him and the rest ran away. I don't know what I would have done in their situation but I'm glad I will never find out in such a dramatic fashion. However, when I hav
Reviewed April 27, 2025
Ecclesiastes 12:2
Continue to Grow and Persevere
What Paul is saying to new Christians, we all need to take to heart. It is not enough to be content with our knowledge of God. God is infinite, we are finite. No matter how much we know, or think we
Reviewed April 25, 2025
Judges 7:15
To Live In Christ
We know that we who have been baptized have been baptized into his death so that we might rise with him. The words may be a little different from those of Paul, but the message is the same, if we are
Reviewed April 25, 2025
Joel 3:4
The Secret of Happiness
Have you ever played a team sport? When the team plays as one, they are more apt to win. But even if they don't win, they still share in the knowledge that they did the best they could. Jesus praye
Reviewed April 25, 2025
1 Chronicles 13:5
Giving Thanks
Did you ever notice that Paul always thanks the people who accepted the Gospel message for their faith and love? He will then go on to teach them, to admonish them if necessary, and to encourage them
Reviewed April 24, 2025
2 Peter 3:3
They Came to Believe
Jesus' time is getting close and the Jews who wished to kill him were getting closer but he wasn't quite ready, so he went back to the beginning. In Jesus' day, people didn't travel as far as they do
Reviewed April 24, 2025
Judges 7:15
A Declaration
Was Jesus confirming his divinity? Some will say yes and others, I don't know. What I know is that John was writing this long after Jesus death at a time when there were debates going on around this
Reviewed April 22, 2025
Genesis 1:6
Encountering Jesus In The Unexpected
When was the last time you encountered Jesus? No, I'm not talking about having visions – although I'm not ruling that out! Just as we often have the opportunity to be "Jesus" for others, we should e
Reviewed April 22, 2025
2 Peter 3:8
And the Truth Shall Set You Free
Today there are so many voices claiming to tell us the truth. We have various radio and television stations reporting, each one with its own version of the truth, quoting people who are supposedly tel
Reviewed April 21, 2025
Genesis 1:19
What are the Demons Today?
You notice that I didn't ask IF there are demons today. The Gospel speaks of Jesus driving out demons and we are still in need of this! True, we can think of personal demons such as drug abuse and al
Reviewed April 21, 2025
2 Peter 3:6
We Choose the Way
Jesus tells us that the golden rule sums up the law and the prophets. Jesus is also telling us that we shouldn't try to take the easy way out. From the time a two or three year old figures out that d
Reviewed April 19, 2025
Genesis 1:6
Who is this Jesus?
The apostles had spent time with Jesus listening to him talk about the Kingdom of God, healing those suffering from physical and spiritual illnesses and now they are sailing with him across the sea wh
Reviewed April 19, 2025
Psalm 19:1
And Abram Went
I'm not sure that I would have had the courage to do what Abram did. Where did he find the faith to listen to this voice of God and believe? Abram was not a nomad, he lived in a land that he knew. He
Reviewed April 18, 2025
Joshua 6:8
Who's The Judge
We are so like the men in this passage from John. Quick to judge and we want that person punished. There's a saying, "People who live in glass houses, shouldn't throw stones." Jesus knew what was in
Reviewed April 18, 2025
Joel 3:4
Who Do You Say That I Am?
This is one of my favorite Gospel Passages. It's a question that I have often used for meditation both for myself and for classes I have taught to both teens and adults. It's a question that I think w
Reviewed April 16, 2025
2 Peter 3:3
From Death to New Life
How many of us have cried out with Martha and Mary, "Lord, if you had been there, my brother – sister, mother, father, child, friend – would not have died?" Today's reading lets us know that Jesus wa
Reviewed April 16, 2025
Malachi 4:6
Imitating Christ
Leprosy was and is a terrible condition. In ancient times a person with any open sore was suspected of having leprosy and had to remain outside the camp – trying to survive as best he or she could, av
Reviewed April 16, 2025
2 Kings 12:3
People Don't Like To Have Their Faults Pointed Out
Jeremiah was trying to do God's work. He was charged with encouraging the people to return to God, to stop worshiping idols, to turn away from evil or they would be destroyed. So they decided to kill
Reviewed April 15, 2025
Joel 3:4
Ask, Seek, Knock
Today's gospel passage makes it seem so simple! Ask God for what you want and you'll get it; look for what you want and you'll find it; just knock and doors will be opened to you. However, Jesus remi
Reviewed April 15, 2025
Joel 3:4
There is only one Messiah, Jesus
Jesus was walking around Jerusalem openly. The people knew that the Pharisees and the chief priests wanted to kill Jesus, but they couldn't understand why they were letting him walk around still teach
Reviewed April 13, 2025
Joel 3:2
Who is My Mother, Sister, Brother?
Sometimes preachers use this text to question whether or not Jesus has siblings, but I think they miss the point of the text. Jesus looks at the people gathered around him, listening to his message, a
Reviewed April 13, 2025
Mark 16:1
Nothing is New
Ecclesiastes is a fun book to read. About the only thing people recognize is in chapter three where we read about a season for everything – a time to live, a time to die, etc. – but we have much to l
Reviewed April 12, 2025
1 Kings 11:2
Who Do We Believe
The people of Jesus' time were looking for a Messiah, but a Messiah of their own design. We forget sometimes, that the Jewish people of every generation were waiting for the promised Messiah. Jesus e
Reviewed April 12, 2025