Daily Bible Devotions
Archive page 15 of 27.
Ecclesiastes 12:2
Being Generous Is It's Own Reward
Have you ever started a garden? When I was a child, we had a garden in our back yard. Although I sometimes thought we had more zucchini than we needed, my father always made sure he planted enough se
Reviewed January 16, 2025
James 5:1
Nothing Would Stop Jesus From Saving Us!
In the synoptic Gospels – Matthew, Mark and Luke – Jesus' ministry leads to Jerusalem. This is the end of his journey, where he will fulfill his mission. Not even being threatened by Herod who wants t
Reviewed January 15, 2025
Genesis 1:5
Just Because We Can, Doesn't Make it Right
This is an interesting story from the first Book of Kings, and will continue tomorrow. Ahab is the king of Israel and he wants a neighboring vineyard that the owner doesn't want to sell. He goes home
Reviewed January 15, 2025
Deuteronomy 5:4
The Lord Offers Salvation to All: Not All Will Accept the Gift
This is the same message that Matthew writes about as well: it's our actions that are important. It's easy to say that we believe, but more difficult to live our faith. Although we are not faced with
Reviewed January 13, 2025
2 Peter 3:10
Do Not Be Troubled, God is in Control
Over the last two thousand years, there have been many people who have claimed to know the date of the end of the world. In Paul's day, people expected Jesus to return soon, and even though Jesus had
Reviewed January 13, 2025
2 Kings 12:3
Together, We Form the Living Body of Christ
We are the body of Christ. There is a quotation from St. Teresa of Avila that states: "Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he look
Reviewed January 13, 2025
Zechariah 14:1
We See the Rewards of Faith
We who fear God are truly blessed. When our life's journey is following in the steps of Jesus, we are blessed. Happiness and joy are the rewards we are given for staying close to God. We may not even
Reviewed January 12, 2025
Deuteronomy 5:13
Give Glory To God All Your Days
What has any one of us done for God, or given to God that he should have sent his Son, Jesus, to save us? We have done nothing to deserve salvation. We have done nothing to deserve any of the blessin
Reviewed January 12, 2025
Deuteronomy 5:3
Don't Jump to Conclusions – Check the Facts First
The book of Proverbs gives us a lot to think about. The ones I have chosen today are some of them. The first reminds me of the saying, "Act in haste, repent at leisure." We can be tempted to jump in
Reviewed January 12, 2025
Zechariah 14:1
Today and Every Day, I Recommit Myself to You
Every day is another day to reaffirm our faith. Every day is a "today" for us to avoid the temptations that would lead us into sin. Every day is another chance to help others who might be led into sin
Reviewed January 10, 2025
James 5:5
Where Do We Look For the Face of God?
Elijah knows that Jezebel is looking to kill him. God has been caring for him and he has been told to go to the cave because God will be passing by. God is not in the wind; he is not in the earthquak
Reviewed January 10, 2025
Judges 7:15
All are Children of the One God Whom We Adore
As we read the books of the prophets, we can see how they totally disregarded these commands of Yahweh! First of all they worshiped the false gods of the people with whom they settled. They were alw
Reviewed January 9, 2025
2 Peter 3:4
Jesus Understands our Pain
When this Gospel was written, Jerusalem was under siege by the Romans. It would not be long before the temple would be destroyed, and the siege would end with the attack on Masada. Jesus' prediction
Reviewed January 9, 2025
Judges 7:15
We Each Have Our Own Role in Spreading the Good News
You have to love Paul's writing! Would you believe that this is one sentence? What do we need to take away from this passage? First, we all have a part to play in the spreading of the Gospel and in b
Reviewed January 7, 2025
Isaiah 23:4
Lord, Root out Jealousy and Envy
I have to admit that I love this gospel! I am so reminded of people who want to balance everything so it's fair. I do something for you, so you have to do something for me that is equal to what I did
Reviewed January 7, 2025
James 5:20
We Need to Pay Attention to the Words of Jesus
The placement of this passage is interesting. It comes shortly after the parable of the sower and the seed and the explanation of the parable given to the disciples. It also follows the statement conc
Reviewed January 7, 2025
2 Kings 12:3
May We All Work Together For the Lord in Harmony
Last week, we began looking at Paul's letter to the Ephesians and tomorrow we will conclude our reflection on this letter. Today, Paul puts the focus on the magnitude of this calling to be Christians
Reviewed January 6, 2025
1 John 5:2
Christ has Conquered Sin and Death
We read, "For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised!" This is the promise! We might question the Catholic doctrine of the Assumption of Mary, which is celebrated on this date, but it is
Reviewed January 6, 2025
Genesis 1:6
Yahweh Will Show Us the Way
Will God will find me godly, and answer my prayers? This is the prayer of the psalmist who finds himself surrounded by those who mock him. It probably has been the prayer of many of us who try and fol
Reviewed January 6, 2025
2 Peter 3:14
My Faith Brings Me Joy and Peace
No matter what life throws at us, God is at our side, we have no fear. We believe in the goodness of God and we believe in his promises. We have joy in our hearts and peace even when there is turmoil
Reviewed January 4, 2025
1 Chronicles 13:5
Thanks For Rescuing Me When I am Lost
The Pharisees were always complaining that Jesus spent so much of his time with "sinners." At one point Jesus told them that those who were well didn't need a doctor. Jesus wants all to be saved. W
Reviewed January 4, 2025
Deuteronomy 5:1
Kindness is More Powerful Than Violence
Many had come to find Elisha and bring him to Syria. With God's help, they were captured and brought to the king of Israel. But instead of killing them as he wanted to do, Elisha convinced him to feed
Reviewed January 4, 2025
2 Peter 3:14
I Am Strengthened By the Love of the Lord
Don't you just love Paul's prayer for us! We have been strengthened by the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. I would ask how it feels to be loved so deeply and completely, but I wouldn't presume that y
Reviewed January 3, 2025
Judges 7:4
May We Have Eyes and Ears That Are Open
I wonder what God would say today about the world in which we live! I have a feeling that he would still find a rebellious house; even among those who call themselves Christian. Christianity is more
Reviewed January 3, 2025
2 Peter 3:14
A Community of Love – Father, Son and Holy Spirit
This final verse is one of the clearest statements of the Trinitarian nature of God in the New Testament. It is one of the great mysteries of our faith and one that is a stumbling block to many. How
Reviewed January 3, 2025
2 Peter 3:14
Whoever We Are, We are One in Christ
Paul is making sure that the Greek Gentiles who have been converted to Christianity understand that they are just as important as the Jewish converts. They are fellow citizens. They along with the Jew
Reviewed January 1, 2025
2 Peter 3:10
Be Generous as God is Generous With Us
The gospel account of the feeding of the five thousand is so familiar we might be tempted to tune out. After all, we know the ending! How does this relate to us? We need to be a welcoming community
Reviewed January 1, 2025
Zechariah 14:1
No Matter the Trials, May We Keep the Faith
I have used this reading many times when a loved one has died. Most of the time it was used for an elderly person who had literally fought the good fight of faith for many years. I hope that the same
Reviewed January 1, 2025
Joshua 6:6
When We Receive a Gift, We Need to Say Thank You
This section of Ephesians was interpreted by Martin Luther as meaning that works were not important as salvation is our as a pure gift from God; a gift earned for us by Jesus. However, James in his l
Reviewed December 31, 2024
James 5:8
Gratitude for the Mercy of God
I am glad that God does not think the way that we do! God is so much more merciful. Usually, when mercy is called for, we ask for what we call "justice." But the justice we want is usually revenge.
Reviewed December 31, 2024
James 5:20
Lord, Your Word is My Guide
If we want to know how to act; if we want to grow in our knowledge of God and of Jesus; if we want to be ready to live our faith, we need to read the Bible. Some of us have been fortunate to know the
Reviewed December 31, 2024
2 Peter 3:14
We Obey God's Law When We Obey our Civil Laws
The Pharisees sent their disciples and the Herodians to test Jesus with this question. When they heard his answer, they went away, marveling at it. But it is a question of more than money. To whom an
Reviewed December 29, 2024
Judges 7:3
Render to God What is God's
Before the destruction of the temple, all males over the age of nineteen were obliged to pay the temple tax annually. Checking the notes on this passage, it is unclear as to whether this passage appli
Reviewed December 29, 2024
1 Kings 11:4
The Great Commandments
The scribes and Pharisees were always testing Jesus. This time, in order to trap him, the scribe asked which was the greatest commandment? At that time, there were hundreds of commands that the Phari
Reviewed December 29, 2024
Genesis 1:6
As Paul Prays For Us, May We Pray For Others
There is a bishop I worked with for several years especially when he celebrated the sacrament of Confirmation. Every time he celebrated this sacrament, he told the adults and teenagers present that he
Reviewed December 28, 2024
2 Peter 3:4
Don't Let Fear Overcome You
Jesus invites Peter to come to him walking on the water. Peter gets out of the boat and begins to walk on the water, but when he saw that the wind was strong, he became afraid and began to sink. He ca
Reviewed December 28, 2024
Genesis 1:16
Even A Child Can Lead Us
It's been many years now but I remember a young man who was a member of my church. He was a senior in high school at the time and he was very interested in learning more about the Bible and so attende
Reviewed December 28, 2024
Judges 7:15
Evildoers Can Only Kill The Body. We Are Alive With Christ!
This passage from Luke's Gospel, reminds me of the passage from Paul that lets us know that because we are "baptized into Christ's death, we will rise with him." Luke's message must have been a comfo
Reviewed December 26, 2024
Genesis 1:11
God's Time is Not My Time
Habakkuk is one of the lesser known prophets who prophesizes to the people of Judah both warning them of the impending doom and telling them that those who are just will not perish. This prophecy seem
Reviewed December 26, 2024
Song of Solomon 8:1
God Delivers What He Promises
Have you ever tried to imagine the new heavens and new earth? I know that I have. I see myself surrounded by all my friends and relatives including the ones who died when I was a small child or befor
Reviewed December 26, 2024
Joshua 6:13
We Have Hope Because of Christ
We have an inheritance because we are the adopted children of God, the brothers and sisters of Jesus, the Son who was sent to redeem us from our sins. We who have believed just as Paul and the apostle
Reviewed December 25, 2024
Joshua 6:8
I am Grateful for Your Help in Carrying my Cross
This passage seems to have two parts. The first concerns our willingness to carry our cross, and the second is a little more challenging in that we are asked what value we place on eternal life. In e
Reviewed December 25, 2024
Genesis 20:3
We All Need to Take Refuge Under the Wings of God
Anyone who is familiar with the hymn "On Eagles Wings" will recognize the words of this psalm. I love the idea of resting in the arms of the Father. I come from a very Irish English background, and t
Reviewed December 25, 2024
Genesis 1:6
Close Our Hearts to Wickedness and Open Them to You
Another one of my favorite psalms! Don't you just love the image of walking along the stream of water looking at the trees and smelling their fruit. When I believe that I am walking on the straight pa
Reviewed December 23, 2024
1 Chronicles 13:5
Thank You for Helping Me Prepare for Life's Journey
There are so many things to reflect on when we consider the Transfiguration of Jesus. The first for me is, "Why did Jesus choose Peter, James and John over the other apostles?" I can't really give y
Reviewed December 23, 2024
Genesis 1:5
Be A Righteous Person
Have you noticed? Today it seems that all problems need to be settled with violence. I don't get it! Violence breeds violence. Nothing is solved by it. It doesn't matter if it is a family issue, a n
Reviewed December 23, 2024
Deuteronomy 5:1
May We Be Just in All Our Actions
Although King David was warning the rulers of his time, the warning might be appropriate for the leaders of today. We know that God hears the cries of the poor and history bears witness to this. From
Reviewed December 22, 2024
Joshua 6:13
Jesus, My Hope is in You
Sometimes I think that we don't read the Book of Revelation often enough. Some people seem to fear reading it and yet it was written as a book of hope and consolation. At the time it was written, the
Reviewed December 22, 2024
Judges 7:4
Do You Love God
Much has been made of the fact that Peter denied Jesus three times and here is given the opportunity to profess his love for Jesus three times. I hope I don't have to account for every time I have den
Reviewed December 22, 2024
James 5:1
We Can Never Praise God Enough
When I think about all the times that I hear the name of God in the course of a day, I cringe because maybe one or two of those times are said in prayer or praise. Most of the time when I hear God's n
Reviewed December 20, 2024