Daily Bible Devotions
Archive page 17 of 27.
2 Peter 3:11
We Know, We Believe, Now We Need to Change
What would it take for the people to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ? It turns out, that it would take his resurrection. His miracles were not enough. His teachings were not enough. In spi
Reviewed November 22, 2024
Joel 3:2
A Good Example
The job of foot washing was done by the servant in the household. This was important to do especially if you were going to sit down for a meal. The roads were dusty and everyone wore sandals or went
Reviewed November 22, 2024
Genesis 1:6
Enter God's Kingdom, A Rich Man or A Poor Man
Why does Jesus say that it is difficult for anyone with riches to enter God's Kingdom? I think the real issue is, to whom do we give the credit for what we have? It's easy to think we did it all ourse
Reviewed November 22, 2024
James 5:5
What is the Evil We Need to Put Away?
What does God expect us to do? This makes it pretty clear! When I read Scripture, I notice how the sentences often run long with anywhere from three to five clauses at times. Here, we have commands.
Reviewed November 20, 2024
2 Peter 3:8
The Light in Our World
Jesus brings light into our world and into our life. He opens our eyes to see what is true, good and beautiful. He also wants to open our eyes to see the needs of others. Jesus reminds us all the tim
Reviewed November 20, 2024
Matthew 28:3
Be the Light, to Shine Out of Darkness
Just as Paul and the other apostles and disciples were sent to preach the Good News, we are sent by virtue of our baptism to be disciples as well. We gain confidence by knowing that it is Jesus who s
Reviewed November 20, 2024
Genesis 1:19
God Will Accomplish What He Sets Out to Do
The parable of the sower and the seed is a very familiar one and one of the few that Jesus explains to the disciples. However, I don't usually connect this passage from Isaiah with the parable. I find
Reviewed November 19, 2024
Zechariah 14:1
Christians, Faithful Followers of Jesus Christ
Sometimes people wonder why we are called "Christians" since Jesus was a Jew. There are a couple of reasons. One is that originally they were in fact a sect of Judaism until they were thrown out of t
Reviewed November 19, 2024
2 Kings 12:1
Who Was the Greatest
This passage from Mark's Gospel echoes in ways, the proverb from last week concerning letting someone else tell about your achievements. Do you follow sports? I have to admit that I really don't but
Reviewed November 19, 2024
Joshua 6:1
God Will Always Bring Us Back
This prophecy from Ezekiel will come to fruition when Cyrus invades and conquers Babylon and allows those in exile to return with money and the sacred vessels, seed and flocks so that they can rebuild
Reviewed November 17, 2024
Proverbs 20:1
A Man of Understanding
Once again, the book of Proverbs gives us its wisdom. What's the point of quarreling? If you disagree with me, I respect your decision to do so. If I disagree with you, I expect the same. Why? Becaus
Reviewed November 17, 2024
Isaiah 23:4
The Importance of Warning the Wicked
What do you think about this warning from Ezekiel? To me, it gives new meaning to loving my neighbor. Not only should I be treating my neighbor in a loving way, but that now extends to helping him av
Reviewed November 17, 2024
Deuteronomy 5:1
Share Your Experience of God and You Will Empower Others
Jesus sent the apostles out on a mission. We are also commissioned as baptized people, to go out and preach the Good News of salvation. So how are we doing as disciples? Let's see. How comfortable a
Reviewed November 16, 2024
Zechariah 14:1
A Good Shepherd
By faith, we know Jesus. By faith, we recognize what he has done for us and have chosen to follow him. Most of us were probably not Jews before we chose to become a Christian. We are the ones which w
Reviewed November 16, 2024
1 John 5:2
Big and Small in the Kingdom of Heaven
Today's Gospel is a good reminder that sin is sin whether it is serious or not. Jesus tells us that anger is a sin, not just murder; lust is a sin, not just adultery. Don't lie, don't swear. In othe
Reviewed November 16, 2024
2 Kings 12:1
God Redeems and Calls Each of Us
We are familiar with the story of Paul who was once one of the leading persecutors of Christians. Having experienced Jesus, he turned his life around and became one of the fiercest defenders of Christ
Reviewed November 14, 2024
Deuteronomy 5:1
God's Favoritism
I believe that this passage from Acts should be read and meditated on at least once a year. It would be fine if we, too, did not show favoritism! The reality is quite different. Our society favors th
Reviewed November 14, 2024
Genesis 1:11
Do Not Boast
The Book of Proverbs makes for interesting reading. This passage makes me think of the sayings, "Pride comes before a fall," and "Don't toot your own horn." "The bigger they are, the harder they fall.
Reviewed November 14, 2024
Genesis 1:1
Jesus Will Also Raise us
Can you imagine what the people must have thought? Today, people know about CPR and have defibrillators and all sorts of equipment to save someone who has a heart attack or suddenly stops breathing,
Reviewed November 13, 2024
Joel 3:4
Give Us A Perseverance Heart
What should we who are followers of Jesus look like? The answer is above. It is not easy to be a Christian. We try to be holy and kind, not proud or arrogant, to have compassion for others, and to ke
Reviewed November 13, 2024
Joel 3:4
But Who Do You Say That I Am
This is my favorite Gospel passage for meditation, and I challenge you to give it a try. Each time I read it I stop and think about it. Jesus is walking along the road with his disciples and he asks
Reviewed November 13, 2024
2 Peter 3:3
The Spirit Leads us to Life
For many people, it's a tough choice – pleasure today or eternal life tomorrow. We are so into instant gratification. We find it hard to wait for anything, especially pleasure. We almost want what we
Reviewed November 11, 2024
James 5:5
Trust in God and Do Good
Once again, God is warning the people against injustice. The poor and the vulnerable have always been the prey of those who would take advantage of others. It was happening in Israel then, and it is h
Reviewed November 11, 2024
2 Peter 3:8
How God Expects Us to Live
Psalm 15 is pretty clear on how God expects us to live. It looks easy, so why is it that we have so much trouble keeping God's commands? Who of us has not gossiped, or broken a promise? We are told i
Reviewed November 11, 2024
2 Peter 3:8
Where Do We Find Truth?
Let us hear what God will speak! God speaks peace. Unfortunately, most of us turn again to folly. Mercy and truth will help to bring peace. Peace comes only when people speak the truth and work for j
Reviewed November 10, 2024
Genesis 1:19
Risen Christ, Fill Us With Your Peace
We live in a world that is vastly different from the world of the first century. We travel further and aren't dependent on camels or donkeys, but have cars and trucks. We fly without even thinking abo
Reviewed November 10, 2024
Genesis 1:5
The Salt of the Earth
Salt was a very important product before there were other ways of preserving meats and fish. It is also important for flavoring food. Over the years, salt goes in and out of favor as it has been link
Reviewed November 10, 2024
Genesis 1:11
By What Standards Do You Judge?
In the time of Jesus, you couldn't just Google someone famous and find out the names of his parents, where they were born, how old they are, where they grew up, went to school, who his brothers or sis
Reviewed November 8, 2024
James 5:1
The Lord Be With You
Paul was in Corinth at this time and many of the Gentiles were becoming Christian. Paul stayed in Corinth teaching about Jesus for a year and a half. He got to know the Corinthians well and that may a
Reviewed November 8, 2024
James 5:5
Do We Place Our Trust in God?
Money can be lost in so many different ways. In the nineteen twenties and early thirties, there was a world-wide depression. Many people lost all of their savings in the stock markets; banks crashed
Reviewed November 7, 2024
James 5:20
Risen Christ, Fill Us With Your Words
And so the first deacons were selected! The word for "Deacon" in Greek means to serve. The deacons were chosen so that they could take care of the everyday needs of the people while the apostles pray
Reviewed November 7, 2024
Zechariah 14:1
How Strong is My Faith?
The storms of life can come at us all of a sudden. We are sailing along and then, wham! We are in the middle of a storm and feel that Jesus is asleep! What we need is faith. Now, Jesus is not goin
Reviewed November 5, 2024
2 Peter 3:14
Do Not Turn Your Heart Away From God
Solomon would be the last king of a united Israel. Because of the dissolution of a united country, other countries invaded Israel and this began a series of destructive battles eventually leading to t
Reviewed November 5, 2024
Genesis 1:19
When We Put God First, All Else Falls Into Place
Does this sound harsh? What does it mean to love father or mother, son or daughter more than to love Jesus? It could also have said, husband or wife, or friend! The answer isn't in the loving, but in
Reviewed November 4, 2024
Numbers 3:16
God, Enlighten Your Holy Church
John 3:16 is one of the most well-known verses in the New Testament. I have seen it on billboards and on banners at sports events. I always wonder if the people who post it, or the people who read it,
Reviewed November 4, 2024
James 5:20
Words of Wisdom
Unfortunately, words of injustice sometimes are listened to more often than words of wisdom. Why? Possibly because they appeal to our self-interest or unrecognized prejudices. Words of wisdom and jus
Reviewed November 4, 2024
Joshua 6:13
The Lord is Our Hope
It is difficult for us to read the Book of Lamentations the way it was originally written. This series of poems is written so that each stanza begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It i
Reviewed November 2, 2024
Joshua 6:8
A Broken Heart, The Flame of Love
God has never promised anyone that they wouldn't have to sacrifice or suffer. It is the human condition. Even if we go back to the story of Adam and Eve, they couldn't have everything, they had to av
Reviewed November 2, 2024
Genesis 1:5
Merciful Deeds
Why do we do the right thing? Why do we support organizations that seek to help others? Do we check to see if anyone is watching before we help someone in trouble? Jesus is telling us that what is in
Reviewed November 2, 2024
1 Kings 11:4
Without the Lord, I Have Nothing
It's hard to be joyful when you are being sent into exile. It's especially hard when you know that you are partly to blame. Those exiled into Babylon knew that their leaders and themselves had been un
Reviewed November 1, 2024
James 5:1
God Rise Again for Our Justification
The chief priests thought that their problems had been solved when Jesus was crucified. They were wrong! Now they had all the apostles preaching and teaching as Jesus did. The news had spread beyond
Reviewed November 1, 2024
James 5:1
The Beatitudes
The Beatitudes are so familiar we sometimes don't consider what relevance they might have for us. Often preachers concentrate on the first "Blessed" that of being poor in spirit. What about those who
Reviewed November 1, 2024
James 5:20
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Jesus speaks many times in the Gospels about doing "good deeds" so that others can see how wonderful you are! What he says is that you already have your reward from the praise and adulation of the peo
Reviewed October 30, 2024
Joshua 6:8
Seek the Good for Others
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the world distributed goods according to need! It didn't in the days of the apostles and it doesn't today. Then, the early Christians saw the importance of sharing their a
Reviewed October 30, 2024
Amos 3:15
A Spirit of Justice
Solomon takes over from his father, David, and is crowned king. Yahweh has appeared to Solomon in a dream and told him to ask for what he wanted. God is pleased with his answer and rewards him over an
Reviewed October 30, 2024
Genesis 1:6
God Gives Us Second Chances
Josiah was a king who had tried to do the right thing, and when Hilkiah brought him the book of the Law which he had found in Yahweh's house and read it to him, it opened his eyes to all that had been
Reviewed October 29, 2024
Genesis 1:11
God Opens the Doors of Our Hearts
This passage continues to remind all of us that the day will come when we will have trouble seeing, hearing, eating and getting around. This tells us how important it is to learn about God early in li
Reviewed October 29, 2024
Zechariah 14:1
Talking About Our Faith
Are there people in your life that just don't want to hear about your love for Jesus? Maybe we can take some advice from this passage. I did leave out the portion about what the apostles were suppose
Reviewed October 29, 2024
James 5:5
We Only Plant the Seeds and Trust That God Takes Care of the Rest
Have you ever felt that you were banging your head against a stone wall while you are talking to someone? I have, and it's very frustrating! I believe that Jesus is telling his disciples not to bothe
Reviewed October 27, 2024
1 Kings 11:4
The Joyful Road of Sacrifice and Peace
Those who had been baptized following Peter's Pentecost sermon knew that they needed to learn more about Jesus and so they continued to study at the feet of the apostles. They would gather for prayer
Reviewed October 27, 2024