Daily Readings – Articles – Devotions
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Warnings
This little book of prophetic message was written by the man, Micah. His name means “who is like Jehovah” and with his very name gives testimony to the exalted position and person of Jehovah God. We don’t know anything about the man other than he came from the town of Moresheth and was a contemporary of Isaiah. How those two men must have encouraged each other as both gave sober messages to the countries of Judah and Israel.
Those of us living on the Gulf coast of Texas are very familiar with hurricane warnings. And we are grateful for them. Those More >
Forgive – Again? (Matthew 18
Keep in mind that Chapter 18 of Matthew reports a conversation. The conversation is between Jesus and his disciples. It is a conversation triggered by a question about life in the kingdom of heaven. And, as conversations do, it has morphed through several topics. The conversation is about to morph again as Peter steps up and asks another question.
- It matters. I know this because Jesus speaks of it often. I know this because Jesus links our receiving forgiveness to the spirit with which we choose to forgive. So it matters. This issue cannot be swept under the rug for More >
Introduction (Week 1, Post 1)
The summer has been long … and unbelievably hot for those of us who live in South Texas. We pray for rain … for a break in the heat … for refreshment. And it is with those thoughts in my mind that I begin a new Bible study with you. Because that is what Bible study is … refreshment. When we pause in our busy-ness to be still and quiet … to listen for a word from God … to glean wisdom for the lives we live, the decisions we must make, the circumstances we must navigate … it is More >
Restoration (Matthew 18
I have a confession to make. I have read the verses that constitute our reading today many times. I know what they say, the content. But I fear that I have never placed them in their context in Jesus’ conversation with his disciples. In our reading today, Jesus is still in conversation with his disciples, and has been talking about the value of the “little ones” – perhaps little children, perhaps new believers. He warns against leading or luring them into sin. Sin is serious … deadly. He then talks to them about the incredible value of each one More >
Being Great (Matthew 18
Chapter 18 begins with a very honest question … a question about greatness. Jesus’ response to the question begins a progression of thought that is hard to break into small pieces. So, try to ignore the paragraph breaks in your translation … and read the verses as one continuum.
- Do you completely acknowledge your dependence on your heavenly Father? Or do you still fight against any thought that you are dependent on anyone or anything? Be like a little child … recognize and celebrate your dependence on the Father.
- Do you worship your Father in wonder? Or have the years grown More >
Faith (Matthew 17
Jesus, with Peter, James and John, has just descended Mt. Hermon after experiencing a splendid spiritual ‘high’ … and our reading today reveals what IMMEDIATELY happened following that experience.
No time for reflection, no time for meditation on the event that had just thrilled their souls. Jesus is confronted immediately by human need … by human pain. And his response teaches us …
First, I am tremendously moved by the way Jesus met the demands placed upon him. He responded. Do I? I would want to sit awhile and bask in the glory experienced on the mountain! I would want More >
Faith (Matthew 17
Jesus, with Peter, James and John, has just descended Mt. Hermon after experiencing a splendid spiritual ‘high’ … and our reading today reveals what IMMEDIATELY happened following that experience.
No time for reflection, no time for meditation on the event that had just thrilled their souls. Jesus is confronted immediately by human need … by human pain. And his response teaches us …
First, I am tremendously moved by the way Jesus met the demands placed upon him. He responded. Do I? I would want to sit awhile and bask in the glory experienced on the mountain! I would want More >
Faith (Matthew 17
Jesus, with Peter, James and John, has just descended Mt. Hermon after experiencing a splendid spiritual ‘high’ … and our reading today reveals what IMMEDIATELY happened following that experience.
No time for reflection, no time for meditation on the event that had just thrilled their souls. Jesus is confronted immediately by human need … by human pain. And his response teaches us …
First, I am tremendously moved by the way Jesus met the demands placed upon him. He responded. Do I? I would want to sit awhile and bask in the glory experienced on the mountain! I would want More >
Transfiguration (Matthew 17
Scholars are not 100% certain where this event took place. Most lean toward Mt. Hermon. Mt. Hermon is a beautiful mountain fourteen miles from Caesarea Philippi where Peter made his great declaration concerning the identity of Jesus. This event was most likely not at the summit of the mountain because Mt. Hermon is 9400 ft above sea level and 11,000 ft above the Jordan valley floor. Imagine Jesus taking his close inner circle of three disciples somewhere up on Mt. Hermon as he continues to ready himself for the coming journey toward Jerusalem and the cross. If you have hiked More >
