Posts with the tag “devotion”

The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.”– Luke 1:35There is a lot to unpack in this one short speech from the angel. Let’s take a look at a few parts.The wording used at the beginning of speech, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you,” is the same wording ...  Read More

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Today’s reading from First Thessalonians begins with an encouragement to “rejoice always.” With Christmas Eve just a week away, with houses adorned with twinkling lights, with cheerful songs playing on the radio, some of us find it easy to get into a...  Read More

 A voice cries out:“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” — Isaiah 40:3How are your preparations for Christmas going? At my house, a disassembled tree lays in parts in the corner of the living room, surrounded by open boxes that hold more ornaments than the tree can hold. A line of window decorations has been unpacked, but awaits being pu...  Read More

When I worked at summer camp, there was a song we sang in the mornings as the campers gathered for breakfast.  Read More

Advent is a preparation for Christmas, which is a time of celebration and rejoicing...  Read More

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant...  Read More

We are encouraged to act with the spirit of the Lord that is with us, to not judge by what we see or hear, but to work for the goodness of all...  Read More

Psalm 122 comes with the superscription "A Song of Ascents." This is likely in reference to pilgrims ascending up the hill to the sanctuary in Jerusalem.  Read More

“He has shown strength with his arm,He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts,He has put down the mighty from their thrones,And exalted those of low degree;He has filled the hungry with good things,And the rich he has sent empty away.”                                    (Luke 1:51-53)The dark windows on the west wall of the church reflect candles at the altar as voices rise in ...  Read More

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let everyone know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)The Bible passage selections...  Read More

“Behold, I send my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?  For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fuller’s soap, he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”...  Read More

Make me to know thy ways, O Lord            teach me thy paths.Lead me in thy truth, and teach me,            for thou art the God of my salvation            For thee I wait all the day long.(Psalm 25: 4&5) On a Black Hills hiking trip with members of Luther League many years ago, I proudly broke in my brand new Kelty backpack and relished the chance to hike something other than a county park in W...  Read More

You are precious and honored in my sight,    and I love you.  (Isaiah 43:4)I have loved you with an everlasting love;    therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.  (Jeremiah 31:3)I pledged myself to you and entered into a covenant with you.  (Ezekiel 16:8)I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and in justice,      in love and compassion.  (Hosea 2:19)These a...  Read More

Have you noticed how often in the Gospel writings Jesus talks about faith?  Sometimes he commends individuals for their faith:When Jesus heard him, he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “Truly I tell you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.”  (Matthew 8:10)Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed ins...  Read More

Why are you cast down, O my soul,    and why are you disquieted within me?                      Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,    my help and my God.   (Psalm 42:5)Spera in Deo (Hope in God) is the motto of the college my daughter Heather attended: Hope College in Holland, Michigan.  Their emblem is an anchor, and that image comes from another Bible verse: “We have this hope as an anch...  Read More

God’s peace is something we are invited to receive and experience, and it is also something we are called to pursue and “make.” What does the word peace mean to you?  Read More