Devotional

Read the Word: Leviticus 19:9-18 Meditate on the Word: On Sunday, we heard Jesus’ words in Mark 12:28-34 in response to the question of the most important command of all. This was, of course, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. But Jesus goes further. He also mentions… Read More »

Read the Word: Matthew 22:34-40 Meditate on the Word: When two or more gospel writers cover the same event, we often gain more insight into the event than with just one perspective. In the instance of a scribe (or lawyer, as Matthew notes) asking Jesus the question of which command of the law is the… Read More »

Read the Word: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Meditate on the Word: We noted Sunday that when Jesus was questioned about the most important command of all (Mark 12:28-34), he quoted from this passage. Two things immediately draw attention. First, Jesus loves the Holy Scriptures. He quotes often from what we now refer to as the Old Testament.… Read More »

Read the Word: Deuteronomy 5:1-21 Meditate on the Word: The name “Deuteronomy” means “second law.” This is the Law as repeated by Moses to the Israelites in his farewell address to them. Moses is about to die and Joshua is about to lead Israel into the promised land. This is a reiteration of what God… Read More »

Read the Word: Philippians 2:12-18 Meditate on the Word: There were many times as a child that I did not want to do what was required of me. Whether it was coming in for dinner, sharing toys, or even doing my homework, often I did these things only because I would face consequences for not… Read More »

Read the Word: Exodus 3:1-10 Meditate on the Word: In Sunday’s message, Jesus referred the Sadducees to this passage of Scripture in asserting that there is resurrection. Admittedly, it can be difficult to see resurrection in this passage, but since Jesus says it, we are certain it is true. A somewhat simple way of understanding… Read More »

Read the Word: Deuteronomy 25:5-10 Meditate on the Word: In yesterday’s sermon on Mark 12:18-27, we saw that the Sadducees used this command in a ridiculous example in order to try to make Jesus’ claims of resurrection to look ridiculous. This portion of the law may seem ludicrous to us today, but it served two… Read More »

Read the Word: Philippians 1:3-11 Meditate on the Word: Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi while being held as a Roman prisoner. Even while imprisoned for his faith, Paul managed to write letters of encouragement to believers in the churches he had planted. This attitude of encouragement can only come from someone… Read More »

Read the Word: Numbers 20:1-13 Meditate on the Word: There can be no doubt that Moses was frustrated with the people he was tasked with leading. They were always needing something. They were always ready to argue that they should have stayed in Egypt. They were quick to blame Moses every time that they did… Read More »

Read the Word: Mark 12:13-17 Meditate on the Word: Very often, the most important part of this passage is overlooked. It is easy to recognize, of course, that Jesus commands us to “give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” What can be easier for us to overlook is Jesus’ question, “Whose image and inscription… Read More »