Devotions
When You Need a Healing Touch
May 12, 2016
Matthew 8:14-17 (ESV) Jesus Heals Many 14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the… read more »
When You Need to Know that Jesus Can Handle It
May 9, 2016
The photo is of the ruins of the synagogue in Capernaum. Matthew 8:5-13 (ESV) The Faith of a Centurion 5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But… read more »
Jesus, If You Are Willing: Lessons in Humility
May 5, 2016
Inside: The man knelt in humility. He acknowledged Jesus’ sovereignty. He boldly said back to Jesus what he knew Jesus could do. There are lessons for us in that! The hyssop plant. Today, we jump ahead to Matthew 8, where we will settle for a few devotions. In chapter 3, we saw the holy Trinity together… read more »
Words of Affirmation
May 1, 2016
Matthew 3:11-17 (ESV) [John the Baptist continued] 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his… read more »
When You Want More of Jesus. Or, Is Confession Good for the Soul?
April 28, 2016
Welcome to the first devotion in the series “Getting to Know Jesus”! There’s a saying that confession is good for the soul. It comes from an old Scottish proverb, which said in full, “Open confession is good for the soul.” There is biblical truth in that! In fact, when John the Baptist was preparing people to meet… read more »
Will God Provide?
April 25, 2016
This is the last devotion in our series on Abraham, and it is a difficult account to read. Abraham’s life was not filled with ease. How many times in this passage must he have wrestled with God! “How will God provide?” Abraham must have wondered. Genesis 22:1-14 After these things God tested Abraham and said… read more »
Will God Take Care of Us?
April 21, 2016
Sometimes our perspective becomes clouded, and it is hard for us to see that God is taking care of us. Does God feel distant to you at this time? Do you wonder what He is up to? Today’s devotion challenges us to step out of our earthly point of view and see God’s perspective. Genesis 21:8-21 8 And… read more »
Will God Listen to Your Prayer?
April 18, 2016
Even if God hears your prayer, will He answer it? If you have time, read all of Genesis chapters 18 and 19. It is a riveting account. Select verses are printed here for today’s devotion. God had become aware of the evilness of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, and He sought to destroy the… read more »
What to Do When You Mess Up
April 14, 2016
To set the context, at the end of chapter 16, Hagar, Sarai’s maidservant, gave birth to Ishmael. Between chapters 16 and 17, Ishmael grew into a young man of thirteen years. Abram loved him, yet the promise from God had not yet been fulfilled. Genesis 17:1-8, 15-21 and Genesis 21:1-7 (ESV) From chapter 17: 1 When… read more »
When We Take Matters into Our Own Hands
April 11, 2016
If you are able, read all of Genesis 16 on your own. Select verses are included here. From Genesis 16 (ESV) 1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from… read more »