Category: Daily Devotions

“You must be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2) This is the start of these instructions from God — given to Moses to give to all the people. What do you think of when you think of holiness? Is it an unobtainable standard based on religious rituals and right beliefs?…

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44) We often think of enemies in connection with war: enemies live in other countries and on other continents. But Jesus is focusing much closer to…

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) Cold and flu viruses aren’t the only things that are contagious; attitudes are also: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Researchers call it “emotional contagion,” and it affects every aspect of life in the same way a rotten apple corrupts the whole barrel. A relationship expert…

“Remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.” (Luke 16:25) People have complained that in sermons about this parable, it seems their pastor wants to make them feel guilty. After all, they have worked hard for the…

“The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:39) Every family has unique and different strengths. And you can give an inheritance to your children by passing on the values, insight, and love that got your family…

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) Jesus told this parable to highlight some key ways to live out the Golden Rule: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12). If you…

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3) You can learn to love and accept someone, without necessarily agreeing with their opinions and endorsing their actions or lifestyle. An important key is learning to see people as individuals. The more we realize that despite…

“I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven — as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:47) In this story Jesus interacts with two sinners: The smug Pharisee who lacks basic hospitality, and a sorrowful intruder who lavishes him with expensive perfume and penitent tears. One…

If you really want to know what the weather is going to be like, you check with the experts. Weather forecasters have all kinds of scientific instruments and computers to help them know if it’s going to be hot or cold, wet or dry, windy or calm or something in between. Can you imagine what…