Devotion Archive
-
Devotion for February 7, 2021
“It is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” (Mark 7:15) My mother taught me to always wash my hands before dinner. “And use soap!” she would say. She didn’t want any dirt or germs from my hands getting into my mouth while we were eating. The Pharisees were also careful about washing…
-
Devotion for February 6, 2021
“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Mark 6:50) After Jesus fed the huge crowd of thousands of people, he sent his disciples ahead of him in their boat to the next lakeside town. Later, in the deep of night, they were straining to make headway against a strong wind. Jesus had gone to…
-
Devotion for February 5, 2021
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” (1 Peter 1:6) In 1962, in a classic study called “Cradles of Eminence”, Victor and Mildred Goertzel investigated the family backgrounds of more than 400 highly successful people. They sought to identify…
-
Devotion for February 4, 2021
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12) The Bible tells us: “Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent…
-
Devotion for February 3, 2021
“He was amazed at their lack of faith.” (Mark 6:6a) People often like stories about ordinary people becoming highly successful or even becoming royalty — like Cinderella. It’s not unusual to hope for an escape from poverty to be blessed with prosperity. But the people in Jesus’ hometown didn’t seem to think that way. They…
-
Devotion for February 2, 2021
“‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’” (Matthew 13:28) The Bible says: “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came…
-
Devotion for February 1, 2021
“Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mark 5:36) Jesus has controlled a storm, overpowered evil spirits, and healed a woman whose life was draining out of her. Now there is a greater test of Jesus’ power, because Jairus has learned that his daughter, who was sick, has actually died. But in the face of death Jesus…
-
Devotion for January 31, 2021
“Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34) Many of us have difficult personal situations and histories that we cannot escape or change. And we would really like it to be otherwise. Somehow this woman, who was, in effect, dying for 12 years in her helpless condition, trusted that if she just…
-
Devotion for January 30, 2021
“Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) God is especially close to us when we are lying on a sickbed. God will make the bed soft and will freshen it with His presence and with His tender care. He makes…