I finish my year of blogging my devotions tonight with this, my last post for 2012. Thank you so much for those of you who actually read a few of these posts. Your comments were an encouragement to keep on. Thanks especially to Marcy and Lyndon who became friends with me during previous blogging years … Continue reading »
I’m liking Zechariah. He points to the Messiah and His kingdom so often. It’s neat that God had his last prophets – the post-exilic crowd – speak so often about Jesus before that 500 year silence until He came on the scene. I started this blogging commitment to find Jesus – and I find Him … Continue reading »
Only 2 more days – TWO MORE DAYS!! – and I can officially stop blogging my devotions every night (it’s usually at night). Most of the time I have really enjoyed it. Sometimes I’ve been so tired or burnt out, but I slogged through. And it was worth it. I wrestled with God and He won! … Continue reading »
It’s Christmastime! And I just happened to read this verse (as quoted in part by Matthew – 2:6) to our girls yesterday: But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of … Continue reading »
I liked this verse today: Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD! (Psalm 144:15 ESV) I don’t really relate to all the blessings described in the preceding verses (full granaries, fertile sheep and cattle), but I’ll take blessed children and no crying in the street. … Continue reading »
Tim Keller has mined the depths of Jonah in several Sermon series – and I’ve learned so much from the book because of Tim. I’d recommend listening in on one of the series. But I have one day to reflect on the entire book. I won’t forget from those sermons (back in the 90s) that … Continue reading »
Now this is just a great passage from Revelation! I believe this describes all the Saints – and what a time we’ll have! After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, … Continue reading »
I had a chain reaction as I read tonight. One verse reminded me of another which then reminded me of today’s sermon. It started here: I spread out my hands to you; I thirst for you like a parched land. Psalm 143: 6 NIV The thirst for God can be quenched at the fountain of His … Continue reading »
Ezekiel and Hebrews both talked about the New Covenant today. I love it when that happens. Coincidence? Or Providence? Ezekiel compares His people’s apostasy to the actions of a prostitute. She has turned to idols for fulfillment, although they don’t satisfy. Idol worship is adultery against her husband, the LORD. Such worship leads Jerusalem away … Continue reading »
I remember so clearly sitting on my dorm bed in college, reading the book of Hebrews, then having that “aha” moment where I saw how the Bible fit together, how the Old Testament was a shadow of the new, a physical harbinger of what was to come in the spiritual realm. At that moment, all … Continue reading »
Ezekiel prophecies the return of Israel to Jerusalem in today’s reading. But as with many prophecies, there are multiple fulfillments. And this passage has an obviously fulfillment in the church. I really like it: …I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone … Continue reading »
Psalm 121 really encouraged me! I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber… The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will … Continue reading »
I can’t avoid mentioning my favorite passages when I encounter them during my daily readings, and here’s another: … the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. … Continue reading »
I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. (Psalm 119:131 ESV) When I take time to really read my daily passages (knowing I’ll have to find something to blog about), I find the most interesting verses. Stop and visualize this verse: mouth open, panting for Scripture. Maybe it fit the culture … Continue reading »
I read the prophecy against Babylon in Jeremiah 50 today, where the prophet said of the proud city that conquered Judah: Behold, she shall be the last of the nations, a wilderness, a dry land, and a desert. Because of the wrath of the LORD she shall not be inhabited but shall be an utter … Continue reading »
