September 8 – John 14-18; James 1:27
John 14-18; James 1:27 If you have time, read John 14-17, Annie. It’s all Jesus talking, and it’s what He tells His disciples between the last supper and when He was betrayed — basically His last words with them. Look at what He says about the world — that word is in there about 39 times in those 4 chapters. He’s really warning them about the world — that there is to be a difference between them and it. The... Read More
September 7 – I John 2:15
I John 2:15 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. We’re going to tackle a subject now that is so hard. And I’m tackling it with a log in my eye, so it’s even harder. When the high school kids met here for Bible study, we spent weeks on this, always trying to pin down a definition of “the world,” and never ever really succeeded.... Read More
September 6 – Hebrews 10:24
Hebrews 10:24 Amp And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities;… I like this verse in the Amplified, especially “watching over one another.” I see each part of the body truly caring for all the other parts, giving a hand to one who has fallen and encouraging that part to keep trying. “Studying”... Read More
September 5 – Psalm 10:4
Psalm 10:4 Amp The wicked in the pride of his countenance will not seek, inquire for and yearn for God. Wow. Even this is pride. Everything seems more necessary (and sometimes more desirable) than sitting with my Father for an hour. I find myself wanting to get on with the “real” stuff of the day. And it’s pride: “I can do this day without You. I’m fine.” But I’m not. I’m yucky inside. Today,... Read More
September 4 – Mark 4:41
Mark 4:41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” When Jesus calmed the stormy sea for the disciples, their response was to be terrified! Jesus’ mighty power is available to bring us peace. Are we afraid to be under his command, preferring to storm furiously like the wind and the waves?! Today’s three-by-five devotional brought to you from Debbie. Mom will be back soon! Read More
September 3 – Mark 4:8, 4:28
Mark 4:8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop… Mark 4:28 All by itself the soil produces grain… [Continued from yesterday’s devotion about the parable of the sower in Mark 4:3-8.] How do we become good soil? There must be many ways to view this, but let’s look at it like a parable, taken from life around us: How does real-life soil become good? Haha! It’s by being “dumped”... Read More
September 2 – Mark 4:3-8
Mark 4:3-8 A farmer went out to sow his seed… some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places… they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop… How in the world do we make sure we’re good soil? Is it by striving to produce a... Read More
September 1 – Mark 4:1, 4:21
Mark 4:1 The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. Mark 4:21 Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? When Jesus’ teachings brought in a crowd that was overwhelming, Jesus didn’t retreat. Instead, he found a place where his words could reach them all.... Read More
August 31 – Mark 4:2, 4:34
A note from Debbie: Mom has been writing daily devotions to Annie on three-by-five cards since last October. In February, the computer-ambivalent, non-facebook-user allowed me to start posting her devotions on the blog! Writing and posting can be tiring, especially during very busy times. I’m giving Mom a break this week, plus letting Annie hear a little of a different family member’s heart. The next five devotions will be from me, focusing... Read More
August 30 – Numbers 22:23
Numbers 22:23 And the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way and His sword drawn in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way, and went into the field; and Balaam struck the donkey to turn her into the way. I wonder how many times we “strike the donkey,” because we’re too blind to see the Angel of the Lord? What we curse is actually carrying us out of harm’s way. If we could always see all that God... Read More
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