Yesterday I was able to post another set of devotionals in the “Psalms Project.” For those who may not be tracking this project, I am writing a “Short Guide to Reading the Psalms Devotionally.” For each psalm, the project includes a brief comment, a reading guide that provides insights and outlining ideas, and a prayer …
Category Archives: Devotional
A Good Time to Begin
Three months of the new year have passed. Most thoughts of New Year’s resolutions are ancient history. A common element in the resolutions of many Christians is the desire to spend more time in the Word of God. This is a good time to begin–the daily devotional readings which are available on the website are …
Meeting God in the morning
Mornings have been special to me for the last 20 years. When we emptied our nest, we quit setting an alarm clock. Now the natural rhythms of life put us to bed and awaken us, and God thoughts are almost always a part of that rhythm. Of course, there are exceptional situations during special events …
A Short Guide to Reading the Psalms Devotionally
At the start of 2013, for several days I published entries from my current writing project: A Short Guide to Reading the Psalms Devotionally. My goal is to write at least one devotional guide each day–and to stay ahead of those who began the new year reading a psalm each day. [It is always a …
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It’s Sunday Again: Strengthening the Spirit
Today I am thinking about Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Eph. 3:16). One of my goals for 2013 is to grow spiritually, to become stronger in the Spirit. One way I am doing that …
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Psalm 4
This psalm continues a series of short psalms that call upon God to deliver, expressing confidence in God’s willingness to act. Reading: Psalm 4:1-8 If the psalmist’s plaintiff cry seems too directional in demanding that God act, the first verse can be understood as a request. “May God answer, may God give me relief, may …
Psalm 3
The next twelve psalms (3-14) generally belong to the category of psalms of deliverance and praise. The NIV Study Bible notes suggest a 5+1+5+1 pattern. Psalms 3-7 are followed by Psalm 8, a creation psalm which declares the glory of God. Psalm 8 is also recognized as a Messianic psalm with a clear reference to …
Psalm 2
The first book of the Psalms (1-41) is framed by blessings (1:1, 2:13, 40:4, 41:1). In addition to the “blessed is the man….” of Psalm 1, one finds “blessed are all who take refuge in him,” “blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,” and “blessed is he who has regard for the …
Introduction to the Psalms: Psalm 1
The purpose of the division of the Psalms into five books (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150) is not clear. The divisions may be based on the use of the names of God, traditional collections, or other factors. Recent studies have suggested the possibility of thoughtful structures, often chiastic (as in the NIV Study Bible, 2002). …
The Struggle with Sin–Won?
Today I remind the reader that daily devotional thoughts are available on the website. These daily doses of Scripture which treat a chapter each day cover the entire New Testament in a year (5 days each week, 52 weeks per year, 260 chapters in the New Testament). Today’s devotional focuses on Romans 7: [a href=”../devotionals/06-rom7_life-in-the-spirit.htm”>Life …