Tuesday, February 27: “Abide With Me”
Tuesday, February 27: Abide With Me The text of Abide With Me was written in 1847 by Henry Francis Lyte and set to music, most often the tune Eventide written by William H. Monk. I found it very interesting that the word “abide” did not appear in the index or the concordance of my Bible. […]
Monday, February 26: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
Monday, February 26: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 We don’t often use the word “covenant” in our everyday conversations, but we do use words that have similar meanings. Definitions of a religious “covenant” are: a promise of God to bless those who obey Him or fulfill some other condition; a solemn pledge made by members of a […]
Sunday, February 25: Mark 1:9-15
Sunday, February 25: Mark 1:9-15 In this passage Mark gives us a short version of the baptism of Jesus, his affirmation by God, and his support from the Holy Spirit as he is led into the wilderness and the temptation by Satan. We too can be led by the Spirit into a wilderness or situation […]
Saturday, February 24: “Shall We Gather at the River”
Saturday, February 24: Shall We Gather at the River Shall We Gather at the River was composed by Robert Lowry, a Baptist minister who reportedly preferred to be known for his preaching rather than his hymn-writing. The idea for this hymn came to him one July afternoon in 1864 when resting after being exhausted and […]
Friday, February 23: 1 Peter 3:18-22
Friday, February 23: 1 Peter 3:18-22 We are not so special that Christ died for our sins only. He died once for all – one time – for the righteous and for the unrighteous, to bring us all to God. The author says that Noah and the other few people were saved through water. Now […]
Thursday, February 22: “Lead On, O King Eternal”
Thursday, February 22: Lead On, O King Eternal Ernest Shurtleff (1862-1917) graduated from Andover Seminary in 1887. For graduation, he penned the words to this hymn. Lead On, O King Eternal is a prayer for guidance and celebration. Let’s see how these words are relevant to today’s life: Lead on, O King eternal! The day […]
Wednesday, February 21: Psalm 25:1-10
Wednesday, February 21: Psalm 25:1-10 A paraphrase of this psalm of David, who is praying for protection and forgiveness: Feeling failure, we seek God’s mercy and help. We ask for direction because God is our direction and salvation. Although we have failed You many times, we remember your steadfast love and concern for those who […]
February 18, 2018: the First Sunday in Lent
Scriptures: Genesis 9:8-17; Psalm 25:1-10; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:9-15 (Read them online here.)
Tuesday, February 20: “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”
Tuesday, February 20: O God, Our Help in Ages Past Psalm 90 is the foundation for O God, Our Help In Ages Past, written by Isaac Watts. Watts was not happy with the hymns sung in church. His father said, “Do something about it.” Watts composed the texts of many hymns and is known as […]
Monday, February 19: Genesis 9:8-17
Monday, February 19: Genesis 9:8-17 When I see a rainbow, I always flash back to my childhood and learning the story of Noah and the Ark. Is it a literal passage that is completely true? I think not; however, many ancient civilizations have stories of great floods that destroyed civilizations, and there is archaeological evidence […]