Devotionals

Lenten Devotional Series Day 10. Today’s meditation is on the third commandment, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,” Exodus 20:7. When Jesus’ disciples asked for instruction in prayer, he taught them to make their first petition, “Hallowed be thy name.” So is that all there is to keeping the…

Lenten Devotional Series Day 9. Today’s meditation comes from 1 Corinthians 10:1-14. At the end of today’s reading, the Apostle Paul reiterates the second commandment in terms of a solemn order to us. It’s not a warning to be on the lookout for idolatry. It’s not a recommendation simply to avoid it. No, he commands…

Lenten Devotional Series Day 8. Today’s meditation comes from Genesis 1:26-31. “Don’t craft any images,” God repeatedly instructs Israel. What does God have against images? It’s not that he’s hostile to religion. As a matter of fact, the beliefs of ancient Israel shared many religious concepts with her neighbors, such as sacrifices, temples, and a liturgical…

Lenten Devotional Series Day 7. Today’s meditation comes from Exodus 20:4-6. The first commandment establishes the priority of the Lord over everything else. It teaches that we are to give him our primary allegiance. In prohibiting idolatry, the second commandment is a further application of the first. We keep the Lord first by fleeing from idolatry.

Lenten Devotional Series Day 6. Today’s meditation comes from Exodus 20:4-6. In a hilarious scene from the film Talladega Nights, race car driver, Ricky Bobby (played by Will Farrell), offers a blessing before a meal: “Dear tiny, infant baby Jesus… Dear eight pound, six ounce, newborn baby Jesus, don’t even know a word yet, just a…

Lenten Devotional Series Day 5. Today’s meditation comes from Revelation 2:1-7. Nine years ago, I enjoyed a wonderful lunch with a beautiful woman.

Lenten Devotional Series Day 4. Today’s meditation comes from Exodus 20:1-3. What will you worship today?

Lenten Devotional Series Day 3. Today’s meditation comes from Exodus 20:1-3. I love good food and drink. Who doesn’t? And yet during Lent this year I am fasting from certain foods and beverages that I ordinarily enjoy very much. Why?

Lenten Devotional Series Day 2. Today’s meditation comes from Exodus 20:1-2. Have you seen the interview with the politician who’s fighting to have the Ten Commandments posted throughout the land, but can only name 3 out of 10? (His press secretary says he got 7!) I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

If it weren’t for Easter, all of Christianity would be nonsense. Why, then, do we as Christians so often stumble into Easter unprepared?