Devotions

LSEM > Devotions
Aug
12
Why Am I Here?

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation”. – Mark 16:15 ESV For several years now, there has been a television commercial that only airs in August which I have found to be rather humorous.  It is for an office supply store advertising their “Back […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Jul
08
Freedom in Christ

Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” The Apostle Paul is encouraging the Christians in Galatia to apply what they were taught to their lives.  Jesus Christ has set us free from sin and […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Jun
04
Gifted

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10 Here’s a social experiment you might attempt.  On your next birthday, invite your friends and family over for a big party.  As your guests arrive, ask them to place any gifts they brought on […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Jun
04
What Greater Love?

What Greater Love?  John 3:16-17 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. As you read […]

Posted in: Devotions,
May
07
An Uphill Climb

As a child, I always enjoyed going to the mall with my mom.  Now let me immediately admit there were selfish motivations at play.  Yes, I held a little bit of hope that she might buy me something (never a guarantee but it happened often enough to make the trip worthwhile).   And yes, it provided […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Apr
13
He Chose You!

He Chose You! 1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Doesn’t it sometimes seem humorous who God chooses to do His work? Some of […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Mar
11
Temptation

Temptation  Mark 1:12-13 – The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to him. The lesson from the gospel of Mark is the familiar story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. The […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Mar
05
Driven to Excel

You can learn a lot about people by watching them drive their car.  Some people are self-absorbed and drive like they own the road. More laidback drivers cruise at so leisurely a pace you’d swear they were napping behind the wheel. Drivers who constantly change lanes are indecisive, while those who speed are either impulsive, […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Feb
05
Resolving to Achieve

So how are those New Year’s resolutions coming along?  If you joined the millions of people who started 2015 with a plan to lose weight, save more money, learn a new skill or get more organized, chances are pretty good that you’ve also joined most of them in failing.  Resolutions are like that; people making […]

Posted in: Devotions,
Jan
13
A New Start

A New Start Mark 1:10-11, As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” The second Sunday of January we celebrated the […]

Posted in: Devotions,