Daily Devotions
New devotions are posted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Thistle
In the bustling Greek city of Thessalonica, amidst the tumultuous winds of opposition, Paul and Silas planted the seeds of faith. The Book of Acts and Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians recounts their journey, marked by fervent preaching and fierce opposition. Like the resilient thistle that thrives in harsh conditions, their mission faced adversity, yet it bore the fruit of perseverance.
The thistle, with its prickly exterior, mirrors the challenges encountered by early Christians. Despite the hostile environment, their faith remained steadfast, rooted in the promise of resurrection. Just as the thistle’s deep roots anchor it in adversity, the early believers drew strength from their unwavering commitment to Christ.
In the face of uproar and opposition, the message of Christianity spread, echoing the resilience of the thistle. The believers in Thessalonica exemplified courage and resilience, embodying the essence of faith in a post-resurrection world.
The thistle remains a poignant metaphor for the Christian life, reminding us that adversity is not a hindrance but an opportunity for growth. Just as the thistle flourishes in harsh conditions, so too can our faith thrive amidst adversity. As we navigate the challenges of life, may we draw inspiration from the thistle and the early Christians, steadfast in our devotion and resilient in our faith.
May God’s peace find you today. – Pastor Peter
Let us pray… Empowering God, like the thistle thriving in adversity, may our faith deepen in the face of challenges, rooted in the promise of resurrection. Amen.
Previously…
The Little Apocalypse
The longest speech Jesus makes in the Gospel of Mark is chapter 13. We heard portions of it on Sunday, but with its length, we skipped over the middle third of it. As an apocalyptic text, it is supposed to comfort us and give us hope in dire times of wars, persecutions, natural disasters.
Birth Pains
This scripture reading sounds rather depressing. We hear of the destruction of human accomplishments; we hear of war; we hear of natural disasters; we hear of famines.
Drops in the Ocean
In reflecting on the poetry of Mother Teresa that was shared with us this week, I was drawn into wondering about the essence of Christian service, as it contributes to the cost of discipleship. Mother Teresa’s words encapsulate the sacrificial nature of love, echoing the teachings of Jesus Christ himself. Am I ready for that kind of sacrifice? Are you?
All In
What’s with this “ALL IN” as my title territory? I’m never quite sure if I understand current cultural jargon, but I think this two-word phrase is used to convey the most thoroughgoing commitment to something–a project, a proposal, a possibility. Well, that’s the turf traversed in Mark’s text here.