Category Archives: Devo Drops

Thoughts on daily devotional scripture readings

Roommates

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When PB and I were raising four small children, we lived in a three bedroom house. You’d think that the two boys would’ve bunked up together and the two girls would’ve been roomies. But somehow, the oldest sibling talked the other three into sharing a room so she could dwell in peace and quiet all by herself. She had some strong negotiating skills.

Later, when we moved into a four bedroom house, there was more maneuvering among the sibs. Not surprisingly, once again the oldest managed to nab a private room. Every so often, the other three would switch around, depending on who was annoying whom.

I thought of this when reading Numbers 2 this week. (See my Bible Reading Plan.)

The twelve tribes of Israel needed to get organized. They had just been delivered from 400 years of slavery and it would take some time for them to learn how to make their own decisions. So God divided them into groups and told them where to set up camp.

That’s where it gets interesting.

Which families should camp together?
Which ones should be kept farther apart?
God had a brilliant plan.

The tabernacle was smack-dab in the middle of the camp, with the Levites surrounding it. Then God picked three tribes to set up on the east side of the camp, three tribes on the west, three on the south, and three on the north.

The families of Judah, Issachar and Zebulun were assigned the east side of the encampment. These boys were full brothers, all sons of Leah. These tribes would be the first to march out when the camp moved.

Across the way, on the west side, the full-blooded sons (and grandsons) of Rachel were together. They were the youngest of Jacob’s boys and dearly beloved by their father. Remember Joseph and the amazing technicolor dream coat? Baby brother Benjamin camped out with Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh.

Situated on the south were the tribes of Reuben and Simeon, sons #1 and #2, whose mother was Leah. Gad was placed with them even though he was a half-brother, the son of Leah’s maid.

And last but not least were the tribes of Dan, Asher and Naphtali encamped on the north end. They were the middle children, all sons of the maids belonging to Leah and Rachel. These families brought up the rear when marching out.

The arrangement was so well thought out. God knew exactly where each tribe should be and who they should be with. He knew who should take the lead and who should bring up the rear. The Israelites didn’t question the plan or try to trade places. They let God organize them.

These kinfolk were going to spend a lot of time in the desert together.
Picking the right campmates was crucial to keeping family harmony.
And nobody got a tent to themselves, except maybe Moses.

Honorable Discharge

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With deep appreciation and a heavy heart,
I hereby discharge my 1978 NIV Holy Bible
after 46 years of honorable service.

PB gave me this Bible the Christmas before we got married. It has provided comfort, teaching, correction and training through every stage of my adult life. This book has seen me through seven moves, four babies and thousands of early morning quiet times. The pages have received coffee stains, children’s scribbles and an untold number of tears.

There are dates written in the margins next to certain verses. Like,

  • “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Ps. 27:13-14 —March 2001, waiting for bypass surgery
  • “When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.” Isa. 43:2 — Dec. 1991, Marshfield Hospital
  • “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.” Isa. 58:11 — March 22, 1988, appointment to first church
  • “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” Ps. 46:5 — April 2018, Granddaughter born at 28 weeks, Meriter Hospital

So much of my heart is entwined in the words of this holy book. But, alas, the binding is coming loose and pages are falling out so I am resigned to move on.

There are other Bibles on my shelf, but none of them feel right.
I searched Ebay and found a 1978 NIV Holy Bible
exactly like my retired copy.
I’m gonna try to wear out another Bible.

The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.
Isa. 40:8

Peace Signs

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I was a child of the 60s, but I didn’t pay much attention to what was happening in the world. I was too busy riding my bike, playing down by the creek, and setting up paper-doll families all over the living room. I overheard adults talking about the anti-war riots, the civil rights marches, and the hippies, but the first decade of my life was about as peaceful as a lazy afternoon in the haymow.

One thing I do remember from those days: the peace sign.
It was everywhere.

I was in my actual 60s when I learned that the famous sign was based on the letters N and D, and stood for Nuclear Disarmament.

Two flags down at a 45 degree angle = N
One flag up and the other flag down = D

Long before this symbol was created, the ancient Jews had a peace sign of their own, also based on a letter of their alphabet.

“Shin” is the twenty-first letter in the Hebrew alphabet. It is the first letter in the word “Shalom,” so it is associated with peace.

When the temple priests gave the Priestly Blessing at the end of the service, they lifted their hands and made the sign of Shin while reciting, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Num. 6:24-26)

As a child, Leonard Nimoy went to synagogue services with his grandfather. He was intrigued by this sign of “shalom” or peace. As Dr. Spock, Nimoy used the gesture on Star Trek to mean “live long and prosper.”

Maybe it’s time for a new peace sign.
Something we can plaster on t-shirts and billboards.
A universal symbol, easily recognized.
Something cool, groovy, far-out.

Or maybe it’s time for an old peace sign.

God made peace through his Son’s blood on the cross.
Colossians 1:20

Perfect Peace

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Shalom, my friends!

“Shalom” is a Jewish greeting that can mean both hello and goodbye. The word is translated as “peace to you.”

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” I love that verse.

Isaiah wasn’t just talking about any old peace – he was talking about perfect peace. In the original language of Hebrew, the word perfect is “shalom” and the word peace is “shalom.” It’s like Isaiah is saying, “God will keep you in shalom shalom—perfect peace.” Or put another way: “Double peace to you.” In Jesus’ day, the Jews greeted each other with the words “Shalom Shalom.”

In our day, there is a great need for perfect peace. Especially now, as we enter a season in our country that seems to focus on division and anger and all manner of nastiness. These next three months might be challenging, but I’d like to suggest that we double down on peace by speaking peaceful words over each other. Maybe even triple it up.

So, Shalom Shalom, my friends.
May God’s perfect peace be upon you.
Pass that peace to someone today.

Keep the Peace

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I’ve been reading Bible verses on peace throughout the month of July. (See 2024 Bible Reading Plan) It’s been good for my soul. Those familiar verses reminded me of things I knew but needed to hear again.

Philippians 4:6-7 was the most familiar one on my list as it was one of the first scriptures I memorized back in my high school days. I still have to recite it in the King James version.

“Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Such a classic verse.
I heartily recommend putting it to memory,
in the version of your choice.

I thought I knew that verse backward and forward, but as always, there’s more.

It was the word “passeth” that got me. Other versions say “transcends.” It means “to surpass, to rise above, to excel, to be superior in rank.”

Here’s what I wrote in my notebook that morning:

Superior in rank. Hmmm. In the military there are levels of authority, like Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Colonel, General. Some soldiers surpass or rise above the others and move up in rank. Each step up calls for added respect. The Sergeant can’t walk into the General’s office and tell him what to do. The Sergeant must comply with the General’s commands.

My anxiety is the Sergeant. God’s peace is the General. God’s peace outranks my anxiety—my anxiety has no authority to overrule the peace of God. I just need to keep the order of command. I need to tell my worries and fears that they are not in charge and it is not within their jurisdiction to dictate my thoughts. In fact, those pesky worries need to stand at attention, give a crisp salute and say, “Sir, yes, sir” to the commanding officer, a.k.a. King of the Universe, a.k.a. Prince of Peace.

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” ~ The Message

Bookkeeping

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This is the only word in the English language (besides “bookkeeper”) that has three double letters— b-O-O-K-K-E-E-p-i-n-g. I guess you could call it a triple-double.

I learned this fun fact years ago in Economics 101. We had a visiting professor from Boston who wrote the word in large letters on the chalkboard one morning. It’s the only thing I remember from that class. I dropped Econ soon after, figuring that at least I learned something. More than forty years later, I still can’t explain supply and demand, but I know the only word with three double letters.

I admit I am a bookkeeper at heart. I have a detailed budget book, I keep every receipt in envelopes by the month, and I balance our checkbook to the penny.

Attention to details is one of my strengths.

It’s helpful when PB needs to be reminded what time his appointment is, or when I keep track of whose turn it is to deal, or when I rattle off all eleven grandkids’ birth dates.

But there’s a flip side.

It’s not helpful when I remind PB of the “right” way to load the dishwasher, or when I keep track of who won the card game last week, or when I rattle off others’ mistakes.

God is big into details.
Just look at that swirly pattern on your fingertip.
Take a close look at the inside a lily-of-the-valley.
Try to call all the stars in the Milky Way galaxy by name.

But God doesn’t seem to be big on bookkeeping.
In fact, God took the sinless Christ and poured my sins into Him.
Then, in exchange, God’s goodness was poured into me. (2 Cor. 5:21)

That kind of transaction really messes up the books.

He remembers our sins no more (Heb. 8:12).
He blots them out for His own sake (Is. 43:25).
He removes them as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:12).

What kind of a bookkeeper does that?

God reconciled the world to himself through Christ,
by not counting people’s sins against them.
2 Corinthians 5:19

Glory hallelujah!

Peace Plan

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According to my Bible Reading Plan for 2024, a word study on “peace” is coming up next. For those who are slogging through Leviticus with me, hang in there! We’re almost done! For those who lost some traction in the chapters on mildew and bodily discharges, start fresh with us on July 1st!

This is year #3 in my study on the Fruit of the Spirit,
as found in Galatians 5:22.
Six years to go.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
(Kinda glad self-control is at the end.)

Here’s my peace plan:

  • A short passage or verse for every day (Monday-Friday) during the month of July.
  • Write out the verse with the word “peace” in it, using an actual pencil on actual paper.
  • Re-write the verse in my own words.
  • Pray for peace—peace within, peace around me, peace in the world.
  • Extra credit for fellow Bible study nerds: go to blueletterbible.org to look up original language definitions. (You should try it—it’s so much fun.)

Click here or on the link at the top of the page for the passages.

Daily Sugar

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As a child, I had a sweet tooth. And the cavities to prove it. I clearly remember my mother buying me a sweet treat on the way home from the dentist for being a good girl. Not many of my experiences in the dentist chair were happy ones.

I still have a sweet tooth. And a bag of licorice in my desk drawer to prove it. And some cookies in the back of the freezer. And caramel ice-cream topping in the refrigerator. Who needs ice-cream when a spoonful of caramel will do? Although ice-cream is always a good option.

I know. My penchant for sugar is not good for me and I should quit cold-turkey. After that bag of licorice is gone.

Maybe that’s why I smiled when I came across this quote by my favorite old dead guy, Charles H. Spurgeon.

“Certain people must always have sweets and comforts;
but God’s wise children do not wish for these in undue measure.
Daily bread we ask for—not daily sugar.“

The more I thought about Spurgeon’s words, the less I smiled. Am I one of those people who must always have sweets and comforts? Do I wish for these in undue measure? Have I prayed, “Give me this day my daily sugar?” And I’m not just talking about cookies and candy.

What other things do I turn to for comfort? Ordering another book from Amazon? Binge watching on Netflix? Too much “me” time? Wanting things my way?

Spurg did it again.
He drew me in with winsome words
and then cut me to the quick.

I wonder if Charles (and maybe Jesus) had a savory palate.
“You are the salt of the earth, not the sugar candy!”
C. H. Spurgeon

No Doubt About It

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Here’s a Bible verse you don’t see on coffee cups:

“When they saw him,
they worshiped him;
but some doubted.”
Matthew 28:17

The disciples saw Jesus arrested, crucified, dead and buried. No doubt about it.

A few days later they saw him alive, eating fish, poofing through walls, talking and laughing. For days and days (40, to be exact) Jesus “gave many convincing proofs that he was alive.” (Acts 1:3)

Still, some doubted.

But that didn’t really matter.
Their reluctance to believe,
their hesitation to accept the inconceivable,
their skepticism in light of what they saw with their eyes—
didn’t change the truth.

Jesus didn’t see their uncertainties and say, “Well, I guess this isn’t going to work after all. You all should go back to your fishing boats and I’ll go back to heaven. See ya—it’s been fun.”

Oh no.

Instead, despite their lack of faith, Jesus said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Your doubts can’t stop My plan for the world.

He said, “Go and make disciples.”
Your doubts can’t thwart My purpose for you.

He said, “I will be with you always.”
Your doubts can’t hinder My Presence.

Do you have doubts?
Me, too.
It’s ok.
The truth still stands.

He is with us always.
No doubt about it.

Put that on a coffee cup.

Time for the Ordinary

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I like the rhythm of the church calendar and the seasonal celebrations that go with it. Those meaningful markers provide a framework that shapes the days, weeks and months of the year. Advent, in December, prepares us to enter into the Nativity story. In March or April we observe Lent, focusing on the cross, which leads up to Easter and the triumph of the empty grave. In May, we rejoice in the Ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

But what about now?
What high and holy day is next?

According to the 2024 liturgical calendar, May 20th through November 30th marks a season called “Ordinary Time.”

Ordinary Time.

It turns out that this season is the longest, which seems fitting.

So many of our days are routine, unremarkable, commonplace.

Could Ordinary Days be the best days of all?

No gifts to buy, no decorations to create, no traditions to uphold.

No cut-out cookies, no chocolate bunnies, no hustle and bustle.

Instead,

a day to wake up and walk in the early morning air,

a day to make some sandwiches and wash some dishes,

a day to pull some weeds and arrange some flowers,

a day to love some people and serve some brothers and sisters,

a day to laugh or cry or wait or move,

a day to lift my eyes and and listen for trumpet sound —

any ordinary day in Ordinary Time can become extraordinary.

Welcome to Ordinary Time, my friends!

Celebrate this extraordinary day!

Take your everyday, ordinary life—
your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—
and place it before God as an offering.  
Romans 12:1
The Message