“The joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:1-10). We desire to follow the Lord in everything we do (Psalm 19), proclaiming freedom (Luke 4:14-21) with the knowledge that we are a small but important part of something greater than ourselves (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).” – Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
“God rejoices and delights in us (Isaiah 62:1-5); his steadfast love offers us refuge in the shadow of his wings (Psalm 36:5-10). Christ showed his power while on earth, working many signs and miracles, including one at the wedding of Cana (John 2:1-11). God gives each of us spiritual gifts to use in his service (1 Corinthians 12:1-11).” – Thomas Oden
“Because the Lord loves us and knows us by name, we need not be worried or fearful (Isaiah 43:1-7). God is all-powerful and blesses us with strength and peace (Psalm 29) and with the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-17). Through Christ’s baptism (Luke 3:15-17, 21-22) we can better understand the plan God has for our own salvation.” – Thomas Oden
“The night sky was still dim and pale. There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty forever beyond its reach.”
During Epiphany, we remember the coming of the wise men from the east to honor the Savior’s birth (Matthew 2:1-12). As the prophets foretold, Christ, the light of the world, has penetrated the darkness (Isaiah 60:1-6), bringing justice and peace (Psalm 72). Because of God’s grace and Christ’s birth, death and resurrection, we are offered salvation from sin (Ephesians 3:1-12).” – Thomas Oden
Praise God for his provision and renewal (Ps. 147:1-11). God’s ways are beyond our understanding, yet he lifts up the weak and stoops to save his people (Isaiah 40:21-31). Jesus came as “God among us,” sovereign over brokenness and disease (Mark 1:29-39). Like Paul, we follow the example of Jesus and live for the sake of others, that they might know the healing grace of God through Christ (1 Cor. 9:16-23).
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111). The Lord raised up prophets to speak in his name (Deuteronomy 18:15-20). While Jesus was on earth, he taught with authority and did many miracles (Mark 1:21-28). Knowledge puffs us up, but love builds up (1 Cor. 8:1-13) – Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
Jesus calls us to repent and follow him. The kingdom of God is near and we are called to live in the freedom of God (Mark 1:14-20). With God as our rock and refuge (Psalm 62:5-12), we are commanded to turn from evil (Jonah 3:1-5,10) and become disciples of Jesus, joining him by becoming “fishers of men.” There is a sense of urgency to heed this call because the present form of this world is passing away and the kingdom of God is being made manifest among us (1 Cor. 7:29-31).
God Knows Us “O Lord, you knew me before I was born! Nothing I do escapes your notice (Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18). Here am I, Lord. I am listening for your voice (1 Samuel 3:1-20). Jesus told his disciples, “You will see greater things than these” (John 1:43-51). Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, so we should shun sin (1 Cor.6:12-20).” – Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional