Daily Devotional

Several years ago, on a trip to the Holy Land, our group was invited into a Jewish home to break bread together.  Something caught my attention; on the doorpost of their entrance was a small rectangle shaped box, something they would touch when they entered.  My curiosity and desire to learn caused me to ask our host about it.  “What is it?”  “Why do you touch it?”  I learned the name of this box: a mezuzah. A Mezuzah is of biblical origin: “and you shall inscribe them on the doorpost (mezuzot) of your house.” (Deuteronomy 6:9; 11:20)  What is inscribed? “Hear, O Israel:  The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

Mezuzah has come to refer also to the parchment, or klaf, on which the verses are inscribed.  Mezuzah refers as well to the case or container in which the parchment is enclosed.  A mezuzah serves two functions: 

Damar Hamlin is a football player for the Buffalo Bills. For the past week he has been in the prayer of so many people around the world. It was on Monday Night Football that Damar Hamlin suffered a major medical event when he experienced cardiac arrest. The world watched as he received CPR and an AED was used on him, right in the middle of the field. Damar was placed in an ambulance and driven to the hospital in Cincinnati, where the Monday game was being played. Damar’s family, teammates, and all who were watching wondered if he would live.  Thankfully, this past week has been filled with good news about Damar’s recovery. He is doing well and making a strong recovery. Thanks be to God.

Football is a violent sport. However, this past week has shown that many of the men and women who are part of the National Football League are good and generous people. One such person is Harrison Phillips. Harrison Phillips is a defensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings. He played with Damar Hamlin last season in Buffalo. When he heard the news about Damar’s collapse on Monday Night, he immediately jumped into action…

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants of one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another take heed that you are not consumed by one another.”

“So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Jesus was asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” (Matthew 22:36) His teaching, following this question, is foundational to our faith. Jesus’ reply to this question is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”  This is what is known as the “Great Commandment.” Of course, the second is like it, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)   God, who has loved us with unfathomable grace and mercy, commands us to love God and love others in the same way.

Jesus teaches about the greatest commandment in all four gospels. This teaching is at the very heart of Jesus’ ministry. It was not a new teaching…

As the new year begins, many people are heading back to the gym. New diets are being established. They have decided to get in better shape, take on a new challenge, and be better this year than last. These new year resolutions are difficult to maintain. Few people stick with their resolution. One survey suggests that only 8% of people achieve their fitness goals each year. Those who succeed are few and far between.

In 2022, Gary McKee was more than successful in achieving his new year’s resolution. He decided he was going to run a marathon a day. That is correct… 365 marathons.

In all four of the gospels, Jesus teaches, in various ways, the great commandment. We are to love God and love others. There are many things in our faith that we debate, but it is our obligation to love without question. It may not always be easy to love God and neighbor, but love is the definitive nature of God. We are created in God’s very image. We were created to love, to love God and to love all people.

In 1943, Copenhagen, Denmark was under Nazi occupation. The Germans were planning a surprise, mass roundup of the Jewish population of Copenhagen. The plan was to send the Danish Jews to concentration camps. This surprise roundup would have undoubtedly led to the death of thousands of Jews. The Jewish population was in serious trouble. Thankfully, one brave man considered the people of Copenhagen, all the people of Copenhagen, to be people who needed love and care…

The deadly snowstorm that recently covered Buffalo, NY, brought deadly cold temperatures and over 40 inches of snow in just under 24 hours. The freezing winds reached speeds over 70 mph. The heavy snow and wind combined to create conditions that kept anyone from being able to see and navigate. The blizzard conditions trapped people away from home, stranded travelers in dangerous conditions and sadly, cost the lives of 27 people. It was the deadliest winter storm in Buffalo since 1950.

As the deadly storm covered the city, people took shelter as quickly as possible. Like many of you, I have been following the stories coming from this event and have been amazed at the kind actions of strangers and how they have saved so many lives. One act of kindness was performed by Sha’Kyra Aughtry.  The storm was covering the city when Sha’Kyra heard a man screaming outside of her home…

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