The Daily Plunge!

Defeated Boastful Beasts (Daniel 7:9–14). Although the violent empires of this world terrify us, the LORD will establish his everlasting kingdom over the boastful little powers. The Son of Man will be given power and authority to establish God’s eternal kingdom. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Death Trap Victory (Daniel 6:16–28). The shame fearing king hopes the living God will save Daniel from his orders. The stone is rolled over the pit. In the pit of death, not before, God rescues Daniel and wins him a victory. Trust that God All Mighty can rescue you. #dailydevotion , #Lutherandevotional , #DailyPlunge , #DailyLectionary , #DailyScripture , #ProphetDaniel

Incorruptible Daily Prayer (Daniel 6:1–15). Daniel is distinguished for being faithful and trustworthy. But a corrupt system seeks to destroy him. These mere humans think their word is eternal. When threatened for praying, Daniel prays for God’s rescue. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Fruitless Future Favors (Daniel 5:13–30). You have no power to control the future. God has numbered your days. No matter what eulogy people may speak, you can’t measure up to God’s righteousness. Only the favors and blessing of God have a future. (cf. Psalm 37:37-38)#dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Unseeing Entitled Miscreant (Daniel 5:1–12). A spoiled brat assumes he can flaunt hedonism and disdaining what God makes holy. What is dedicated to God should not be used for sin (1 Cor 6:19-20). When God writes, only a believer who has the Spirit can rightly interpret his Word. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Grass Munching Humbling (Daniel 4:28–37). Pompous boasters are warned to humble themselves and repent to God. Sin severs social bonds and cuts us off. Who are the wild haired, long clawed grass eaters are in your life? Pray they will look up to heaven to seek restoration. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Speaking Truth To Sin (Daniel 4:19–27). While God has given power to the tyrant in order to bring blessings to others, he still will cut him down to size. We want God’s blessings, but we don’t want his majesty. The LORD is God ALL Mighty and his will is irresistible. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Arrogant Enlightened Pagan (Daniel 4:1–18). The ruthless king who boasts about himself takes for granted that God’s job is to answer his whims. How many people think they know about God but will not be devoted? We don’t want to hear the voice of God who will determine our future. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Faith Hating Fire (Daniel 3:19–30). Furious with their obstinate faith, the king tosses the three believers into the superheated furnace. The world hates faith. Christ who takes on the fire protects and rescues his disciples. What immense fire are you going through? #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Despised Holy Devotion (Daniel 3:1–18). When the king institutes a loyalty test, he is furious the faithful believers won’t bow to pressure. These despised nobodies will not go along with everyone else. What are you devoted to? What power will be able to save you from the threat of this world? #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Progressing Empire Decline (Daniel 2:31–49). Magnificent, dazzling empires are no match for the Rock chipped from the eternal mountain. The LORD asserts that he is the one who gives dominion and brings the end of empires. What kingdom are you living for? #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Mysterious Future Revealed (Daniel 2:17–30). Daniel enlists prayer support. When they are in a distant land and no temple, they seek the LORD who is the beginning and end of all history. Being humble before the LORD, he gives credit to God alone who give true and understanding. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

False Séance Futurists (Daniel 2:1–16). The paranoid tyrant demands enchanters, astrologers, sorcerers and mediums who claim to manipulate fate and the divine to tell him and interpret his dream. Only God knows and controls the future. Who are the false prognosticators in our world? #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

Special Distinct Strangers (Daniel 1:1–21). They rename the Hebrew exiles to get them to assimiliate and fit in, to forget their odd God. How desperate are we to fit in and be accepted? Do we trust God over the world’s wisdom and desires? Are we afraid we won’t thrive or do we trust God? #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #ProphetDaniel

This Is The Sea (Psalm 93). Do we contemplate the majesty of the LORD to stand in awe? Whatever earthy majesty we consider pales in comparison to the power that overcomes sin and death. The ocean with its depths and pounding waves praises God. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #GospelofJohn

Holy Right Hand (Psalm 98). The LORD’s Right Hand has the done mighty work of salvation executing the will and promise of God. Jesus Christ and the apostles declare that He is that right hand. His work of the Cross has revealed salvation to the ends of the earth.   (Ex 15:6, Ps 118:16, Mt 26:64, Mk 14:62, Lk 22:69, Acts 2:33-34, Acts 7:55-56, Rom 8:34, Eph 1:20, Col 3:1, Heb 1:3, 13, 1 Pet 3:22, R...

More Than These? (John 21:15–25). Jesus asks, “Do you love me more than these?” These what? These anything in your life that you put first other than Jesus. Then he asks, “Do you agape love me?” Peter can only respond with conditional love. Then feed and take care of the Good Shepherd’s sheep. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #GospelofJohn

Fishing Days Over (John 21:1–14). Disciples are still grappling to come to grips with life gone awry. To have the risen Christ in your life changes everything. Jesus encourages them to cast their net. Why 153 fish exactly? Because numbers matters because each person matters to Jesus. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #GospelofJohn

Unleashing Life Peace (John 20:19–31). Although they heard about the empty tomb and the resurrection from Mary, the disciples are bewildered and afraid. They cannot imagine the crazy talk that Jesus is raised from the Dead. First words from Jesus are Peace. Peace brought by the Cross. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #GospelofJohn

Resurrection Inside Job (John 20:1–18). Traumatized Mary Magdalene tells the disciples the corpse of Jesus has been taken. Uncertain Peter sees grave cloths. John sees an empty tomb and has faith. For Jesus had to rise from the dead because he IS resurrection and life. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #GospelofJohn

Fulfilling Finishing Death (John 19:28-42). Enthroned on the cross Jesus declares the Word and Work of God has been completed. While law enforcers are preoccupied with appearances, Christ death is the unbroken Lamb of God overturning death. (Zech 12:10) #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #GospelofJohn

Redemptive Enthroning Crucifixion (John 19:17-27). Christ is taken outside the city to die on the garbage dump for our refuse. On simple line declares the gruesome work of the cross. The charge proclaims to all the world this is the King of Israel. Psalm 22 is interjected to help interpret this work of God. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #Gosp...

Regal Blaspheming Mockery (John 19:1-16). Pilate mocks the incarnate Son with a thorn crown and purple robe, “Here is your king.” Pilate mocks Jesus to his face: ”Don’t you realize the power I have?” The crowds mock God saying they have no king but Caesar.  #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #GospelofJohn

Uncontaminated Executing Accusers (John 18:28–40). The religious leaders want to avoid getting dirty will maneuvering for extermination of the Lamb of God for the Passover. They declare Jesus is an outlaw. Pilate says to judge Jesus by their Law for his assertion to be the Son of God. #dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #GospelofJohn

Discipleship Denial Sandwich (John 18:15–27). Jesus is interrogated for his teaching and his disciples. Peter leads the others in denying being his disciples, while Jesus speaks openly. Are you just a church goer? Or will you declare you are a disciple, a follower of Jesus? # dailydevotion, #Lutherandevotional, #DailyPlunge, #DailyLectionary, #DailyScripture, #GospelofJohn