Knowing The Word

Weekday devotionals by The Rev. Reagan Cocke

Devotionals

Daily Devotionals

Romans 8:14-17, Heirs with Christ

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God [sons get the inheritance]. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” [When we address God by the same name Jesus used, it shows evidence that the Spirit who animated Jesus has taken up residence in us.] 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [this is the NT do

31 minutes ago4 min read

Romans 8:12-13, Debtors

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors [to God], not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death [consider dead] the deeds of the body, you will live. [We are to consider dead our former sinful deeds, having no influence over us. In mortification, we actively put to death things that the body would otherwise want to do.] This is Wright’s translation of these verses: 12 So then, my d

3 days ago2 min read

Romans 8:9-11, Part III (pleasing God)

According to Tom Wright: There is a strand of post-Reformation spirituality that is so anxious to avoid any appearance of works-righteousness that it shies away from any suggestion that anything we can do might actually please God. But if God’s spirit is at work within us, then of course we ought to please God. For Paul, the moral choices implied in verses 5 and 8 (flesh-minded vs. spirit-minded) are themselves part of the promise of resurrection itself. They are about the ne

4 days ago3 min read

Romans 8:9-11, Being in the Spirit Part II (the mind)

As we read these verses (9-11), we see that Christian living doesn’t just happen. It takes what we call “mental effort,” a concentrated exercise of the mind to focus on God’s way of being human. That is all right here in summary in verse 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. What we learn, by regular and disciplined practice, to think ab

5 days ago2 min read

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About Rev. Reagan

Reagan Winter Cocke was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He received a B. A. and a Masters of Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania where he also met his wife Stephanie.

After a decade practicing architecture, Reagan answered the call to ordained ministry, attending Wycliffe Hall at the University of Oxford where he studied theology, graduating with distinction. He served as an assistant rector at Church of the Advent in Brownsville, TX, before coming to St. John the Divine in Houston, TX, where he has served for nearly two decades.

At St. John the Divine, Reagan has overseen ministries ranging from Adult Education to Prayer Ministry to the Contemporary Service. He currently oversees Youth, Children's, and Family Ministries. He leads several Bible studies and has written a number of devotionals for the congregation.

In his spare time, Reagan enjoys playing pickleball, painting, traveling, cooking, and entertaining alongside Stephanie. They have two children: Catherine, who lives in Austin, and Winston, who lives with them in Houston.

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Knowing the Word

weekday devotionals by The Rev. Reagan Cocke