SCRIPTURE: Romans 4 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: What is it that God is looking for from us? How good is good enough? What rituals or sacrifices or moral requirements do we have to meet? Is there a list of ‘entrance requirements’ with God? Paul challenges the traditional Jewish approach, which he excelled at [Philippians 3:3-7], and shows that even Abraham…
Author: Norm
feedback from Falby
Our church is in the process of relocating. Not just the location of our Sunday morning services, but our whole ministry focus. We are looking at this as an opportunity to build a bridge into South Ajax, and in particular the downtown (South Harwood) corridor. We presented this idea to our community, and they responded…
the only way to be righteous
SCRIPTURE: Romans 3 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Paul is making the point that the Law does not make the Jews superior because they are now better people, but because it exposes their sin, and reveals their need for divine mercy and help. Across the board, whether Jewish or not, people are guilty of rejecting and offending God. The Jews…
why ‘Follower of Jesus’ is weak
Here is an interesting article, good for me to think about… Think Christian by Steven Koster Until Lisa Miller asked the question, I hadn’t really thought about the relative merits of “Follower of Jesus” vs. “Christian” as a self-description. I appreciate the whole idea of fresh new ways to tell the old, old story. But…
I need mercy too
May 4, 2009 SCRIPTURE: Romans 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Paul exposes the judgmental person, showing that they need God’s mercy as much as everyone else. God is patient with us, and He is patient with others – so that they can repent. We also need to be patient with others. The day is coming when we will stand…
the way to real life
SCRIPTURE: Romans 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Paul begins with sharing His passion for God, for Jesus and for the good news message of Jesus for all people. He is so eager to share this with those in Rome, and is confident that this message can radically transform their lives. Believing in Jesus as God’s human-divine Messiah is the…
Zelophedad’s daughters
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 36 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Although the patriarchal patterns of that culture did find their way into the Law of Moses, nevertheless God shows His concern for women and children in the Law in a way that the other cultures and religions did not. In this chapter we see God’s concern extend to Zelophedad’s daughters. The way…
what I believe
I put this together several years ago, and still find it a helpful expression of what I believe: I believe in God Do you believe that there is a God? I do! This is a core conviction, one that shapes my whole way of living and thinking. I am not alone. Most people believe in…
no place to hide from justice
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 35 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The Levites were given towns among the other tribes, since they did not receive land. These towns were their refuge, their place to call home. In addition, six of these towns were set apart as cities of refuge, for people who were accused of a crime (for example, murder) and need a…
two long sentences about sin
“Some may for a time dream of the essential goodness of man and speak indulgently of those separate words and actions that do not measure up to the ethical standards of good society as mere foibles and weaknesses, for which man is not responsible, and which readily yield to corrective measures; but as time goes…