SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:21-40 OBSERVATION: This event still takes place in a Jewish context (i.e. under the Law of Moses): — Circumcision, consecrated and purified by sacrifice at the temple – as the Law of Moses required — Simeon and Anna at temple, waiting for the promised messiah in the temple Luke did a lot of research…
Author: Norm
Feb 1 — Isaiah 40:12-31
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 40:12-31 OBSERVATION: The basic message is, ‘how can you criticize or complain about Me, don’t You realize who I am?’ God made it all, in a way, with a wisdom and a power that far surpasses us. We have a lot of nerve to compare God to a statue, to reduce Him to our…
Jan 31 — 1 Corinthians 9:1-18
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 OBSERVATION: Paul is being criticized by certain people (possibly leaders) at the church in Corinth, accused of being in it only for their money, being materially and personally motivated. Paul argues that although he has the right to expect certain things, he didn’t claim those rights so as to not hinder the spread…
Jan 30 — Psalm 147:1-20
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 147:1-20 OBSERVATION: Reasons why we should praise (say great things about) God… — It is good and appropriate — His care for the poor and needy — His control and care of the universe — His blessing and protection of His people — His great power and unsearchable wisdom — His special message (word)…
So why should we praise God?
I’VE MOVED THIS CONVERSATION TO MY NEW BLOG: www.jesusfollower.ca OK, here’s an easy question… or is it? Why should we praise God? Maybe a part of that question should be what does it mean to praise God? And if you really want to get personal, why do you praise God? This can go a lot…
Sermon on Psalm 147:1-20
I’m preaching on Psalm 147:1-20 this coming Sunday (Feb 4, 2007). Its the daily Bible Reading scheduled for January 30. I would be interested in hearing from you as to what jumps out at you in this passage. What questions does it raise? What do you hear God saying to you in this passage. I suggest…
Jan 29 — Mark 1:21-28
SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:21-28 OBSERVATION: Jesus followed the Jewish customs (going to the synagogue, not something required by the law of Moses) but used them for His own purpose. Jesus’ teaching had an authority lacking in the Jewish leaders… the anointing of the Holy Spirit! What was this evil (lit. unclean) spirit? The evil spirit was there,…
Jan 28 — 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 OBSERVATION: Maybe this is a possible reason for why Paul had Timothy circumcised, to not mislead the weaker Jewish believers (Acts 16:1-3). Paul is saying that our knowledge about God and grace should not lead us to act in a way that gets in the way of the newborn believers. Just because something is…
Jan 27 — Acts 16:1-15
SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:1-15 OBSERVATION: Does Paul break his own rules here by having Timothy circumcised (Galatians 2:3-5)? One possible reason is that he did it to keep that issue from getting in the way of his missionary work, not to please people but to serve the cause of the gospel. Was it to protect Timothy as a…
How did you experience God this week?
Often people will share personal stories with me about how God worked in their lives, whether through a miracle, an answer to prayer, to deep or personal experience, a “God-moment” (what some people call a coincidence, but I prefer to call God-incidents), and many other ways. Maybe you could start sharing your stories here, so…