SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:21-26 OBSERVATION: The “rules” speak against murder, but the way of Jesus digs deeper to anger and its results (the words that anger produce, like fool). Anger that burns within lashes out with words that burn. Jesus is not saying that someone who says “fool” will go to hell, but that those who vent…
Author: Norm
$4000 Surplus!
We are excited to announce that this past year we have experienced a $4000 surplus over what we budgeted for 2007, something we have NEVER experienced here at Hope. That number could increase, depending on how much we spent in 2007 (still to be determined, stay tuned!!) We are thankfully seeing this as a confirmation…
Jan 22 — Matthew 5:13-20
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:13-20 OBSERVATION: The implication of living counter-culturally, living the way of Jesus in this world, is that we will season this world like salt, and we will shine in an otherwise dark and dreary world. This is how God’s kingdom (the world as God intends it to be) is revealed. But its more than…
Jan 21 — Matthew 5:1-12
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:1-12 OBSERVATION: The crowds seem to lead Jesus to challenge His disciples with the real message, perhaps to scare off the uncommitted. The essential message is that if you want to experience God’s blessing in God’s way, you need to live counter-culturally. The way of God’s world (His Kingdom) seems contrary to “normal” living….
Jan 20 — Joshua 8:30-35
Feel free to leave your comments. My comments are coming soon! SCRIPTURE: Joshua 8:30-35 OBSERVATION: APPLICATION: PRAYER:
Jan 19 — Joshua 8:18-29
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 8:18-29 OBSERVATION: This scene sounds like it would make a great action movie. But it does not fit with the new covenant stage of God’s plan. God worked within the culture and context of the old covenant (Joshua would likely have been hung by a tree, the people burned by the Canaanites as well,…
Jan 18 — Joshua 8:1-17
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 8:1-17 OBSERVATION: Interesting that while Jericho was defeated without battle, here a very shrewd military tactic is used to defeat Ai. In daily relationships this would be considered deceptive, but in battle it is considered clever. Not sure if there is a lesson in this. I do note that the armies of Ai were…
Jan 17 — Joshua 7:16-26
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 7:16-26 OBSERVATION: There are times when God is amazingly patient, and times when His patience ends. Here at this crucial time in Israel’s story, being established in Canaan, God punishes Achan and his family in a violent, unsettling way. In a similar fashion we see Ananias & Sapphira drop dead on the spot at…
Jan 16 — Joshua 7:1-15
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 7:1-15 OBSERVATION: Notice how one person’s sin affects the whole community. We may see this as unfair, but it is still a reality. One bad apple can spoil the whole bushel. Classroom privileges are revoked because of a few kids who abused them. Laws are made because of a few turkeys who make them…
Jan 15 — Joshua 6:8-27
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 6:8-27 OBSERVATION: I agree, Jill. There is no easy way to sanitize this story. Being who I am right now, I could not have done this. But of course, the times were very different. I do think that we read this story as if the Jerichoeans were innocently minding their own business when WHAMMO,…