This coming Sunday we will be selecting our new leaders by Lot. Our practice is in keeping with the decision of Synod 2003 (Acts, p.609), which reads: 1. That synod declare that the use of the lot in the election of officebearers is permitted when a congregational vote is part of the process. Grounds: a….
Author: Norm
May 3 — 1 Peter 2:4-12
SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 2:4-12 OBSERVATION: Before Jesus came, God used a stone temple (with priests and sacrifices) to symbolize His relationship with people; Jesus is the reality, the living cornerstone of a living temple where God lives and His people love and serve Him. Peter uses words that originally described Israel (Exodus 19:3-6, Hosea 1:6-11) to describe God’s new…
May 2 — 1 Peter 2:13-2:3
SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 OBSERVATION: God loves us by grace alone, but having received this grace, we are called to respond with action: obedience, holiness, love, reverent fear, ridding ourselves of sin and craving what is good and pure. This way of living is the evidence of a sincere Christ-follower. When we receive the message (the enduring…
May 1 — 1 Peter 1:1-12
SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 1:1-12 OBSERVATION: Peter is writing to Christ-followers (those obedient to Jesus, forgiven/sprinkled by His sacrificial death) wherever they may be scattered, reminding them of their great joy and great hope in the midst of great trials. He reminds them that many people in the past longed to know Jesus as we do, but did…
Apr 30 — Luke 24:33-49
SCRIPTURE: Luke 24:33-49 OBSERVATION: It is not surprising that they had a hard time believing that Jesus was alive! Even seing him, they still doubted, but who can blame them. Jesus had to open their minds (and their hearts) to believe that He was real. He did this by (a) letting them touch and see Him…
Apr 29 — Psalm 4:1-8
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 4:1-8 OBSERVATION: David seems to be in the midst of a crisis, and the people who are troubling him are also mocking him, “turning his glory into shame”. Those with David are despairing, “who can show us any good?” David refuses to give up. He appeals to God for help (mercy) and declares his…
More random pictures
[rockyou id=66299030&w=426&h=320]
Apr 28 — 1 John 3:1-10
SCRIPTURE: 1 John 3:1-10 OBSERVATION: John reminds believers of their new identity: much loved children of God. This identity encourages us when persecuted, but also affects how we live. John assures them that Jesus came to restore His followers and destroy the devil’s work. When Jesus is finished, we shall see Him as He is, we shall…
Bible Readings (May)
This month we are reading through complete books of the Bible: 1 Peter, Ruth, Ephesians and Joel. 1 1 Peter 1:1-12 2 1 Peter 1:13-2:3 3 1 Peter 2:4-17 4 1 Peter 2:18-25 5 1 Peter 3:1-12 6 1 Peter 3:13-4:6 7 1 Peter 4:7-19 8 1 Peter 5:1-14 9 Ruth 1:1-22 10 Ruth 2:1-23 11 Ruth 3:1-18 12 Ruth 4:1-22 13 Ephesians 1:1-14…
Apr 27 — Acts 3:17-26
SCRIPTURE: Acts 3:17-26 OBSERVATION: Peter appeals to Jews/Jewish leaders to accept Jesus as the promised messiah (‘Christ’ is Greek for Hebrew ‘Messiah’), claiming that He is the fulfillment of all the OT prophecies. The call is to change their minds (repent) regarding Jesus. Note the two levels, what the Jewish leaders did in ignorance, and God’s…