SCRIPTURE: Joel 2:12-17 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.12-14) Joel indicates that there is still time for repentance, still time to turn back God’s plan for judgment. God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. APPLICATION: It is not too late to repent. Whenever I feel conviction, God (Who…
Category: daily meditations
May 25 — Joel 2:1-11
SCRIPTURE: Joel 2:1-11 OBSERVATIONS 1. (v.1) Do we even imagine that “the day of the Lord” might come upon us, or are we living at ease in Zion? Although it speaks prophetically of the final day of judgment, it was also a historical event for Israel, and it could happen again today (think of what is…
Bible Readings (June)
This month we are reading through: Acts 1-5, Psalms 120-134 (Songs of Ascents), and Jude. 1. Acts 1:12-26 ? 2. Acts 2:1-13 ? 3. Acts 2:14-36 ? 4. Acts 2:37-47 ? 5. Acts 3:1-10 ? 6. Acts 3:11-26 ? 7. Acts 4:1-12 ? 8. Acts 4:13-22 ? 9. Acts 4:23-31 ? 10. Acts 4:32-5:11 ? 11. Acts 5:12-26 ? 12. Acts 5:27-42 ? 13. Psalm 120 ? 14. Psalm 121 ? 15….
May 24 — Joel 1:13-20
SCRIPTURE: Joel 1:13-20 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.12-20) The devastation of the crops is seen as a sign of God’s judgment, the ‘day of the Lord’. Joel is calling the people to repent before it is too late. APPLICATION: Are there warning signs for me, for the church, or for our nation, signs that point to the dangers…
May 23 — Joel 1:1-12
SCRIPTURE: Joel 1:1-12 OBSERVATIONS 1. (v.1) The ‘word of the Lord’ is the LOGOS (John 1:1-2), the personal communication of God Who comes as Jesus the Messiah. It is the Spirit of Jesus speaking to and through Joel (see 1 Peter 1:10-11, Revelation 19:10). APPLICATION: I need to see Jesus as the voice of God everywhere, in creation, in the…
May 22 — Ephesians 6:10-24
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 6:10-24 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.10-13) Paul describes the struggle that Christ-followers go through as a battle with spiritual (not physical) forces of evil. APPLICATION: I can relate to the battle imagery, I often feel under attack. But do I mistake the enemy, do I focus on the people and circumstances instead of on the spiritual…
May 21 – Ephesians 5:21-6:9
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5:21-6:9 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.21) This whole section is an expansion of the theme verse, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Paul explains how wives, husbands, children, fathers, slaves and masters do this. Yes, even fathers and masters are to submit to those entrusted to them, out of reverence for Christ! APPLICATION:…
May 20(b) — Ephesians 5:1-20
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5:1-20 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.1-2) Paul offers a perfect summary of what it means to be a Christ-follower, one who responds to the amazing love of God in Christ by imitating His love, offering ourselves up to God for the sake of others. APPLICATION: Is my religious life a reflection of this wholehearted commitment to…
May 20 — Ephesians 4:17-32
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:17-32 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.17-19) Paul describes the life of sin as a state or condition of the heart and mind: futile thinking, darkened understanding, separated from God, ignorant and hardened hearts, loss of sensitivity, given over to sensuality, indulging every kind of impurity, continual lust for more. APPLICATION: The bad things I do (sins)…
May 19 — Ephesians 4:1-16
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:1-16 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.1-6) As Christ-followers, how we live will either support or hinder my witness for Him. Paul stresses “oneness” to show how Jesus Christ unites us, and to expose the sinful attitudes that undermine that unity. APPLICATION: I struggle with then gentleness and patience with people who think or behave differently from…