Category: daily meditations

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…

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 3:1-19 OBSERVATION: A message to those who have accepted Jesus as the messiah, to keep their focus on Jesus through all their trials and challenges. Like Moses, Jesus was faithful to God in fulfilling His assignment; but Jesus is greater than Moses, a “son” compared to a “servant”. As believers we are God’s house…

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 2:1-18 OBSERVATION: How much more important is the message of Jesus than the old covenant (vv.1-3). The message of Jesus was confirmed by those with Him (disciples), as well as by God through signs and wonders, and through the Holy Spirit (vv.3-4). The world is entrusted to humans (vv.6-8 quotes Psalm 8:4-6), but we have…

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 1:1-14 OBSERVATION: God speaks in a variety of ways but Jesus (the Son) is the ultimate message from God. The Son of God (also known as the “Word of God”, John 1:1-5) is how God made the universe, is the ruler of the universe, and is the revelation of God to the universe (the way…

SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 31:23-40 OBSERVATION: Apparently Jeremiah was sleeping when these visions and prophecies came to him in a dream (v.26). The people were living a nightmare (temple destroyed, nation in ruins, living as slaves/captives), so this dream was pleasant, it promised restoration and hope! “The days are coming” is a promise to those who are suffering,…

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 2:1-10 OBSERVATION: This passage compares what the Ephesians were before they believed (dead in sin, following the ways of world and Satan) and what they became after they believed (loved by God, made alive, saved by grace, raised with Christ, seated in the heavenly realms). Describes life without God as “gratifying the cravings of…

SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-38 OBSERVATION: What did the angel look like? Mary is troubled by his words, not by his appearance, so we can presume that he did not appear in a scary way. At other times an angel might be frightening, but it makes sense that he appeared in a positive, non-frightening manner to a young…

SCRIPTURE: John 3:1-21 OBSERVATION: Nicodemus seems to be a genuine seeker, he comes at night because he is afraid of his peers. He shows up again after Jesus dies (John 19:39), helping to bury Jesus. Jesus answers Nicodemus in a mysterious way, in a way that confuses him. This seems to be Jesus pattern, speaking in parables…

SCRIPTURE: Numbers 21:1-9 OBSERVATION: A violent time: Israel cruelly attacked, Arad and his people totally destroyed, poisonous snakes killing some Israelites, and God seems to be actively mixed up in it. How can God tolerate, endorse so much violence and suffering? We tend to ignore our own responsibility, wasn’t Arad’s defeat in response to his nations…

SCRIPTURE: Judges 5:1-31 OBSERVATION: This song celebrates Israel’s victory over their cruel (and mighty) oppressors. God receives the credit, He supported His people with a thunderstorm (heavens poured, mountains quaked, vv.4-5). Life in Israel went from bad to worse when they turned to foreign gods, only improved when Deborah and other willing leaders led the way…