SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 13:38-46 OBSERVATION: God’s attempt at containing infectious diseases, an early version of quarantine. We still do this today (meningitus!), but it seems harsher as its written here. As harsh as it seems, this is a sign of God’s mercy, seeing as how infectious diseases can decimate a population. It was human nature that turned…
Category: daily meditations
Feb 5 — Mark 1:29-39
SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:29-39 OBSERVATION: Jesus performs a variety of miracles, but does not see healing as His primary purpose. Jesus made the time to be alone with the Father. Jesus silenced the demons, not because Jesus didn’t want people to know but because the demons could hinder His mission with popularity. Jesus rebukes the fever… as…
Feb 4 — Jeremiah 33:1-11
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 33:1-11 OBSERVATION: God can (and will) speak to us everywhere, even when imprisoned (Jeremiah 32:3), for God’s message cannot be chained (2 Timothy 2:8-9). Jeremiah was not popular with his own people because he kept speaking against their sinful lives. God punishes His people by allowing them to experience the consequences of their choices, but His ultimate…
Feb 3 — Hosea 6:1-7:10
SCRIPTURE: Hosea 6:1-7:10 OBSERVATION: A call to repent, to turn back to the Lord for mercy, to change their ways – for God will heal and help. God’s desire to bless and forgive is thwarted by His peoples’ passion for sin (burning like an oven). God’s people are sinning boldly, suffering terribly, but not getting it,…
Feb 2 — Luke 2:21-40
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…
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)…
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…