SCRIPTURE: Nahum 1-3 “Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims!” (Nahum 3:1) Mosul is an Iraqi city under ISIS occupation. Citizens describe the occupation as hellish: beheadings, stonings, forced conversions, rape, men forced to fight jihad and young girls forced to marry ISIS soldiers. Like Nineveh in ancient Assyria…
His great compassion
*** Today’s readings will be divided, Jonah today and Nahum tomorrow. *** SCRIPTURE: Jonah 1-4 Niniveh is the capitol of Assyria, a occupying nation over Israel. Jonah hates Assyria (like a Palestinian might hate Israel today). But God uses fishy means to get him to go to ‘sin city’ with His message. ‘Repent or perish’: when…
Love under the spotlight
SCRIPTURE: John 13:31-38 “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.” (John 13:31) What does it mean to be glorified? I think of it as having a spotlight shone on you. You are highlighted, honoured, celebrated, recognized for what is good. Because of Who Jesus is, how Jesus lives and dies and…
Satan wants in too
SCRIPTURE: John 13:18-30 “As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.” (John 13:27) Judas has been struggling. Should he keep following this lame messiah? The Pharisees have approached him: betray Jesus for gold. Judas likes money, which is why he was the money-keeper (see John 12:6) Judas is conflicted, until Jesus acts like a lowly…
Like a see saw
SCRIPTURE: John 13:1-17 “He loved them to the end.” (John 13:1) I have been journaling for years. Reading through past entries can be interesting, entertaining, encouraging. But also disheartening, when I realize how slow and stubborn a student I am. Lessons the Lord has taught me in years past, I am still learning today. I feel like…
Listen to the doctor
SCRIPTURE: John 12:44-50 “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” (John 12:47) We all hear the reminders about healthy weight, healthy diet and exercise. My doctor has reminded me of this as well. He…
Walks and talks with me
I woke up with another older hymn in my heart. Especially the words about how Jesus (God with us) walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. Some people may find this strange, but for me Jesus is my invisible mentor, my friend, my accountability partner, my ‘New Life Coach’. The Spirit…
To love and live wisdom!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 119:49-72 “I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your (wisdom).” (Psalm 119:59) When I read this Psalm, I substitute ‘law’ words (decree, statute, etc) with ‘wisdom. Behind God’s laws there is a wisdom for life, a better way of living. Wisdom is not so complicated that it is out of reach…
Worship that pleases God
SCRIPTURE: Amos 5:18-9:15 “Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:23-24) Stop singing worship songs, start living worship lives!!!! According to Amos, God is not impressed by our love songs, when not accompanied…
‘Your heart might freeze that way’
SCRIPTURE: John 12:37-43 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts.” (John 12:40, Isaiah 6:10) This is a quote from Isaiah 6, where Isaiah is sent on a mission. After years and years of warnings, signs, appeals to come back to God, Isaiah must tell the Israel that God will ‘harden’ them in their stubbornness. Since they refuse…