May 9, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24:36-44 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION Keep watch, be prepared, this is Jesus’ point. He uses two examples, the days of Noah and a homeowner protecting his house, to illustrate the urgency and value of being ready. Not even Jesus knows the time… this shows how Jesus emptied Himself of His divine nature to become…
Faithful through it all
May 8, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24:32-35 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION Jesus’ point here is that the time of judgment will be evident, like the first signs of spring (from buds to blooms). He is referring to the destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70), but this also applies to all times, and especially the end times. He is telling them to…
Staring into the clouds?
May 7, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24:26-31 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION In times of crisis (in the near future, 70AD, and throughout history), people will claim the Messiah has come. Jesus explains that when the Messiah comes again, everyone will know it, visible from east to west (like lightning). The Messiah will return when all hell breaks lose, He will…
If not rebellion, what then?
May 6, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24:15-25 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION The tensions between Rome and the Jews are reaching a boiling point, Jesus senses what is coming. He warns about a time of severe crisis, when Rome destroys Jerusalem and the temple (the holy place). The only relief through this horrible crisis will be God’s intervention because of His…
Healing prayer!
May 5, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 32 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION David senses what an amazing thing it is to be forgiven by God. It’s better than trying to deny or cover up sin… that only eats you up on the inside. When we are honest with God, the burden is removed and we are renewed. David urges everyone to…
Joshua 13-21
May 3-4, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Joshua 13-21 OBSERVATIONS What do you notice in this passage? APPLICATION What do you sense the Lord saying to you? PRAYER
When love grows cold
May 2, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24:9-14 OBSERVATIONS When love grows cold, people treat each other badly, people hate and kill and betray and deceive. The most important thing in the world for us, no matter what is going on around us, is love. As long as we have the option to love, there is hope. When…
End times living!
May 1, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24:1-8 OBSERVATIONS The disciples are impressed by the architecture. Jesus is not. He sees the hollowness and frailty of this temple (and all man-made structures). He knows that human nature had made life in this world unstable. Its always only a matter of time before things, even good things, fall apart….
Will I let Him?
April 30, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 23:37-39 OBSERVATIONS Jesus expresses the heart of God. Here is the message of the whole bible: God’s desire to embrace and help His children, and their refusal to receive it. The consequence of rejecting God is that ‘your house is left empty’ The house symbolizes a place of welcome, happiness, security,…
“I wouldn’t have done what they did”
April 29, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 23:29-36 OBSERVATIONS Jesus continues His rant against the religious leaders. Assuming that Jesus is good and fair, I accept His assessment of the religious leaders as good and fair; in others words, they must have been pretty bad. “We wouldn’t have done what they did.” (v.30) Jesus refers to how God’s…