“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)
The most important stone of all!
April 11, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:42-46 OBSERVATIONS Jesus is trying to get the religious leaders to see, to understand, to repent. He quotes their bible (the Jewish scriptures, what Christians call the old testament), Psalm 118. This Psalm was written for one of the temple celebrations. David as king leads the procession (with branches waving, Psalm 118:27), praising…
Of course, it’s obvious…
April 10, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:33-41 OBSERVATIONS Jesus tells a simple story, so simple that even his disciples know the answer. ”Of course, it’s obvious,, the owner will assign the land to other people, people who will give the owner what he deserves.” A contemporary parallel, if a Tim Horton’s franchisee refuses to make their payments…
Just do it!
April 9, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:28-32 OBSERVATIONS Ouch, Jesus does it again. He exposes people’s hearts, and if they were willing to hear, they would repent. Reminds me of when the prophet Nathan tells a parable to David to expose to him of his adultery and murder. In that case, David repents (2 Samuel 12). This story shows…
Jesus turns the conversation on me
April 8, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:23-27 OBSERVATIONS As noted before, how Jesus answers people depends on who he is talking to. Here he is speaking with representatives for God that are more concerned about their worldly interests than in spiritual interests. Jesus exposes this by His response. It is frustrating when people answer a question with…
Save Your people!!!
April 7, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 28 OBSERVATIONS David is in trouble. It seems he is being mistreated or attacked by ‘those who do evil’. His situation is desperate. Of God doesn’t step in, he will die. He is praying with desperation, pleading with God for help. The sinners David speaks of are not sinners in general,…
Walk the Prayer Path
Recently we hosted a prayer walk at our Ministry Centre. It was an amazing opportunity to spend an hour alone with God. Eight stations took each participant through the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer. The following video montage cannot capture the impact of the experience.
Deuteronomy 20-26
April 5-6, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 20-26 OBSERVATIONS What do you notice in this passage? APPLICATION What do you sense the Lord saying to you? PRAYER
Boldness blessed?
April 4, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:18-22 OBSERVATIONS Was Jesus being selfish here? Isn’t this reaction harsh? Is this action symbolic, meant as a sign – symbolizing God’s frustration with His people (often described in the OT as a fig tree)? Was Jesus’ showing how far this present world falls short from God’s new creation (Revelation 22:1-3) where…
The church, help or hindrance?
April 3, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:12-17 OBSERVATIONS The temple was God’s place of blessing, where people could find hope, forgiveness and blessing. The religious leaders turned it into a fundraiser, more concerned about building the institution than blessing the people. Who cares that the blind and disabled are healed by Jesus, their system was being upset….