March 21, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19:25-30 OBSERVATIONS Salvation (being reconciled to God and restored to life in God’s forever family) is impossible for us to accomplish – no amount of religious activity out good deeds will address the real problem. Only God can do this… and He has, through Jesus!!! Peter is still thinking in worldly…
technological spirituality?
Technology is amazing! It can do everything… or almost everything. This video below is a good reminder that technology has it’s limits. It may also have its downside. Now that we can read the bible on our gadgets, we can have it with us everywhere, always. I wonder if this means that we read it…
A love that overflows
March 20, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19:16-24 OBSERVATIONS This guy seems sincere, though pretty self-confident (“I have obeyed all those commandments”). Jesus seems to be digging deeper into this guys soul (“Why do you ask me about what is good”), and then probes his deep pride and greed with “If you want to be perfect…”. Why give…
Blessing the children
March 19, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19:13-15 OBSERVATIONS What were these people hoping for their children? Good luck, a charmed life, a promise of divine protection, an advantage over other children, a good position in the restored kingdom of Israel? What did Jesus actually give them when He placed His hands on them? Was it an empty,…
A single-minded focus (whether single or married)
March 18, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19:10-12 OBSERVATIONS Jesus describes singleness as a God-enabled calling. He mentions the practice of having eunuchs for royal or religious purposes (for example, to guard the kings harem). These would either be men born without genitals (birth defect) or castrated (ouch). Others choose singleness (not castration) to serve the kingdom, to…
Just as I am…
March 17, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 25 OBSERVATIONS David is in the midst of a crisis, but instead of denying or blaming God, he reaffirms his hope in God. He is confident that God is good, that God blesses those who trust in Him and honor Him. Based on that confidence, he pleads for God’s help. Notice…
Deuteronomy 1-6
March 15-16, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 1-6 OBSERVATIONS What do you notice in this passage? APPLICATION What do you sense the Lord saying to you? PRAYER
Cello Wars
Not sure if you are a Star Wars fan. I am both a Star Wars fan, and a listener to classical music. But here we have the creative blending of both, and I love it! Enjoy the video (turn up your speakers).
God’s heart for marriage
March 14, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19:1-9 OBSERVATIONS Why is it that religion always seems to get in the way when God is great things: people are healed, crowds are blessed and the religious people turn it into a debate. This was a test, they wanted to see if Jesus would go against Moses. Jesus quotes God…
Forgive, as I have forgiven?
March 13, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 18:23-35 OBSERVATIONS Jesus is a good story teller. The man owes more money than he could pay back in multiple lifetimes. Yet he pleads for mercy, and he gets it. The master absorbs the debt himself, no one pays it back, the master basically pays for it out of pocket. This…