July 10, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:21-28 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION Why do I follow Jesus? Because news of Him has spread through history to me, and I am drawn to Him (v.28). He has spoken with an authority in my life that I cannot deny. He has addressed evil in my life that leaves me convinced. I need Jesus,…
Experiencing God’s better world now!
July 9, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:14-20 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION The good news: God’s better world has arrived, repent and receive it! Jesus signals the restoration of God’s better world; He is a human being like Adam was created to be, God’s child and God’s reflection, to whom God entrusted authority over all creation (Genesis 1:26-27). This world, the very…
The kind of child God loves!
July 8, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:9-13 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION Jesus knew about John the Baptist, and purposefully travelled the 80 miles (4 days travel) to see him. The land was buzzing with stories of people changed, sinners repenting, even religious leaders and roman soldiers. Jesus knows that He too must submit to God and repent – not because He…
Jesus assures me of God’s love!
July 7, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 41 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION The Messiah is known as the Son of David, an heir to the throne who will be like his ancestor. When we read the Psalm, we not only see into the heart of David, we see into the life of the Messiah. Jesus, the Son of David, the Messiah,…
1 Samuel 24-31
July 5-6, 2013 SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 24-31 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION What do you sense the Lord saying to you? PRAYER
Where we meet Jesus!
July 4, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:1-8 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION Mark starts his biography of Jesus when His ministry begins, as an adult. John the Baptist is the unusual fanfare that announces the coming Messiah. To prepare for God’s coming, people need to repent. This act of repentance was extreme: being baptized by a madman in the Jordan. The…
Disciple-making disciples
July 3, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:16-20 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION After all this, after all they saw and heard and experienced… some still had their doubts. I don’t feel so bad now, knowing that when I doubt I am in good company. Jesus came for a specific time and purpose: He came to start something, but He wants our…
The faith of unbelief
July 2, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:11-15 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION The religious leaders do NOT want to believe that Jesus is alive. They are as devoted to their faith that Jesus is not the Messiah, as His disciples were devoted to their confidence that He is! Some people accuse Christians of blindly following faith, not reason. But faith lies…
Not dead!
July 1, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:5-10 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION Yesterday I was with someone who was dying, and last night they died. I can imagine the grief these women felt, but I can barely imagine what it must have felt like to hear an angel day, ‘He is risen’. I am going back to the house today, but…
Resurrection hope!
June 30, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 30 OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATION I was sliding down into the pit of death, and he pulled me out. The psalmist has experienced God’s resurrection power before, now he is trusting in Good to do it again: Lord, please save me. Lord, come quickly to help me. Our confidence in God is not just when things…