November 14, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:25-34 OBSERVATIONS 1. Most of this is about why we should not worry. Because God cares for flowers and animals, and you are even more valuable than they are. Because life is more than the the things we usually worry about. Because God knows what you need. Because worrying doesn’t help…
push button for drama
Need a little drama in your life… then push the red button. But be warned, if you push the button, it will add some drama!
first love
November 13, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:19-24 OBSERVATIONS 1. Jesus is talking about what we value, what we consider our ‘treasures’. If we treasure temporal things, we will be disappointed, their sheen will fade. But there is treasure that never fades… heavenly treasure. But what is this treasure? People, family, relationships… not things? The things that God…
hungry
November 12, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:16-18 OBSERVATIONS 1. Jesus does not say we must fast, He is addressing when we choose to do it. To fast is to voluntarily withhold yourself from something (food, drink, other activity) in times of crisis, sorrow for sin, or to draw closer to God. In the OT there were prescribed…
judgment day
November 11, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 7 OBSERVATIONS 1. David feels he is innocent, and being treated unfairly. Anyone who is cruel, unjust, mean deserves to pay for their crimes (even himself, David admits), but the innocent do not deserve it. He pleads with God to step in and punish the wicked, and rescue the innocent.
Genesis 32:1-37:1
November 9-10, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Genesis 32:1-37:1 OBSERVATIONS What do you notice in this passage? APPLICATION What do you sense the Lord saying to you? PRAYER
simple prayer (2)
November 8, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:9-15 OBSERVATIONS 1. This prayer is so familiar, it’s hard to make new observations. What stands out again to me is the brevity and simplicity of this prayer. Just the facts. God doesn’t need the commentary. Could I present a request in one sentence?
simple prayer (1)
November 7, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:5-8 OBSERVATIONS 1. Jesus also challenges public praying for attention, and calls us to go into a private place. Not sure what He meant by a closet… my closet would not be big enough… though some peoples walk in closets are bigger than my bed room… but I assume He meant…
audience of One
November 6, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:1-4 OBSERVATIONS 1. So what is the difference between letting your light shine before men so that they may see our good deeds and glorify God (Ephesians 5:16) and practicing your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them (Matthew 6:1)? Whenever I find a ‘contradiction’ like this, I assume the…
do I really want to love like this?
November 5, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:43-48 OBSERVATIONS 1. The command to love your neighbour is in Leviticus19:18, but there is no command in the OT Law requiring people to hate their enemies. It may have become part of the teaching of the elders based on the psalms (Psalm 139:21), and certainly seems natural for a people who…