SCRIPTURE: Judges 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served the Baals. [Judges 2:10-11] Two points catch my attention: first, that the people disobey…
stronger than chariots
SCRIPTURE: Judges 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The LORD was with the men of Judah. They took possession of the hill country, but they were unable to drive the people from the plains, because they had iron chariots. [Judges 1:19] In this opening chapter of Judges, we see that the Israelites did not obey the Lord’s command to totally remove…
the service of the saints
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition. [1 Corinthians 16:18] In this reading we get a glimpse of how the churches can mutually bless and support each other as they serve the Lord in their respective areas: an offering taken in Corinth and Galatia for the church in Jerusalem…
death has lost, life has won!
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain. [1 Corinthians 15:58] Paul assures the Corinthians that life today matters for tomorrow. The work we do, the sacrifices made, the…
inspiring worship
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. [1 Corinthians 14:26] When the Corinthians met together, their focus was on…
all you need is love
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always…
a motley crew
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. [1 Corinthians 12:11] Unknown to us, invisible to our eyes, the Spirit works in the church and the world, spreading out God’s gifts, working out God’s purposes, custom designing God’s church. Nothing…
God desires unity
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 11 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. [1 Corinthians 11:11] In this world, there are pressures that divide what God intended to be united. In this chapter Paul addresses the relationship between men and women, as well as between believers (as expressed in the church…
standing firm?
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 10 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. [1 Corinthians 10:13] In this passage, I…
in order to reach…
There are two readings for today. SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 9 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. [1 Corinthians 9:19-22, The Message] Why am…