There are two readings for today. SCRIPTURE: Hosea 3 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” [Hosea 3:1] Why…
a bride only a husband could love
There are two readings for today. SCRIPTURE: Hosea 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The prophecy of Hosea is a love story with a twist. It is about the persevering love of a betrayed husband. Yes he is angry, he refuses to enable her self-destructive behaviour, but through it all he still loves her, and is endeavoring to bring her…
scandalous love
SCRIPTURE: Hosea 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ The people of Judah and the people of Israel will come together;…
known by our love
SCRIPTURE: Philemon 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. [Philemon 1:7] Paul writes this letter to Philemon while in prison, on behalf of a runaway slave, asking that he forgive the slave and release him from his servitude and welcome him as…
Being the Church
[May 30, 2011] On the weekend of May 28 and 29, Crossroads Church practiced “being the church” in our community. We cancelled our Sunday service for community service! Everyone was encouraged to find some way to serve others.
devoted to doing good?
There are two readings today. SCRIPTURE: Titus 3 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us…
redemptive subversion
There are two readings today. SCRIPTURE: Titus 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about…
actions that deny
SCRIPTURE: Titus 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. [Titus 1:16] Paul’s concern as a missionary is not just to start new churches, he is also concerned to support and sustain strong churches. This letter is his words of encouragement…
betrayal and grace
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 109 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy; let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayers condemn him. May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership. [Psalm 109:6-8] Imagine the emotional agony of being betrayed by someone…
what am I before God?
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 108 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: God has spoken from his sanctuary: “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth. Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter. Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.” [Psalm 108:7-9] When…