God’s hand behind mine
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 23 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: David stayed in the desert strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands. [1 Samuel 23:14] David is being protected by the Lord; Saul is being hindered by the Lord. Both are making free choices, but…
alternative expressions of church
The following video from 100 Huntley Street explores the question “what is the church” and looks at some new and emerging forms of the church. I am especially interested in the section on the FRWY (“free way”), a Salvation Army Church Plant in downtown Hamilton which is built around a Cafe. This kind of ministry appeals…
following Jesus
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 22 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. [1 Samuel 22:2] I see two reflections of Jesus in this passage. One is how it was society’s rejects that gathered around David; the same happened with Jesus,…
heart of the Law
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 21 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the LORD and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away. [1 Samuel 21:6] Jesus uses this story to shed light on His perspective on…
more church in action
I love the part where he reflects on the idea that maybe the rich are not so rich afterall, and the poor are not so poor afterall. What we can learn from each other, if only we would break down the man-made barriers that divide us, and discover our roots in God that unite us!
a little drama for your day
no greater love
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 20 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself. [1 Samuel 20:17] Love your neighbour as yourself. The assumption in this statement is that we naturally love (or look out for) ourselves the most. Even those with low self-esteem feel bad about themselves…
the Spirit speaks
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 19 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even upon him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. He stripped off his robes and also prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay that way all that day and night. This is why people say, “Is…
success through surrender
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 18 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. [1 Samuel 18:14-15] Saul is not stupid, he sees what is happening. David is quickly becoming a rival to his throne. And since God made it plain to…