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: If the Lord is asking us to do something, He will provide the necessary resources to do it. 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…
blessing people from other churches
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: We need to be a blessing to other believers beyond our own circle, and not just huddle together with those who are close to us! 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:…
eternal guarantee
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Jesus is the guarantee that the good we do in this life will bear fruit in the next life! All good things must come to an end. What a depressing thought. Why bother seeking anything good, it’s only going to end soon. This is what life is like, when death has the last…
inspiring worship
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Our gatherings as Jesus-followers ought to be edifying, inclusive and orderly. When the Corinthians met together, their focus was on having powerful, charismatic gatherings. Paul urges them to focus rather on having loving, edifying gatherings. Its great if you have a powerful personal encounter with God, but that is something you can…
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…
update from Tim
Our son Tim is working with Life Challenge in Juarez, Mexico Hola, just a quick update on how things are going down here in Juarez, Mexico. These past 2 weeks have been interesting in dealing with a specific situation. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a married couple who are 18 and 19 years old, the…
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…
head-coverings for women?
Reading the opening words of 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 can cause confusion or concern. Once again I have found The Message to be a helpful reading on a difficult passage, showing how Paul is speaking about cultural symbols in his time, and the meaning behind them: 1-2It pleases me that you continue to remember and honor me by…