How do you think about Jesus? Pastor and author Max Lucado describes some of the weak views people have about Christ [taken from Six Hours One Friday (W. Publishing, 2004), pp. 89-90] For some, Jesus is a good luck charm. The “Rabbit’s Foot Redeemer.” Pocket-sized. Handy. Easily packaged. Easily understood. Easily diagrammed. You can put…
I want to see Jesus
SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1 OBSERVATION: John receives a vision from Jesus while he is imprisoned on Patmos for being a Jesus-follower. The message is for 7 specific churches, but also for all believers of all ages. It is a message to inspire hope and encouragement for those, like John, who are being persecuted for their faith, and…
reading Revelation
For those participating in the SOAP Bible Reading schedule, here is an introduction to the readings from Revelation that begin today (Taken from GotQuestions.org). Author: Revelation 1:1,4,9 and 22:8 specifically identify the author of the Book of Revelation as the Apostle John. Date of Writing: The Book of Revelation was likely written between 90 and 95…
symphony of praise
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 150 OBSERVATION: A simple chorus of praise. Praise in sanctuary (temple, place where people meet to honour God) Praise in the heavenly sanctuary, the expanse of the skies (i.e. everywhere) Praise for the amazing examples of His greatness and goodness in nature (sunrise, sunset, earthquakes, storms, volcanoes, oceans, gravity, laws of physics, etc.) and…
prayer of st. francis
If you are looking for a helpful expression of the heart of a Jesus-follower, the hymn version of the prayer of St. Francis is very pointed and clear. The focus of this prayer is on loving God first (it is a prayer to Him), then on loving our neighbour. Loving like this goes against our…
the Lord’s peace-keepers
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 149 OBSERVATION: To sing a new song is to find new ways of telling people how great God is. Express praise with our whole being – songs, words, dance, musical instruments – and to do it day and night (‘on their beds’). The Lord delights in those who delight in Him.
hand it all over
Christ says, “Give me all. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want you. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here…
a little less lost…
“Your nature is a hard thing to change; it takes time…. I have heard of people who have life-changing, miraculous turnarounds, people set free from addiction after a single prayer, relationships saved where both parties “let go, and let God.” But it was not like that for me. For all that “I was lost, I…
everyone and everything
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 148 OBSERVATION: This songwriter wants EVERYONE and EVERYTHING to praise the Lord. He doesn’t ask, he tells everyone and everything to praise Him. He gives the following reasons: because the Lord created us [v.5-6] and only He deserves it [v.13], He has provided rescue for His people [v.14] and He holds His people close…
the Jesus creed
Here is an attempt by Brian McLaren to put into words a summary confession about Jesus. Since Jesus is the center of our faith, and the ultimate revelation of God, we need to be clear on Who He is. We have confidence in Jesus Who healed the sick, the blind, and the paralyzed. And even…