SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3:18-4:1 OBSERVATION: This is very interesting. How do you translate the life of Jesus into real life? Paul shows us how to apply the law of love in the culture of that day, which included slavery, dictatorial governments, abusive masters and parents and husbands, etc. Paul does not advocate rebellion, but a revolution of…
Feb 23 — Colossians 3:1-17
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3:1-17 OBSERVATION: The new life is not about fasting, attending services, style of dress, abstaining from certain pleasures, etc., which are outward disciplines and practices. The focus is on character, values and priorities. The heavenly perspective is not disconnected from reality, but is this-world reality from a heavenly (ie God’s) point of view. From…
Feb 22 — Colossians 2:6-23
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 2:6-23 OBSERVATION: Paul contrasts ‘religion’ from relationship with Christ, living in, with, like and for Him. Religion puts the emphasis on being religious, following religious rules and traditions and practices. But these things do not change the heart. The change of heart required comes from humbly surrendering to Jesus, relating to Him as Lord…
Feb 21 — Colossians 1:24-2:5
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 1:24-2:5 OBSERVATION: Here is the passion that inspires me, the passion for the Lord, for His purpose and for people that drives Paul. I believe this is not just something for the “ordained” or the “called” but the pattern for everyone who claims to follow Jesus. So many “christians” live without passion for the…
Feb 20 — Colossians 1:15-23
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 1:15-23 OBSERVATION: From an earthly perspective, Jesus was just another human being who caused a bit of a stir in Palestine, died prematurely, then miraculously came back to life. Paul is making the claim that this somewhat ordinary person was actually God in the flesh, the visible manifestation of the invisible God. Most people…
Feb 19 — Colossians 1:1-14
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 1:1-14 OBSERVATION: Paul is a missionary (the literal meaning of ‘apostle’, a sent one), and though he did not work among the Colossians, he is so inspired by what he hears happening among them that he writes this letter of encouragement. This section relays Paul’s joy and gratitude for their faith and love and…
Feb 18 — Joshua 13:15-33
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 13:15-33 OBSERVATION: The passage continues to describe who inherited what. And again we are reminded that the Levites did not inherit any land (Numbers 18:23-24). They were a set part people among the set apart nation, to remind them that they all belonged to God because He rescued them from judgment (see Numbers 3:11-13). Their special…
Feb 17 — Joshua 13:1-14
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 13:1-14 OBSERVATION: Much has been accomplished, but the work remains incomplete. We see in v.13 that by the time this was written, there was still work to be done. And because we have the Book of Judges, we know that ultimately they will not finish what they started, and they will suffer for it…
Feb 16 — Joshua 12:1-24
OBSERVATION: This is not very interesting reading, but it does have a purpose. It is a checklist for answered prayer (God help us), as well as for fulfilled promises (see Joshua 1:3-5). We also recall that for most of their journey into the land, it was hard, dangerous work (it was not just Canaanites who died…
Feb 15 — Joshua 11:16-23
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 11:16-23 OBSERVATION: I was totally taken aback by the words “not one city made a treaty of peace”. Was this an option for them? “The Lord Himself hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel”. OK, this takes some prayer. I don’t think this implies that their hearts were soft before He hardened them,…