SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2:36-49 OBSERVATION: This story begins with God ‘defeated’ by the god of Babylon (symbolized by the temple relics placed in temple of Bel, 1:2), and His people ‘subjected’ to the king od Babylon (symbolized by Daniel, who name is changed to Belteshazzar, ie “prince of Bel”). This passage shows that God remains in charge,…
Aug 4 — Daniel 2:24-35
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2:24-35 OBSERVATION: God speaks to Nebuchadnezzar through a vision/dream. He speaks to the wise men through a star (astrology, Matthew 2:1-12). God does not just speak to those who know Him, He speaks to everyone in a variety of ways. The role and task of His servants (Daniel) is to help others discern what God…
Aug 3 — Daniel 2:1-23
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2:1-23 OBSERVATION: The true source of wisdom and power. The king had power to demand and execute, but not the wisdom to interpret; the wise men (including Daniel) had wisdom to interpret and explain, but not the power to read minds or stop the king. Daniel was wise enough to know that God has…
Aug 2 — Daniel 1:11-21
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 1:11-21 OBSERVATION: Daniel is confident that they will be more healthy with vegetables and water than the others on the king’s food. God’s favour sets these loyal youth apart from the others (v.17). In fact Daniel is said to outlast different kings until the year 539, the first year of King Cyrus, who allows…
Aug 1 — Daniel 1:1-10
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 1:1-10 OBSERVATION: God allows Jerusalem to be defeated, the king (and others) to be exiled, and the temple relics to be brought into the temple of Babylon’s god. The God of Israel has been defeated, or so it appears. But God is still in charge, and Daniel and his friends represent all those who…
July 31 — Galatians 6:1-18
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 6:1-18 OBSERVATION: Paul finishes his letter with a summary appeal to live the heart of the gospel: grace! Be gracious to those who stumble and struggle, and look for opportunities to do good to others, especially other believers and those who lead in the faith. Take sin seriously (you reap what you sow), but…
July 30 — Galatians 5:16-26
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:16-26 OBSERVATION: The key is to live by the Spirit, not by the sinful nature, nor by the law. To be LED by the Spirit means to look for His leading, listen for His voice, follow His promptings. It takes training and practice to do this, it is a discipline. The Spirit will not…
July 29 — Galatians 5:1-15
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:1-15 OBSERVATION: To return to old covenant ‘righteousness’ is to be separated from Christ. We are to put our confidence in Christ, imitate His love, and eagerly wait for the final declaration of righteousness on the last day. This is not an excuse to sin, but an opportunity to serve and love. Paul warns…
July 28 — Galations 4:21-31
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 4:21-31 OBSERVATION: Paul uses the old covenant story of Ishmael and Isaac (Genesis 16,21) to illustrate the difference between the old and new covenant, to demonstrate that God’s grace does not flow through human effort but through supernatural intervention. Nothing we do (or do not do) can change God’s feelings towards us, He freely, graciously…
July 27 — Galatians 4:8-20
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 4:8-20 OBSERVATION: Paul describes the observance of special days, months, seasons, years as being enslaved. It is not the personal observance of these things, but the legalistic imposing of these things on others, separating people by them. Paul recalls how they welcomed him before, but how this religious legalism is now separating them. Paul…