SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 43:14-28 OBSERVATION: God reminds His people about how He rescued them from Egypt, that He can still do it, but then wonders why they are not seeking Him, honouring Him, trusting in Him. God is at work, but His people are not seeing it – a new thing they’re blind to because they’re not…
Feb 15 — Isaiah 43:1-13
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 43:1-13 OBSERVATION: Isaiah is speaking to Israel during Assyrian exile, after Jerusalem was destroyed and children were taken to Nineveh), a severe trial. He declares God’s presence, power and purpose, that He will bring children back and deliver His people. Take comfort, for God is in control, not the idols, and everything is going…
Feb 14 — 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13 OBSERVATION: Paul is saying that the most important thing we can do is love people, its what gives legitimacy to all that I do for the Lord. We will never fully understand everything, so don’t make knowledge your highest goal – make faith, hope and especially love your highest ambition. Paul is challenging…
Feb 13 — 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 OBSERVATION: Just because something is allowed, doesn’t mean its beneficial or helpful. Paul is making the case for caring more for the sensitive conscience of unbelievers than for our own rights and freedoms. The issue is not the food itself (belongs to God, received with thanks), but the attitude of the person who…
Sermon on 1 Corinthians 9:19-27
I’m preaching on 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 this coming Sunday (Feb 18, 2007). Its the daily Bible Reading scheduled for February 11. I would be interested in hearing from you as to what jumps out at you in this passage. What questions does it raise? What do you hear God saying to you in this passage. I suggest…
Feb 12 — 1 Corinthians 10:1-22
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 10:1-22 OBSERVATION: Paul uses OT Israel as an example for those who were too cocky and casual about dabbling in sinful, immoral practices. He warns them that just because they were baptized and share in Christ through the Lord’s Supper, that doesn’t mean they cannot fall – look how many OT followers fell into…
Feb 11 — 1 Corinthians 9:19-27
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 OBSERVATION: Paul’s point is that though He is free in Christ from other peoples’ demands and expectations, he voluntarily becomes like others in order to win them to Christ. He illustrates this with the Jews (v.20), the non-Jews (v.21) and the weak (v.22). In relation to the law, Paul says that he is…
Feb 10 — Psalm 32:1-11
OBSERVATION: The truly blessed (happy) person is the person who knows God’s forgiveness and who has an honest, sincere heart (v.1-2) When we live in denial, life is hard, and God prevents us from experiencing joy and peace (v.3-4). When we are honest with God, God does forgive us; we should reach out to Him…
Name That Tune!!!
The answer to this musical mystery is… “Norman” sung by Sue Thompson, written by John D. Loudermilk. You can read the words to this classic! Or you can listen to a sample of the actual song online! Don’t ask me why, just thought you might like to hear the song my family used to tease…
Feb 9 — Psalm 30:1-12
OBSERVATION: A testimony of thanks to God for rescuing David from sickness and death. Used at the dedication of the temple as the place where they worshiped God, a call to worship. David acknowledges that ‘sickness and health’ do not come to us by chance but are directed by His fatherly hand. David (and his…