SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 5:1-27 OBSERVATION: The Lord even gets the credit for the victories (and defeats) of Israel’s neighbours. A mighty man humbled by leprosy, yet still too proud to bathe in Jordan. The servant girl has a horrible life (taken from parents, enslaved) yet witnesses for God. The girl knew that God could heal, but the…
Feb 6 — Leviticus 13:38-46
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 13:38-46 OBSERVATION: God’s attempt at containing infectious diseases, an early version of quarantine. We still do this today (meningitus!), but it seems harsher as its written here. As harsh as it seems, this is a sign of God’s mercy, seeing as how infectious diseases can decimate a population. It was human nature that turned…
Feb 5 — Mark 1:29-39
SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:29-39 OBSERVATION: Jesus performs a variety of miracles, but does not see healing as His primary purpose. Jesus made the time to be alone with the Father. Jesus silenced the demons, not because Jesus didn’t want people to know but because the demons could hinder His mission with popularity. Jesus rebukes the fever… as…
Sermon on Psalm 32:1-11
I’m preaching on Psalm 32:1-11 this coming Sunday (Feb 11, 2007). Its the daily Bible Reading scheduled for February 3. 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 4 — Jeremiah 33:1-11
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 33:1-11 OBSERVATION: God can (and will) speak to us everywhere, even when imprisoned (Jeremiah 32:3), for God’s message cannot be chained (2 Timothy 2:8-9). Jeremiah was not popular with his own people because he kept speaking against their sinful lives. God punishes His people by allowing them to experience the consequences of their choices, but His ultimate…
How’s SOAP working for you?
We’ve been doing this SOAP Bible reading thing for almost a month. How is it going? Is it helpful? Are you hearing God through the readings? What could we do to help you? I am looking for any feedback or suggestions, as well as any testimonies to how God is working through your Bible reading….
Feb 3 — Hosea 6:1-7:10
SCRIPTURE: Hosea 6:1-7:10 OBSERVATION: A call to repent, to turn back to the Lord for mercy, to change their ways – for God will heal and help. God’s desire to bless and forgive is thwarted by His peoples’ passion for sin (burning like an oven). God’s people are sinning boldly, suffering terribly, but not getting it,…
Feb 2 — Luke 2:21-40
SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:21-40 OBSERVATION: This event still takes place in a Jewish context (i.e. under the Law of Moses): — Circumcision, consecrated and purified by sacrifice at the temple – as the Law of Moses required — Simeon and Anna at temple, waiting for the promised messiah in the temple Luke did a lot of research…
Feb 1 — Isaiah 40:12-31
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 40:12-31 OBSERVATION: The basic message is, ‘how can you criticize or complain about Me, don’t You realize who I am?’ God made it all, in a way, with a wisdom and a power that far surpasses us. We have a lot of nerve to compare God to a statue, to reduce Him to our…
Jan 31 — 1 Corinthians 9:1-18
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 OBSERVATION: Paul is being criticized by certain people (possibly leaders) at the church in Corinth, accused of being in it only for their money, being materially and personally motivated. Paul argues that although he has the right to expect certain things, he didn’t claim those rights so as to not hinder the spread…