Scripture: Hebrews 10:4-10 Key Verse: Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me.” (v. 5) Observation: The original intent of the letter (actually this writing is more of a sermon) to the Hebrews was to encourage Jewish Christians to… Read More Body of Work

Scripture: John 9:1-41 Key Verse: Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” Observation: This rather lengthy reading from the gospel according to John recounts Jesus healing a man who was born blind. Having a child born… Read More At First Sight

Scripture: John 4:5-42 Key Verse: I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor. (v. 38) Observation: In this passage, Jesus engages a Samaritan woman in an extended theological discussion. This is noteworthy for at least a couple of reasons. First of… Read More Prepared to Reap

Scripture: Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 Key Verse: Hark, the cry of my poor people from far and wide in the land: “Is the LORD not in Zion? Is her King not in her?” (“Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their foreign idols?”) “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we… Read More Who Are Your People?

Scripture: Luke 14:1-14 Key Scripture: But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. (v. 10 ESV) Observation: This… Read More Move on Up a Little Higher

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:23-29 Key Verse: Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let the one who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? says the LORD. (verse 28) Observation: False prophets have risen in opposition to the word God has spoken to Jeremiah. These… Read More Dream On

Scripture: Isaiah 1:1, 10-20 Key Verse: Come now, let us argue it out, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (verse 8) Observation: God speaks through the prophet Isaiah expressing God’s displeasure with the nature of the… Read More Insincere Sacrifice or True Repentance?

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21 Key Verse: But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ (verse 20) Observation: Jesus is sharing words with his disciples encouraging them to be strong in the faith even as they face hostile… Read More People or Possessions?

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-15 Key Verse: See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (verse 8) Observation: Paul writes to the church at Colossae to combat and refute false teachings that had arisen among the believers. In… Read More Don’t Waste Your Time

Scripture: Amos 8:1-12 Key Verse: The time is surely coming, says the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land; not a famine of bread, or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. (verse 11) Observation: Amos doesn’t sugar-coat what lies ahead for Israel. He relays a… Read More Green and Growing, Ripe and Rotting