Starting Small (12/23/13)

Read: Zechariah 4:1-5:11, Revelation 14:1-20, Psalm 142:1-7, Proverbs 30:21-23 Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. (Zechariah 4:10) Relate: Small beginnings. Zechariah is talking about the beginning of the rebuilding of the Temple when God makes that prophesy through him. Those old enough were able to remember the former Temple. Those too young to…

Revelation 4 (12/13/13)

Read: Obadiah 1:1-21, Revelation 4:1-11, Psalm 132:1-18, Proverbs 29:24-25 Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” And instantly I was…

Standing On the Outside (12/12/13)

Read: Amos 7:1-9:15, Revelation 3:7-22, Psalm 131:1-3, Proverbs 29:23 Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (Revelation 3:20) Relate: I love having guests over to my house. I love cooking for people. I love…

Listen here, you fat cow! (12/11/13)

Read: Amos 4:1-6:14, Revelation 2:18-3:6, Psalm 130:1-8, Proverbs 29:21-22 Listen to me, you fat cows living in Samaria, you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy, and who are always calling to your husbands, “Bring us another drink!” (Amos 4:1)   Relate: Every now and then I come across something in scripture and wonder, “How on earth did that make…

First Love (12/10/13)

Read: Amos 1:1-3:15, Revelation 2:1-17, Psalm 129:1-8, Proverbs 29:19-20 But I have this complaint against you. You have lost your first love. Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. (Revelation 2:4-5) Relate: I…

Opportunity Missed (12/7/13)

Read: Hosea 6:1-9:17, 3 John 1:1-14, Psalm 126:1-6, Proverbs 29:12-14 I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6) Relate: It’s the late 1920’s and a bad man, a really bad man, is having a crisis of conscience. Things haven’t gone well for him, he’s just seen some…

Prostitution and Adultery (12/6/13)

Read: Hosea 4:1-5:15, 2 John 1:1-13, Psalm 125:1-5, Proverbs 29:9-11 But why should I punish them for their prostitution and adultery? For your men are doing the same thing, sinning with whores and shrine prostitutes. O foolish people! You refuse to understand, so you will be destroyed. (Hosea 4:14) Relate: Maybe you’re better than me. Maybe you don’t tend to bring down shame and reproach…

Come Back Home (12/5/13)

Read: Hosea 1:1-3:5, 1 John 5:1-21, Psalm 124:1-8, Proverbs 29:5-8 Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them. (Hosea 3:1) Relate: Let’s put this in a modern context… Hosea calls…

We Love Because… (12/4/13)

Read: Daniel 11:36-12:13, 1 John 4:1-21, Psalm 123:1-4, Proverbs 29:2-4 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect… We love each other because…

Do You (12/3/13)

Read: Daniel 11:2-35, 1John 3:7-24, Psalm 122:1-9, Proverbs 29:1 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? (1 John 3:17) Relate: Do you have? React: Do you see? Respond: Will you act?