Psalms: 54 Meditation Matthew: John the Baptist made no attempt at popularity. Like any prophet worth his salt, John was no fashion-plate either, proclaiming “Repent” – the only thing missing from this caricature was the sandwich board reading: “The end is near.” He was fearless confronting king, Pharisee and priest alike warning even them that …
Tag: Repentance
Tuesday, September 1
Psalm: 26 Meditation 1 Kings: God reiterates the need to observe and follow His commands. The king, for the most part, stood as a representative of the people – this means the people would do what they saw the king doing. David did sin, but he repented and gained forgiveness. The same would hold true …
Wednesday, July 1
Psalm: 130 Meditation Acts: The sin spoken of in this passage is called “simony” in “honor” of the scoundrel who thought the gift of God could be had for a price. This is a subtle and insidious sin. (Isn’t all sin insidious?) Simon wanted a sense of power for he witnessed the power of the …
Sunday, June 14
Psalm: 96 Meditation Nahum: This book reawakens the Book of Jonah. About a hundred years before, a reluctant Jonah brought warning of judgment to Nineveh whereupon these heathens repented of their evil ways and to Jonah’s dismay they were spared. Not so now. Nahum is here to announce judgment. Assyrian warriors were the vilest of …
Wednesday, June 3
Psalm: 53 Meditation 2 Corinthians: Paul does not skirt the issue he raised in 1 Corinthians. There were two which came to mind both moral: 1) incestuous adultery and 2) neglecting the poor at the Lord’s Supper. Paul is very pleased with the progress of the Corinthians’ repentance – it encourages him to persevere. Godly …
Pentecost Sunday
Listen. Listen to the pre-recorded Children’s Message together. You can find it at pacificunionchurch.org/churchsmall Review Do you guys remember why Pastor Steve wore that crazy alien mask? [Hint to parents: The Holy Spirit came down on the church at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit gave the church special powers to tell people about the kingdom of …
Tuesday, May 26
Psalm: 94 Meditation Ezekiel: This is a rather grim prophecy of doom: judgment from God upon Israel. It appears that this is not a reference to end times. The passage is a little puzzling because as of its writing the Jews are, in fact, being held captive in Babylon. The chronic ailment of the Jews …
Tuesday, April 14
Psalm: 114 Meditation Acts: “God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.” That seems an odd way to announce the gospel but by these very words the people who were listening were “cut to the quick” (or to their very souls) as the King James Version says. This compelled them to …
Monday, April 13
Psalm: 98 Meditation Jonah: Why Jonah? Wasn’t he that rather depressing Old Testament prophet who hated the Ninevites (Assyrians) generally regarded as the vilest of all people? As you know Jonah was thrown overboard (to save the rest on the ship – one life for the many) and was then swallowed by a “great” fish …
Going Deeper: April 12
Read John 20:1-18 together. Watch the sermon video (available at pacificunionchurch.org/churchsmall) Listen. What did you hear in the Scripture reading and the sermon? What is God saying to you? What is this incredible news that Mary Magdalene has to share with us? Respond. If this is God’s word to you, what will you do? How …
