25–31 December 2016. Zephaniah 3 (click to read). Merry Christmas everyone! Zephaniah 3 is a beautiful and well-known text that we often read in the church during Advent, in the lead up to Christmas. That’s because it is a text full of hope and joy, and the promise of our coming Saviour. But the chapter […]
18–24 December 2016. Micah 1–3 (click to read). In the book of Micah we see many of the same themes that were raised last week by Amos, especially the concern about economic oppression and corruption, and the abuse of the poor and weak. Really, this is a constant theme all through the Bible and in […]
11–17 December 2016. Amos 3–4 (click to read). One of the biggest temptations we face in our faith lives is the idea that our faith has nothing at all to do with the outside world. Even worse is the idea that our faith has nothing to do with how we make our money. It’s easy […]
4–10 December 2016. Hosea 9–10 (click to read). Let me ask you a question: If you thought there was no way for you to be punished for something, would you do it? In Hosea 9–10, the Israelites were so happy. The economy was going well, the country was developing, and there was prosperity and joy. The […]
27 November – 3 December 2016. Daniel 7–8 (click to read). What a shocking year we have been through. In 2016 we have seen government supported killings on the streets of the Philippines; we have watched the UK break apart and surrender to hatred in the Brexit vote; we have seen a violent grasp for […]
20–26 November 2016. Ezekiel 41–42 (click to read). The Book of Ezekiel began with prophecies telling the people of Jerusalem how they had ruined everything. God’s presence had been with them there in the city, God’s glory had rested in the temple. But because of the people’s many sins, they had made the land unclean, and […]
Bonus Text, November 2016. Ezekiel 29–30 (click to read). One of the best blessings in life is to have a great friend, someone who shares in our happiness and makes life enjoyable. A friend is someone who encourages us and cares for us. And best of all, a friend is dependable. When things go wrong, […]
13–19 November 2016. Ezekiel 17–18 (click to read). When we Christians read the Old Testament, sometimes we get the feeling that God is so frightening. Whereas Jesus spreads the good news of God’s love and amazing grace, the Old Testament seems to talk so much about God’s anger, judgement, and the way he punishes Israel. […]
6–12 November 2016. Ezekiel 5–6 (click to read). Ezekiel is a strange and often difficult book to read because it is full of confusing and even frightening prophecies. And Ezekiel himself doesn’t just use words to share God’s message with the people. Instead he also uses dramatic and often disturbing actions. If any of our […]
30 October – 5 November 2016. Jeremiah 49–50 (click to read). All through the Book of Jeremiah we have listened to God’s announcements of destruction and punishment for Judah. Now at the end in chapter 49, we find prophecies about some of the other countries nearby. Interestingly, even though those countries worship other gods, and […]