November 22, 2024
Wilderness Wanderings
The dream of Daniel 7 helps us understand this week’s gospel reading. May the Lord bless you as you receive his word. Daniel said, “I had a vision at night. I looked up and saw the four winds of heaven. They were stirring up the Mediterranean Sea. Four large animals came up out of the sea. Each one was different from the others. “The first animal was like a lion. It had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off. Then it was lifted up from the ground. It stood on two feet like a human being. And the mind of a human being was given to it. “I saw a second animal....
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November 21, 2024
Wilderness Wanderings
In this week’s gospel reading, Jesus says, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains” (Mark 13:8). When those things make us afraid, Psalm 93 gives us encouragement to stand firm. May the Lord bless you as you receive his word. The Lord rules. He puts on majesty as if it were clothes. The Lord puts on majesty and strength. Indeed, the world has been set in place. It is firm and secure. Lord, you began to rule a long...
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November 20, 2024
Wilderness Wanderings
In this week’s gospel reading, Mark 13:1-11, Jesus tells his followers that when they are persecuted the Holy Spirit will enable them to stand confidently. Today’s reading is the next part of Mark 13. May the Lord bless you as you receive his word. “Watch out! You will be handed over to the local courts. You will be whipped in the synagogues. You will stand in front of governors and kings because of me. In that way you will be witnesses to them. The good news must be preached to all nations before the end comes. You will be arrested and brought to trial. But don’t worry...
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November 19, 2024
Wilderness Wanderings
In this week’s gospel reading, Jesus challenges his followers to stand confidently in the face of persecution. Psalm 3 is a prayer by a faithful Israelite facing enemies all around. May the Lord bless you as you receive his word. Lord, I have so many enemies! So many people are rising up against me! Many are saying about me, “God will not save him.” Lord, you are like a shield that keeps me safe. You bring me honour. You help me win the battle. I call out to the Lord. He answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep. I wake up again,...
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November 18, 2024
Wilderness Wanderings
The gospel reading for this week is Mark 13:1-11 May the Lord bless you as you receive his word. As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!” “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.” As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be...
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Equipped with Towel
Wilderness Wanderings
A Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings! The text John 13:1-17. Dive In discussion questions are below for further reflection! To see this sermon in the context of the worship service it comes from, find it . Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC: Do you like to be served or to serve? How does this affect the way you live? When do you live out of an entitlement mentality rather than love of neighbour? What kind of dust will service stir up in your heart? How often do you ask the other what you can do for them?...
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Nov. 15 - Ruth 3:14-4:17
Wilderness Wanderings
Today our text comes from Ruth 3:14-4:17. This week began reflecting on the extreme actions of a widow’s generosity under the rule of religious leaders who “devoured widow’s houses.” She gave more than all the rich: all she had to live on. Today, we hear of the scandalous actions of another widow who risked much to seek the redemption of her family. In doing so, Ruth joined the family line of Jesus alongside of other scandalous widows who nevertheless sought justice and redemption from God, like Tamar. May God bless you as you hear his word today. 14 So...
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Nov. 14 - Luke 4:16-30
Wilderness Wanderings
Today our text comes from Luke 4:16-30. This week began reflecting on the place of widows and the dynamics of mercy versus sacrifice. Today Jesus declares his mission statement for ministry, naming a ministry of mercy to the marginalized that the home folks didn’t take kindly to. May God bless you as you hear his word today. 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is...
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Nov. 13 - Psalm 94
Wilderness Wanderings
Today our text comes from Psalm 94, a cry from the heart of those in need and who live on the margins among us to the God who sees their plight and avenges. May God bless you as you hear his word today. 1 The Lord is a God who avenges. O God who avenges, shine forth. 2 Rise up, Judge of the earth; pay back to the proud what they deserve. 3 How long, Lord, will the wicked, how long will the wicked be jubilant? 4 They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers are full of...
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Nov. 12 - 1 Timothy 5:1-16, 6:17-21
Wilderness Wanderings
Today our text comes from 1 Timothy 5:1-16, 6:17-21, a further reflection on what the freedom to give of our sacrifices and offerings really means, especially in light of those among us who have need. May God bless you as you hear his word today. Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their...
info_outlineThis week’s gospel reading is from Mark 12:28-34.
May the Lord bless you as you receive his word.
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well he asked Jesus, "Which commandment is the first of all?"
Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
Then the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that 'he is one, and besides him there is no other'; and 'to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength' and 'to love one's neighbour as oneself' --this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."
When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." After that no one dared to ask him any question.
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
As you journey on, go with his blessing:
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep rest in his peace. May Almighty God bless, preserve, and keep us, this day and forevermore. Amen.