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_outlineIn today’s reading, Micah 6:1-8, an imaginary court case revolves around the two great commandments: to love God and neighbour.
May the Lord bless you as you receive his word.
Israel, listen to the Lord’s message. He says to me, “Stand up in court. Let the mountains serve as witnesses. Let the hills hear what you have to say.”
Hear the Lord’s case, you mountains. Listen, you age-old foundations of the earth. The Lord has a case against his people Israel. He is bringing charges against them.
The Lord says, “My people, what have I done to you? Have I made things too hard for you? Answer me.
I brought your people up out of Egypt. I set them free from the land where they were slaves. I sent Moses to lead them. Aaron and Miriam helped him.
Remember how Balak, the king of Moab, planned to put a curse on your people. But Balaam, the son of Beor, gave them a blessing instead. Remember their journey from Shittim to Gilgal. I want you to know that I always do what is right.”
The people of Israel say, “What should we bring with us when we go to worship the Lord? What should we offer the God of heaven when we bow down to him? Should we take burnt offerings to him? Should we sacrifice calves that are a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams? Will he take delight in 10,000 rivers of olive oil? Should we offer our oldest sons for the wrong things we’ve done? Should we sacrifice our own children to pay for our sins?”
The Lord has shown you what is good. He has told you what he requires of you. You must act with justice. You must love to show mercy. And you must be humble as you live in the sight of your God.
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.