Bible Talks – Archive (Page 25)

Bible Talks – Archive (Page 25)

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Love in all the wrong places.

Love in all the wrong places. John’s first letter, 1 John, Chapter 2, verses 15-17. A Ferrari is impressive. What makes someone spend $400,000 to get from A to B? Desire, love? But not logic. I think, therefore I am. Rene Descartes, 17th century philosopher. In practice it is more often “I love, therefore I am”, which drives us. Love is a choice , verse 15. Do not love the world or anything in it. “Do not..” means we can…

When God Seems Far Off and Hidden – Psalm 10

When God seems far off and hidden. Psalm 10. A crisis of faith Psalm 10:1 The Lord is a place of safety for those who have been treated badly. He keeps them safe in times of trouble. Psalm 9, verse 9 Lord, why are you so far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? … but now, Psalm 10, verse 1 God seems out of the picture. The wicked have moved to the centre. A portrait of…

Praising and pleading with God the Judge – Psalm 9

Praising, and pleading with God the Judge. Psalm 9 A new year in a broken world. Sometimes the wicked seem to win. This side of heaven life is still like that for the believer. Praise for past rescue: Psalm 9:1-12 David and his kingdom are under threat, but he looks to One far greater than any enemy. Every deliverance is a signpost to God and His ways, to His final victory. God’s justice is a source of hope and joy.…

Approaching the New Year with God.

Approaching the new Year with God. Psalm 90, a Psalm of Moses. The setting is Moses in the wilderness, with all the troubles and losses he faced there. Depressed? No, for he knows God. The Eternal God: Psalm 90:1-2 “We are a moment, You are forever”. He never ages, He is outside of time. The Sovereign God: Psalm 90:3-6 He decides the lifetime of us all, yet is outside of time Himself. He decides all the affairs of this world.…

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 10 – The Birth

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 10 – The Birth. Luke’s Gospel, chapter 2, verses 1 to 7. Macro and Micro, big and small. Macro: Luke 2:1-3 Caesar Augustus (they called him “Ruler of the World”) makes a decision, a census of all the Roman world. He decides and everyone must follow. Micro: Luke 2:4-5 Two of those “everyone”, micros, must go to Bethlehem. What’s so important about micro Bethlehem? Nothing much of itself, but it is David’s city, the…

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 9 – The Blessed

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 9 – The Blessed. Luke’s Gospel, chapter 1, verses 46 to 56 If we do not know God as we ought, we do not know ourselves as we ought. Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones Chapters 1 and 2 of Luke’s account are like a musical. Mary sing and the angles sing. Singing is important. The Scripture tells us this again and again. Martin Luther said “a fire is kindled in our hearts” when we sing together.…

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 8 – The Most High God.

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 8 – The Most High God. Luke’s Gospel, chapter 1, verses 26 to 38 Here we have the virgin birth of Jesus. All the Bible is about Him. Promised in Genesis Recorded in the Gospels Explained in the Letters The person God uses Luke 1:26-33, An ordinary young woman, in a small town of no account. But God favours her. This is Grace! The plan of God Luke 1:34-37, How will this be? God…

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 6 – The Lord

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 6 – The Lord. Psalm 110. The Lord says to my lord,    “Sit at my right handuntil I put your enemies    under your control.” Psalm 110 verse 1, New International Reader’s Version (NIRV) Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. A King like no other – verses 1 to 3 A Priest like no other – verse 4 A Conqueror like no other – verses 5 to…

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 5 – The Servant

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 5 – The Servant. Isaiah chapter 42, verse 1 to 16. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. “Mere Christianity”, Chapter 10 on Hope, page 75 – C.S.Lewis The silent gods, Isa. 41:6,21-26 Isaiah challenges the futility of idols, that do nothing, say nothing, just confusion. The speaking God, Isa. 42:8-16 He identifies Himself,…

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 4 – The Branch

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room 4 – The Branch. Isaiah 11. Some symbols of Christmas are the tree, ornaments, gifts, etc. What are Isaiah’s symbols of Christmas? A stump, a branch and a banners. How do we make sense of these images? A budding branch from a dry stump – Isaiah 11:1-5. Jesus God’s Son, the great King who judges fairly and brings justice for all. Jesse’s family is like a tree that has been cut down.    A new little…