Scripture: Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cumin.  But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. Observation: Jesus instructs us to…

Scripture: Matthew 9:18 While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Observation: Even though this man’s daughter has already died, he still is asking Jesus for healing. And he believes completely that…

Scripture: Matthew 7:3-4 3“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is plank in your own eye.” Observation:…

Scripture: Matthew 4:2-3 2After fasting 40 days and 40 nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Observation: Jesus had not eaten for 40 days. He was hungry. And Satan stepped in to find a weakness. Application: Satan is…

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not by ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but in tablets of human hearts. Observation: The Spirit is within me and I am a reflection of Him Application:…

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Observation: What you do for the Lord is lasting, so keep doing it. Application: With so many ‘to…

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Observation: In the verse, “it” refers to love. Love is strong and will offer protection, truth, and hope. Application:  In 1 John 4:16 we are told that God is love. So often I’ve heard this verse, especially at weddings, and thought of…

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Observation: The Lord has created us different from each other, unique in our gifts…

Scripture:  Proverbs 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. (NIV) Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. (NLT) Observation: acknowledge: 1. To admit the validity, authority or truth of (The American Heritage Dictionary) Go to God for guidance, respecting his authority, and…

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 6 I planted a seed, Apollos watered it but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow. Observation: You cannot grow without a relationship with God. Application: Other believers and resources written by believers can put…

Scripture: Galatians 5:14-15 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Observation: This passage comes as a result of infighting within the church. Some men are insistent that all…

Scripture: Mark 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Observation: Jesus was asked here what the most important commandment is and answers with this one. (He continues with another, second most important one, as well.) Application: In…