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...

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...

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  here on YouTube .  Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC:  immanuelministries.ca Do you like to be served or to serve? How does this affec...

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...

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 Sa...

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 lon...

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...

Today is Remembrance Day.   Our text comes, fittingly, from Mark 12:38-44, where Jesus invites our reflection on what the freedom to give of our sacrifices and offerings really means . May God bless you as you hear his word today.   As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have t...

Psalm 146 celebrates the compassionate reign of God.   It leads us towards loving him and roots our love for neighbour in God's reign. May the Lord bless you as you receive his word.   Praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord all my life. I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Don't put your trust in human leaders. Don't trust in people who can't save you. When they...

In 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...

This week's gospel reading gives the greatest commandments: to love God and neighbour. In Romans 12:14-21 and 13:8-10, Paul explores these commandments. May the Lord bless you as you receive his word.   Bless those who hurt you. Bless them, and do not curse them. Be joyful with those who are joyful. Be sad with those who are sad. Agree with one another. Don't be proud. Be willing to be a friend of...

This week's gospel reading gives the greatest commandments: to love God and neighbour. In Psalm 51, David shows us what to do when we fail. May the Lord bless you as you receive his word.   God, have mercy on me according to your faithful love. Because your love is so tender and kind, wipe out my lawless acts. Wash away all the evil things I've done. Make me pure from my sin. I know the lawless ac...

This 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 hea...

A Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings!  The text Genesis 32:22-32; Luke 11:1-4.  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  here on YouTube .  Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC:  immanuelministries.ca How would you describe prayer in one sen...

Today our text in this week of reflections on how God works through our senses and perceptions comes from 1 Peter 2:1-10.  Today also marks "All Saints Day" in the church calendar and lectionary: a day to remember that we belong to a church that spans the ages, standing on the shoulders of the faith of the saints who have gone before us.  As the old hymn, "O for a Thousand Tongues" put it, "To God...

Today our text in this week of reflections on how God works through our senses and perceptions comes from Luke 10:25-37.  May God bless you as you hear his word. On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all you...

Today our text in this week of reflections on how God works through our senses and perceptions comes from 2 Kings 6:8-23.  May God bless you as you hear his word. Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place." The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: "Beware of passing that place, because the Aramea...

Today our text comes from Exodus 4:1-17.  May God bless you as you hear his word. Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The Lord did not appear to you'?" Then the Lord said to him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied. The Lord said, "Throw it on the ground." Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. Then the Lord said...

Today our text comes from Mark 10:46-52.  May God bless you as you hear his word. Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means "son of Timaeus"), was sitting by the roadside begging.  When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many rebuked...

An extended Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings!   The texts come from Matthew 9:14-17, from the New International Version of the Bible.   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 here on YouTube .   Or, head to our website to connect with the worshiping community of Immanuel CRC: imm...

In this week's gospel reading, Jesus challenged his disciples not to pursue power as the world pursues it. Rather, we are called to put our trust and hope in God as illustrated in this reading from Nehemiah 1. May the Lord bless you as you receive his word. These are the words of Nehemiah. He was the son of Hakaliah. I was in the fort of Susa. I was there in the 20th year that Artaxerxes was king....

In this week's gospel reading, Jesus challenged his disciples not to pursue power as the world pursues it. In today's reading, Jesus models for us how he expects power and authority to be used in his kingdom. Here is John 13:1-17. May the Lord bless you as you receive his word. It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world. It was time for him...

In this week's gospel reading, Jesus challenges his disciples not to pursue power. In today's reading, Israel does not heed the warning that a king will misuse his power. Here is 1 Samuel 8:4-18. May the Lord bless you as you receive his word. So, all the elders of Israel gathered together. They came to Samuel at Ramah. They said to him, "You are old. Your sons don't live as you do. So, appoint a...

In this week's gospel reading, Jesus challenges his disciples not to pursue power. Psalm 37 is a mediation on trusting in the Lord rather than our own power. Today's scripture is verses 23-40. May the Lord bless you as you receive his word. The Lord makes secure the footsteps of the person who delights in him, Even if that person trips, he won't fall. The Lord's hand takes good care of him. I once...

Our gospel reading for this week is from Mark 10:32-45 May the Lord bless you as you receive his word. They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again, he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. "We are going up to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be delivere...