Wilderness Wanderings

Re flect on these scriptures, allowing the Spirit to speak to your heart. Psalm 73:1-3, 13-14, 16-17 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I h...

A Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings!  The text of John 12:37-50.  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 : What is the paradox that John is wrestling with? Wh...

Re flect on these scriptures, allowing the Spirit to speak to your heart. Psalm 102:1-3, 12-13 Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generati...

Re flect on these scriptures, allowing the Spirit to speak to your heart. Psalm 86:1-5 Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in...

You are invited to re flect on these scriptures, allowing the Spirit to speak to your heart. Psalm 63:1-5 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise y...

You are invited to re flect on these scriptures, allowing the Spirit to speak to your heart. Psalm 54 Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might. Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me—people without regard for God. Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. Let evil recoil on thos...

Psalm 70 Hasten, O God, to save me; come quickly, Lord, to help me. May those who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" turn back because of their shame. But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, "The Lord is great!" But as for me,...

A Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings!  The text of Isaiah 52:13-53:12.  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 Why does God speak before and after this poem on...

On this day of Lent, we invite you to reflect on these scriptures. What is the Spirit saying to you today? Psalm 22:1-5 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors...

Psalm 56:1-4 Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack. My adversaries pursue me all day long; in their pride many are attacking me. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Jeremiah 14:19-22 Have you rejected Judah completely? Do you despise Zion?...

On this day of Lent, we invite you to reflect on these scriptures. What is the Spirit saying to you today? Psalm 38:1-4, 21-22 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a...

Psalm 6:1-6a Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave?  I am worn out from my groaning. Jeremi...

On this day of Lent, we invite you to reflect on these scriptures. What is the Spirit saying to you today? Psalm 5:1-7 Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evi...

Psalm 40:1-3, 6-8 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened—burnt...

On this day of Lent, we invite you to reflect on these scriptures. What is the Spirit saying to you today? Psalm 34:1-8 I will always extol the Lord; his praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to...

Psalm 35:4, 22-24 May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. … LORD, you have seen this; do not be silent. Do not be far from me, Lord. Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord. Vindicate me in your righteousness, LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me. Jeremiah 9:3-6 "They make ready their tongue like a...

On this day of Lent, we invite you to reflect on these scriptures. What is the Spirit saying to you today? Psalm 50:1-6 The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. He summons the heavens above,...

What is the Spirit saying to you through the word today? Psalm 26:1-3 Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered. Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. Jeremiah 7:2b-3, 9-11 "'Hear the word of the LORD, all you people o...

A Sunday Sermon edition of Wilderness Wanderings!  The text of Isaiah 49:1-13.  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  What figure unifies the Second Part of Isaiah? Wh...

On this day of Lent, we invite you to reflect on these scriptures. What is the Spirit saying to you today? Psalm 22 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put...

On this 8th day of Lent, we invite you to reflect on these scriptures. What is the Spirit saying to you today? Psalm 43 Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked. You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Send me your light and your faithful care, let them...

On this second Wednesday of Lent, we invite you to reflect on these scriptures. What is the Spirit saying to you today? Psalm 6 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love....

Genesis 3:1-7 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will...

Take time to pause and reflect on these scriptures. What is the Spirit saying to you today? Psalm 51:7-13 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not...

Today, as yesterday, take time to pause and reflect on these scriptures after you read each. The audio version (above) includes a musical interlude for this time.  What is the Spirit saying to you today? Psalm 51:1-6 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I k...