Archive of entries posted by Norman Sennema
bible readings (september)
Here is the list of bible readings for September 2008. We are finishing the 3 year cycle and looking at the last books of the old and new testament. Learn more about the SOAP method of bible reading here.
SEPTEMBER
1. 2 John 1/ 3 John 1
2. Jude 1
3. Malachi 1
4. Malachi 2
5. Malachi 3-4
6. Psalms 147
7. Psalms 148 Continue reading ‘bible readings (september)’ »
Jesus is my hope
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 10
OBSERVATION:
The leaders and teachers were guilty of misleading the people, giving them false direction and false comfort. This is why the whole nation was in exile. But God will restore His special community, and once again use them to shine for the world to see. He will do this Himself, by coming from Judah as the messiah (the cornerstone, the tent peg, the battle bow). Though scattered throughout the world, He will unite and multiply them. He will lead them through ‘the sea of trouble’. He will strengthen them with His Holy Spirit so that they will walk in His ways. Continue reading ‘Jesus is my hope’ »
like a jewel in His crown
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 9
OBSERVATION:
For many years the nation of Israel was battered and beaten, exiled and defeated by the surrounding nations. But things are about to change. Their enemies will be defeated by the Lord, and He will come in person (i.e. the messiah) and proclaim peace and restore order. The weak will be strengthened, the imprisoned will be set free, and the people will once more be blessed. All this will begin when the messiah, ‘gentle and riding on a donkey’ defeats the powers of Satan, sin, death and hell. And His rule will extend from sea to sea and to the ends of the earth. And those who put their hope in Him ‘will sparkle in His land like jewels in a crown.’ Continue reading ‘like a jewel in His crown’ »
how the Lord convicted me
Last Sunday I was sharing about a situation at a Tim Horton’s, where the new girl was not able to do the outside clean up duty because of an injury, and the manager asked for a volunteer from the other employees. No one else volunteered. Finally the manager picked one, and that one was not happy, she went out reluctantly. Continue reading ‘how the Lord convicted me’ »
with you always
In trying to discover what it means to follow Jesus, I discovered the artwork of Larry Van Pelt. His purpose is to help people learn what it means that Jesus is with us always. No matter what we do, Jesus is with us. The only question is, are we with Jesus in whatever we do?
lifestyle evangelism
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 8
OBSERVATION:
This is a vision of the way things ought to be between God and His people and all the world. God’s intention was to raise up a special community of people devoted and loyal to Him, and experiencing the blessing of that way of life. It would be a witness to the world that following God is the best way to live. Through this special community the Messiah would come, to totally restore the world to God. But God’s special people refused to cooperate, and chose rather to imitate the way of the God-less. And so God punishes them. But this vision shows He has not given up on His plan. He still wants to show the world through His special community that following Him is the best way to live. And He still intends to send the Messiah. Continue reading ‘lifestyle evangelism’ »
true religion
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 7
OBSERVATION:
The people and their leaders thought that if they went through the religious exercises (offerings, worship, fasting, etc.) that God would be happy. But God makes it plain that what He wants is justice, mercy, compassion, good will towards others (this is what offerings, worship, fasting, etc. should be all about). He is not interested in showy religion, He wants changed hearts and lives. But the people refused to change. They were happy the way they were, and used religion to ease their conscience. But God was not impressed. Continue reading ‘true religion’ »
king of all the earth
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 6
OBSERVATION:
The four chariots represent the sovereign reach of the King, extending to the four corners of the planet (see Revelation 7:1ff). The Lord of the whole world is directing the affairs of all nations and people, for His purpose. He is raising up His anointed Ruler on earth (the messiah, the branch) who will be both priest and king together (‘there will be harmony between the two’). The priest in Zechariah’s day was Joshua (a Hebrew name meaning ‘the Lord is salvation’, in Greek it is ‘Jesus’), and he symbolically represents the coming messiah who will unite all nations under God. The temple symbolically represents the spiritual family of God (see 1 Peter 2:4-10). Continue reading ‘king of all the earth’ »
taking sin seriously
SCRIPTURE: Zechariah 5
OBSERVATION:
The Lord is cleaning up. The flying scroll announces the removal of all thieves and liars. The woman in the basket represents the removal of all sin practices from Israel. In other words, the Lord will clean up His people, and remove all who refuse to obey Him. When we recall that the wickedness spoken of here represents all that makes the world a miserable place, then we can understand why it needs to be removed. Those who know the destructive power of sin can appreciate why it has to be removed. God does not tolerate evil because He cannot.