“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 (NIV) The idea of “taking delight” or pleasure in the Lord is one that we modern Western Christians have a tendency to spiritualize in a way that, I think, David and ancient Israelites did not. We want this … Continue reading Bible Note #59: The Delight of Feasting on God’s Presence
Tag: Isaiah
Pastor Note #116: Advent Reflection #2
[Note: This post is the script for a video reflection that I posted to my YouTube channel. To view this particular video click here.] I first began making my “Pastor Gary’s Video Notebook” videos in March 2020 when the coronavirus shutdown came to my community and my church. I had a number of goals for … Continue reading Pastor Note #116: Advent Reflection #2
Bible Note #35: Compassion for the Weak — Job 29:14-17
Job is a tricky book to use. The book is a debate among Job and some friends over how to understand suffering and what God is doing in the midst of that suffering. We should not assume that everything that Job or the others say is correct. The only one who speaks infallibly in the … Continue reading Bible Note #35: Compassion for the Weak — Job 29:14-17
Prayer Note #41 — An Advent Devotional Prayer — Isaiah 47:1, 3b-15
The Death of Evil, the Birth of Hope Isaiah 47:1, 3b-15 O Lord, your anger frightens us. When we read such passages of scripture as this one, we are made uneasy. We move on quickly to happier lines and brighter verses. Through your prophet Isaiah here … Continue reading Prayer Note #41 — An Advent Devotional Prayer — Isaiah 47:1, 3b-15
Bible Note #13 — 1 Peter 1:23-25
"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, 'All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.' (Isaiah 40:6-8)" 1 … Continue reading Bible Note #13 — 1 Peter 1:23-25
Bible Note #7 — Esteeming Christ
Isaiah 49:1-6 Lord, there are some things about this passage of your scriptures that I don’t think I understand. I know that you want me to understand your word. But sometimes that isn’t easy. Here in these verses someone is speaking about his mission – a mission he has received from you, but who … Continue reading Bible Note #7 — Esteeming Christ
Gary Chorpenning's Notebooks 