He delights to show mercy! (Sunday, Micah 7, 1 Peter 5)

I'm both glad and sad that this is the last post on the 'Daily Delighting in the Word' blog...

Above All, Love (Saturday, Micah 6 & 1 Peter 4)

It's been good being part of this blog, and spending time lingering on passages of the Bible, and trying to think more deeply about God's Word. The Word is infinitely deep, so there will always be more depth to plumb, it's just a matter of whether we are willing to spend that time making it happen.

For my last post I just want to reflect on one simple little phrase, that is of enormous consequence in our lives.

An Effective and Credible Apologetic (Friday, Micah 5, 1 Peter 3)

In the exhortation by the apostle Peter (1 Peter 3:15) to be ready to give an answer or make a defense for the hope that you have, he uses the Greek term "apologia" from which we derive the word apologetic, a logical and careful defense of the Christian faith.

Declaring and living (Thursday, Micah 4, 1 Peter 2)

Some Christians are all talk, they speak about Jesus, they read their bible, but they move to the other side of the road to pass by a stranger or avoid someone in need.  Other Christians are all about helping those in need, but have forgotten that their real need is Jesus

Imperishable! Imperishable! Imperishable! (Wednesday, Micah 3, 1Peter 1)

Where would you keep your most valuable treasure to guarantee utmost security? A safe, perhaps? If you were a structural engineer, what materials would you select to build a structure that would last forever? Maybe diamonds? As we read 1Peter 1, we discover God’s bank vault for a treasure most precious to us and the materials he selected to construct us from in order to qualify us for that treasure.

Spiritual Warfare? (Tuesday, Micah 2, Ephesians 6)

People often get hyped up about spiritual warfare and satanic attacks.  They have a myriad of techniques and methods of dealing with Satan, from special forms of words, 'In the name of Jesus I command you to come out from him', to excessive movement and heightened emotion (If I can rock back and forth and pray as quickly and loudly and ecstatically as possible then surely I'll scare the evil spirit off - like a car alarm perhaps?).  And this strikes fear into peoples hearts, because they're not sure whether they're 'doing it right' or with enough emotional energy and gusto.  You know what - in the most prominent bible passage on spiritual warfare I don't see any of that.

God stomps on sin (Monday, Micah 1, Ephesians 5)

This is the kind of 'coming down' of God you really don't want.  He's coming down basically to stomp on Samaria and Jerusalem because of their sin...

Jesus Loves You (Sunday, John 21, Ephesians 4)

hope this blog makes sense, as am at internet kiosk with the rugby world cup blaring (Ireland v Wales)! go wallabies.

Less Than The Least (Saturday, John 20, Ephesians 3)

"I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me.." (Eph 3:7-8)

I often forget what an amazing miracle that God used Paul, and that through him a good portion of the Bible was written and that through him the gospel went out into the world. I often forget Paul's background, and just how unlikely it was that he would go on to do what he did. Him saying that he was less than the least was no false modesty.

Payback (Friday, John 19, Ephesians 2)

When was the last time you were dealt with unjustly? How did you respond? When we are at the receiving end don't we feel so justified in getting our payback.

Resolute obedience (Thursday 6 October 2011, John 18, Ephesians 1)

This passage clearly demonstrates Jesus' amazing humility and determined obedience to God's will as his time on earth draws ever closer to an end.


The previous chapter focuses on Jesus' prayers for himself, his disciples and for all believers as he prepares for his death. I wonder what role this focus on prayer plays in him being able to be so accepting of God's plan even though it would be painful to the point of death?


Early on in Chapter 18 he is almost saying 'bring it on!' when he approaches those hunting him down...he doesn't shy away or try to avoid them but does the very opposite, coming out to greet them! And when Peter tries to violently intervene by cutting off the servant's ear, Jesus is starkly resolute: Shall I not drink the cup the father has given me?(v11) He knows what he has to do - continue to obey God.


Then Jesus' interactions before the various authorities, none of whom seem to want to take reponsibility are interspersed with Peter's denials. In some ways we're in a better position today than Peter was as we have the Gospels and subsequent books of the bible that help us understand without doubt who Jesus was - we know for certain that God raised him from the dead. Yet, what would we do if we found ourselves in Peter's situation today, knowing that death by association would be the outcome if we proclaimed our faith when challenged? Would we stay true to the Lord or shy away? It's worth us keeping in mind that we have brothers and sisters in Christ facing these very challenges in other parts of the world, suffering persecution or even death simply because of their faith in Jesus - why not say a prayer for them right now, and ask the Lord to keep them firm in their faith the way Jesus was?

Phil (9am@Engadine)



Tomorrows Readings: John 19, Ephesians 2

Truth? You ought to be joking! (Wednesday, Deuteronomy 11, John 17)

Imagine that you knew that you were going to make your very last prayer before you die what would you pray for? In John 17 we have the great farewell prayer of the great High Priest for himself and for his bride, the church. The prayer has five main petitions but in light of Deut. 11 and our series on Psalm 119, I will focus only on aspects emphasizing the centrality of God’s word to salvation, life and godliness.

He doesn't ask much (Tuesday, Deuteronomy 10, John 16)

God doesn't really ask much of the Israelites: only to 'fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?'  (v12-13)

Friends with benefits? (Monday, Deuteronomy 9, John 15)

Do you think Jesus a bit demanding of his friends in verse 14? 'you are my friends if you do what I command.'  I would say that a person who follows the commands of another is that persons servant, not their friend.

Going Home (Deuteronomy 8, John 14)

"Home is where the heart is" right? Not sure who came up with that saying, but it seems to be pretty biblical.
These two themes (heart & home) are prominent in today's passages.

God's Too Hard Basket Is Always Empty (Saturday, John 13 & Deuteronomy 7)

I love Deuteronomy Chapter 7. I'd like to reflect on two aspects of it that really strike me. Firstly, God's amazing power and how He can make the seemingly impossible possible in our lives, and secondly God's great, great love and faithfulness for His people.