Tag: REBECCA VAN NOORD

  • PATIENTLY WAITING

    Connect The TestamentsLeviticus 20:1-22:33; John 9:35-41; SONG OF SOLOMON 8:1-5 Delayed gratification is a foreign concept to our natural instincts. Our culture doesn’t encourage patience or contentment; we would prefer to have our desires met the moment they arise. The woman in Song of Solomon tells us that she is delighted in her beloved. She…

  • THE FEAR

    Connect The TestamentsLeviticus 17:1-19:37; John 9:13-34; Song of Solomon 7:10-13 We often don’t realize that we’re guilty of fearing others. At the time, it can feel definite and look legitimate. Fearing others can also take the form of a meticulous house, staying late at the office, or passing anxious, sleepless nights. When we hold someone…

  • DANGER IN THE SPHERE OF INFLUENCE

    Connect the TestamentsLeviticus 7:1-8:36; John 7:45-52; Song of Solomon 6:1-5 Leadership is like a bright spotlight; when the heat intensifies, it’s difficult to conceal the areas where we fail. But that’s where true character is revealed. The Pharisees didn’t fare well with the pressure of authority. We can see why Jesus had such compassion for…

  • FINDING SUSTAINMENT

    Connect The TestamentsExodus 39:1-40:38; John 6:52-71; SONG OF SOLOMON 5:5-9 Following Jesus isn’t like developing a crisis-aversion system. So often, it’s tempting to treat our faith in this way—relying on Him when things get tough or when others expect us to do so. But He wants us to rely on Him continually. After Jesus miraculously…

  • SEARCHING FOR THE WRONG KINGDOM

    Connect The TestamentsExodus 35:1-36:38; John 6:15-24; Song of Solomon 4:14-16 Because of the signs He performed, Jesus drew large crowds. And because of His signs, those who followed Him decided that He should be king. It seems natural and fitting, in a way, that Jesus should be revered and honored among the masses. Why shouldn’t…

  • LIAR OR LORD

    Connect The TestamentsExodus 28:1-29:46; John 5:16-30; Song of Solomon 4:1-3 When Jesus made a defense of His healing on the Sabbath, He was upping the ante instead of defusing the situation: “My Father is working until now, and I am working” (John 5:17). For the Jews, such a claim was blasphemous. Not only was Jesus…

  • LONGING FOR THE IDEAL

    Connect The TestamentsExodus 24:1-25:40; John 4:43-54; Song of Solomon 3:3-5 Pastors avoid or over-interpret it. We’re often confused by it. But the Song of Solomon is in our Bible. Although we might stumble over the imagery (comparing a woman to a mare would hardly go down well in the modern world), we can’t help but…

  • SPEAKING UP

    Connect The TestamentsExodus 21:1-23:33; John 4:27-42; Song of Solomon 3:1-2 Because we convince ourselves that people won’t accept our testimony about God’s work in our lives, we’re not usually ready to share it. We might prejudge their reactions or simply lack confidence. Soon, staying silent becomes a way of life. We become accustomed to the…

  • STUDENT OR SCHOLAR

    Connect The TestamentsExodus 14:1-15:27; John 3:1-21; Song of Solomon 2:4-7 Sometimes we approach God with curiosity, but not with a spirit of humility. We enjoy participating in religious discussions, but forging the link between interpretation and application is difficult for us. We have certain expectations of who He should be for us, but we don’t…

  • WHAT TYPE OF SAVIOR?

    Connect The TestamentsExodus 9:1-10:29; John 2:1-12; Song of Solomon 1:15-17 It’s tempting to operate life on our own terms and only call on God when we hit a crisis. If we’re not busy studying how God has worked in the past and relying on the work of the Spirit in our lives, we can easily…