THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 13 “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Proverbs 13:20) As as follower of Jesus, I am eager to walk with Jesus, in His wisdom. Even though He is not visible to me, I can ‘see’ and ‘hear’ Him through the Gospel stories. The more…
Author: Norm
I may be wrong!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 12 “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15) This verse stood out to me today, warning me about when I feel right. There are things that I feel right about… but am I? The religious leaders were convinced they were right as they…
Liking… but not listening?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:14-29 “Knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.” (Mark 6:20) Herod was intrigued by John, even if he did not like being challenged by him. He could sense the goodness in John, and was drawn to how he spoke. I have heard the same attitude about Jesus from people. Most…
He sends me too!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:6-13 “To send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.” (Mark 6:7) I am trying to put myself in the shoes of these first disciples. They had been with Jesus, and witnessed the amazing things He said and did. Now He is pushing them out in teams…
Missing out?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:1-6 “He could not do any miracles there…” (Mark 6:5) Imagine a new cure has been discovered for a terrible illness. But some people are skeptical; they refuse the treatment and stay sick. Doctors will not be able to heal these people because of their lack of faith. Wouldn’t this be frustrating,…
Don’t be afraid
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 5:35-43 “Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’” (Mark 5:36) What does Jesus mean when He says to this man, ‘don’t be afraid’? His daughter is dead, his heart is melting in grief and sorrow!? I hear Jesus saying ‘don’t give in to your despair, trust me on this one!’ Fear,…
Using a checklist with God?
I don’t recommend this, but some people like to use a checklist when it comes to measuring themselves and others. They point out how others are ‘living in sin’ because of a particular sin on God’s list. But do they really want to relate to God based on a checkist? Below is a list someone…
Seeing Jesus through tears!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 126 “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5) The things that normally cause tears are wrong, bad, unfair or hurtful. There’s something wrong if we don’t weep at injustice, grief or tragedy. Tears are universal, a natural response to our messed up world. “Blessed are those…
Where does this path lead?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 12 “No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.” (Proverbs 12:21) Many of the proverbs speak in extremes and ultimates… no harm for the righteous? We just know from experience – and centuries of history – this is not true. But the teacher here is highlighting something…
The fruit of life on my branches!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 11 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life….” (Proverbs 11:30) This chapter often refers to the righteous, or the upright. This does not mean the perfectly sinless person, the full meaning of ‘righteous’. It refers to those who ‘seek good’ (v.27), who strive to do what is good and…