THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 21:27-36 “This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people.” (Acts 21:28) Paul is charged with being anti-semitic, but the charge was not true. It is the spirit of Satan, not Jesus, that inspires this kind of violence. Satan provokes people to anger and violence so he can thwart God’s…
Author: Norm
Sensitive to those who think differently than me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 21:17-26 “That you yourself are living in obedience to the law.” (Acts 21:24) To follow the law of Moses or not – this was a serious controversy. For Jewish Jesus followers, the law was ingrained into their whole being. They knew Jesus fulfilled the law, but it was still important to them….
Surrender to His will
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 21:1-16 “We gave up and said, ‘The Lord’s will be done.’” (Acts 21:14) When we speak about ‘the Lord’s will’, we need to be clear what we mean. We can speak of God’s creation will, what He ultimately desires for all. God does not desire suffering, sickness, hardship, injustice, pain or death….
From my hands to His!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 20:25-38 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace…” (Acts 20:32) As a parent, I want so bad to protect my children. I know that after they leave home, they will face challenges and struggles. There are savage wolves, and a “roaring lion looking for someone to…
Training for the good fight!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 144 “Praise to the Lord… who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” (Psalm 144:1) David lived in violent times…people were always attacking each other. Does God really prepare us for battle? Not in the cruel, violent, unjust sense, but as defenders of peace and justice… Yes! Think of a…
Spirit-led instincts!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Jude 1 “Who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” (Jude 1:19) Jude is describing church people who really do not know Jesus. They belong to the church fellowship, but they do not reflect Jesus. He points to their divisive, immoral and selfish behaviors as evidence. But what catches my…
Faith works!
THE STORY OF JESUS: James 1-5 “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:17) There is no such thing as true faith that does not work itself out in love. If I say I believe in the love of Jesus but don’t show it, do I really believe in Him? Faith…
A clear sense of purpose!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 20:13-24 “To finish the race and to complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.” (Acts 20:24) Paul has a very clear sense of calling and purpose. This is his mission statement: “testifing to the good news of God’s grace!” (Acts 20:24) Can you express your sense of calling and purpose in…
A Eutychus moment!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 20:7-12 “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread.” (Acts 20:7) The first Jesus followers made it their regular practice to meet on Sundays. It was an obvious day to meet, since it was Jesus’s resurrection day. This was not a matter of the law, but a…
Be an encourager!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 20:1-6 “He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people.” (Acts 20:2) In a sense, this is the mission we all share as Jesus followers. To speak words of encouragement to the people we meet. Our job is not to be liked, or to be funny, or to…