Author: Norm

THE STORY OF JESUS: John 9:24-34 “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” (John 9:34) This uneducated blind man speaks truth from his heart, and is attacked for it. People are still looked down on for simple or inadequate lives or beliefs. Theologians look down on ordinary believers for their simple bible…

THE STORY OF JESUS: John 9:13-23 “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” (John 9:16) The original idea of the sabbath was to give workers a break from their work. It was a gift day, a bonus holiday, every week, for the body to be renewed. Jesus understood the value of…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 116 “Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.” (Psalm 116:7) In times of crisis or grief or stress or struggle, ‘return to your rest’. Go to that place where your soul is nurtured, encouraged, strengthened. Spend time resting your troubles in His hands, and resting…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Daniel 10-12 “Some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. ” (Daniel 12:10) Who are the kings, who is the prince of Persia, what is the abomination? Personally, though some theories are interesting, I do not get into them. This detailed vision was meant to encourage they exiles, not bewilder them….

THE STORY OF JESUS: Daniel 7-9 “Before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Daniel 7:13) These words were inspired and recorded to help the Jews in captivity. Through Daniel, the people are urged to repent, and to hope in God. Life will not be easy, many kingdoms will arise…

THE STORY OF JESUS: John 9:1-12 “This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:3) Jesus says there is a reason for this disability, but its not someone’s sin. Sin is the ultimate cause of suffering in this broken, messed up world. But God isn’t punishing this man with blindness, He’s…

THE STORY OF JESUS: John 8:48-59 “Before Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58) For the most part, Jesus only speaks of His human nature. But here we have a bold hint as to His divine origin. Jesus makes a number of bold “I AM” statements. And for the Jews, the “I AM” name was so holy,…

THE STORY OF JESUS: John 8:42-47 “The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (John 8:47) If you struggle with faith or following Jesus, do not take these words against you. Jesus is not in the business of making struggling disciples doubt themselves. Jesus was trying to shake up and wake…

THE STORY OF JESUS: John 8:31-41 “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34) If I still sin, what does that say about my relationship to Jesus? Have I been “set free indeed” (v.36) if I still sin? The issue here is between who I am, and what I do. Jesus has made it possible…