THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 24:17-21 “I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection…’” (Acts 24:21) I have a picture in my mind of this scene: Paul shouting in the temple. This would take a lot of nerve from a former Jew, now turned Jesus follower. The temple was the most sacred…
Author: Norm
Great AND Good!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 147 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” (Psalm 147:3-4) A God that is both great (determines the stars) and good (heals the brokenhearted). Gods are usually either great (strong, mighty) OR good (kind, forgiving, gentle). But…
The joy of walking in the truth!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 John 1, 3 John 1 “It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth.” (2 John 1:4) “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4) For John, it is not enough that Jesus followers believe the truth. His greatest joy…
A desire to grow in love!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 John 1-5 “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) As I read through this letter, the theme of love comes through clearly. Not syrupy emotional love, but an active radical love that sees past our sin. A love that humbly denies self to restore sinners, to forgive and bless. God is…
Followers of the Jesus way!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 24:1-16 “I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way.” (Acts 24:14) Paul is saying that he is Jewish, and yet with a difference. A follower of the Way – or Jesus follower since Jesus is the Way. This emphasis on the Jesus Way is…
What the world sees?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 23:23-35 “The accusation had to do with questions about their law…” (Acts 23:29) How does the world react when they see believers fighting among themselves. I’ve been through seasons when churches were fighting and dividing. Questions about “their law” (their views) led to some nasty words and actions. “By this everyone will…
In God’s Name?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 23:12-22 “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.” (Acts 23:14) In the name of the Lord, these men vow to murder Paul. And the religious leaders join in by being accomplices to the ambush. How is it that religious people can turn violence into…
My faith on trial!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 23:6-11 “I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” (Acts 23:6) Is Paul being shrewd, dividing his opponents with the resurrection topic? It certainly did have that result, but it also reflected Paul’s faith. Paul knew how important Jesus’s resurrection was (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). As a Jesus follower,…
Being someone who disciples others
“Being someone who disciples others does not mean that you are perfect, and because of that you show them how to live. It means making yourself available to be observed at all times by your students, showing them what your relationship with Jesus looks like. It means showing them what it looks like to apologize…
I vote for Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 146 “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” (Psalm 146:3) Which political system is best for establishing world peace and blessing? Communism, Socialism, Capitalism, Democracy… Conservatives, Liberals, New Democrats? Religion doesn’t do much better – Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Atheism? Every religious leader and politician believes their…