THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 17:1-9 “They are saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.” (Acts 17:7) Guilty as charged… this IS what Paul and Silas were saying. This is also what we say, if we believe in Who Jesus is. It sounds less troubling in our day, because we no longer recognize kings. We…
Author: Norm
Praise in my prison?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 16:25-40 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God.” (Acts 16:25) This is mind-blowing, singing when they are in shackles and chains. They do not run away when the earthquake opens the doors. The jailer and his family are converted because of this radical faith. There’s a lot…
Pursue justice with Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 140 “I know the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” (Psalm 140:12) This is a victim’s prayer, their pain and fear overflowing in desperation. Their prayer is for justice, for God to take up their cause. When I hear of ongoing suffering and misery in…
My confidence!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Timothy 3-4 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) Paul is an inspiring example of the perseverance of faith. Despite opposition, persecution and betrayal, he hangs on to Jesus and God. He remains hopeful and confident, and urges Timothy to do the…
The strength of our anchor!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Timothy 1-2 “He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12) Paul urges Timothy to stay loyal – unlike Phygelus and Hermogenes, like Onesiphorus. It can’t have been easy for Paul, to have supporters turn from God and from him. He put everything – his very…
Aware of his schemes!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 16:16-24 “These men are servants of the Most High God, telling you the way to be saved.” (Acts 16:17) Why would this spirit of prediction speak the truth like this? Jesus had the same experience, where demons declared who He was (Mark 1:24). Its not that spirits cannot lie, it is their native…
Enrolling in the school of Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 16:11-15 “When she and the members of her household were baptized…” (Acts 16:15) Lydia is a worshiper of God, a non-Jewish believer in only one God. She was not trained in the synagogue, and so her current beliefs were mixed. What is striking to me is how quickly she and her household…
His hand behind my plans
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 16:6-10 “Kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.” (Acts 16:6) “The Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.” (Acts 16:7) Why would the Holy Spirit hold us back from sharing the message of Jesus? It’s not that He silenced them; He directed them elsewhere, other…
To win them to Jesus
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 16:1-5 “Paul wanted to take him along… he circumcised him because of the Jews…” (Acts 16:3) In Galatians 2:11-16, Paul rebukes Peter for enforcing the Law on Gentiles. And Paul was in Jerusalem when it was decided not to make Gentiles to obey the Law. Then why does he have Timothy circumcised? One…
Let God diagnose your heart!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 139 “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.” (Psalm 139:1) How does this make you feel? He knows EVERYTHING about me, totally, completely, everywhere, always. This kind of exposure can be frightening… talk about a breach of privacy! We may try to hide, to cover up our badness with goodness,…