THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:18-30 “When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.” (Luke 18:23) Would you rather have many people thankful in heaven for how you blessed them? Or fewer people thankful because you kept most of your wealth for yourself. To use most of your money for yourself, or…
Author: Norm
Worship starts with God
“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women,…
Hardened heart?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 95 “Today, if only you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts!” (Psalm 95:8) This psalm is calling for a response from us when we experience God. God is always speaking and working in and around us, yet we often miss it. Many of us will sit in church today,…
God will help!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 64-66 “You come to the help of those who gladly do right.” (Isaiah 64:5) I believe in an all-powerful, all-knowing and everywhere present God. This God is great and good, to the infinite power! God is always on the side of good, and is always working for the good. This God supports…
Making the kingdom attractive!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 60-63 “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” (Isaiah 60:3) To get these words, we have to recall the context in which they were spoken. Israel was a mess, of the 12 tribes only ‘the Jews’ (Judah) remained. The glory days of the past were a…
Up, In, Out: The Jesus Pattern
The free flow of blessing!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:15-17 “Bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them.” (Luke 18:16) So what exactly happened when Jesus placed His hands on them? In Mark 10:16 we read that Jesus blessed the children in His arms. Did this blessing give these babies an advantage over other un-blessed babies? My guess…
Honest to God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:9-14 “Those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:13) Take a moment to think about your particular weaknesses. What sin issues do you struggle with? Do you tend to think of your issues as not as bad as others? Or do you see yourself as no worse than others? As long…
Desperately hanging on!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:1-8 “A parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1) Faith does not let go, even if its hard to hang on. Jesus knows that life can be hard, and that God often waits to respond. He knows this from personal experience. But He also…
When evil is purged from this world!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 17:26-37 “Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” (Luke 17:35) Jesus is warning about the day when God’s judgment is unleashed. He has been holding back the floodwaters of judgment, but they will be released. Not because God wants us to perish, but because…