THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 9-10 “My heart’s desire for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1) Paul is thinking out loud about why most Jews are not accepting Jesus. In ch.9 he connects their response to God’s sovereign mercy. God in His mercy decides who will be saved, and who not. In ch.10…
Author: Norm
“I’m talking to YOU!”
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 21:15-23 “Do you love me more than these?” (John 21:16) As a Jesus follower, I am devoted to loving and serving Jesus. I do believe that Peter genuinely loved Jesus, despite his earlier denials. The problem is that Peter loved Jesus AND… Peter also loved being first (as was often seen in…
Eager to be with Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 21:1-14 “As soon as he heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he jumped into the water.” (John 21:7) As a Jesus follower, my heart longs to be where Jesus is. Jesus is not with us physically, but He is still with us actually. The Spirit of Jesus conveys the personal presence…
A vision of life I can believe in!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 20:24-31 “That you may believe… that you may have life in his name!” (John 20:31) John had many stories he could have shared about Jesus. Matthew, Mark and Luke agree on many stories, even if some details differ. But John selects different stories, one’s that he thinks will help people believe. To…
Sent on a mission!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 20:19-23 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) What a huge privilege AND responsibility. To be sent into the world just like Jesus was in the world. Not to live for themselves, but for God and for others. To bring God’s message of forgiveness and freedom to…
A master we can love!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 123 “As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master…” (Psalm 123:2) In one sense, we are like slaves to God… and yet not. Slaves to humans are usually treated with contempt. But in this psalm, God is not the one who abuses humans. Humans, not God, are the…
Living with peace of mind!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 7-8 “The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6) What does it mean to have my mind “governed by the Spirit”? My sense is that I am now living in willing surrender to Jesus as Lord. In fellowship WITH Jesus by the Spirit, my mind wants to live…
Willing slaves to Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 5-6 “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (Romans 6:18) As Paul explains how Jesus sets us free, he wants to stress the result in our lives. Who am I, how has Jesus helped me, what difference does it make in my life? Paul answers all…
Jesus my brother – like me, like Him!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 20:10-18 “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20:17) I believe that Jesus is the Word of God made human (John 1:1). While on earth, He was fully human: His Father was our Father, His God was our God. We tend to jump to…
Still a lot to learn!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 20:1-9 “They still did not understand…” (John 20:9) There are still many things that I do not understand. I do not understand how Jesus’ death covers my sins. I do not understand how Jesus could be fully divine, yet fully human. I do not understand how the Father, Word and Spirit are…