THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:36-50 “But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:47) Am I the kind of person who admits or denies my sin and shame? This woman had no doubt that her life did not measure up. Everyone around her told her, and she constantly felt it herself. She was so low,…
Author: Norm
What kind of sinner? (Part 1)
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:36-50 “What kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner.” (Luke 7:39) We are pretty good at knowing what kind of person someone is. We can tell by how they dress, or how they talk. After a short conversation, we are aleady making judgments about people. We size people…
Dancing to His tune!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:31-35 “But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” (Luke 7:35) Jesus is responding to the fickle criticisms of the religious leaders. John has a demon because he fasts, Jesus is a glutton because He doesn’t. Like children, first they’re dancing and then they’re singing the blues. Wisdom is not fickle…
What’s nesting in your hair?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 77 “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember…” (Psalm 77:11) Asaph was struggling through something terrible. He was desperate for help, yet his mind was plagued by doubts. Satan loves to torment us in tough times, adding his lies to the mix. The mind becomes a battleground,…
Wisdom is calling!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 8-9 “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.” (Proverbs 8:4) Wisdom is accessible and available to all people. It is written into the very fabric of nature… God built it that way. If we take time to reflect on things, wisdom will reveal itself. But…
Playing with fire!?!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 5-7 “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?” (Proverbs 6:27) This warning about an adulterous woman applies to ALL sexual temptation. It was not just in that time that Satan used sex to ruin people. Lust and sexual sin are like fire in our lap, or…
Greatness in the kingdom!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:24-30 “The one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than (John).” (Luke 7:28) John was the greatest Old Testament messenger for the coming Messiah. Greater than Abraham, Moses, Elijah, or even David? But Jesus makes this shocking statement about the least in the kingdom. How can you or…
Am I resisting mercy?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:18-23 “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Luke 7:23) In this passage we see what Jesus is about. His ministry is essentially a mercy ministry, helping the helpless. So why would anyone take offence at this, who can be against mercy? But that is the thing, some…
Open heart for miracles!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:11-17 “When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her…” (Luke 7:13) What happen when you see someone suffering, grieving or struggling? Does your heart go out to them? Mine does, but many a time I have wished I could do what Jesus did. I have often felt helpless when…
Greater faith outside the church?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 7:1-10 “I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” (Luke 7:9) The church is a place where we expect many people have great faith. And yet, as an ‘insider’, I know this is not always true. I’m not sure why, but I find my share of sceptics and doubters in…