THE STORY OF JESUS: Job 38-40 “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2) We know so much more than when these words were first written. And yet, considering the vastness of the universe, we still know so little. God’s question sounds to me like, ‘just who do you think you are?’…
Author: Norm
Put yourself in their shoes…
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 6:27-31 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31) Jesus taps into our natural desire to be treated well. We want people to be fair to us, and to help us if we need it. We do not want them to look down on us, or to…
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What does it mean that we have new life in Jesus?
Too comfortable in the world?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 6:24-26 “Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.” (Luke 6:25) These blessings and woes of Jesus are ‘wisdom sayings’. Wisdom sayings present ideas in stark black and white to make a point. Jesus isn’t condemning those who are well fed (or rich, etc). But He is…
The poor are blessed!?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 6:17-23 “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20) What usually comes to mind when someone says, ‘I’m blessed’? We use these words to describe all our positive blessings. When life – our children, or finances, or health, or situation – is good. Jesus does…
What keeps me awake praying?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 6:12-16 “Jesus spent the night praying to God.” (Luke 6:12) When is the last time you spent a long time praying for something. Was it a big decision or major crisis that led you to pray like this? Jesus is on a mission from God, and He is picking His successors. This…
When faith in God is attacked!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 74 “They burned every place where God was worshiped…” (Psalm 74:8) I’ve watched debates where the Atheist walk all over the Christian. It can be very difficult to hang on to faith when the attacks come. In Psalm 74 it went further; God attackers were killing believers. The nation of Israel was devastated,…
Only God knows all things!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Job 35-37 “One who has perfect knowledge is with you.” (Job 36:4) Who is this Elihu, that he claims to have perfect knowledge? As I read through what he said, I wondered whether it was God speaking. Was God using Elihu – this unknown stranger – to challenge him? Much of what he…
Greater than we know!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Job 32-34 “For God is greater than any mortal.” (Job 33:12) In all these speeches, this idea is what comes out again and again. No matter how hard we try, we cannot reduce God to a system of thought. God is greater than any of us, and greater than any of our minds….