THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 86 “Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it…” (Psalm 86:17) I believe that there is a God, and that God is good. Though I cannot see God, I see signs of God all around me. That’s not all I see; I also see signs of evil…
Author: Norm
Here am I, cleanse me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 4-6 “The voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8) Isaiah is being asked to be God’s messenger, to announce God’s judgment. This is not a good job with benefits. Who wants to preach against their own people, their own ‘church’? Jesus had this…
Do we share God’s priorities?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 1-3 “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed…” (Isaiah 1:17) According to Isaiah, God is not very happy with His followers. His old covenant followers were going through the motions of religion. They offered plenty of sacrifices, and observed holy days. They prayed and offered incense in the temple, but…
Unhelpful witnesses for Jesus
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 11:45-54 “You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” (Luke 11:52) What a sad commentary on the church then, and now. The church – God’s family – was and is blessed to be a blessing. We are welcomed by grace, and are to welcome others by that…
The darkness within
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 11:37-44 “Inside you are full of greed and wickedness.” (Luke 11:39) Religious washing, like wearing a suit to church, doesn’t change the inside. God knows what is inside of me, and wants to work on my here. My outward appearance and my public role or persona are not the real ME. God…
His light shining in me?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 11:33-36 “See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.” (Luke 11:35) Jesus uses the image of light to distinguish good from evil. My mind goes back to when God created light, and it was good. Although darkness is good for sleeping, it’s hard to live in darkness. Can…
Responding to His greatness!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 11:29-32 “Something greater than Solomon is here.” (Luke 11:31) We just looked at the “Song of Songs”, which is a love story about Solomon. I noted that Jesus’ love for us is much greater than Solomon’s love. The same is true for Solomon’s wisdom, Jesus surpasses him by far! Is there any…
God is always ready to forgive!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 85 “Will you be angry with us forever?” (Psalm 85:5) What happens when a disciple of Jesus messes up, or turns aside. Have we blown our chance with God, is there no room for mercy? This psalm expresses this prayer for mercy after a disciple has sinned. They are struggling because of…
I am my beloved’s!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Song of Songs 5-8 “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” (Song of Songs 6:3) To be honest, today I feel like I am stretching. I’m supposed to hear God through this, but its not happening. It is a beautiful love drama, a BC version of a romance. Imagine…
A better love story!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Song of Songs 1-4 “It is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty warriors, the noblest of Israel.” (Song of Songs 3:7?) Some see this book as an allegory, about how God loves His people. Some see this book as a love story inspired by God, an ode to marriage! Personally, I am…