THE STORY OF JESUS: Esther 1-3 “All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.” (Esther 2:23) This brief moment in the plot seems unimportant, but it is not. As we shall see, this moment recorded by the king, will come up again in the story. The story of Esther…
Author: Norm
Sharing the story of Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:1-4 “I too decided to write an orderly account for you.” (Luke 1:3) I love thinking about Luke, and how he came become a messenger of Jesus. Luke was a doctor (Colossians 4:14), and a fellow worker with Paul (Philemon 1:24). When Paul was left alone (and abandoned by Demas), only Luke stay with…
Crush that snake in Jesus’ Name!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 16:15-20 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) The good news is NOT just about our being forgiven, it is about our being restored. Restored as God’s image-bearers, ruling over all creation. This is the good news that the creation itself longs to hear (Romans 8:19-22)….
Doubt that still sees!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 16:9-14 “Jesus appeared to them (and) rebuked them for their lack of faith.” (Mark 16:14) Today I sense the Lord asking me about my faith. Not about the doctrines I claim to believe, but about my confidence in Him. Here the disciples could not believe the impossible, the unseen. Like Thomas, “Unless…
How does Jesus speak to me?
I recently spoke on the idea that Jesus still speaks to us, by His Spirit, in our hearts. I described what happened to the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). The spiritual ‘heart burn’ was how I described the Spirit of Jesus speaking to their hearts. This is something that I personally experience when…
The Easter Joke
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 16:1-8 “Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!” (Mark 16:6) By calling this the Easter joke, I’m not saying the resurrection is JUST a joke. The joke is on Satan, who thought he had won. Mark seems to end his version of Jesus’ life with a quick ‘punchline’ conclusion. The…
Hearing Jesus (even through bad sermons)
(Sermon preached on Sunday, September 17, 2017, at Maranatha Chruch, Cambridge) Read through Luke 24:13-35. As you read this passage, reflect on how the disciples eventually knew it was Jesus speaking to them. Is it possible that Jesus is speaking to us – like He did these disciples – and yet we are unaware of it?…
Right here, right now – praise!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 65 “Where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” (Psalm 65:8) Every moment and every location has God all over it. Jesus came to reconnect us to God, to knowing and being with God… always. With Jesus, I can experience loving fellowship with God as my Father… everywhere….
Grace better than violence!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Nehemiah 13 “I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair.” (Nehemiah 13:25) Nehemiah resorts to violence to smarten the people up. But does it work; does physical discipline root out bad behaviour? Violence cannot cure the heart; nor can it establish God’s kingdom. Not even Jesus could fix the temple…
The sound of rejoicing!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Nehemiah 11-12 “The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away. (Nehemiah 12:43) Have you ever heard the “sound of rejoicing” like this? When’s the last time you experienced the sound of believers rejoicing? Not just an amplified sound system, not just a large group singing. I’m thinking of a truly…