THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 69 “For zeal for your house consumes me.” (Psalm 69:9) David’s heart was on fire for God, even if it meant suffering. His zeal was for building, maintaining and protecting God’s temple. The temple represented God living with, at home with, His people. In its time, it served as a reminder of…
Author: Norm
Our merciful mediator!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Job 8-10 “If only there were someone to mediate between us, to bring us together.” (Job 9:33) Bildad sees God’s ways as simple: we sin, God punishes us… period. Job wants to argue this, but struggles because how do we argue with God. In this verse he is asking for a mediator with…
What do our arguments prove?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Job 5-7 “How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove?” (Job 6:25) This scenario reminds me of how many approach evangelism or pastoral care. When someone is grieving or struggling in sin, do we preach truth at them? We claim that the truth sets people free, but is truth what…
I treasure the thought…
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 2:15-20 “Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) I am a pondering, I am often thinking about God, Jesus, faith, etc. For me these things are too profound to simply pass over or accept. I’m not so much questioning them, as I am mulling over…
How can I share the good news?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 2:8-14 “And the glory of the Lord shone around them.” (Luke 2:9) This is what I want to do, to bring great joy to all people. But can I share Jesus with the same effect of the angels? They had the added advantage the ‘glory of the Lord’. I believe that this…
My heart as His manger!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 2:1-7 “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.” (Luke 2:7) She placed her baby in an animal feed trough, in a barn. Where the animals drooled and slobbered and smelled. What an unlikely place for God’s chosen messiah. And yet where else could God find us, but among…
Messenger of light!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:76-80 “To shine on those living in darkness…” (Luke 1:79) I like these words, they describe how I see my own calling. To bring hope to those in despair, life to those who are dying. Everyday I see people living without hope, without peace. And not just the poor and destitute, even…
Compass: Do You Know Where You’re Going To?
(Sermon preached on Sunday, October 8, 2017, at Maranatha Church, Cambridge) Read through Matthew 6:1-34. What is the most important goal or purpose of your life? What are you living for or pursuing? Is your life, the way you are presently living it, a God-glorifying life? These are tough questions that cut to the very heart…
Singing in the victory parade!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 68 “He leads out the prisoners with singing!” (Psalm 68:6) David describes God’s help as a victorious rescue operation. God rides out with His armies, and comes back with His enemies in tow. Those enslaved by the enemy are set free, and sing in the victory parade. Israel represents the underdog, the…
Reading Job through Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Job 3-4 “As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.” (Job 4:8) All scripture is God-breathed, but not every word is God’s word. (2 Timothy 3:16). The bible includes words from Satan, as well as limited human perspectives. God speaks through these stories and perspectives, to point us…