THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 31-34 “Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” (Deuteronomy 34:10) Moses was very close to God, though even he was sinful, just like Israel. No human can claim to be without sin before God… but God still wants to be “face to…
Author: Norm
Choose life!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 27-30 “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19) God is not threatening His people with terrible suffering if they disobey Him. He is warning them of what life is like without God, how life naturally degenerates. Remember, this is the Mosaic Law, the…
Finding goodness outside the church!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 21:42-46 “The kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” (Matthew 21:43) The fruit of the Spirit includes things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, etc. The source of this fruit in us is the Spirit of Jesus, He helps us…
What kind of tenant am I?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 21:33-41 “What will he do to those tenants?” (Matthew 21:40) Are you a good tenant or a bad tenant? I’m not talking about the house you live in, but the life you’re living. Everything in our life is assigned to us from God. Your life is God’s gift to you; what you…
What kingdom people are like!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 21:28-32 “The tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” (Matthew 21:31) It is not the people who say yes to God that please God, but those who actually do what He asks. John’s message was to repent, and to start being gracious and merciful, like…
‘You can’t handle the truth!’
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 21:23-27 “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” (Matthew 21:27) My guess is that all of us have questions for God, but are we prepared to hear the truth? The religious leaders wanted answers to their questions, but they did not want to be questioned. Jesus…
Filling the void with praise!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 28 “For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.” (Psalm 28:1) David is calling and calling, praying and pleading without ceasing. His world is crashing in around him, and God is silent. If nothing changes, David is as good as dead – he hears…
Moses’ golden rule!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 24-26 “You were slaves in Egypt and the Lord redeemed you from there.” (Deuteronomy 24:18) I saw a news story about a man who is walking across Canada pushing a shopping cart. He is doing this to raise awareness and support for homeless teens. This man was once a homeless teen, so…
The curse is broken!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 20-23 “Anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.” (Deuteronomy 21:23) As I read from Moses’ Law, I am struck by how dark the world was, and is. Most of these laws deal with violence, injustice, crime, brokenness, misery. Laws for awful scenarios are needed, and the laws themselves…
Kingdom fruit is possible!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 21:18-22 “May you never bear fruit again!” (Matthew 21:19) There are two connected yet unrelated lessons in this reading. Jesus is teaching His disciples about God’s judgment against fruitless Israel. Having just turned tables in the temple, the fig tree is an object lesson (Jeremiah 8:13) But the disciples don’t ask about this…