THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 22 “I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.” (22) I attended the funeral of a passionate ambassador for the kingdom of God. He fought a short, painful battle with cancer; he lost that battle but won the Fight! He and his family certainly…
Author: Norm
Mercy remains!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Numbers 17-20 “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” (Numbers 20:12) God’s business of restoring His creation kingdom is serious. As God’s mission team, especially leaders, we need to…
Not optional!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Numbers 13-16 “Do not go up, because the Lord is not with you. You will be defeated…” (42) When you buy a car, there are options and essentials. Brakes, seat belts, steering wheel – these are not options; without them you will die. Many think that God is optional, part of the…
Who is Jesus to me?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 16:13-20 “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (v.16) When I was 18, I completed the church’s training program for kids. I did ‘public profession of faith’, I became a church member. Looking back many years later, I see my ‘profession’ in a new light. I realize now…
Beware of unhelpful teaching!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 16:5-12 “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (v.6) Yeast is fascinating, how adding just a small amount to flour can make a huge loaf. In the bible yeast is often a symbol of sin, how a small amount makes a huge mess. Here Jesus warns…
Neon Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 16:1-4 “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” (v.4) Jesus was like a neon sign, shining with God’s love and mercy and hope. The religious leaders did not see it in Jesus because they preferred the darkness. I…
(Do) I have compassion for these people!?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 15:32-39 “I have compassion for these people.” (Matthew 15:32) Jesus is not among Jews, but touring along the northern shore of Galilee (v.29). Once again we see Jesus compassion for ALL people, not just a select few. This is a compassion that cares enough to do something. Jesus’ followers ought to be…
The devil cannot succeed!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 21 “Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.” (Psalm 21:11) I am in a season of uncertainty, where the future seems unclear to me. In this space, the enemy loves to sow doubt, confusion, fear, defeat. Every morning I sit here and remind myself of what…
On all people!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Numbers 10-12 “I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29) Moses was a humble man (Numbers 12:3, if he wrote this, was that humility?). When Eldad and Medad show signs of the Spirit at work in them, Moses is happy. He…
Do I REALLY want to follow?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Numbers 7-9 “At the Lord’s command they encamped, at the Lord’s command they set out.” (Numbers 9:23) Moses and the people are 100% dependent on God’s direction. He gave them a cloud to follow; they were to keep in step with God’s leading. “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only…