THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 13:53-58 “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” (Matthew 13:57) When we lived near Niagara Falls, we did not enjoy going there to visit. Even though many consider it the 8th natural wonder of the world. Yet we were too familiar with it, had…
Author: Norm
Tuning in to God’s Voice!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 19 “The heavens declare the glory of God!” (Psalm 119:1) I recall living in PEI, 20 minutes from the beaches along the north shore. When I wanted to be alone with God, I would walk along the shore. The vast sky and ocean, waves crashing on the rocks, and the smell of…
Proclaim liberty!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Leviticus 25-27 “Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.” (Leviticus 25:10) The sabbath cycle (working 6 days, then resting) looks forward to God’s rest. It is a ‘not yet’ reality, something we look forward to. Human life in God’s creation begins with rest; Adam’s first full…
In Christ, anyone may come near!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Leviticus 21-24 “No man who has any defect may come near.” (Leviticus 21:18) We were made to be complete, whole and holy… yet no one is. These requirements for the priests seem to require ‘perfection’. The whole law of Moses seems extreme, both in its demands and its punishments. It makes one wonder,…
Unexpected treasure!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 13:47-52 “Every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” (Matthew 13:52) Do you have lots of stuff buried in storage? Sometimes we even forget what treasures…
Right under our nose!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 13:44-46 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.” (Matthew 13:44) The kingdom of God – God’s version of this world, as it ought to be – is a buried treasure. We walk over it, we pass it by, without even realizing it. Its all around us, but we…
Uproot the weeds NOW!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 13:36-43 “Will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.” (Matthew 13:41) The disciples have ears that are hungry to hear, so they press Jesus to explain. Jesus answers plainly: the field is the world, good seed are people of the kingdom, etc. The punchline of…
When the church feels like this
Mustard seed confidence!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 13:31-35 “I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 13:35) As I understand it, the kingdom of God is THIS world under God-like human rulers. This is how God set up His creation kingdom at “the creation of the world”. But since we were ejected from paradise, it…
He gives us great victories!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 18 “He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing love to his anointed, to David and to his descendants forever.” (Psalm 18:50) This is a song of extremes. God rescues David by shaking up the whole earth (vv.7-15) David is helped because he is innocent, guiltless (vv.20-24) David totally smashes his…