THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 12-15 “You must not worship the Lord your God in their way.” (Deuteronomy 12:4) Moses warns God’s people not to imitate the ways of the nations. Immoral worship practices, child sacrifice, disregard for the poor, greedy living. Don’t be sucked into their dead-end practices, they will ensnare and ruin you. Always make…
Author: Norm
Leading from our knees!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 20:24-28 “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Matthew 20:28) How might Jesus change a toxic work environment, or defuse a war zone? How might Jesus overcome racial tensions, or deal with religious diversity and disagreement? Except for one instance (turning tables in the temple), Jesus…
Together with Him WE CAN!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 20:20-23 “‘Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?’ ‘We can,’ they answered.” (Matthew 20:22) I recall my naive confidence when I first wanted to be a minister. Youthful optimism, or ignorance… I never questioned that I could do it. Like James and John, I could drink that cup, I…
The best is yet to come!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 20:17-19 “On the third day he will be raised to life!” (Matthew 20:19) Jesus throws in the idea of resurrection as if it… were normal. Like an average day: ‘get out of bed, have a coffee, get killed, then be alive again!’ Do you live as if life after death were normal?…
God’s right to be gracious!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 20:1-16 “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money?” (Matthew 20:15) Does God have the right to be generous? If I am forgiven few sins, and another is forgiven many, is that fair? Jesus uses this parable to shock His listeners, to get their attention. The…
Wanting to keep the law!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 26 “I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me.” (Psalm 26:11) I am a law-abiding citizen, I do not flagrantly break the laws of the land. (Most of the time, I do make rolling stops, and I do not drive the speed limit exactly). But this does not…
God’s dream for us!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 9:7 – 11:32 “A land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. ” (Deuteronomy 11:11) The promise of a better world, a better life, a life of blessing and abundance and peace and joy. This is the promise – or blessing – that God sets before us all. It is…
It’s NOT all about me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 7:1-9:6 “Your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God!” (Deuteronomy 8:14) When things go well, we start to get confident in ourselves. It’s because I’m smarter or stronger than others (Deuteronomy 7:7). It’s because of my wisdom and power that I’ve succeeded (Deuteronomy 8:17). It’s because I live my…
Not just for me, but for all!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 19:25-30 “Will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29) Jesus speaks of great sacrifice for His sake, of giving up our hollow dreams for His kingdom dream. But why would anyone sacrifice themselves for Jesus like this? Think of people like Rosa Parks, refusing to give…
Give to the poor!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 19:16-24 “Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” (Matthew 19:21) Jesus had a special place in His heart for children. How much more for poor children, and for the poor in general. The media has often used images of starving children to motivate…