Author: Norm

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:30-44 “Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people.” (Mark 6:41) Jesus uses what He has received, and we can too. What He has is obviously not enough….

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:19-29 “The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.” (Mark 6:26) As servants of God, we are secure within His purpose and love. But that doesn’t mean we can’t suffer… or die. The Deceiver cannot touch us, but he…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:14-20 “When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.” (Mark 6:20) Something about John – and Jesus – got under Herod’s skin. He was both intrigued and unsettled (puzzled) by them, by their message. He puts John in prison, but continues to enjoy listening to…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:6-13 “They went out and preached that people should repent.” (Mark 6:12) Mark uses one word – repent – to summarize their message. That word – metanoia – literally meant ‘to change one’s mind’. Change the way you think about God, yourself, the world, life, sin, etc! ‘Open your mind to God,…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:1-6 “He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.” (Mark 6:5) Imagine a new cure has been discovered for a terrible illness. But some people are skeptical; they refuse the treatment and stay sick. Doctors will not be able to heal…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 5:35-43 “The child is not dead but asleep.” (Mark 5:39) If physical reality is all that exists, then death is just physical too. This is what more and more people seem to believe (atheistic naturalism). And yet belief in spiritual reality does not go away either. We still cling to spiritual ideas…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 5:35-43 “Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’” (Mark 5:36) What does Jesus mean when He says ‘don’t be afraid’? His daughter is dead, his heart is melting in grief and sorrow. I hear Jesus saying ‘don’t give in to your despair, trust me on this one!’ Fear, grief, despair, sorrow,…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 5:26-34 “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34) This woman’s faith was not a set of beliefs about God or Jesus. Her faith was not a clear or certain knowledge of Who Jesus was. It was a desperate hope, based on what…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 5:21-29 “When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet… When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak.” (Mark 5:22,27) A religious leader and a bleeding woman, both coming to Jesus. According to the law, this woman was unclean, untouchable (Leviticus 15:19). But at…

THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 5:18-20 “Tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:19) He wants to stay with Jesus, but Jesus sends him into a new battle. To face the people he grew up with, to tell them his story about Jesus. The important…