SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:8-12 “But Jesus gave him no answer.” (Luke 23:9) Herod wanted to see some magic, but Jesus wouldn’t perform. So they mocked him, dressed him up like a king, and treated him like a fool. But Jesus did not join in his game, he did not satisfy his curiosity. Many people demand that Jesus prove…
Author: Norm
Up-side down or right-side up?
SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:1-7 “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” (Luke 23:2) Two out of three… they were right on two of these charges. Jesus did not oppose paying taxes, but He did claim to be Messiah, a king. And this claim…
Not wanting to believe in Jesus!?
SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:66-71 People want to know who Jesus is. But when He tells them, they don’t want to believe it. His claims may sound far-fetched, but there was so much supporting evidence. “If I tell you, you will not believe me.” (Luke 22:67) It’s not that people couldn’t believe it, it’s that they didn’t want to….
Anchor your spirit to God!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 102 You may not be able to relate to all the details in the psalm. But you have probably had moments similar to this. When you feel discouraged or defeated, when there seems to be no hope. You are tired, drained of physical and emotional energy – you feel like you are withering. “My…
God’s will, not easy but good!
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 36-39 Obey the Lord by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared. But if you refuse to surrender, this is what the Lord has revealed to me… (Jeremiah 38:20-21) Surrender or suffer, these are Zedekiah’s choices. For a variety of reasons, God is allowing…
Thank You for loving me this much!
SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:63-65 Have you ever bullied someone like this? I have never beat anyone, but I have mocked and insulted classmates. I have also witnessed it, and it’s not pleasant. My heart goes out to those who are bullied. So does Jesus’ heart… and He knows how they feel. When we recall Who Jesus is,…
To see His gracious look
SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:54-62 No criticism here. Have there not been times when I’ve been ashamed to say I follow Jesus? Have there not been times when I have been silent about my faith, to save face? If I was under threat of arrest, would I speak out openly? I would like to think I would be…
Light overcomes darkness!
SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:47-53 Is Jesus leading a rebellion? Should we as Jesus followers fight with swords and clubs to establish God’s kingdom? This is how the ISIS extremists see their role, fighting to set up an Islamic state based on sharia law. But notice the connection between ‘swords and clubs’ and ‘when darkness reigns’. Ask the…
Tempted in the garden
SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:39-46 Jesus goes into the garden of Gethsemane, and is tempted. The disciples are with Jesus, and they are tempted. Adam and Eve were in the garden, and they were tempted. You and I are somewhere in God’s garden every day, and we are tempted. Whatever form Satan takes, he whispers distractions, doubts and…
Taking God seriously
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 101 In this Psalm, David is sharing how serious he is about God. It sounds like he is bragging, and maybe he is. We know from the story of his life that he did not always live or act this way. I would not recommend singing about your devotion this way in church. But…