SCRIPTURE: Luke 17:1-3 We live in a broken, messed up world. Our own hearts and lives are broken and messed. Jesus affirms that troubles along the way are bound to come. But don’t be the one that trips up or traps others on their way. If by my actions someone else’s life is ruined, I will…
Author: Norm
Opportunity at the gate!
SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:19-31 A reminder that when we interpret Jesus’ parables, the meaning is not in the details. Jesus tells stories about dishonest stewards and unjust judges, to make a point. This parable is not a description of heaven or hell, but about the main lesson. This life is where our future is determined. God has…
Hearts set free!
SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:16-18 Jesus contrasts the Law and the Prophets (Old Testament) and the good news of the Kingdom of God (New Testament). Paul says it this way: “Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. So the…
Do I love money more than God?
SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:10-15 Jesus continues explaining His parable from Luke 16:1-9. God gives us His blessings to show that we can be trusted (or not). If we are not good stewards with His temporal blessings, why would He give us more? Jesus then points out that worldly hearts love their gifts more than the Giver. He is…
The power of praise
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 92 When we worship, pray or meditate, God reminds us of how things really are. The Jewish rest day was a weekly reminder of God’s greatness and goodness. This psalm – written for the Sabbath – encourages God’s people to keep on praising and praying. “It is good to praise the Lord and make music…
We could be soaring!!!
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 40-47 The recurring themes in the passage are frustration, discipline, and compassion. God is frustrated by Israel’s reliance on idols and military powers, instead of on the only true God. God announces His discipline, not to make them suffer but to show them their folly. But God also reveals His compassion; He will not…
One shrewd dude
SCRIPTURE: Luke 16:1-9 Why does Jesus make a hero out of the dishonest manager? Would Jesus use Bernie Madoff as a commendable character in his stories? But the point of comparison here is not the dishonesty, but the shrewdness. Jesus is lamenting that bad people show more creativity than good people. Bad people seem devoted to bad…
The other brother?
SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:25-32 Jesus adds another dramatic twist to His story. The good son, loyal to his father, is bitter when the bad son returns. But notice how he views his relationship with the father: “slaving for you!” That is exactly how the religious leaders saw God’s laws; as burdens to bear. He did not feel…
Watching, waiting, hoping…
SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:11-24 Jesus is still dealing with the muttering Pharisees (Luke 15:1-2). He moves from a lost sheep to a lost coin, and completes the trilogy with the lost son. The religious leaders would have no difficulty recognizing who Jesus was talking about. This sinful son was getting exactly what he deserved, he was suffering for…
HOW MUCH!
SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:8-10 The point of this story is ‘rejoicing when the lost is found!’ For this woman, her coins are her livelihood, her only hope for survival. Jesus uses this analogy to show HOW MUCH God loves and values and needs us as His children. God – and His angels – are hard at work…