SCRIPTURE: Luke 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: This reading makes me think of another saying of Jesus, For many are invited, but few are chosen. [Matthew 22:14] Jesus urges the Pharisees to show hospitality to “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind”, and says in His parable that this is who God invites to His kingdom banquet. The invite…
Author: Norm
Durham Youth House
I wanted to let you know about Durham Youth House, the only shelter for homeless youth In Durham Region. This shelter is located downtown Ajax (82 Kings Crescent, Ajax) and is meeting a great need in our area. If you go to the web page, you will find more information, but also ways that you can…
willing?
SCRIPTURE: Luke 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! [Luke 13:34] These words reveal the heart behind Jesus’ call to repentance and His warning…
true, whether we see it or not
An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it. Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self sustained. [Mahatma Gandhi]
thanks-living
SCRIPTURE: Luke 12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Jesus warns His disciples about spiritual and material worldliness, as seen in the Pharisees (focusing on religious performance) and the story of the rich fool. Jesus shows that a worldly spirit does not alleviate worry or trouble, it only makes it worse. He then goes on to show that a life of…
relationship, not religion
SCRIPTURE: Luke 11 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! [Luke 11:13] This passage reveals the heart of Jesus’ message – a restored relationship with God! God is our Father,…
what if…
I am trying to imagine church in a different way, with a different set of priorities and practices. What if… We were more concerned about, and motivated by, God’s kingdom priorities than the church priorities? We saw each day as an opportunity to demonstrate God’s value system in how we lived life – seeing church…
kingdom is always near
SCRIPTURE: Luke 10 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ [Luke 10:10-11] Whether we see it or accept it or…
what is the church?
I want to spend some time reflecting on the idea of church, recognizing and celebrating the Lord’s good plan for the church. Jesus was not anti-church, He used the word twice to describe the community He would build [Matthew 16:18], and the community that would support His followers in their kingdom witness and work [Matthew 18:17]. The…
how Jesus exercises power
SCRIPTURE: Luke 9 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. [Luke 9:1-2] This chapter deals with God’s kind of power and authority, and how the…