THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 7-8 “The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6) What does it mean to have my mind “governed by the Spirit”? My sense is that I am now living in willing surrender to Jesus as Lord. In fellowship WITH Jesus by the Spirit, my mind wants to live…
Category: daily meditations
Willing slaves to Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 5-6 “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (Romans 6:18) As Paul explains how Jesus sets us free, he wants to stress the result in our lives. Who am I, how has Jesus helped me, what difference does it make in my life? Paul answers all…
Jesus my brother – like me, like Him!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 20:10-18 “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20:17) I believe that Jesus is the Word of God made human (John 1:1). While on earth, He was fully human: His Father was our Father, His God was our God. We tend to jump to…
Still a lot to learn!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 20:1-9 “They still did not understand…” (John 20:9) There are still many things that I do not understand. I do not understand how Jesus’ death covers my sins. I do not understand how Jesus could be fully divine, yet fully human. I do not understand how the Father, Word and Spirit are…
Secret disciples serving Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 19:38-42 “A disciple of Jesus, secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders.” (John 19:38) Joseph Arimathea is a secret disciple because he fears Jewish leaders. Nicodemus is a Jewish leader, so he talks to Jesus at night (John 3:2). I spoke with a disciple from Iran who told me about secret disciples in…
It is finished!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 19:28-37 “‘It is finished.’ He bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30) For His whole life, Jesus was under attack. Satan did everything he could to get this ‘Adam’ (human) to fail. But unlike all other Adams and Eves, this one beats Satan. He stays true to God, and…
The Jerusalem God loves!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 122 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:6) When this Psalm was written, the old covenant temple was in Jerusalem. Today, the new covenant temple (believers) are everywhere. “For God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:17) As Jesus followers, our Jerusalem is wherever Jesus followers are. Pray…
A heart that works!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 3-4 “A person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.” (Romans 3:28) Paul writes to Jews who thought God accepted them because of the law. Just follow the rules and God will be happy; He will see you as righteous. But Paul challenges this rule-focused righteousness; what about…
God’s judgment – giving us what we want!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 1-2 “God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.” (Romans 2:2) God is not unfair, mean or extremely picky about our sins and failures. God knows what is going on in our hearts, the good, the bad and the ugly. We are harder on other’s sins than our…
King of the world!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 19:16-27 “It read: Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” (John 19:19) Pilate is not just shaming Jesus, he is mocking the Jews. With this message is another message: ‘you Jews are under Rome’s rule!’ ‘Your king, your leaders, your people and your land – it belongs to Rome!’ Pilate won’t…