THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 3:13-19 “Jesus called to him those He wanted.” (Mark 3:13) Do you remember picking teams as a kid? I never got to be the one picking, and was usually one of the last picked. As captain, Jesus makes some odd picks, at least from a human viewpoint. Peter the big mouth, James…
Category: daily meditations
‘Mud-in-the-eye-refuse-to-die’ realistic faith
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 44 “Rise up and help us. Save us because of Your faithful love!” (Psalm 44:26) At one time faith was simple: God was great, God was good, everything made sense. But things got more complicated: good people suffered, bad people prospered!?!? Then came perplexity – what? why? how? when? – nothing fit…
God stoops to our weakness!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Samuel 21-24 “The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness.” (2 Samuel 22:25) Is this true… is this God’s inspired truth or just David’s perspective? All scripture is God-breathed, but what exactly does that mean? Does it mean that every word is true and accurate… including inaccurate words? My goal is not to…
The bad news in the good news!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Samuel 18-20 “You don’t have any news that will bring you a reward.” (2 Samuel 18:22) Ahimaaz hoped to bring good news to David; Joab knew David wouldn’t be happy. For it was difficult good news, good news that included bad news. As Jesus followers, we are also bearers of good news that includes…
Does the church need to be silenced!?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 3:7-12 “But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him.” (Mark 3:12) Jesus silences the impure spirits, even though what they say is true. He knows that they are not good press, that they cause more harm than good. They want to whip up the crowds into rebellious frenzy,…
Restored to goodness!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 3:1-6 “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil….” (Mark 3:4) Do any of God’s laws prohibit doing good for others? Goodness is God’s original plan, the ‘very good’ of creation restored. (Genesis 1:31) Jesus saves us SO THAT we can live good lives again; with Him, like…
Living in the gift of Sabbath
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 2:23-28 “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27) God’s rest on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3) was for humans, not for Himself. His work was complete (Hebrews 4:4), now humanity could live and work in that rest. In creation Sabbath was not one day in seven, but everyday…
Religion or Jesus?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 2:18-22 “No one pours new wine into old wineskins.” (Mark 2:22) The wine is the object of desire… not the wineskin, which is just a container. Religious practices are containers that lead us to Jesus, our object of desire. God gave the Law of Moses as a container to one day deliver…
Spirit-inspired mourning!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 43 “Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” (Psalm 43:3) This psalm continues Psalm 42 (some Hebrew manuscripts combine them). The psalmist still battles depression, wondering why God has rejected him! It’s important for us to see how God includes and inspires doubt in the bible. If anyone challenges you…
Do you believe this?
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Jesus will live, even though they die. Whoever lives by believing in Jesus will never die. Do you believe this? (John 11:25-26)