THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 9:7 – 11:32 “A land of mountains and valleys that drinks rain from heaven. ” (Deuteronomy 11:11) The promise of a better world, a better life, a life of blessing and abundance and peace and joy. This is the promise – or blessing – that God sets before us all. It is…
Category: daily meditations
It’s NOT all about me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 7:1-9:6 “Your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God!” (Deuteronomy 8:14) When things go well, we start to get confident in ourselves. It’s because I’m smarter or stronger than others (Deuteronomy 7:7). It’s because of my wisdom and power that I’ve succeeded (Deuteronomy 8:17). It’s because I live my…
Not just for me, but for all!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 19:25-30 “Will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29) Jesus speaks of great sacrifice for His sake, of giving up our hollow dreams for His kingdom dream. But why would anyone sacrifice themselves for Jesus like this? Think of people like Rosa Parks, refusing to give…
Give to the poor!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 19:16-24 “Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” (Matthew 19:21) Jesus had a special place in His heart for children. How much more for poor children, and for the poor in general. The media has often used images of starving children to motivate…
Its time to grow down!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 19:13-15 “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.” (Matthew 19:14) I have a huge soft spot in my heart for kids. In a family gathering, I will often want to spend time playing with the little ones. Often the world with them seems so simple, and they…
What am I choosing for You?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 19:10-12 “Those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 19:12) The word ‘eunuch’ literally means ‘to have the bed to yourself’. It was primarily used for those who were castrated (for different reasons). But it also came to mean singleness, to be unmarried. I…
The leap of trust!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 25 “In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” (Psalm 25:1) David is pleading for God’s help BECAUSE He trusts God. He is reaching out to God over the gap, jumping into His arms. He’s taking a chance, will God catch him, will God help him? “No one who hopes in…
Always with us, wherever we go!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 4-6 “For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you.” (Deuteronomy 4:31) Moses is giving final instructions to this younger generation of Israelites, before they part. He reminds them of God’s ’10 Lifeskills’ (commandments) for success in their new venture. He also reminds them they…
The view from up here!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 1-3 “Look at the land with your own eyes, since you are not going to cross this Jordan.” (3:27) Though Moses has been a part of their story, he will not enter this next chapter. He gets to see it, but he does not get to experience it. To some extent,…
Grace from beginning to end!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 19:1-9 “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.” (Matthew 19:8) The Pharisees were students of the book (John 5:39-40). They knew exactly what Moses said, but they did not know the heart of God. Jesus explains that what Moses…