THE STORY OF JESUS: Numbers 13-16 “Do not go up, because the Lord is not with you. You will be defeated…” (42) When you buy a car, there are options and essentials. Brakes, seat belts, steering wheel – these are not options; without them you will die. Many think that God is optional, part of the…
Category: daily meditations
Who is Jesus to me?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 16:13-20 “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (v.16) When I was 18, I completed the church’s training program for kids. I did ‘public profession of faith’, I became a church member. Looking back many years later, I see my ‘profession’ in a new light. I realize now…
Beware of unhelpful teaching!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 16:5-12 “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (v.6) Yeast is fascinating, how adding just a small amount to flour can make a huge loaf. In the bible yeast is often a symbol of sin, how a small amount makes a huge mess. Here Jesus warns…
Neon Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 16:1-4 “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” (v.4) Jesus was like a neon sign, shining with God’s love and mercy and hope. The religious leaders did not see it in Jesus because they preferred the darkness. I…
(Do) I have compassion for these people!?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 15:32-39 “I have compassion for these people.” (Matthew 15:32) Jesus is not among Jews, but touring along the northern shore of Galilee (v.29). Once again we see Jesus compassion for ALL people, not just a select few. This is a compassion that cares enough to do something. Jesus’ followers ought to be…
The devil cannot succeed!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 21 “Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.” (Psalm 21:11) I am in a season of uncertainty, where the future seems unclear to me. In this space, the enemy loves to sow doubt, confusion, fear, defeat. Every morning I sit here and remind myself of what…
On all people!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Numbers 10-12 “I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29) Moses was a humble man (Numbers 12:3, if he wrote this, was that humility?). When Eldad and Medad show signs of the Spirit at work in them, Moses is happy. He…
Do I REALLY want to follow?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Numbers 7-9 “At the Lord’s command they encamped, at the Lord’s command they set out.” (Numbers 9:23) Moses and the people are 100% dependent on God’s direction. He gave them a cloud to follow; they were to keep in step with God’s leading. “The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only…
God’s colourful family!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 15:29-31 “And they praised the God of Israel.” (Matthew 15:31) Recently two neighbors voiced concern about minorities moving into the area. We were shocked by their bluntness, and that they would say this to us!?! These were not christians, but at least one knew that we are. Racism exists, and it is wrong;…
Sinful attitudes exposed!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 15:21-28 “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” (Matthew 15:26) I find what Jesus says troubling, calling this woman and her daughter ‘dogs’. But I wonder if we are not getting the whole story here. Keep in mind at that time Canaanites and Jews…