THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 4:18-22 “Come, follow me and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19) Have you heard the phrase ‘hook, line and sinker’? It usually refers to someone who has been completely deceived or tricked. Sales people also use the phrase ‘to reel in customers’. Jesus’ analogy of fishing for…
Category: daily meditations
Calling me home!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 4:12-17 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17) Do you handle criticism or correction well? Does it inspire you, or discourage you, or anger you? Honestly, I do not like being corrected, because it implies failure. I already beat myself up enough, its worse when others join in….
Rejecting the devil’s lies!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 4:1-11 “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1) Why did God put the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden? Why did the Spirit of God lead Jesus to be tempted by the devil? Why does God allow us to be tested,…
Do something Lord!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 3 “Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.” Psalm 3:7) People turn to the Psalms for comfort and inspiration. But this is not a verse people normally turn to, I think. Did God’s Spirit inspire these words — they seem…
Symbol of amazing grace!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Genesis 9:1-11:26 “Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” (Genesis 9:16) Every time I see a rainbow, I remember God’s covenant of grace. The flood story is a story of judgment against…
Rescue from the flood!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Genesis 6:9-8:22 “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth.” (Genesis 6:13) At first glance, it seems that God is the cause of global devastation. But the context shows that…
You are my much-loved child!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 3:13-17 “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) As a disciple of Jesus, I look to Jesus as my model, my mentor. He is everything I was supposed to be! And through Him, He is what I am again… God’s much-loved child. Adam and…
More than religion
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 3:7-12 “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11) Some people in church all about the symbols and ceremonies. Kneeling, sign of the cross, baptism, Christmas and Easter, church wedding. Some people do it out of custom or superstition. Some people do it because it looks good on…
Is anyone even looking?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 3:1-6 “People went out to him…” (Matthew 3:5) This may seem like a strange verse to focus on. But as someone involved in ministry, I am struck how “people went out to him…” People came to repent, they came to address their spiritual concerns or questions. They actually thought about these things,…
Open to His guidance!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 2:19-23 “Having been warned in a dream…” (Matthew 2:22) I believe in spiritual guidance, that God helps and directs us through life. God is guarding Jesus for His life purpose, and guides His parents to do that. Here we have God using dreams; I don’t think God has used dreams for me….