THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:1-6 “He could not do any miracles there…” (Mark 6:5) Imagine a new cure has been discovered for a terrible illness. But some people are skeptical; they refuse the treatment and stay sick. Doctors will not be able to heal these people because of their lack of faith. Wouldn’t this be frustrating,…
Don’t be afraid
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 5:35-43 “Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’” (Mark 5:36) What does Jesus mean when He says to this man, ‘don’t be afraid’? His daughter is dead, his heart is melting in grief and sorrow!? I hear Jesus saying ‘don’t give in to your despair, trust me on this one!’ Fear,…
Using a checklist with God?
I don’t recommend this, but some people like to use a checklist when it comes to measuring themselves and others. They point out how others are ‘living in sin’ because of a particular sin on God’s list. But do they really want to relate to God based on a checkist? Below is a list someone…
Seeing Jesus through tears!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 126 “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” (Psalm 126:5) The things that normally cause tears are wrong, bad, unfair or hurtful. There’s something wrong if we don’t weep at injustice, grief or tragedy. Tears are universal, a natural response to our messed up world. “Blessed are those…
Where does this path lead?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 12 “No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.” (Proverbs 12:21) Many of the proverbs speak in extremes and ultimates… no harm for the righteous? We just know from experience – and centuries of history – this is not true. But the teacher here is highlighting something…
The fruit of life on my branches!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 11 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life….” (Proverbs 11:30) This chapter often refers to the righteous, or the upright. This does not mean the perfectly sinless person, the full meaning of ‘righteous’. It refers to those who ‘seek good’ (v.27), who strive to do what is good and…
Weak faith is strong enough!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 5:21-34 “Daughter, your faith has healed you.” (Mark 5:34) What did Jesus mean by “your faith”? In my church experience, it meant ‘your agreement to the doctrines of the church’. If you could agree with a list of creeds and confessions, you had “faith”. But in my experience, many people with this…
Speak truth to the lies and fears!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 5:1-20 “Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.” (Mark 5:17) The dark voices in this man’s head had taken over his life. I know someone right now who is also possessed by dark voices, and he is hurting many. ‘Demons’ are messengers of darkness who attack and…
The greatest miracle of all!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 4:35-41 “‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” (Mark 4:39) This is one of those stories that people dismiss as ancient ‘fake news’. I get it, this (and the other miracle stories) are unbelievable. How many other religions and holy books claim miracles, and are they…
God’s kingdom seed!
THE STORY OF JESUS: mark 4:30-34 “It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth.” (Mark 4:31) The message of Jesus seems weak and insignificant. Love, humility, self-sacrifice, forgiveness – can that really change the world? The dominion of darkness seems so strong, it even seems to be winning. Often many…