THE STORY OF JESUS: Philemon 1 “No longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother…” (Philemon 1:16) Jesus changes the way we relate to each other. Our world likes to divide people into categories and statuses. Everyone has their place in the caste system (even if we deny there is one). You…
A passion for being and doing good!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Titus 1-3 “To purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:14) We are not only saved FROM sin, we are saved FOR goodness. Paul is stressing to Titus that Jesus’s disciples are to be eager to do good. He is concerned about those…
Not the Saviour!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 13:13-25 “I am not the one you are looking for.” (Acts 13:25) Paul is quoting John the Baptist, stressing that he is not the Messiah. He is preaching Jesus, he is not preaching himself. This is something that we all need to remember. Our job is to speak well about Jesus, to…
Use me, Lord!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 13:4-12 “Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said…” (Acts 13:9) I have never experienced the Spirit’s leading like this. As Jesus-followers, we all have the Spirit of Jesus. (Matthew 10:19-20). The Spirit is not a power we control when, where and how we please. We surrender control to…
To seek the Lord with intensity
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 12:25-13:3 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said…” (Acts 13:2) I can’t recall ever worshiping and fasting as a church like this. Fasting has not been a part of our church tradition (I’ve fasted personally). I like how it’s not about fasting, but about worshiping and praying,…
A life worth spreading!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 12:19-24 “But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.” (Acts 12:24) This story presents a contrast between the way of Herod, and the way of Jesus. The message of Herod (his public address, v.21) ends in his death. The message of Jesus ends in death too, but like seed it…
Praise THIS Lord!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 135 “Our Lord is greater than all gods.” (Psalm 135:5) There is only one God, but there are many pictures of God. These pictures (‘gods’) are projections from our minds, ways that we see God. God warns people against making pictures (idols) because they always fall short. When this psalm speaks about…
Putting on the new me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Colossians 3-4 “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3) When we surrender our lives to Jesus, our identity is changed. I am no longer Norm, I am Norm in Christ, and Christ in me. The old me was cursed, doomed, defeated, trapped, hopeless, weak. Because…
His goodness overflowing through me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Colossians 1-2 “A life worthy of the Lord… bearing fruit in every good work!” (Colossians 1:10) Paul is very encouraged by how the Colossian disciples are doing (1:3-7). But he is still praying fervently for them, as he senses they may be losing their focus. He repeatedly stresses the’fullness’ and ‘completeness’ of Christ….
The Lord responds to weak faith too!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 12:12-19 “When they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.” (Acts 12:16) The disciples were gathered in fear, desperately praying for Peter’s release. When someone is pounding on the door at night, their fear intensifies. Rhoda sneaks to the door, sees Peter, then forgets to open it in her shock….