THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 124 “If the Lord had not been on our side, they would have swallowed us alive.” (Psalm 124:1,3) As a Jesus follower, I look for ways that He is at work in my life. The fingerprints of God, signs that God and Jesus are nearby. The psalmist thinks about all the times…
Beyond theology to doxology!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 11 “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33) As a Jesus follower there are many things I do not understand. But that does not mean I do not believe them. I affirm many things…
Ignite my heart for others!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 9-10 “My heart’s desire for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1) Paul is thinking out loud about why most Jews are not accepting Jesus. In ch.9 he connects their response to God’s sovereign mercy. God in His mercy decides who will be saved, and who not. In ch.10…
“I’m talking to YOU!”
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 21:15-23 “Do you love me more than these?” (John 21:16) As a Jesus follower, I am devoted to loving and serving Jesus. I do believe that Peter genuinely loved Jesus, despite his earlier denials. The problem is that Peter loved Jesus AND… Peter also loved being first (as was often seen in…
Eager to be with Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 21:1-14 “As soon as he heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he jumped into the water.” (John 21:7) As a Jesus follower, my heart longs to be where Jesus is. Jesus is not with us physically, but He is still with us actually. The Spirit of Jesus conveys the personal presence…
A vision of life I can believe in!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 20:24-31 “That you may believe… that you may have life in his name!” (John 20:31) John had many stories he could have shared about Jesus. Matthew, Mark and Luke agree on many stories, even if some details differ. But John selects different stories, one’s that he thinks will help people believe. To…
Sent on a mission!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 20:19-23 “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21) What a huge privilege AND responsibility. To be sent into the world just like Jesus was in the world. Not to live for themselves, but for God and for others. To bring God’s message of forgiveness and freedom to…
A master we can love!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 123 “As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master…” (Psalm 123:2) In one sense, we are like slaves to God… and yet not. Slaves to humans are usually treated with contempt. But in this psalm, God is not the one who abuses humans. Humans, not God, are the…
Living with peace of mind!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 7-8 “The mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6) What does it mean to have my mind “governed by the Spirit”? My sense is that I am now living in willing surrender to Jesus as Lord. In fellowship WITH Jesus by the Spirit, my mind wants to live…
Willing slaves to Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Romans 5-6 “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (Romans 6:18) As Paul explains how Jesus sets us free, he wants to stress the result in our lives. Who am I, how has Jesus helped me, what difference does it make in my life? Paul answers all…