THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 21:20-28 “Stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:28) Do these verses describe the end times, or the destruction of Jerusalem? The answer is both, they speak to all times of crisis before Jesus’ return. Every time terror and misery reign, “stand up and lift…
One God for all!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 99 “The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble… let the earth shake.” (Psalm 99:1) This psalm celebrates the greatness of God, as Israel knows Him. A mighty God, a just God, a God of equity (v.4). A God that hears, a God that knows, a God that cares. This in contrast to…
Burning up inside!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Jeremiah 19-20 “His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.” (Jeremiah 20:9) Jeremiah is struggling with being God’s messenger. The message itself is dark, and people are attacking him for it. His job is to warn people about impending doom – not a pleasant job….
Undermining our inheritance!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Jeremiah 16-18 “Through your own fault you will lose the inheritance I gave you.” (Jeremiah 17:4) Imagine a christian leader with a effective ministry and a loving family. He gives in to an inappropriate relationship, and is found out. Now he is out of work, his family is devastated, and he is terribly…
This is my story (whether you agree or not)!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 21:10-19 “And so you will bear testimony to me.” (Luke 21:13) Jesus does not expect us to convert or change anyone. We are not to be His enforcers, making people believe. We are called to be witnesses, to testify to what we know about Jesus. And a witness can only testify to…
The church that impresses God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 21:5-9 “The time will come when not one stone will be left on another.” (Luke 21:6) This reading makes me think of Shania Twain’s song, ‘That don’t impress me much!’ The disciples are impressed by the beautiful temple structures. I attended a mega church and someone said, ‘wouldn’t you like a church…
No evangelism committee needed!?
In most of the churches I have served there has been an Evangelism (or Outreach) Committee. This team of dedicated christians worked to help the church share the message of Jesus with their community. They did things like: buy tracts for members to share with their neighbours set up a booth at the local fair…
Disciple-making at the work
“We are discipling people every day in our work—as we treat a customer with respect, help out a coworker with his or tasks, respect the boss even when others grumble behind his back, seek justice in the way we do our business, make the workplace a more peaceful place to be, offer to go the…
The size of the heart!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 21:1-4 “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all the others.” (Luke 21:3) It is not the size of the gift, but of the giver’s heart, that counts. God can do more with this widow’s penny, than with the sizable donations of the rich. God doesn’t need…
Does the church value ministry at work?
“In the almost thirty years of my professional career, my church has never once suggested that there be any type of accounting of my on-the-job ministry to others. My church has never once offered to improve those skills which could make me a better minister, nor has it ever asked if I needed any kind…