THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:9-14 “Those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:13) Take a moment to think about your particular weaknesses. What sin issues do you struggle with? Do you tend to think of your issues as not as bad as others? Or do you see yourself as no worse than others? As long…
Desperately hanging on!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 18:1-8 “A parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1) Faith does not let go, even if its hard to hang on. Jesus knows that life can be hard, and that God often waits to respond. He knows this from personal experience. But He also…
When evil is purged from this world!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 17:26-37 “Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left.” (Luke 17:35) Jesus is warning about the day when God’s judgment is unleashed. He has been holding back the floodwaters of judgment, but they will be released. Not because God wants us to perish, but because…
Jesus over anxiety!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 94 “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” (Psalm 94:19) More and more I hear about people that struggle with anxiety. I would say for myself that I experience a mild grade anxiety. It is not debilitating, but it is always there under the surface. The psalmist describes…
From death to life!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 57-59 “The righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.” (Isaiah 57:1) When someone dies, we naturally assume it is negative. Which I get, from our point of view it definitely is negative. Here we see Isaiah saying that God was providing for ‘mercy death’. “They find rest as they lie…
Seeing Jesus! (#2)
“For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They…
Seeking God’s ways!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Isaiah 54-56 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” (Isaiah 55:8) This verse is often quoted to explain the mystery of God’s ways. But the context suggests that it explains the wrongness of our ways. It follows a call for sinners to forsake their thoughts and ways…
Something for me to do?
Someone gave this to me to consider for our church services!
It starts within me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 17:20-25 “T kingdom of God is in your midst (literally, within you).” (Luke 17:21) God’s kingdom doesn’t start as a worldly kingdom, nor a future kingdom. It is first of all a heart kingdom, a response of the heart to the king. Genesis 1-2 describes God’s kingdom as He created it to be….
Ungrateful?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 17:11-19 “Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:18) Children raised in a rich family can often become spoiled, ungrateful. The poor can’t take anything for granted, and tend to be more thankful. Often those on the ‘inside’ take their blessings for granted. Jesus experiences this…