THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 6:46-49 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) Many christians have become too familiar with title ‘Lord’. It means ‘master’, and ought to involve obedience. A servant does not do their own will, they do their master’s will. Yet Jesus does not give…
Toxic fumes!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 6:43-45 “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (Luke 6:45) If only there was a ‘mouth-o-meter’ that could test my words. Not just the exact words, but their meaning and intent. How many of my words would be self-serving? Am I trying to be funny, or to be liked,…
No time to judge others!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 6:37-42 “First take the plank out of your eye…” (Luke 6:42) Imagine if we really did what Jesus says here. No criticizing others until we’ve worked out our own issues. Will we ever reach a point where we can judge or criticize others? Only God sees all of us from the standpoint…
To love like my Father loves!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 6:32-36 “You will be children of the Most High.” (Luke 6:35) Adam and Eve were created in God’s image. This means they were created to relate WITH God as His children. They were made to be LIKE Him, reflecting His character. And they were made to represent Him, to live FOR Him…
Holding things together for me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 75 “It is I who hold its pillars firm.” (Psalm 75:3) God created us as free agents in His beautiful creation. But with that came the risk that we would choose evil… and we did. By our folly, we have turned God’s kingdom into a dominion of darkness. God is not responsible…
God prefers honest wrestling!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Job 41-42 “You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” (Job 42:7) For some reason, God is pleased with how Job spoke about Him. Which is odd, because the last few chapters God has rebuked him. It seems that God can take our wrestling with faith and doubt….
Enjoy the mystery!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Job 38-40 “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2) We know so much more than when these words were first written. And yet, considering the vastness of the universe, we still know so little. God’s question sounds to me like, ‘just who do you think you are?’…
Put yourself in their shoes…
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 6:27-31 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31) Jesus taps into our natural desire to be treated well. We want people to be fair to us, and to help us if we need it. We do not want them to look down on us, or to…
Looking for feedback…
What does it mean that we have new life in Jesus?
Too comfortable in the world?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 6:24-26 “Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.” (Luke 6:25) These blessings and woes of Jesus are ‘wisdom sayings’. Wisdom sayings present ideas in stark black and white to make a point. Jesus isn’t condemning those who are well fed (or rich, etc). But He is…