THE STORY OF JESUS: Ecclesiastes 1-2 “This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 2:26) So what ‘wind’ (empty treasure or pleasure) are you chasing after? You know, the thing that seems so important or wonderful right now. We invest our time, treasures and talents into that goal or obejective. But is it really that…
Set my heart on fire!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 9:51-56 “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them ?” (Luke 9:54) James and John were called the sons of thunder, and we see why (Mark 3:17). They seemed to have a thirst for power, and for using it (Mark 10:35f). They were followers of Jesus, yet they…
See Jesus at work in others too!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 9:46-50 “We tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” (Luke 9:49) Here we see the disciples eager to elevate and differentiate themselves. In order to be greater than others, we must differentiate from others. My previous church had non-christians supporting our community work. We were blessing others for…
Speaking truth in love
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 9:37-45 “You unbelieving and perverse generation…” (Luke 9:41) Yesterday I spoke about how we are saved to live and love like Jesus. These words seem to challenge this: am I supposed to talk like this? Am I expected, and permitted, to call out someone’s perversity? First, in the context we see that…
Shrines to our ignorance!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 9:28-36 “He did not know what he was saying.” (Luke 9:33) Sometime I think this would make a great motto for me as a minister. Like Peter, I make bold declarations based on what I think I know. Yes, he said that Jesus was God’s Messiah (Luke 9:18-20). But he also told Jesus…
Open up and let Him in!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 81 “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:10) “If only” they would do this or that, their life would be so much better. We can all think of someone to whom this would apply. All of us make choices that hinder our experience of love, joy and peace….
Just enough, Lord!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 30-31 “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” (Proverbs 30:8) Our world seems to be divided between those with plenty, and those with nothing. As a result, some people disown God while others dishonour God (v.9). Our world is caught in the grip of poverty and…
Who is sharpening you?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Proverbs 27-29 “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17) Who in your life sharpens you as a person? Is there anyone you spend time with that improves your character? In creation, God saw it was not good for people to be alone (Genesis 2:18). Yet too many of us live…
Bill Hybels on the Gift of Leadership
“I believe that the great tragedy of the church in our time has been its failure to recognize the importance of the spiritual gift of leadership. It appears to me that only a fraction of pastors worldwide are exercising the spiritual gift of leadership, organizing the church around it, and deploying church members through it….
Living for Jesus, even if it costs us!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 9:21-27 “Whoever loses their life for me will save it.” (Luke 9:24) Jesus is not asking us to choose death, but to choose Him! To choose Jesus is to choose everything He stands for. Life, goodness, justice, mercy, love, joy, peace, etc. Not just for ourselves, but for everyone! Following Jesus is…