THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 2:8-14 “And the glory of the Lord shone around them.” (Luke 2:9) This is what I want to do, to bring great joy to all people. But can I share Jesus with the same effect of the angels? They had the added advantage the ‘glory of the Lord’. I believe that this…
My heart as His manger!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 2:1-7 “She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.” (Luke 2:7) She placed her baby in an animal feed trough, in a barn. Where the animals drooled and slobbered and smelled. What an unlikely place for God’s chosen messiah. And yet where else could God find us, but among…
Messenger of light!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:76-80 “To shine on those living in darkness…” (Luke 1:79) I like these words, they describe how I see my own calling. To bring hope to those in despair, life to those who are dying. Everyday I see people living without hope, without peace. And not just the poor and destitute, even…
Compass: Do You Know Where You’re Going To?
(Sermon preached on Sunday, October 8, 2017, at Maranatha Church, Cambridge) Read through Matthew 6:1-34. What is the most important goal or purpose of your life? What are you living for or pursuing? Is your life, the way you are presently living it, a God-glorifying life? These are tough questions that cut to the very heart…
Singing in the victory parade!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 68 “He leads out the prisoners with singing!” (Psalm 68:6) David describes God’s help as a victorious rescue operation. God rides out with His armies, and comes back with His enemies in tow. Those enslaved by the enemy are set free, and sing in the victory parade. Israel represents the underdog, the…
Reading Job through Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Job 3-4 “As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.” (Job 4:8) All scripture is God-breathed, but not every word is God’s word. (2 Timothy 3:16). The bible includes words from Satan, as well as limited human perspectives. God speaks through these stories and perspectives, to point us…
What’s the alternative?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Job 1-2 “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) What strikes me in this passage is how the adversary works. Satan (meaning ‘adversary’) wants to knock down Job’s faith, hope and love. In this instance, he uses disaster and suffering to defeat him. His tactics work on Jobs…
Refusing the voice of fear!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:67-75 “To enable us to serve him without fear.” (Luke 1:74) Often my greatest enemy is general, subtle fears… or anxiety. Behind these anxieties is an actual – invisible – enemy. I do not hear voices, but thoughts go through my head all the time. The same whispering that messed up Adam…
His hand is with me too!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:57-66 “For the Lord’s hand was with him.” (Luke 1:66) As I read this verse, I sense the Lord saying the same to me. Believe it or not, the Lord’s hand is with me too. Not for my own gain or advantage, but to fulfill His purpose for me. Like John, you…
Awesome God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 1:46-56 “His mercy extends to those who fear him…” (Luke 1:50) Only God is able to combine both sovereignty and mercy. When humans attain positions of power, they tend to neglect mercy. Or their mercy is condescending, treating the little people as pawns. But God, Who is awesome in power, is also…