THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 7:14-23 “It is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come.” (Mark 7:21) According to Jesus, it is not ritual purity that concerns God, but heart purity. Avoiding pork, or symbolic hand-washing – this doesn’t make you holy or unholy. The OT Laws were symbolic reminders that not everything…
You can help!!!
Over 20 million people in South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen are at risk of starvation due to famine. If the world doesn’t respond soon, millions of people could die for lack of food. In parts of South Sudan, famine has already been declared by the United Nations. This means some have already started dying…
Avoiding obedience!?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 7:9-13 “You nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.” (Mark 7:13) As Jesus followers we need to be aware of how we read the bible. God speaks through the bible, and the Spirit convicts our hearts as we read. But because conviction is not pleasant, we…
A thankful, joyful heart!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 50 “Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me.” (Psalm 50:23) When God gave the Law of Moses to Israel, He did not WANT blood sacrifices. But blood sacrifices represent the death penalty, the natural result of sin. God put these sacrifices in place to show people the seriousness of sin. Unfortunately God’s…
If the Lord listens to Jehoahaz…
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Kings 12-14:29 “Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor, and the Lord listened to him.” (2 Kings 13:4) How bad do things have to get before God stop helping us? Jehoahaz, like all the other kings of Israel, did evil in the eyes of the Lord. And yet, when he gets in trouble and cries out…
Lord save us from ourselves!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Kings 8:16-11 “Jehu destroyed Ahab’s family, according to the word of the Lord.” (2 Kings 8:17) As a Jesus follower, I have a hard time reading these chapters. It all seems to contrary to the Spirit and teaching of Jesus. Actually, I think this is the point; Jesus intentionally exposes the way of sin….
Put your heart into it!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 7:1-8 “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Mark 7:6) Jesus is challenging religion as the mere observing of rules and rituals. Rules are made for relationships, not relationships for rules. For a person to establish practices to help build a relationship is fine. But…
Still reaching out to Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:53-56 “All who touched (even the edge of his cloak) were healed.” (Mark 6:56) As a Jesus follower, I believe the stories about Jesus’ healing many. But one challenge to my faith is that I do not see healings like this today. Don’t get me wrong, I hear stories about healing, and…
Walking with Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:45-52 “After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.” (Mark 6:46) We were made to live in close fellowship with God… like Jesus. We were also made to live in authority over creation, not in fear of it. Living independently of God, creation becomes a threat and we live…
Everything we need… with God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:35-44 “Looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.” (Mark 6:41) As a Jesus follower, I am committed to serving and blessing those in need. But like the disciples, I find myself overwhelmed by all the need in the world. Like the disciples, I want the problem to go…