THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 49 “They will take nothing with them when they die!” (Psalm 49:17) As a Jesus follower, the Lord speaks to me as I read the bible. Today’s reading is about the emptiness of wealth and possessions. I sense the Lord challenging me about what I am focused on. I am financially secure,…
God directs our evil to good purpose!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Kings 5-8:15 “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.” (2 Kings 5:15) In 2 Kings 5:1 we read that God gave victory to Aram through Naaman. Aram was not a God-serving nation, the king did not follow the God of Israel.; And yet God is in charge of…
Filled with His Spirit!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Kings 1-4 “‘Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,’ Elisha replied.” Elijah and Elisha were some of Israel’s greatest prophets, backed by God’s power. The miracles they performed confirm that they have God’s Spirit and speak for God. If God supports His old covenant messengers, how much more will He…
Despite the smell!
What do you think?
God’s love shown through Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:30-34 “When Jesus saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them.” (Mark 6:34) Jesus is concerned for his disciples, and invites them to a quiet time of retreat. Jesus is concerned for the desperate, and teaches them about God’s kingdom. Jesus is concerned for you, for me, and for all people….
A new and better master!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:21-29 “Because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.” (Mark 6:26) Why do we do things we shouldn’t do, or not do what we should do? How much does external pressure prompt our bahaviour? A desire to be thought well of, or to save face,…
Is Jesus haunting your conscience?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:14-20 “Herod said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!’” (Mark 6:14-16) I have found through experience that a guilty conscience agitates the mind. You become paranoid that others may know or find out. Herod is flustered; he thought he had silenced guilt by killing John. The Spirit of…
Do I need to change the way I think?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 6:6-13 “They went out and preached that people should repent.” (Mark 6:12) Mark uses one word – repent – to summarize the message. That word – metanoia – literally means ‘to change one’s mind’. Change the way you think about God, yourself, the world, life, sin, etc! How we live is an…
His strength seen in me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 48 “In the city of our God: God makes her secure forever.” (Psalm 48:8) What made David great when he stood before Goliath? What made Jesus great when He was attacked by Satan? What makes me great in the face of life’s challenges and struggles? Not me, but God in/with/for me —…
Who is really in charge here?
THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Kings 20-22 “I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven.” (1 Kings 22:19) So who is really in charge of our world? As humans, we manage God’s creation for Him, though we do it poorly. Among us some humans use and abuse that power as leaders. In these…