THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 25:14-30 “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21) I like how the NIRV refers to monetary amounts, $10000, $4000, $2000. What would I do with $2000 (or in today’s terms, more like $2,000,000)? Do I appreciate the value of the blessings I have received? My money, education, freedom, abilities, opportunities, time,…
Ready or not!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 25:1-13 “Five of them were foolish and five were wise.” (Matthew 25:2) Did you notice that ALL of them were waiting for the bridegroom? In other words, these are ‘believers’ or ‘christians’ or ‘church members’. This story is about wise and foolish disciples, those who are ready, and those who are not….
Fasten your seat belts!
FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS This week someone asked me ‘where I see the Christian Reformed Church in ten years’ Honestly, what came to mind were these words, ‘FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS!’ I believe we are in for some turbulent times in the next ten years. We should not be surprised. Our Captain warned us: “In…
Good workers?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 24:45-51 “It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.” (Matthew 24:46) What happens at your work when the boss is away (or your class when the teacher leaves)? How do people behave when the police are not around? This is why our world is…
The true meaning of AWESOME!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 33 “He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.” (Psalm 33:7) It is too bad we’ve emptied the word ‘awesome’ of its meaning. It was the perfect word to express how extremely impressive and daunting God is. David attempts to express how GREAT (this word…
A daily decision!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Joshua 23-24 “If serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15) Joshua wants a firm decision, not a fair weather decision. He is challenging them not to just accept the land from God, but to accept the life for God. Sometimes I wonder…
A mission to love them home!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Joshua 20-22 “You have carried out the mission the Lord your God gave you.” (Joshua 22:3) As Jesus followers we believe that God has prepared an eternal home for us. “My Father’s house has many rooms; I am going there to prepare a place for you!” (John 14:2) This is a great hope for…
Not doomsday but Jesus day!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 24:36-44 “So you also must be ready, the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:44) The Doomsday Clock is a symbol that represents a countdown to possible global catastrophe. This past Thursday (Jan 26), it was moved 30 seconds closer, to 2 1/2 minutes…
God’s love outlasts evil!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 24:32-35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matthew 24:35) What does Jesus mean that “heaven and earth will pass away”? We understand ‘heaven’ as where God lives, but this is a modern misconception. God created the heavens (the sky and space) and the earth, its…
Heaven’s eyes on me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 24:26-31 “He will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Matthew 24:30) For the first Jesus followers, persecution scattered them throughout the middle east (Acts 8:1). The devil does his best to scatter and disperse Jesus’ followers, but that only spreads the fire! “Those…