THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 51 “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” (Psalm 51:3) In 2 Samuel 11 we read about David’s sin with Bathsheba. In 2 Samuel 12 we read how God uses the prophet Nathan to rebuke him. Psalm 51 is the result of David’s exposure and humbling; he comes clean to God. God…
His kingdom will prevail!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Kings 18-20 “You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth.” (2 Kings 19:15) Sometimes I get tired of watching or reading the news. Everyday there seems to be another crisis, disaster, scandal or tragedy. Like Hezekiah, Jesus followers seem to be fighting an uphill battle. The odds are stacked against us,…
Humbling but true!
What do you think?
We need God and cannot live without Him!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Kings 15-17 “This took place because the Israelites sinned against the Lord.” (2 Kings 17:7) From this writing, we see how the Israelites saw God’s hands behind everything. God sends leprosy, enemies, lions, exile (2 Kings 15:5,12,37; 17:20,26). But notice though that it is not always the Lord punishing them. Azariah and Jotham – who do…
Maybe Jesus has a reason…
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 7:31-37 “Jesus put his fingers in the man’s ears, spit and touched the man’s tongue.” (Mark 7:33) I don’t know: this what I say when asked, ‘why finger in ear and spit in mouth?’ Aside from being weird and gross, it was also effective, it worked. Maybe Jesus had a reason for…
Like a surgeon’s knife
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 7:24-30 “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” (Mark 7:27) This hardly seems a Jesus-like thing – or a God-like – thing to say. To call someone a dog a common way of insulting someone. So why does Jesus speak so sharply, why does…
Do I want a clean heart?
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…