THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 65 “Where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” (Psalm 65:8) Every moment and every location has God all over it. Jesus came to reconnect us to God, to knowing and being with God… always. With Jesus, I can experience loving fellowship with God as my Father… everywhere….
Grace better than violence!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Nehemiah 13 “I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair.” (Nehemiah 13:25) Nehemiah resorts to violence to smarten the people up. But does it work; does physical discipline root out bad behaviour? Violence cannot cure the heart; nor can it establish God’s kingdom. Not even Jesus could fix the temple…
The sound of rejoicing!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Nehemiah 11-12 “The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away. (Nehemiah 12:43) Have you ever heard the “sound of rejoicing” like this? When’s the last time you experienced the sound of believers rejoicing? Not just an amplified sound system, not just a large group singing. I’m thinking of a truly…
Is this how I am known?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:42-47 “Joseph… who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God.” (Mark 15:43) Mark describes this Joseph as one waiting for the kingdom of God. Many Jews trusted that God would one day restore His people as a mighty kingdom. Joseph had hoped Jesus was the one, but now his hopes are…
Me, a righteous son?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:38-41 “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39) This non Jewish soldier sees something God-like in Jesus. We assume he means that Jesus is divine, but is this what he’s saying? Consider Luke’s version, “Surely this was a righteous man.” (Luke 23:47) My sense is that these phrases mean the…
Breathe in me, breath of God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:33-37 “With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.” (Mark 15:37) These words make me think when God first created humans. “God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” (Genesis 2:7) Right now I am breathing the breath of God, the breath of life. I do this every day, and take it…
He has His reasons
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 15:27-32 “Let this Messiah come down now… that we may see and believe.” (Mark 15:32?) I have heard people say these very words. ‘Where is this Jesus you believe in, let Him show Himself!’ When our Messiah does not perform as demanded, they refuse to believe. Like Thomas after the resurrection, ‘Unless…
Honest about MY shortcomings!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 64 “Let all those whose hearts are honest praise him.” (Psalm 64:10) Do you know anyone who is evil? Not in the general sense that we’re all sinners, but like David describes. They make evil plans, their tongues are swords, their words are arrows. They attack the innocent, they cleverly scheme ways…
Prone to wander!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Nehemiah 9-10 “We are slaves today, in the land you gave our ancestors.” (Nehemiah 9:36) The bible is the story of God’s love for His stubborn children. In times of need or crisis we cry out for help. But when we’re doing well, we forget God, or keep Him at a distance. Living…
Refuse to be intimidated!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Nehemiah 6-8 “They were all trying to frighten us, but I prayed ‘Strengthen my hands.’” (Nehemiah 6:9) Do you believe in the Enemy (the accuser, the deceiver, the devil, the satan)? There are many ideas about what the devil is, and what the devil is like. I don’t believe most of them, but…