THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 28 “For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.” (Psalm 28:1) David is calling and calling, praying and pleading without ceasing. His world is crashing in around him, and God is silent. If nothing changes, David is as good as dead – he hears…
Moses’ golden rule!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 24-26 “You were slaves in Egypt and the Lord redeemed you from there.” (Deuteronomy 24:18) I saw a news story about a man who is walking across Canada pushing a shopping cart. He is doing this to raise awareness and support for homeless teens. This man was once a homeless teen, so…
The curse is broken!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 20-23 “Anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.” (Deuteronomy 21:23) As I read from Moses’ Law, I am struck by how dark the world was, and is. Most of these laws deal with violence, injustice, crime, brokenness, misery. Laws for awful scenarios are needed, and the laws themselves…
Kingdom fruit is possible!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 21:18-22 “May you never bear fruit again!” (Matthew 21:19) There are two connected yet unrelated lessons in this reading. Jesus is teaching His disciples about God’s judgment against fruitless Israel. Having just turned tables in the temple, the fig tree is an object lesson (Jeremiah 8:13) But the disciples don’t ask about this…
Am I helping or hindering seekers?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 21:12-17 “My house will be called a house of prayer.” (Matthew 21:13) Why do people go to a church gathering? Some go to fulfill religious duties, or out of tradition, or to add a little ‘God’ to their lives. But some go to actually seek God, to meet a deep need in…
Jesus appears in glory!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 21:1-11 “See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey.” (Matthew 21:5) When Dorothy goes to see the wizard in Oz, she is in for a surprise. The wizard pretends to be frightening and powerful but is just a salesman from Omaha. She peaks behind the curtain and sees…
One wish to rule them all!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 20:29-34 “What do you want me to do for you?” (Matthew 20:32) As a child, I recall Bill Lawrence on Tiny Talent Time asking kids to make just one wish. What would I wish for, what one thing would I use my one wish on? Most of the ‘things’ I wished for…
Forget Christmas, let’s follow Jesus!
So what do you think of what this video has to say? Personally I do not get worked up about ‘keeping Christ in Christmas’. Why should we be surprised if non-Christians don’t want to focus on Jesus? But we should be surprised, and concerned, when Christians don’t. The issue for me is not putting Christ…
His light shines in my heart!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 27 “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13) How do I explain the deep-rooted sense within me that there is a God, and that Jesus is right. God, and how Jesus presents God, is compelling to my soul,…
Follow Jesus and Jesus alone!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 16-19 “Follow justice and justice alone!” (Deuteronomy 16:20) Moses is reviewing the religious and social laws for God’s people. The theme of justice and mercy lies beneath all of these laws. The goal is to set up a nation where everyone is equally blessed and honoured. The warnings against ungodly religious practices,…