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,…
Which way?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 12-15 “You must not worship the Lord your God in their way.” (Deuteronomy 12:4) Moses warns God’s people not to imitate the ways of the nations. Immoral worship practices, child sacrifice, disregard for the poor, greedy living. Don’t be sucked into their dead-end practices, they will ensnare and ruin you. Always make…
Leading from our knees!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 20:24-28 “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Matthew 20:28) How might Jesus change a toxic work environment, or defuse a war zone? How might Jesus overcome racial tensions, or deal with religious diversity and disagreement? Except for one instance (turning tables in the temple), Jesus…
Together with Him WE CAN!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 20:20-23 “‘Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?’ ‘We can,’ they answered.” (Matthew 20:22) I recall my naive confidence when I first wanted to be a minister. Youthful optimism, or ignorance… I never questioned that I could do it. Like James and John, I could drink that cup, I…
The best is yet to come!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 20:17-19 “On the third day he will be raised to life!” (Matthew 20:19) Jesus throws in the idea of resurrection as if it… were normal. Like an average day: ‘get out of bed, have a coffee, get killed, then be alive again!’ Do you live as if life after death were normal?…