THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 1:9-13 “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 1:11) As a follower of Jesus, this is something that God says to me too. “To those who believed he gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) The Spirit of Jesus assures us we are…
I am the gate for the Sheep
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be kept safe.” (John 10:9) This text can be translated “will be saved” or “will be kept safe”; most bibles use the first translation. Usually these words are interpreted to mean that Jesus is the only way to be saved. But if you look at the context,…
Because of His integrity!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 41 “Because of my integrity you uphold me…” (Psalm 41:12) David was a good man in many ways, but he was not sinless. His horrible crimes of adultery, murder, abuse of office, deception are well known. Yet here he claims that God is pleased with him, that he is a man of…
Following Jesus is…
Fill in the blank, what would you say? Following Jesus is ____________________
My strength always?
THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Samuel 28-31 “But David found strength in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6) In times of crisis, tragedy or difficulty, where do you find strength? Most people cry out to God in such times, but they do not always find strength. Why does God strengthen some, but not others? Why was God silent…
Mercy me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: 1 Samuel 24-27 “May the Lord be our judge and decide between us.” (1 Samuel 24:15) Twice David is merciful to Saul, sparing his life because he is the Lord’s anointed. But we do not see the same mercy with Nabal, at least not until Abigail intervenes. David has moments of exceptional goodness, but also…
Meeting Jesus where???
THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 1:1-8 “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘prepare the way for the Lord.’” (Mark 1:3) Mark starts his biography of Jesus when His ministry begins, as an adult. John the Baptist is the unusual fanfare that announces the coming Messiah. To prepare for God’s coming, people need to repent. This…
Sharing the grace that graced me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 28:16-20 “All authority has been given to me… go and make disciples.” (Matthew 28:19) Jesus came for one purpose: to establish the victory over Satan, sin, death and hell. He initiates the victory, but we must implement it. Our task is to show and share the victory… to be disciples that make…
The faith of unbelief
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 28:11-15 “And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.” (Matthew 28:15) The religious leaders do NOT want to believe that Jesus is alive. They are as devoted to their faith that Jesus is not the Messiah. Just as His disciples were devoted to their confidence that…
I will die and rise again!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 28:5-10 “He is not here; he has risen.” (Matthew 28:6) I’ve been with people when they died; I know the grief and sorrow of death. But imagine what it must have felt like to hear an angel say, ‘He is not here, He has risen!’ These women must have been shaking with…