THE STORY OF JESUS: Genesis 28:10-31:55 “When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless.” (Matthew 29:31) Is this how God works, can we interpret our own lives this way? If someone is childless today, is that because God is balancing out other advantages? Does God always help…
God’s blessing continues…
THE STORY OF JESUS: Genesis 25:19-28:9 “I blessed him — and indeed he will be blessed!” (Genesis 27:33) The blessing of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) is at the heart of this book. In fact, the story of the bible is how God blesses us despite our unworthiness. The ‘heroes’ of the bible are not better than others, they are…
His grace through me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 5:38-42 “Do not resist an evil person.” (Matthew 5:39) Jesus is using specific examples to illustrate a general principle. Grace, not revenge, should be our motivating spirit. Go overboard – or the extra mile – to be kind and helpful to all people. Including an evil person, someone out to sue you,…
Keeping your word!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 5:33-37 “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37) Have you ever known someone who is a constant promise-breaker? They promise the world, but usually do not deliver? Such people eventually need to use ‘oaths’ to get people to believe…
Denouncing disposable marriage!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 5:31-32 “Makes her the victim of adultery.” (Matthew 5:31) In Jesus’ day, divorce was a one-sided matter, only men divorced their wives. Jesus is not denouncing the wives here, they were the victims. It is the men who legally could take and drop wives easily, for any excuse. This still happens today,…
Take sin seriously!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 5:27-30 “Already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28) Sin is not just bad actions, it is an attitude or inclination of the heart/mind. We have a sin-twisted, self-centered nature that poisons how we operate in the world. It starts in the heart, and moves from there to our words…
How will He work today?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 5 “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:3) According to Ben Franklin, only death and taxes are certain in this life. I would add one more thing… God. And this one certainty opens up a whole new…
He will provide my every kingdom need!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Genesis 21:1-25:18 “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” (Genesis 22:3) God promised a great family through Isaac, and Abraham believed it. When asked him to sacrifice Isaac, he knows its a test – God will keep Isaac alive. This test sounds disturbing to us, but Abraham took…
Twisted, yet chosen!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Genesis 18:1-20:18 “Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him.” (Genesis 18:18) Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘how odd of God to choose the Jews?’ I find all these stories ‘odd’ or ‘twisted’… Lot’s town wanting to rape the visitors, Lot…
Break the cycle of hate!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 5:21-26 “Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” (Matthew 5:22) The Pharisees focused on the details of the Law of Moses, to obey its words. Jesus is focusing on the heart – or point – of the Laws… love. We shouldn’t read these words like…