THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 7:7-11 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7) These are not instructions for getting what we want from God. Jesus refers to ‘good gifts’ (v.11), and are in response to ‘good requests’. In the Lord’s…
We see Jesus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 8 “You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet.” (Psalm 8:6) Either this is God’s greatest gift, or His biggest mistake. To put humans in charge of this world, look at the mess we’ve made of it!? The kingdom of God is not just…
Your dream in me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Genesis 41:1-44:34 “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” (Genesis 41:38) Joseph the dreamer did not push himself or his dreams on others. Despite what he went through, he maintained the spirit of humility and integrity. Even Pharoah senses the spirit (character, power, wisdom) of…
I dreamed a dream…
THE STORY OF JESUS: Genesis 37:1-40:23 “Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.” (Genesis 37:5) Martin Luther King had a dream, and he was killed for it. Jesus had a dream (the kingdom of God), and He was killed for it. As the story unfolds, we…
Join me, don’t judge me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 7:1-6 “The speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and … the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3) Everyone has their own issues, which clouds how they see others issues. How can we judge others, when we ourselves are guilty in our own way. Our tendency is to see others sins…
So much better than worry!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 6:25-34 “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34) For the longest time, I found myself stressing about a host of problems. I thought, being forewarned was being forearmed, so I tried to anticipate every problem. What a stressful way to live. Add to that my concern about what people…
Healthy focus!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 6:19-24 “If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.” (Matthew 6:22) What we focus on impacts our whole life, for good or for bad. Healthy eyes refer to healthy focus, keeping our mind on what is good, positive, hopeful. A life focused on money is not healthy,…
Who is your audience?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 6:16-18 “So that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting…” (Matthew 6:18) Jesus is addressing the underlying motives behind our piety or good deeds. Do we make huge donations, or make ourselves appear pious, for others to see? I know growing up in the church, keeping up appearances…
Take a stand!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 7 “Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.” (Psalm 7:9) Children abducted and abused, women assaulted and raped. Girls kidnapped and put in the sex trade, dealers using drugs to enslave their victims. Those with disabilities taunted and bullied, those with mental illness ignored and…
The greatness of grace!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Genesis 34:1-36:43 “Your name will be Israel… I am God Almighty… A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants.” (Genesis 35:10,11) God-struggler (Israel) and God Almighty, what a team. God takes sinful, deceitful strugglers, and does great things through them. What gives me…