SCRIPTURE: John 3:1-15 “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5) Jesus is talking to a teacher from Israel who would have been familiar with the prophet Ezekiel. “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all…
Joining Jesus in His zeal!
SCRIPTURE: John 2:13-25 “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” (John 2:16) Have you ever felt righteous anger, that is anger for the suffering for others, or anger over injustice? I’ve felt it when watching movies about the holocaust, or news reports about child sex slaves. Can you imagine how much…
Seeing signs in my life!
SCRIPTURE: John 2:1-12 “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11) If someone said they had superpowers, would you believe them? You would want proof, maybe a demonstration of said superpower? For centuries people were hoping a…
Greater than Jacob!
SCRIPTURE: John 1:43-51 “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” (John 1:51) In Genesis 28, as Jacob flees his brother, he spends the night in the middle of nowhere. While he sleeps with a rock for a pillow, God appears to him…
My story
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 107 “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story…” (Psalm 107:2) This is a great reading for the Thanksgiving weekend (in Canada). We are encouraged to tell our God stories, how God helped or rescued or saved or restored us. God’s…
Witnesses to the message of Jesus!
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 1-5 “You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.” (Ezekiel 2:7) Ezekiel’s job is not to convert anyone, just to let them see and hear the message from God. It will not be easy or nice, since God is challenging the people. But everyday that…
People like ‘Rocky’ and ‘Scrappy’
SCRIPTURE: John 1:35-42 “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). (John 1:42) This is not a formal, ceremonial name change, but a keen personal observation. Like when meeting a tough in your face fighter, and saying, ‘I think I’ll call you Scrappy’. Jesus sees into who Simon is…
God’s Chosen One!
SCRIPTURE: John 1:29-34 “The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) “The one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.” (John 1:33) “This is God’s Chosen One.” (John 1:34) Each one of these claims is remarkable. There is no hesitation for John – Jesus is the hope of the world. If we don’t…
Who I’m not
SCRIPTURE: John 1:19-28 “‘I baptize with water,’ John replied, ‘but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’” (John 1:26-27) We are called to represent God, to point the way to God, to help people see and understand…
The fullness of God in the flesh
SCRIPTURE: John 1:6-18 Who was John the Baptist, Who was Jesus – the early Jesus-followers had to figure this out. They knew what a prophet was, they had a long list of prophets they knew of. John was definitely a prophet, someone who pointed the way to the truth. But Jesus was different; though something of…