SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:26-31 Jesus is predicting a time of frightening violence. He basically tells these women to save their tears for another time. We do know that the fall of Jerusalem (AD 70) was a time like this. Jesus quotes Hosea, comparing this time of violence to the destruction of Israel (Hosea 10:8). A time so horrible,…
Telling yourself to focus on God!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 103 When I am discouraged, overwhelmed, scared, or troubled, what should I do? In moments like these, tell yourself to focus on God. In this Psalm David is engaging in ‘self-talk’, telling his soul (innermost being) to praise God. He then reviews all the great things about God, all the reasons why there is…
I did it… God’s way or my way?
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 40-45 This story needs to he understood in the context of world history. Violence, greed, perversion, corruption, injustice, misery – this was the norm. The governments enforced it, and the religions endorsed it. God sets up Israel to be a missionary people, to represent God’s justice and mercy to the world. To live God’s…
How much am I worth?
SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:13-25 How much am I worth? If the world had to choose between me and someone else, who would they choose? Me or the Queen, me or Pope Francis, me or Oprah Winfrey… If it was up to the masses, I know who would be worth more. But what if it was me or…
Turning Jesus into a side show!
SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:8-12 “But Jesus gave him no answer.” (Luke 23:9) Herod wanted to see some magic, but Jesus wouldn’t perform. So they mocked him, dressed him up like a king, and treated him like a fool. But Jesus did not join in his game, he did not satisfy his curiosity. Many people demand that Jesus prove…
Up-side down or right-side up?
SCRIPTURE: Luke 23:1-7 “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” (Luke 23:2) Two out of three… they were right on two of these charges. Jesus did not oppose paying taxes, but He did claim to be Messiah, a king. And this claim…
Not wanting to believe in Jesus!?
SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:66-71 People want to know who Jesus is. But when He tells them, they don’t want to believe it. His claims may sound far-fetched, but there was so much supporting evidence. “If I tell you, you will not believe me.” (Luke 22:67) It’s not that people couldn’t believe it, it’s that they didn’t want to….
Anchor your spirit to God!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 102 You may not be able to relate to all the details in the psalm. But you have probably had moments similar to this. When you feel discouraged or defeated, when there seems to be no hope. You are tired, drained of physical and emotional energy – you feel like you are withering. “My…
God’s will, not easy but good!
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 36-39 Obey the Lord by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared. But if you refuse to surrender, this is what the Lord has revealed to me… (Jeremiah 38:20-21) Surrender or suffer, these are Zedekiah’s choices. For a variety of reasons, God is allowing…
Thank You for loving me this much!
SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:63-65 Have you ever bullied someone like this? I have never beat anyone, but I have mocked and insulted classmates. I have also witnessed it, and it’s not pleasant. My heart goes out to those who are bullied. So does Jesus’ heart… and He knows how they feel. When we recall Who Jesus is,…