SCRIPTURE: Mark 8:11-13 There are different motivations for testing someone. A jealous employee may set up a fellow employee with an assignment, hoping that they will fail; a wounded counselee may test their counselor with limited information, to see how they will respond. Both are testing for selfish, personal reasons, but the counselee’s test is more…
God has to repeat Himself!
SCRIPTURE: Mark 8:1-10 Is this just another version of a single feeding miracle, or did it happen on several occasions. But if it happened on several occasions, why didn’t the disciples figure it out the second time? If they saw Him do it once, why did they not expect it again? Good question, though we should…
‘Bazinga!’
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 51 In 2 Samuel 11 we find the story of David fling with Bathsheba and his murderous coverup; in 2 Samuel 12 we read how God uses Nathan to ‘bazinga’ him (its a great story, read it!) Psalm 51 is the result of David’s exposure and humbling; he comes clean to God. God is not surprised by our sin,…
Show Your power… please!
SCRIPTURE: Mark 7:31-37 Oh that this healing power was as evident today as it was with Jesus. Many Christians believe it is, but I have not seen it at work like this. Just being honest, I have not seen obvious miraculous healings (from blind to seeing, from lame to walking, from deaf to hearing, from dead…
Jesus’ love is deeper than it appears!
SCRIPTURE: Mark 7:24-30 I’ve reflected on this story before, it’s hard to hear Jesus comparing this woman to a dog. Jesus seems to be dealing with something specific in this woman’s life (as He normally does with people). But this passage also allows me an opportunity to think deeper, and to not judge quickly. At first…
God’s mercies in disguise
This song gives a different spin on ‘blessings’. We pray for specific blessings, but what if God’s blessings come through raindrops… Take some time to think about the message of this song. Fell free to post your comments.
“Cleanse my heart, O God!”
SCRIPTURE: Mark 7:14-23 In the OT, Moses’ Law separated between ‘clean’ and ‘unclean’ foods. Here Mark observes that Jesus calls all food clean; Jesus is not just changing the Law, He has fulfilled it. The OT Laws were symbolic reminders for holiness, reminders that not everything is good for us. There is sin (uncleanness) and morality…
Do you feel this way?
Looking for loopholes.
SCRIPTURE: Mark 7:9-13 When the focus is on rules, then people start to look for loopholes. At a youth event, some swears just as they step out of the church; they see me and look sheepish, but then add, ‘at least it wasn’t in church’. Aside from the screwy temple theology (as if the church building…
Hollow religion satisfies no one!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 50 God is not impressed by our offerings, our acts of service, our songs or our buildings. He owns everything, He needs nothing from us; He is not needy or dependent on us. But He does want us to love and honour Him as God: “Bring me thank offerings, because I am your God.”…