Oct2017
Excess baggage?
He called the twelve disciples together and sent them out two by two. He gave them authority over the evil spirits and ordered them, ‘Don’t take anything with you on the trip except a walking stick – no bread, no beggar’s bag, no money in your pockets. Wear sandals, but don’t carry a spare shirt.’… Read more
Oct2017
What you say and what you do
‘Now what do you think? There was once a man who had two sons.’ He went to the older one and said, “Son, go and work in the vineyard today.” “I don’t want to,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the… Read more
Sep2017
Maybe shame but not defeat
To you, O LORD I offer my prayer; in you, my God, I trust. Save me from the shame of defeat; don’t let my enemies gloat over me! (verses 1, 2) Read Psalm 25: 1-9 There’s nothing like the threat of defeat to focus our attention on ourselves and what we need from the Lord. King David offers… Read more
Sep2017
Jesus amazes us
He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this confusion? Why are you crying? The child is not dead – she is only sleeping!’ They started making fun of him, so he put them all out, took the child’s father and mother and his three disciples, and went into the room where the child… Read more
Sep2017
Do we really want our pigs back?
The men who had been taking care of the pigs ran away and spread the news in the town and among the farms. People went out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they saw the man who used to have the mob of demons in him. He was sitting there,… Read more
Sep2017
Coping with storms
So they left the crowd; the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats were there too. Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the waves began to spill over into the boat, so that it was about to fill with water. Jesus was… Read more
Sep2017
First you have to plant the seed
‘What shall we say the Kingdom of God is like?’ asked Jesus. ‘What parable shall we use to explain it? It is like this. A man takes a mustard seed, the smallest seed in the world, and plants it in the ground. After a while it grows up and becomes the biggest of all plants…. Read more
Sep2017
Living on my farm
‘Some of the seed fell among thornbushes, which grew up and choked the plants, and they didn’t bear any grain. But some seeds fell in good soil, and the plants sprouted, grew, and bore grain: some had thirty grains, others sixty, and others a hundred.’ And Jesus concluded, ‘Listen, then, if you have ears!’ Read… Read more
Sep2017
An abundant measure
‘They took their money and started grumbling against the employer. “These men who were hired last worked only one hour;’ they said, “while we put up with a whole day’s work in the hot sun – yet you paid them the same as you paid us!” “Listen, friend,” the owner answered one of them, “I… Read more
Sep2017
Slow to become angry
People will speak of your mighty deeds, and I will proclaim your greatness. They will tell about all your goodness and sing about your kindness. The LORD is loving and merciful, slow to become angry and full of constant love. (verses 6-8) Read Psalm 145: 1-8 I know plenty of people who are quick to… Read more
