Questions of an Amateur Human. Only an amateur human, I ask, How can it be? The Universal Constants, the mystery of a tree, the vast and awesome universe, a newborn baby’s cry, the search for love and justice; what happens when I die? The voice of Jesus echoes down through […]
Author: Geoff Francis
1. “God’s Kingdom, – here at last!” – Jesus
Matthew 4:17From that time on, Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!” Mark 1:14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near! Repent, and believe the good news!” “God in […]
2. “Turn back to God, accept the good news.” – Jesus
Matthew 4:17 From that time on, Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near!” Mark 1:14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near! Repent, and believe the good news!” “U […]
3. ” At rock-bottom?- Be Glad!” – Jesus
Matthew 5:1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside, and sat down. His disciples came to him,2 and he began to teach them, saying:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 “Blessed are those who mourn,for they will be comforted.5 “Blessed are the meek, for they […]
4. “Hungry for justice? – Be Glad!” – Jesus
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” How can they be comforted? The values of the Kingdom of God are upside down compared to […]
5. “Soft-hearted? Pure-hearted? – Be Glad!” – Jesus
Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.” 8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” “Will you rescue me? Can I trust you?” Blessed are the merciful… Blessed are the pure in heart! The values that God calls us to are often very different to the values applauded […]
6. “Peace-Makers, Whistle- Blowers, – Be Glad!” – Jesus
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10″Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” “Blessed are the Peace Makers” These words often remind me of an overnight tent protest I got involved with at the height of the Cold […]
7. “Suffering for me? – Be Glad!” – Jesus
Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Suffering for Me? Jesus warns his followers […]
8. “In the darkness, let your light shine!” – Jesus
Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the world. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. […]
9. “What is right, just and fair does not change!” – Jesus
Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from […]