THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 135 “Our Lord is greater than all gods.” (Psalm 135:5) There is only one God, but there are many pictures of God. These pictures (‘gods’) are projections from our minds, ways that we see God. God warns people against making pictures (idols) because they always fall short. When this psalm speaks about…
Author: Norm
Putting on the new me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Colossians 3-4 “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3) When we surrender our lives to Jesus, our identity is changed. I am no longer Norm, I am Norm in Christ, and Christ in me. The old me was cursed, doomed, defeated, trapped, hopeless, weak. Because…
His goodness overflowing through me!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Colossians 1-2 “A life worthy of the Lord… bearing fruit in every good work!” (Colossians 1:10) Paul is very encouraged by how the Colossian disciples are doing (1:3-7). But he is still praying fervently for them, as he senses they may be losing their focus. He repeatedly stresses the’fullness’ and ‘completeness’ of Christ….
The Lord responds to weak faith too!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 12:12-19 “When they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.” (Acts 12:16) The disciples were gathered in fear, desperately praying for Peter’s release. When someone is pounding on the door at night, their fear intensifies. Rhoda sneaks to the door, sees Peter, then forgets to open it in her shock….
Nice for Peter, but what about James?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 12:1-11 “Herod had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.” (Acts 12:2) This story is about how the Lord miraculously rescues Peter from prison. But what I notice is how James is NOT miraculously rescued. James and John had asked to sit at Jesus’s right hand in His…
Scattered witnesses!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 11:19-30 “Those who had been scattered… began to speak to the Greeks also” (Acts 11:19-20) God has made us to be His voice, His hands, His feet. When humanity sinned, He has been sending people as messengers to call us back. But God’s messengers are not always eager or willing (like Jonah)….
Very helpful videos!
This coming Sunday I am speaking on Genesis 38, the sad story of Tamar. I have found the “Read Scripture” videos from Bible Project very helpful for understand the bible. Watch these videos if you want to get a sense of how the story of Genesis 38 fits into the rest of the book, and the rest…
Even to… THEM!?!?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Acts 11:1-18 “Even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18) Can you think of someone that you would be surprised if they repented? Someone so immoral, so impossibly stubborn or so different? What stands out for me here is the words ‘God has granted repentance’. Literally ‘given’, God…
Praise God on the night shift!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 134 “Servants who minister by night in the house of the Lord!” (Psalm 134:1) This psalm urges the priests not to stop working in the night shift. When no one is around, or no one is looking, or things are dark and scary. In those times too, praise the Lord and anticipate…
To know Jesus like THIS!!!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Philippians 3-4 “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11) As far as his worldly situation and struggles, Paul is content. He doesn’t worry himself about food or money or possessions or being in prison. But when it comes to desire for God’s best and blessing, he is driven. “I…