Author: Norm

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 4-5 “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5) A lion, the king of the beasts; Jesus is the Lion King Who has triumphed over Satan, sin and death. “Then I saw a…

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1-3 “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” (Revelation 1:17-18) John is in exile on the Isle of Patmos because of his faith in…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 25:13-22 “About a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.” (Acts 25:19) It’s interesting to hear someone else describe what we believe. I have to admit, it sounds ludicrous to me. How do people hear what we believe, how do they describe it? How do you hear what others believe – like Scientologists,…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 25:1-12 “I appeal to Caesar!” (Acts 25:11) Does Paul appeal to Caesar to be set free, or to avoid an ambush by the Jews? “As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11) Paul knows he is destined for Rome to share God’s message of grace. He’s not afraid…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 24:22-27 “As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid…” (Acts 24:25) Witnessing to others may not lead to conversions, but it will have an impact. One reason some people react strongly is because the message hits home. They sense something deep within that is unsettling. Paul’s message provoked fear…

You can find more about my weekly Bible readings HERE. This week I am focusing on Psalm 146 (Monday, August 31 – Sunday September 6)

SCRIPTURE: Acts 24:17-21 “It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.” (Acts 24:21) At the heart of the good news is the hope of the resurrection. For Paul everything hinges on whether the resurrection is true or not. “For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not…

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 147 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” (Psalm 147:3-4) A God that is both great (determines the stars) and good (heals the brokenhearted). The gods of other religions are usually either great (strong, mighty) OR good (kind, forgiving, gentle)….

SCRIPTURE: 2 John 1, 3 John 1 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4) Not just believing the truth, but walking in it, living out the love that it is all about. Compare with his frustration with Diotrophes and the church as a whole: “I wrote to the church,…

SCRIPTURE: 1 John 1-5 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” (1 John 3:16) How do you summarize a whole letter in one verse, in one paragraph? One word is enough to summarize what John wants to…