Author: Norm

You can find more about my weekly Bible readings HERE. This week I am focusing on Psalm 1 (Monday, June 29 – Sunday July 5)

SCRIPTURE: Acts 15:12-21 “We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” (Acts 15:20) God’s ultimate goal is to invite everyone into His family, saints, sinners and all. Not everyone accepts, but those who do should be gently loved towards Jesus. Don’t expect absolute transformation right away, people need time to grow….

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 138 “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.” (Psalm 138:7) At one time, being a Christian was being a part of the majority culture. That is changing, being a follower of Jesus is no longer culturally normal. Now there are many gods and religions (also atheism, the religion of ‘no…

SCRIPTURE: 2 Thessalonians 3 “Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed.” (2 Thessalonians 3:14) Paul is concerned about lazy Jesus followers, and warns the church about them. But Paul is not advocating shunning them ignoring, making them feel unloved. The word translated ‘associate’ means to be mixed up with, to join with. Paul is…

SCRIPTURE: 2 Thessalonians 1-2 “Your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” (2 Thessalonians 1:4) These young believers had been severely persecuted… yet they remained strong. They also heard that they had missed the Lord’s return (2 Thessalonians 2:2). I don’t know much about the end of time, but I am inspired, by these believers. Persecution and confusing…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 15:1-11 “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1) Christians have been adding on to God’s grace for centuries. Unless you belong to the true church, or unless you are baptized the proper way. Unless you speak in tongues, or unless you tithe, or pray for…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 14:21-28 “Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” (Acts 14:22) As a missionary, Paul keeps moving on after starting a church. I think about the new believers as he moves on, how weak in their faith. No bibles, no Christian book stores, no internet sermons, no churches. Nothing but the memory…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 14:8-20 “We too are only human, like you.” (Acts 14:15) I am just a messenger, human, like everyone I serve. I am not superhuman, nor am I less than human. There’s no fear that people will mistake me for a god. But my weaknesses might qualify me as a fraud. “For I am the least…