Author: Norm

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…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 24:1-16 “I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect.” (Acts 24:14) I like this line, “as a follower of the Way”. Christianity has become just another religion, like Judaism. After centuries of ‘Christendom’, Jesus seems lost in the murkiness of religion. I…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 23:23-35 “There was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment.” (Acts 23:29) As Jesus followers, we should not be guilty of crimes against the state or it’s citizens. Paul was charged with differing religious beliefs, not with murder or theft. Similarly, Jesus could not be charged for serious crimes, except devotion to God. “If…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 23:12-22 “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.” (Acts 23:14) In the name of the Lord, these men vow to murder Paul. And the religious leaders join in by being accomplices to the ambush. How is it that religious people can turn violence into spiritual devotion? This…

You can find more about my weekly Bible readings HERE. This week I am focusing on Psalm 139 (Monday, August 24 – Sunday August 30)

SCRIPTURE: Acts 23:6-11 “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11) I’m not sure that I find this message very encouraging. Better if God had said, “Take courage, I am with you!” Or “Take courage, I will get you out of this!” If testifying in Jerusalem…

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 146 “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” (Psalm 146:3) Which political system is best for establishing world peace and blessing? Communism, Socialism, Capitalism, Democracy? Conservatives, Liberals, New Democrats? Every politician believes their plan will bring about the best results. And yet year after year, term after term, decade…