Author: Norm

SCRIPTURE: Acts 19:13-22 “In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” (Acts 19:20) The ‘word of the Lord’ is not the bible, but the message about Jesus. The bible was not written yet; it was the testimony of Jesus that was spreading. And what inspired people to believe was the evidence…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 19:8-12 “Arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 19:8-12) The kingdom of God, we hardly ever talk about it as christians. We talk about church, worship, being saved, born again, missions, etc. But the heart of Paul’s message, and Jesus’ message, was the kingdom of God. “Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news…

You can find more about my weekly Bible readings HERE. This week I am focusing on Psalm 46 (Monday, July 27 – Sunday August 2)

SCRIPTURE: Acts 19:1-7 “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2) Were these disciples truly converted, or were they not yet born again? How could they be called ‘disciples’ if they had not received the Spirit yet? The point of these questions is to warn us against turning faith into a formula. The Spirit…

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 142 “Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.” (Psalm 142:7) David is literally in a dark place (a cave), but also figuratively (desperate). He is feeling weak, vulnerable, overwhelmed, scared, doomed, trapped, defeated. I like how he…

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 9-10 “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God…

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 6-8 “Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (Hebrews 7:26) Because creation fell victim to human rebellion, God had to intervene. The first stage was an arrangement (covenant) unveiled through Moses. He rescued an enslaved people and put them under a strict…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 18:18-28 “He spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.” (Acts 18:25) Apollos is a learned man, a bible scholar, and a gifted communicator. He vigorously defended Jesus as the Messiah, with great fervor and boldness. He seems to be anointed with the Spirit to witness…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 18:9-17 “Persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.” (Acts 18:13) The message of Jesus is that we are justified before God by faith, not the Law. The Law can only show us how we fail, it cannot make us right or help us change. Jesus fulfills the Law for us,…

SCRIPTURE: Acts 18:1-8 “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” (Acts 18:6) Paul is referring to the ‘watchman’ task found in Ezekiel 3, “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and…