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…
Author: Norm
Being Chosen
Talia Biel is a member at Crossroads Church. She is a sincere Jesus follower with a gift for connecting her faith to real life, and for sharing that through her writing. Check out her blog “Holding On To Faith. Hardships often prepare ordinary people for extraordinary destinies.” – C.S. Lewis When I was growing up, I…
Make us stronger!
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…
More amazing that we realize!
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…
Church growth Acts style
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…
His grace in me!
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…
Beacon of light
Talia Biel is a member at Crossroads Church. She is a sincere Jesus follower with a gift for connecting her faith to real life, and for sharing that through her writing. Check out her blog “Holding On To Faith. “Beyond the trees, there’s always light… Sometimes, I just wonder why we were put on this earth in…
Multiplication or division?
SCRIPTURE: Acts 14:1-7 “The people of the city did not agree with one another.” (Acts 12:4) There is certainly something divisive about Jesus. How can you hate a message of love, of mercy, of generosity, of compassion? But what if many people start living the Jesus life? It will impact the families and communities of those people….
Breaking the cycle
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 137 “Happy is the person who pays you back according to what you have done to us.” (Psalm 137:8) Can you imagine watching someone take your baby and smash them against the rocks? I get sick just thinking about this; I get the anger and anguish of those who endure this. This psalms ends with…
Seasons change
Talia Biel is a member at Crossroads Church. She is a sincere Jesus follower with a gift for connecting her faith to real life, and for sharing that through her writing. Check out her blog “Holding On To Faith. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) You know…