SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:13-23 “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.” (Acts 13:23) Although I am not a Jew, I am closely connected to their story. To become human, God had to choose a specific race and culture. He worked through the everyday stories of Abraham and David to raise…
Author: Norm
Use me, Lord
SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:4-12 “Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said…” (Acts 13:9) I have never experienced the Spirit’s leading like this. As Jesus-followers, we all have the Spirit of Jesus. (Matthew 10:19-20). The Spirit is not a power we control (making people blind, or healing people, at our disposal). The Spirit is a power…
The day after Sunday
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. My Pastor on Sunday asked the congregation to raise their hand if they are part of a…
To seek the Lord with intensity
SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:25-13:3 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said…” (Acts 13:2) I can’t recall ever worshiping and fasting as a church like this. Fasting has not been a part of our church practice (I’ve fasted personally). I like how it’s not about fasting, but about worshiping, and praying, with fasting. To…
The humbled exalted
SCRIPTURE: Acts 12:19-24 “But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.” (Acts 12:24) Luke (the author of Acts) is giving his commentary on what happened. He is interpreting the news of the day in light of the kingdom of God. The word of God (the message of Jesus, not the bible) is spreading and growing….
More than a feeling
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. I grew up in love with the country way of life . It started off with listening to…
Praise THIS Lord!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 135 “Our Lord is greater than all gods.” (Psalm 135:5) There is only one God, but there are many pictures of God. These pictures (‘gods’) are projections from our minds, ways that we see God. God warns people against making pictures (idols), because they always fall short. All of us are guilty of shaping our…
Whatever you do
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3-4 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17) In this section, Paul is advising us how to live as Jesus followers. Stay focused on God and Jesus, resist the power of sin, overflow…
Putting down the magazine
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. She stands in the grocery line getting her usual coconut water and strawberries, when something catches her…
The real thing?
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 1-2 “These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” (Colossians 2:17) Jesus has set us free from religion, the shadows that make us appear spiritual. Spiritual practices cannot save us from sin, death or hell… only Jesus can. Jesus is the fullness of God given…