SCRIPTURE: Micah 1:1-7:20 “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.” (Micah 6:3) As we go through the prophets, their messages start to sound the same. Again and again and again, the same message — it get’s tiring, frustrating as a reader. How much more frustrating for God! Again and…
Author: Norm
A reason not to be afraid!
SCRIPTURE: John 14:25-31 “The prince of this world is coming.” (John 30) Adam and Eve were supposed to be God’s prince’s and princess’. But they surrendered their position and authority to Satan (Genesis 3). Now the kingdom of light has become the dominion of darkness. God’s kingdom is goodness and peace, wisdom and truth. Satan’s dominion is wickedness…
My invisible friend?
SCRIPTURE: John 14:15-24 “The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17) Let’s be honest, God is invisible to us, so is Jesus, so is the Spirit. Yet so many people throughout history claim to ‘see’ God,…
God in the garden
SCRIPTURE: John 14:5-14 “I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” (John 14:11) God is ‘out there’, beyond creation, beyond our reach or ability to grasp. How do you relate to an invisible, incomprehensible Being? God’s plan from the beginning was to make Himself visible. “Then the man and his wife heard the sound…
There’s no place like home!
SCRIPTURE: John 14:1-4 “My Father’s house has many rooms.” (John 14:2, NIV) “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” (John 14:2, KJV) This old version makes it sound like we will all live in palaces. The actual Greek word is a form of the word ‘to remain, stay’. A place to remain, a place to stay. In God’s…
Waiting
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 119:74-96 “How long must your servant wait?” (Psalm 119:84) Trusting in the Lord does not make like easier. In fact, often the struggles increase. We find ourselves fighting against the current, against the wind. We commit to doing the right thing, and then the situation worsens. Telling the truth at work can make things better,…
Before you speak, t.h.i.n.k.
For people who need hope…
SCRIPTURE: Nahum 1-3 “Woe to the city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without victims!” (Nahum 3:1) Mosul is an Iraqi city under ISIS occupation. Citizens describe the occupation as hellish: beheadings, stonings, forced conversions, rape, men forced to fight jihad and young girls forced to marry ISIS soldiers. Like Nineveh in ancient Assyria…
His great compassion
*** Today’s readings will be divided, Jonah today and Nahum tomorrow. *** SCRIPTURE: Jonah 1-4 Niniveh is the capitol of Assyria, a occupying nation over Israel. Jonah hates Assyria (like a Palestinian might hate Israel today). But God uses fishy means to get him to go to ‘sin city’ with His message. ‘Repent or perish’: when…
Love under the spotlight
SCRIPTURE: John 13:31-38 “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.” (John 13:31) What does it mean to be glorified? I think of it as having a spotlight shone on you. You are highlighted, honoured, celebrated, recognized for what is good. Because of Who Jesus is, how Jesus lives and dies and…