Author: Norm

SCRIPTURE: Song of Solomon 1-9 This is a Jewish love song; I am not really sure what I hear God saying in it. Some see this as an allegory, symbolic of the love between Christ and the Church. Others see it as a celebration of the gift of love, a beautiful gift from God. Maybe…

SCRIPTURE: Luke 11:27-28 “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke 11:28) Many were impressed by Jesus, hopeful that He was God’s Messiah. One imagines how blessed His mother must be. Yes, she was blessed, but recall Simeon’s words about what this meant: “Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary,…

SCRIPTURE: Luke 11:24-26 Is Jesus describing how spirits actually operate, or is this a parable? I see it as somewhere in-between, somewhat true and somewhat a parable. Jesus is describing what happens when a person is freed from the grip of some evil bondage. For example, an alcoholic who quits alcohol — there are both spirits…

SCRIPTURE: Luke 11:14-23 Jesus was healing, helping, blessing, inspiring, accepting, forgiving… and they accused Him of working for Satan!? Jesus main point here is that He – and God, and the love of God – is greater in power than evil. And God’s kingdom reality – goodness, love, life, healing, joy – is at hand, and…

SCRIPTURE: Luke 11:5-13 “How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13) ‘God, please fix my marriage, please heal my cousin’s friend’s nephew, please help me pay my bills, please give be safe travel, please help me find a job, please let me get into that University,…

This Sunday (May 11) I am speaking on Luke 11:1-13. Please write a sentence or two of what You hear God saying in this passage?

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 84 The theme of this song is the joy of be close to God. For the Jews, that closeness was represented by the temple (God’s dwelling place). But Jesus came to make our hearts a place where God dwells. “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we…