SCRIPTURE: Luke 7:1-10 “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Heidelberg Catechism, QA 21 — “What is true faith? True faith is not only a sure knowledge by which I hold as true all that God has revealed to us in Scripture; it is also a wholehearted trust, which the…
Author: Norm
A God worth respecting
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 76 “People should have respect for you alone. Who can stand in front of you when you are angry?” (Psalm 76:7) People who have experienced God’s saving power do not need to be told to respect God. This Psalm tells how the Israelites worshiped God because of how He helped them from their enemies. Has…
A love that fears, a fear that loves!
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 1-4 “If you really want to gain knowledge, you must begin by having respect for the Lord. But foolish people hate wisdom and training.” (Proverbs 1:7) According to this verse, the key to knowledge or wisdom is a healthy respect or appreciation (fear, awe) of God. On the one hand, God is so awesome –…
Words are not enough!
SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:46-49 When we first bought our home, we got a shed kit that recommended building a wooden base beneath it. That was too much work, and we laid the shed directly on the ground. Six years later, and you can see how the ground has twisted it; the doors no longer open properly. I…
Can’t hide the fruit on my branches
SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:43-45 The main point here is that our words and actions reveal our hearts. Obviously, all of us can be a mixed bag of fruit – good and bad. But generally speaking, there is a pattern that reveals the heart. Am I generally good fruit, with an occasional bad one? Or generally bad fruit,…
Who am I to judge?
SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:37-42 What gives me the right to stand in judgment over someone else? If I myself am limited (blind) or have issues (pieces of wood), how can I lead others? Human judges and teachers are not better than others; we’re all equally human. God created us to bless (build up) others, but humans seem…
Just like Dad!
SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:32-36 Adam and Eve were created to be like God… in God’s likeness. They were sons and daughters of God, not just because God created them but because they acted like God. Loving, doing good, sharing with those in need… just like the Most High God. When Adam and Eve sinned, they became like…
An open book exam!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 75 The universe, and everything in it, comes from, and depends on, God. God appointed humans to run it for Him, but sadly we’re not doing so well. God has given us freedom to live and love and lead… but there will be a final exam. This final exam will be ‘open book’, when…
“Has It Ever Occurred to You That You Might Be Wrong?”
SCRIPTURE: Job 38-42 “I spoke about things I didn’t completely understand. I talked about things that were too wonderful for me to know.” (Job 42:3) This will be the chorus of all humanity when they finally stand before God. How often we spout our religious opinions as if we are in a position to really know. The…
The way of love
SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:27-31 In the world according to God, things run very differently. Imagine life with Adam and Eve, how they might have handled relationships? Though without sin, there could still be misunderstanding, miscommunication, unintended hurts, mistakes. Would they respond with anger, smart comebacks, revenge… No, they were trained in love, joy, peace, patience, etc., the…