Yes, this is what I am struggling with too, that somehow we have miscommunicated Jesus’ good news. It’s not about getting people saved, it’s about the life-changing experience of living in, with and for Jesus! It’s about following Jesus, not in order to be saved, but because there is safety and security in Him, with…
Author: Norm
grace AND repentance
There are two readings for today. SCRIPTURE: Malachi 4 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike…
still eager to welcome us back!
There are two readings for today. SCRIPTURE: Malachi 3 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not…
misdirected zeal?
SCRIPTURE: Malachi 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; [Malachi 2:7-8] A harsh warning to the religious leaders; they are…
He deserves so much more!
SCRIPTURE: Malachi 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty. [Malachi 1:8] Malachi exposes the empty, heartless worship of God’s people….
mercy mixed with fear
SCRIPTURE: Jude 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. [Jude 1:22-23] Apparently there is a crisis in this church, some believers have twisted the faith for their own pleasure and advantage. Jude is concerned…
the real miracle
There are two readings for today. SCRIPTURE: 3 John 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. [3 John 1:2] John prays for good health and success for his dear friend Gaius, but he does so on the basis…
so simple, and yet…
There are two readings for today. SCRIPTURE: 2 John 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning,…
trusting God’s chosen one
SCRIPTURE: Haggai 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: ‘On that day,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. [Haggai 2:23] There are three sections in today’s reading. The first describes the lesser beauty…
give careful thought to your ways
SCRIPTURE: Haggai 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse…