NorMel House Devotions

Read 1 Timothy 4:11-15 Paul wrote to Timothy to warn him about false teachers and to instruct him in church matters. In chapter four, he starts by explaining that there are some in the church pushing false teachings. They were teaching a strict practice of self-denial from marriage and foods (see 1 Timothy 4:3). Paul also warns against godless myths and old wives' tales (1 Timothy 4:7) and tells Timothy to instead train himself to be godly (1 Timothy 4:8). What follows, in our text, is instructions on how to live a godly life. We, too, can learn from Paul's instructions. As Christians, we, too, must set an example for others. One of the ways we can strive for godly behavior is devoting ourselves to reading scripture. Paul tells Timothy he has a gift from God that he must not waste. He urges Timothy to make his spiritual growth visible for others and to preach and teach others to do the same. There's a couple of things we can learn from Paul's instructions. First, we are...

Read Proverbs 1:1-7 The book of Solomon was written to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young and to make wise men wiser (see Proverbs 1:5). It is a "How to "book on living wisely. Our text is an introduction and sets the tone for the book.  We can expect to see more of the contrast between the wise and the fool, but especially about the fear of the Lord. Verse seven shows a stark contrast between those who fear the Lord and the fool that despises wisdom and discipline. Discipline is immediately set out as a good thing, something we should seek (Proverbs 1:2-3). We can see that the fear of the Lord is going to be a prominent theme throughout the book. Solomon tells us that serving the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Therefore, those who do not fear the Lord can not attain even the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). This tells us that not only is the book going to tell us how to live, but how to live in the fear of the Lord. We can read the ...

Read Ephesians 4:17-32 Paul, the writer of Ephesians, wants his readers to live, not as the gentiles do, but rather, live lives of Christian purity. In our text, he gives us a basic guide for how to put off our 'old selves' and not follow our deceitful desires. Paul points out that a life without God can lead to a life of impurity. Purity is essential for Christians. We are to put on our 'new selves' as we were created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:23). What does a life of purity look like? Paul gives us several examples of how we are to behave and what we shouldn't do. In verse 25, he tells us not to speak falsehood but speak truthfully to our neighbors. It is not enough to not lie. We MUST speak the truth. He also tells us that we must not sin in our anger. Not all anger is sin. However, we must not dwell in our anger. Dwelling on your anger gives the devil a foothold in your life (Ephesians 4:27). Paul then tells us it's not e...

Read Ephesians 4:1-16 As Christians, we are called to live Christ-like lives. We are called to be the body of Christ, and God gives us what we need to live a life worthy of our God-given call. The church is the body of Christ, and as there are many different parts to the body, so too, we have different callings in life. Some are to be apostles and prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, etc. In order to live Christ-like lives and fulfill our calling, we must be humble, patient, gentle, and bear with one another in love. Each has a part and needs to do its work. As there is only one body, there is also only one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father, and we are called to one hope. Christ is the one head, and from Him, the whole body is joined together, grows, and is built up in love. So live lives worthy of your God-given calling and realize we don't all have the same calling. For, "If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hea...

A prayer for the Ephesians.  Read Ephesians 3:14-21 Paul wrote the book of Ephesians to broaden the knowledge of his readers in regards to God's grace and providential plan. It's really no surprise that he stops to pray for his readers. What's interesting to note is how he starts his prayer. Typically, at that time, people stood to pray. Kneeling was done for royalty or people in positions of authority. It was a sign of respect and reverence. So, even in his praying, he is teaching his readers more about God. We should show all respect and reverence to God, and thus, like Paul, we ought to kneel when we pray. He continues to teach the reader by the things he prays about. Paul acknowledges that Christ is already present in the Ephesians' lives, but he wants them to have Christ in their hearts. He prays that Christ will be part of their whole being, and tells them how this is possible. Only God has the power to strengthen our faith. The Spirit is the one who works in our ...

  Read 2 Peter 1:1-8 Peter wrote the second book, 2 Peter, in order to teach his readers how to deal with false teachers and evil doers that had come into the church. As a servant and apostle of Jesus, Peter wanted to teach the reader how to live a life of Christian faith and practice.  In chapter one, Peter starts with trying to encourage Christian growth and gives a guideline for how to do so. As Christians, we are called to live our lives differently than the world. We are called to be active in our faith and not stay stagnant. Peter tells us that God has given us "everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him" (2 Peter 1:3). This means that knowing God helps us to know how we ought to live and how to "escape the corruption in the world caused by evil doers" (2 Peter 1:4). So how do we do all this? We seek God. Seek to know Him better. In seeking God, we are also seeking to add to our faith. We should seek goodness, knowledge, self-contro...

  Read 1 Corinthians 13 The book of 1 Corinthians was written by Paul to instruct the Church of Corinth on areas of immorality and spiritual weakness and to correct false teachings. Our text comes after a very well-known section about love. Paul is pointing out how we can't do anything fully without love. Love is greater than any other spiritual gifts we might be given. "Love never fails. But where there are prophesies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." (1 Corinthians 13:10) Thus far, the chapter has been an explanation on what love is and isn't. Our text gives comparisons about our love now and what love will look like when Christ returns. He is the 'perfection to come' (1 Corinthians 13:10). Paul uses three examples to make his point. First, there is the contrast between a child and a grown man. Children need to learn and grow in order to become grown-ups. Like children, we don't...

Read Hebrews 5:12-6:12 The author of Hebrews wrote to refute some ideas and practices that were not in line with the gospel. He tells the reader that although they have been Christians long enough to be mature in faith they have fallen for false teachings and need to go back to the basics of the gospel. He warns against the teachings about dead works, "instruction about washings, the laying on of hands", the false teachings about the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement (Hebrews 6:2). The reference to milk is in comparison to a child. Before a child eats solid food they drink milk. Milk is a basic staple and necessary for growth, however, in this instance it isn't really a positive comment. The author is telling them that they should be on solid food but instead need to go back to the basics like infants. The readers had fallen for false teachings and needed to go back to the basics of the gospel; Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Lord and His work of redemption ...

  Read Psalm 92 Psalm 92 is a psalm of praise, written to be sung on the Sabbath. It is a psalm of worship and declares God's great works (Psalm 92:1-5). The author makes a comparison between how the righteous flourish and the destruction of the wicked. He compares the wicked to grass. The wicked may seem to flourish and be everywhere, but they are weak like grass, and in the end, they will perish (Ps 92:7). In contrast, the author compares the righteous to a palm tree or a cedar of Lebanon. They are flourishing and will continue to be productive and useful, even in old age (Ps 92:14). Psalm 92 is very encouraging for us. When we look around and see unbelievers prospering, it can be hard to watch. Our text reminds us that this is only temporary, and the righteous shall flourish and prosper in the end, whereas the wicked are "doomed to destruction forever" (Psalm 92:7). Another thing to note is that the righteous do not get their strength and life in and from themselves. ...

Read Romans 5:12-21 Paul wrote the letter to the Romans because he truly wanted to minister to the Christians there. It's filled with several theological points to confirm the true doctrine of faith for the Roman Christians but also for us. In this particular section (Romans 5:12-21), Paul is talking about our death through Adam and our life through Christ. Just as all men fell through the sins of Adam, so, all men are saved by the righteousness of Christ. Paul points out that the law was given so that we might recognize our sins and, thus, realize how much grace truly means. We can see the stark contrast between our sins and God's holiness. Paul also points out that God's grace is sufficient to cover all sin. No matter how much we sin, "grace increased all the more." (Romans 5:21). We receive this grace that covers all, through the righteousness and work of Jesus Christ. We need never worry that we've sinned too much to be saved because the Bible teaches us t...

  Read Colossians 1 - 2:7 Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians to refute heresy in the area. Some were saying that Christ's work was not enough to obtain salvation. They were saying that believers have to follow a strict list of ceremonies, abstinence from foods, and several traditions in order to be saved. Paul refutes this by exalting Christ as the image of God (Col. 1:15), through whom all things were created (Col. 1:16), as the head of the church, first born from the dead (Col. 1:18). Paul wants them to know that Christ is completely adequate as the only source of our salvation. In our text, Paul is telling them that they received Christ and ought to live that way, "rooted and built-up in Him." How does one live in Christ? Paul is telling them to walk daily as Christians saved by grace through faith, not relying on traditions or "hollow and deceptive philosophy" (Col. 2:8).  We need to live as we are, dependent wholy on Christ Jesus.  Paul compares them t...

Read Colossians 1:1‭-‬10 Our passage has much to teach us but I think I an important thing to note is that Paul prayed without ceasing for God's people. In several of his letters, Paul makes the point of thanking God for the people and/or praying for them for various reasons. In Romans 1, he thanks God for them because their faith is talked about all of the world. He remembers them in his prayers at all times. In 1 Corinthians 1 verse 4, Paul thanks God for them because of God’s grace given them in Jesus Christ.  In  Philippians 1 verse 3, he tells them how he thanks God for them with joy. Then, in Colossians 1 verse 3, Paul thanks God for them because of their faith in Christ and love for the saints.  He goes on in verse 9 to say he does not stop praying for them and asking that they be filled with spiritual wisdom and understanding.  In 1 Thessalonians 1:2, Paul again says that he always thanks God for them; remembering their work produced by faith, labor prompted ...

Read 1 Peter 1 - 2:3 In chapter one, Peter writes to the believers scattered throughout Asia Minor. He writes about the new birth through the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the strength of their faith despite the trials they are going through. He calls them to be obedient and holy children, not living as they did before they became believers. He reminds them that they are "born again" of "imperishable seed" through the Word of God. This brings us to chapter 2 where Peter tells them to rid themselves of all "malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of all kinds" (1 Peter 2:1) because they aught to be like newborn babies. This new birth comes through the direct actions of the Holy Spirit, by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). We can see a connection between being "born again" in chapter 1 and being "newborn babies" in chapter 2. The example of a healthy baby's hunger for milk is compared to the hunger and thirst for the gospe...