NorMel House Devotions

How truly great is His mercy and love, That He should come down from up above, That He should choose a wretch like me, And send his Son to Calvary, To die the death that I deserve And from God's eternal wrath preserve To save my soul from the depths of hell So of His love I know I shall, Sing praise to his almighty Name And thank Him for removing my shame. Freed from His punishment and wrath So by His Spirit I follow the path That God in his great love has planned Till in His house I forever stand. Melynda Hoeksema 

How truly great is His mercy and love, That He should come down from up above, That He should choose a wretch like me, And send His Son to calvary, To die a death that I deserve, And from God's eternal wrath preserve, To save my soul from the depths of hell, So of His love I know I shall, Sing praise to His almighty Name, And thank Him for removing my shame. Freed from His punishment and wrath By His Spirit I follow the path That God in His great love has planned Til in His house I forever stand. Melynda Hoeksema 

Oh how heavy my heart My eyes are dry as there's no tears left to cry What are we doing? What lies are we spreading? Like cancer they grow Like a river slowly pushing its way down a mountain Carving small pathways in the rock Each lie, each falsehood creating tiny cracks in our faith They push their way down, slowly eating their way through what once was strong We let our selfishness dictate the path we choose and call it new understanding  We let our own desires change our beliefs because what we feel can't possibly be wrong We call it worshipping God though we ignore what He's asked of us The world is slipping in through the cracks We're so bombarded by sin that we don't see how far we're falling Satan is laughing and delighting in the lies that have found their way in. He whispers and tempts and tells us our selfish desires can't possibly be wrong Oh how like Adam and Eve we are Choosing to believe we now know better

 I close my eyes, basking in the gentle warmth of the sun Its light kissing the surface of everything around me The soft hum of cars passing by barely breaks the silence of the morning And I am at peace. Though the world is living in fear Though the virus has put us all in isolation  Though we know not what tomorrow brings I find myself content. Here in this moment, the sun wrapping me in a warm soft hug, in the quiet before the day begins, I find God. It's as if He's sent this comforting sunshine to remind me of His unfailing love.  Just as the sun is holding me, He holds me And as the sun gives life, so He is the giver of all life  I find peace and comfort in this moment I'm thankful. Thankful for this moment of calm before the day ahead Thankful for the gentle reminder of God's grace Thankful for the strength I find in Him The day has begun Melynda Hoeksema

My thoughts are filled with sadness And my mind can't find a way It all just feels so heavy, Lord I don't know how to face the day. You've created us so intricate An amazing, complex design But my body is so broken Lord The pain has filled my mind I'm overwhelmed and weary I don't know what to do With heavy heart yet hopeful Lord, I can only turn to You. Mel in The NorMel House, feeling the struggle today

 June 15, 2004 A Psalm O Lord, my God and King Hasten to my aid I am weary with my crying May Satan's hand be stayed Rescue me from evil From temptations fierce and strong I am dragged down by my own sin For Your strength Oh Lord, I long Within me is a constant war I cannot fight alone O God of Glory, hear me! I pray don't leave me on my own For without Your mighty Hand O Lord, I'd surely die Save me from myself, O God Please hear my constant cry You alone can save me All my trust is in Your Name For You alone are powerful From age to age the same O God, You are ever merciful I know You hear my plea I trust that in Your Will and time You will answer me Mel of the NorMel House