NorMel House Devotions

Some days, the words just flow through my fingers and onto the page. I feel like a conduit, not a writer. But then there are days when the words just don't seem to come; when there's so much on my heart, but I just can't seem to put it into words. Grief can have that effect sometimes. There are no words that will truly express my thoughts and feelings right now, so I'll let God's Word speak for itself: No more shall there be in it     an infant who lives but a few days,     or an old man who does not fill out his days Isaiah 65:20 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.                           ...

Titus 3:7 "So that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." It's amazing how so much can be packed into such a short sentence. In our text Paul says, "that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." We've already taken a look at justification but, now, let's look at what it means to be heirs of God. On several occasions, in the Bible, we are called heirs of God and even co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). What does this mean for us? It is a promise of much but, also, an obligation; both of which should have a great impact on our lives. Jesus said, "My Father's house has many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?" As Heirs, we have the promise of a home with God. We can also look forward to a feast as Jesus often spoke about a heavenly banquet. There are also verses in the Bible that te...

  Titus 1:11  “They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach – and that for the sake of dishonest gain” We saw in our last text how Satan can work in subtle ways. There were deceitful men in the church, teaching false doctrine, and here Paul tells us it was for “dishonest gain”. These men had the wrong motives and were trying to convince others of their lies. Even today, it’s easy to see that many preachers are in it for money or fame. They put themselves out there as men of God, but they subvert the gospel and have selfish reasons for preaching. Their message does not align with God’s word; it may sound close to the truth, but they slip in falsehoods and give more attention to the wants and desires of man. So how does Paul tell us to deal with these men? Paul tells us “They must be silenced” meaning we must rebuke them! This may sound harsh, but the Bible tells us in Matthew 18:6 that “If anyone causes one of ...

  Titus 1:1-3 "Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness -  a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at His appointed season He brought His word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior" Ever notice how sometimes time seems to fly by and other times it seems to drag? Our view of time is linear, and we see things in sequences of events. God, however, is timeless, and His timing in our lives is perfect. 2 Peter 3:8-9 says, “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the LORD, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God is outside of time, He knows all th...

 Read Ephesians 6:10-20 Paul wrote to the Ephesians with many instructions on how we, as Christians, are to live our lives. He comes to the close of the letter addressing how we will be able to live the way he has instructed. Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God, being strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Why? Because we are in the midst of a war! We are fighting spiritual warfare against darkness and the spiritual forces of evil, both here on earth and in the heavenly realms. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 says, "For though we walk in the flesh we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds." How can we, simple and sinful beings, possibly hope to fight the things we can not even see? Paul tells us to stand firm, to "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." Some believe that Paul had Isaiah 59:17 in mind, as it says ther...

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 ...