NorMel House Devotions

Reading the book Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado and in the back there are study questions, one which asked "Which of these (God's) promises could combat the problem you're pondering today?" It led me to look up Rev 21:4 ("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.”) as this is one of God's promises that I cling to the most. I then wanted to look up the reference texts as I thought it was a quote from a different part of the Bible. I ended up looking up Isaiah 65:19, 20 and came across something I dont remember ever reading before and I just bawled. "I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. 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, for the young man shall die a hundred y...

  I love flowers. My body doesn't, but my brain and heart sure do. They remind me of so many things.  There is beauty in this world; God's creation is filled with beautiful things despite all the ugliness we've brought to the world.  God is the author of life. He gives life to all things and sustains it despite our neglect.  God is faithful; year after year I see the delicate beauty in the flowers that keep coming back. These tiny little flowers may seem delicate but God gives them all they need to get through the harsh seasons. So even though they make me sick lol I'm thankful for them. Mel of the NorMel House

  Oh how hard it can be to hold our tongues... or keep our fingers from typing. We so easily criticize others yet push our own thoughts on them. Its so easy to see something on social media and reply without thinking. Oh how different it would be if we all thought things through carefully before we speak/type and graciously considered how our words might affect others. #guardmytongue #givemegrace #wwjd #ephesians429

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

  "...yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."  I recently had a conversation about moments (in truth I have this conversation alot) and this just solidifies my thinking. We only have moments. Some people get years worth of moments, others get only a few. We ought to appreciate the moments we have, in humility, because we do not know how many moments we will have. We're here for "a little time" it seems to me that James 4 is telling us how to live those moments, not in fighting or coveting, but in yearning for the Spirit and submitting ourselves humbly to God. How often don't we waste the moments we're given on selfish things or with sinful attitudes. I'm reminded once again that each moment is a precious gift from God and should be used wisely.

"I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20 Yesterday, today and every day.  I am nothing. In and of myself I am just a broken sinner. But for the grace of God I would be lost. In a broken world filled with sorrow, pain, disease, fights and anger only God's grace can heal the heart, calm the soul and bring redemption. May I always seek you first.  Mel of the NorMel House

  When facing the problems of this world do you believe that God can fix it? It's easy to praise Him when life is easy, but like today's #TuesdayTunes says we need to praise the Lord in every moment! "Praise the Lord with the world on your shoulders Praise the Lord when it seems too hard Praise the Lord 'cause in every moment Jesus Christ is Lord Even in the middle of the long, dark night There is always grace enough today to Praise the Lord" Take a listen to The City Harmonic singing " Praise the Lord "  https://youtu.be/Lm7V-26flkQ #PraisetheLord #Hisgraceisenough #ChristisLord #gracefortoday #TheCityHarmonic