Vol. 16 No. 52 | December 30, 2013

What if you could keep the New Year’s resolutions you are about to make?

What if you could have a better marriage?

What if you could be a better parent?

What if you could get the promotion in your company?

What if you could teach that class at church?

What if you could lead that small group study?

What if you could share the gospel with that person you work with?

What if you could change your bad habits?

What if you could overcome your shyness?

What if you could stop using bad language?

What if you could stop feeling sorry for yourself?

What if you could stop living with a victim mentality?

What if you could improve your financial situation?

What if you could do great things for the Kingdom of God?

What if you could change the atmosphere in your workplace, in your home, or in your church?

What if you could forgive the person who hurt you so deeply?

What if you could get beyond your past?

What if you could forgive yourself for mistakes you have made?

What if you could be forgiven for your sins and begin a new life?

What if you could do those things, would you? Sound impossible? Maybe. But what if you could? Would you? Before you answer consider these statements from the New Testament.

Jesus once asked a similar question in John 5:5-9 (NIV):

One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

In another place Jesus is questioned by His disciples about why they could not drive out demons:

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:19-20, NIV)

On another occasion Jesus’ disciples were puzzled by a statement Jesus made about the difficulty being saved:

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”(Matthew 19:25-26, NIV)

There was another time when Jesus had a conversation with a man who had a very sick child:

Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:21-23, NIV)

Paul wrote about his struggles and his desire to overcome them in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10(NIV):

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

In Philippians he wrote: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (4:13) “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (4:19)

Now, answer the question: What if you could, would you?

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 51 | December 23, 2013

Re-gifting has become a fairly common occurrence this time of year. I heard John Ortberg

tell about taking a gift he and his wife received for their wedding and re-gifting as a wedding gift for a young couple, who in turn years later re-gifted it to another young couple. Chances are this Christmas season you will be the recipient of a gift that has been re-gifted to you, or you will re-gift something that you received last year. It is even possible that you could receive a gift that you gave last year. If you re-gifted it last year, then it is only appropriate that you get it back.

There is a gift that is worth re-gifting.

Acts 2:37-39 (NIV):

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Romans 6:22-23 (NIV):

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 2:6-9 (NIV):

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no
one can boast.

Revelation 22:16-18 (NIV):

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

If you have received this gift of hope, re-gift it. Find someone who may have lost hope, or who may be losing hope. Share with them the reason you have hope. Encourage them to hold on and not give up. Walk with them for a while until they have their hope restored.

If you have received peace, re-gift it. Look around your place of work. You will probably see someone who struggling to find peace. She is facing a major life decision. He is straggling with his marriage. The lady who works in the office down the hall has not heard from her daughter in three weeks. The salesman who calls on your company every week got word this morning that his wife wants a divorce. Pray for them. Tell them you are praying for them. Break the ice and ask how they are doing. When the time is right share with them a time when your relationship with God sustained you as you went through a difficult time.

If you have received the gift of joy, re-gift it. Put it on your face. Let what you feel in your heart be visible in your disposition. It is not hard to find a person who needs more joy. You can help them see a different way. Use positive language. Look for joyful things to share. Gently share when them something God has done for you that brought you great joy.

If you have received the gift of love, re-gift it. Keep your eyes and ears open in your community of Christians for the person who comes in at the very last minute, sits alone, and leaves as soon as the last song ends. Seek them out and speak to them. Say more than a quick, “Hey, how’s it going?” Look them in the eye and say, “How are you?” and wait for an answer. Pray for an opportune time to share with them the love story that is the Bible, and what it means to you.

This week we celebrate the gift of Jesus. He is hope, peace, joy, and love. He is the gift worth re-gifting.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 50 | December 16, 2013

Rumors have circulated for weeks about a well-known college football coach at a prominent university as to whether or not he would be fired. As the season ends he announces his retirement. It was his decision.

Running hand in hand with that story was the story of another well-known college football coach at a prominent university who was interested in the previous coach”s position and would leave his school for the position held by the other coach. As the season ends he signs a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract and is staying put. He said he had never considered the other position.

A coach at a smaller, lesser-known university signs a contract to coach the team. After one successful season he breaks his contract, and signs a contract with a bigger school for considerably more money.

Athletes go on record as saying they play for the love of the game and that the fans are what it’s all about. Then, when a more lucrative offer from another team is offered they are gone.

A woman stands with a man and pledges that she will love her husband for better or worse, for richer or poorer, for as long as they both shall live. The marriage takes some unexpected turns and is no longer what either of them had anticipated. They agree to file for a divorce because they cannot imagine God wanting them to be so unhappy.

A father tells his daughter that he will love her and protect her, and that he will never let anyone hurt her. He does not. He abuses her.

A man runs for office promising to lead the nation as a man of the people and for the people. As important and critical bills pass before him he consistently votes for what seems to profit himself and a few wealthy supporters.

A news media company advertises that “We are the network you can trust.” Week after week they report on stories that turn out to be half-truths, partial-truths and total fabrications.

A ministry leader stands before his parishioners every week preaching a message of godliness, honesty, purity, selflessness, and dedication to helping the poor, the broken, and the lonely. A story breaks revealing a secret life of greed, immorality, and extravagant living.

These kinds of stories are all too common. Is it any wonder that so many of us are skeptical, cynical and often apathetic. Who can you trust? Is there anyone who remembers what it means to be loyal, dependable, people of their word?

There is One.

The prophets said He would come. He came.

The gospel writer said He came to dwell among us. He did.

He said He came that we might have “abundant life.” (John 10:10). He did. We can.

He said He would teach us how to love, how to serve, and how to live even when He was gone. He did (John 13-17). We can.

He said He would die and rise again in three days. He did.

He said He would never leave us. He has not.

He said He will come again and take us to be with Him forever.

Who can you trust? Although examples of the untrustworthy are plentiful, not everyone is lying. Although you will have many who will make promises and not keep those promise, some will keep them. Although there are many reasons to become skeptical, cynical, and apathetic, don’t.

Who can you trust? You can trust Jesus.

Trust Him. He keeps His promises. He can do what He says He will do.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 49 | December 9, 2013

Stay warm, stay safe, and stay close to Jesus. I ended an email to a friend who lives in an area experiencing and ice storm.

Stay Warm.

That is advice for a winter day. Stay warm. If you can, stay inside, by a fire, and with someone you love. For those who have lost their heat, have no home, have no heat, or must work outside in this weather, I am sorry. For those who are serving others by working outside, I am thankful for your faithfulness in doing what you do. For the rest of us who can, stay warm.

Stay warm on the inside as well. Don’t just avoid the cold temperatures, but avoid the cold heart, the cold attitude, and the cold spirit. Staying warm is a choice we will have to make. It is not natural. It will not come easily. It may never be noticed or appreciated. But, choose to stay warm. (Watch This Is Water it will help you think about your choice.) Matthew 14:13-14, “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

The world has a tendency to want to squeeze us into its mode of skepticism, negativism, cynicism, and suspicion (Romans 12:1-2). Don’t let it happen to you. Stay warm.

Stay Safe.

Stay safe if you must get out in the weather. Icy roads are treacherous and dangerous. A common warning when winter storms come is, “If at all possible, stay at home.” Sometimes it is better to not make it to a church service (yes, I did say that), stay home from work, and miss the ball game, than risk your life, or the life of someone else by trying to navigate slick roads. When the weather is bad it is good advice to stay safe.

Staying safe is not always the best thing to do. Sometimes people of faith are asked to take a risk, to do the ill-advised, to step out in faith, or to take the road less traveled. When you do you may be criticized, you may be ridiculed, and you may be called foolish, childish, or even crazy. Do it. Step out. Don’t play it safe. (See Hebrews 11)

Matthew 14:27-29, But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said.

His friends may have said, “Peter, stay safe here in the boat with us.” If he had, he could have never said, “I walked on water!”

Stay Close To Jesus.

Stay close to Jesus. This is always good advice. This is always the best route to take. This is always the right choice. Warm weather or cold, icy conditions: Stay close to Jesus. On your job or in your home: Stay close to Jesus. Working hard or on vacation: Stay close to Jesus. Through the good times and through the bad: Stay close to Jesus. In sickness or in health: Stay close to Jesus. Through times of wealth and times of poverty: Stay close to Jesus.

Matthew 14:29b-31, “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.”

Wherever you are today, whatever you are doing, whoever you are with: Stay warm, stay safe, and stay close to Jesus.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.

Vol. 16 No. 48 | December 2, 2013

When I opened my email on this day after Thanksgiving, which has come to be known as Black Friday, I had dozens of unread emails. Most offering me amazing deals on thousands of products I do not need. All with a similar message: “Don’t miss out!” “Hurry!” “You can’t afford NOT to take advantage of this special deal!” Weeks before Black Friday sales were being advertised with many actually beginning several days before. Now that Black Friday has passed the sales continue.

Facebook users and members of the news media are noticing and commenting on this compulsion for buying, having more, and getting the best deal possible.

Philip Jones, Jr. posted a photo (that may have actually been taken on Thanksgiving Day or evening) of a shopping frenzy where people are being trampled in a department store with this comment: “Black Friday: Only in America do people trample each other for sales just a few hours after being thankful for what they already have.”

Grant Norvell posted this: “If you love America, you’ll buy stuff today whether you should or not.”

Suzie Bowers shared an article about three women arrested for public urination while waiting for Black Friday opening at Target store near Little Rock, Arkansas.

Then, I came across an article highlighting a group in Philadelphia who said: “Today seems like a good time to say: ENOUGH.” (Shane Claiborne Celebrates Buy Nothing Day)

Local news reported that Americans spent $9.7 billion on Black Friday, and will spend $602 billion this holiday season.

We pay homage to the Giver of all good gifts for part of one day but quickly return to our lives of getting more, demanding more, convincing ourselves that we need more.

Is this simply an example of who we are, a sign of the times, or is there a cause for concern? Maybe both? Being thrifty, being good stewards, and stretching a dollar are good things, but mob scenes and exhaustion due to midnight shopping sprees may be too much.

Jesus expressed it like this:

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life (emphasis mine), and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”(Luke 21:34-36, NIV)

Eugene Peterson expresses it with even more clarity:

“But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping (emphasis mine). Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36, The Message)

Am I against having things? Nope. I love stuff. Am I opposed to saving money by shopping for bargains? Nope. I love eBay, Amazon, and discount stores. Am I puzzled by and amazed at and concerned about our tendency toward greed and misplaced priorities? Yes. Very much.

Can I offer anything that might help us avoid this destructive trap? Yes. “Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36, The Message)

And this…

“Two things I ask of you, Lord;
do not refuse me before I die:

Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.” (Proverbs 30:7-9, NIV)

Maybe one day we will learn to be thankful and not want more. Maybe.

Oh, I have just been reminded that it is now Cyber Monday.

Tom

© Copyright 2013 Tom Norvell. All rights reserved.