A Norvell Note 

May 17, 2026 – Vol. 30 No. 19

Thoughts To Encourage and Comfort

I hope these reflections on Romans 8:26-39 bring you encouragement and comfort when you go or as you go through times of sadness, discouragement, or confusion. 

Remember, God hears our thoughts and feelings even when we don’t know what to say or how to express them. 

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (26-27)

Remember, God is always working in our lives to transform us into the image of His Son…to become more like Jesus. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. (28-30)

Remember, God will never allow anything to separate us from Him or His love. (30-39)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God has plans for you, is watching out for you, and will never let you go. Trust these truths. Remember these truths. Share these truths. Live these truths. 

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2026 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note 

May 10 – Vol. 30 No. 18

The Cries of Our Hearts

“Trust in him at all times, O people;

         Pour out your hearts to him,

         For God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8)

O God, here are the cries of my heart.

My heart cries for the mother who is pouring out her heart for her children, for the mother who is pouring out her heart for the child she lost, or who is far away, and the mother who is pouring out her heart for the child she never had and never will have.  

My heart cries out for the mother who must endure another Mother’s Day without knowing where her child is. 

My heart cries out for a mother confined to the waiting room as her child undergoes surgery, or another surgery she never imagined her child would need. 

My heart cries out for children, regardless of their age, whose hearts cry out for their mother, who left them long ago. 

My heart cries out for the mother who hugged her child as they boarded a plane headed for a war zone, wondering if she would ever hug them again. My heart cries out for the mother as she anxiously waits for news of the war. And for the mother who greets the flag-covered casket as it is unloaded from the plane returning from the war. 

My heart cries out with joy for the mother who holds her child, regardless of their age, in her arms and hears them say, “I love you forever.”

“Trust in him at all times, O people;

         Pour out your hearts to him,

         For God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8)

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2026 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note 

May 3 – Vol. 30 No. 17

Forgiving Others

This, then, is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.

For yours is the kingdom and the power

And the glory forever. (NIV, Matthew 6:9-13)

Like many of you, I have read, prayed, sung, and heard the Lord’s prayer more times than I can count. Surely it is one of the most used in all the scriptures. Please read it again. 

The Lord’s Prayer (NIV, Matthew 6:9-13)

Reflecting on Forgiveness

As I prayed this prayer again, these thoughts surfaced: “And forgive us our debts (sins), as we also have forgiven our debtors (those who have sinned against me).” Jesus seems to assume that we have already forgiven those who have wronged us. It’s not a matter of someday forgiving or thinking about forgiving; it suggests we already have. 

Then I read those same lines from the Contemporary English Version: “Forgive us for the ways we have wronged you, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us.” 

Personal Convictions and Questions

I was convicted in these ways: 

1. When I pray, “Father, forgive me,” am I certain there is not any outstanding or overdue forgiveness I need to offer to others? Am I holding back forgiveness? If so, why? 
2. How have I wronged God? How have others wronged me? Are there wounds or grudges I’m holding that I’m not willing to release? 
3. Forgiveness truly is a big deal. 

I love you.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2026 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved