1 Peter 2:11-25

During my freshman year of college, I needed a car. But I had little money and no established credit. There was a caring person in the church I attended, who had a soft-spot in his heart for “preacher boys.” He took me to the credit union. We sat down at a desk and he helped me fill out an application for a car loan. After I completed the application he took out his pen and signed his name at the bottom of the page, right next to mine and guaranteed the debt.

Then he drove me back to college where we found a corner used car lot. We noticed a real clean Pontiac. It was in excellent condition. Soon, I drove that Pontiac up the street to the men’s dorm. There was no way I could qualify to buy it myself, but someone who loved me put his name on the line.

That’s what Jesus did: He “has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light” (Col. 1:12b). We could not qualify, but thank God “He himself bore our sins” (1 Pet. 2:24)!

Author: Norman L. Moore

1 Peter 2:4-10

I remember way back in elementary school, in the Spring during PE class, we were able to go outside to the graveled softball field for a short game. Our teacher would select two team captains, then “flip-a-coin” to see who would go first to choose their first teammate. The two captains would alternate calling the names of those they had chosen: Tom, Bob, John, Bill, Joe, Sam, Dave, Danny.

I don’t remember ever being chosen first. I was never a star athlete. It was uncomfortable standing there, hoping my name would be called next. The team captains continued their selections: Mark, Pete, Doug, Ed, Jim, Earnie. Finally one of the team captains called me. Man! It felt so good to be chosen. The fear of rejection, feeling unwanted and not good enough, was awful!

Peter writes: “But you are a chosen people” (1 Pet. 2:9). It reminds me of Jesus’ words, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit–fruit that will last” (John 15:16).

Author: Norman L. Moore

1 Peter 1:13—2:3

“I am the LORD who makes you holy. (Leviticus 20:7-8)” To be a holy disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ is the action of God. It is his work in our hearts at a specific time and continues as our condition and relationship.

What does that look like in practical day-to-day, “shoe-leather” living? Pure motives, sincere intentions, although not always flawless behavior, are characteristics of my personal journey. Living daily in openness, honesty, transparency, and responsiveness to the Holy Spirit are soothing, pleasant harmonies of holiness. A willingness to confess our short-falls and inconsistencies are accurate indicators of our interior direction. vulnerable self-esteem, we thwart our spiritual growth and maturity.

When I take my car to the dealership for maintenance the mechanic lifts the hood to assess what needs to be changed and corrected. A mechanic has never “chewed me out” or criticized me for needing changes and corrections. Similarly, the Holy Spirit works in our hearts, not as our critic but as our Helper, Counselor, and Advocate!

Author: Norman L. Moore

1 Peter 1:1-12

For the first 13 years of their marriage our daughter Nickie and son-in-law John rented an apartment. It was a thrilling day when they were able to buy a house and move into their modest three-bedroom home. Frankly, the old house, built in the early ‘50s, had been neglected, both inside and out. Patiently, with the time and budget available, Nickie and John “took-on” one project after another. One room after another was painted. John tackled the yard. He removed ugly, overgrown shrubs and trimmed trees. It sure was hot, sweaty work! But it was actually fun all at the same time. They were no longer renters; they were owners. They had the right to make corrections, improvements, and changes as they wanted.

In a similar way, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit brings corrections, improvements, and changes in our lives, in accordance with God’s will. It is our responsibility to believe, receive, cooperate, and obey. Just like Nickie and John’s house, where every change was for the better, the Holy Spirit brings radical change for God’s glory and our benefit.

Author: Norman L. Moore

John 14:15-24

Recently Norman and Vickie, and their our two granddaughters, Tori and Kennedy, were getting ready to leave their home for an over-night trip. Kennedy, the younger, pulled her personal suitcase onto the driveway to the back of our car. Wanting to be strong and independent, she struggled to lift her suitcase over the rear bumper, into the trunk. She was not tall enough or strong enough. As Norman was bringing other luggage, she called him: “Papa I need you to help me!” He was there immediately to give her assistance.

In a similar way our heavenly Father gives us the Holy Spirit as our Helper, Advocate, Counselor, and Comforter to help us in ways beyond our ability and strength.

Sometimes when facing life’s difficulties our tendency is to take charge, diagnose it, and fix it. But that is not in our best interest. It’s good to remember, “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” (Rom. 8:26). Just like Kennedy called her ‘Papa’ to come and help her lift what was too heavy, we can ask the Holy Spirit to come help us!

Author: Norman L. Moore

Psalm 96:1-13

“Sing to the Lord.” “Declare his glory.” “Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.” “Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” All of these admonitions are just and right. What do we do, however, when circumstances are overwhelmingly difficult, the load is heavy, and emotions are low? Do we just whip-up emotions that are neither genuine nor authentic? I don’t think so.

The Holy Spirit can help us move past our feelings. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (Heb. 13:15). “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:18).

Let’s admit it: often our predictable response to trials, crisis, and pain is to complain and feel sorry for ourselves. We have a choice. We can choose to praise God for who he is and his numerous attributes, regardless of our painful circumstances. Let’s come to him with deep trust and solid confidence.

Author: Norman L. Moore

Exodus 15:1-18

Exodus 15 reminds us of God’s majesty, holiness, glory, and power. We have one super, awesome, indescribable God running this universe.

Recently I was flying from Denver to Southern California. Seated next to a window, I could easily see the snow-capped mountains, which looked like generous whipped cream on a huge desert! Then a few minutes later I could see the Grand Canyon with its high rusty-red, artistically chiseled walls and snow dusted plateaus.

I quietly mused on God’s awesome majesty, power, and glory, and silently whispered to him my thanks and praise. It’s spiritually meaningful to deliberately pause and reflect on who he is and what he’s done.

It seems that a natural following contemplation is, “What is my appropriate, intelligent response to this kind of God?” Loving obedience is a good place to start. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Purposeful action. He is “majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders”; and he deserves our best.

Author: Norman L. Moore

Hebrews 8:1-13

Everyone likes to be remembered. We’re delighted to be recognized and called by name. It’s comforting to realize God knows us personally. He never forget us; our names are engraved on his hands (Isa. 49:16). We want to be remembered but hope some things may be forgotten, like our old sins.

A middle-aged man came to see my husband. He wanted to talk about his father, a preacher and Christian leader, who’d recently gone to heaven. He said he had been wayward, often grieving his father. “But,” he said, “when I asked for forgiveness, he never brought up my past sins. When my father forgave me, he never said another word about it.”

When God forgives a repentant sinner, he keeps no record. He doesn’t throw sins into a landfill to be dug up again! He removes them, “as far as the east is from the west” (Ps. 103:12). He hurls “all our iniquities into the depths of the sea” (Mic. 7:19). Most amazing, he doesn’t remember our sins any more. People, or the devil, may remind us, but God never does. Our sins are gone, forgotten forever.

Author: Juanita Nelting

Luke 15:25-32

The younger son rebelled, lived a wild life, and then returned home. He came humbly, feeling unworthy to be anything more than a servant. The older son was dutiful and obedient. He was a model son, but felt like a slave. He was filled with resentment that he had not received more in return for years of hard work. He deserved better and the party for his brother only increased his bitterness.

The older son didn’t understand that his father’s wealth was his too. He only had to ask. He never realized how blessed he was to be a loved son, at home with his father. Sadly, he didn’t share his father’s love for his brother or his joy at his return. The father called them both “my son.” He wanted both of them to enjoy all the blessings of his house.

God is like that. He gives us work to do in his kingdom, but the love relationship comes first. God is our Father and wants us to live abundantly, not as servants but as loved children. Then he calls us to witness and work and welcome lost ones.

Author: Juanita Nelting

Luke 15:11-24

We know this story. A young man wanted his inheritance–now. He was eager to get away from home. He was tired of rules. He wanted freedom and adventure, so set off for a far country. He squandered everything. His money gone, he was hungry and nobody cared. Soon he was feeding pigs.

The real story is not the son’s sin but the father’s love. The son probably thought little about his father until he was desperate. The father was always thinking about him. Finally the son came to his senses and turned toward home. Perhaps his father would hire him as a servant. The father was watching, hoping for the boy’s return. He saw him at a distance, ran to welcome him, embraced and kissed him.

The young man began: “I have sinned. I am not worthy to be your son.” His father was already planning a party! His brother and everybody who knew the family thought of the young man as a scoundrel. The father called him “my son.” His son was alive and at home. That calls for a celebration, on earth and in heaven.

Author: Juanita Nelting