Articles by Tom Norvell at Heartlight

Jesus Is the Same

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Have you ever noticed that nothing seems to stay the same very long?

Take a walk through an appliance store sometime and notice the new technology since you purchased your refrigerator or stove or dishwasher. After our fire last year, we discovered that Microwaves now have buttons on them, instead of just one dial.

Have purchased a television lately? Prepare yourself. Get ready to hear things like HDTV and Blu-ray. (Don't ask me, but I know a guy who can help you.) I wonder what my Dad would think if he could watch Bonanza in HD? He just wanted to see it in color.

What about your telephone? Can you remember a rotary dial? What about a party line? The cell phone I now own can be held in my palm and it can do more and hold more information that the first two or three computers I owned. Can you remember what it was like not to have a cell phone? Did you know there was such a time?

Some of you drive automobiles that talk to you. Someone thousands of miles away can tell you your location, when and where to make your next turn, how much fuel is in your tank, and should you have an accident they can tell what kind of accident it was. Do you remember when most cars had no seat belts in them?

People change too. Have you noticed? While sorting through some old photographs my children had a good time kidding me about some of the clothes that I wore during my college days. I explained to them that that really was the style. That did not change their opinion. Before you make fun of me, dig out your box of old photos and see what your hair looked like twenty years ago ... or five years ago.

Life is full of change. Most are good. Most are for the better. Most are enjoyable once we get used to them. I do not know anyone who wants to go back to the days of black and white TVs, no remote, test patterns at midnight, and only three channels to choose from. I have not heard anyone say, "I wish my car still had that clear plastic cover over the seats that got so hot and stuck to you in the summer."

Our bodies change -- don't worry, I'm not going any further with that thought. Our families change. Our health conditions change. Organizations change, or they disappear. We change mentally. We change spiritually. We change intellectually. Our governments change.

Change is inevitable. Most of us would not want our spiritual life to be where it was when we first came to an understanding of God's story. Still, change can be difficult. The more we resist it, the more difficult it is, and the faster things seem to change. Even those of us who like change can only take so much before it begins to overwhelm us.

In a world that is constantly changing it is good to know that one thing does not change. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

As you are faced with changes coming at you faster than you can comprehend, focus on Jesus. Before you lose your bearings and feel overwhelmed, focus on Jesus. When you long for something that is stable, solid, and unchanging, focus on Jesus. If you find yourself paralyzed by fear and overwhelmed by change, focus on Jesus. He does not change. He is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the East Brainerd Church of Christ in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

When Your Heart is Breaking

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Question: "Can you die of a broken heart?"

Answer: "I don't know, but there are times when your heart is breaking that you wish you could die! It would be easier than enduring the pain."

Some hearts break because of unfulfilled love. Some hearts break due to unfulfilled dreams. Some hearts break because of the loss of a child, the loss of a parent, the loss of a friend, or the loss of a mate. Some hearts break when others are hurting and there is nothing that can be done to help them or to ease their pain. Jesus expressed this as described by Matthew, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36).

When your heart is breaking, you want help. You long for relief. You long for someone who can fix it. Ron Peltzman's little children's book, "Mr. Bell's Fix It Shop," is the story of Mr. Bell, a man who could fix just about anything, "Even a broken heart."

In Michael Card's song, "I Will Not Walk Away," these words speak the thoughts of a broken heart:

Don't read me pointless poems friend.
Don't diagnose. Don't condescend.
Though you may be right to disagree.
I need someone to weep with me.

When your heart is breaking, that is what we want, isn't it? We want to know that someone can fix this. When it cannot be fixed, we want to know that someone is there to weep with us. We don't always want explanations, even though we may ask for them. We don't need another book to read, or another famous quote, or another story that proves "You are not the only one who has ever had a broken heart." We need someone to weep with us. We need someone to comfort us.

Job had that from his three friends ... for awhile:

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was (Job 2:13).

Unfortunately, for Job, they started talking.

Your heart may be breaking today. You may have spent the night weeping. You may be longing for someone to come sit and weep with you. You may be crying out to the Lord for help because you feel like a sheep without a shepherd.

I do not promise a Mr. Bell who can fix anything. I cannot promise that well-intentioned friends won't share "pointless poems" and useless platitudes. But I do promise that you can cry out to the Lord and that when you cry out you will be heard. And, I promise that the One who hears is close and will provide you the comfort you need.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit
(Psalm 34:17-18 NIV).

Jesus said the following passage referred to Him:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor (Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV).

When your heart is breaking, cry out to the One who hears and binds up the brokenhearted. If your heart is breaking, cry out to the One who is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the East Brainerd Church of Christ in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

Expectations

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Expectations are interesting. If we make them high, we can set ourselves up for disappointment. If we keep them low, then we run the risk living with an attitude of futility.

The college student dreams of a day with no more term papers, no more tests, no more pop quizzes, and no more tuition payments. "Once I get my degree I'll have the world by the tail on a downhill pull." Then, reality sets in. Work becomes an every day all day event. No skipping out on work to "just hang out with friends." No more being able to sleep late every day. Our expectations may exceed our reality.

A couple gets married filled with expectations of what married life will be like. One envisions a quiet dinner by candlelight every night. One imagines frequent leisurely strolls along the beach holding hands as the sun slowly sinks into the horizon with regularity. One dreams of evenings filled with endless meaningful conversation. One fantasizes of constant and amazing sexual experiences ... every night. One imagines a bank account that never runs low on funds. Bills are always paid on time or in advance. Our expectations may exceed our reality.

Before the baby is born parent's expectations are plentiful. "Our baby will probably sleep through the night, potty train herself, and never speak a defiant word." "Our child will never throw a fit in the middle of the grocery store." "Our child will be healthy, good looking, and the smartest in the class." Our expectations may exceed our reality.

What was expected to be a long-term relationship ended another disappointment. No explanation. No real reason. It just ended. The relationship did not live up to our expectations.

The job we expected to take us to the top of the corporate ladder led to the destruction of our family and ruined our health. The career did not meet our expectations.

We invest our energy -- our time, our hopes, our dreams, and our very selves -- in what we believe will provide us with fulfillment and a meaningful life. Later we discover that we feel more alone and confused than before.

What does this tell us about expectations? Are there lessons we can learn?

First, try to love people and expect very little in return. Don't expect them to love you in return. Just love them. Don't expect a "Thank you!" Don't demand they respect you or honor you for your deeds. Don't expect to be praised for your good deed. Don't expect to hear from them years later telling you how much your gift of love meant to them. Just love them and expect very little in return.

Second, don't expect things to give meaning to your life. Things don't last. Stuff will wear-out. Life is not always fair, and we don't always get what we think we deserve. Good is not always rewarded. Bad will not always be punished.

Third, put your expectations in the Lord. The Psalmist said:

Give ear to my words, O Lord,
consider my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation (Psalm 5:1-3 NIV).

God can handle our expectations. He will come through. God can be trusted. God can fulfill our dreams and our expectations.

Fourth, let God surprise you. He may do more than we expect:

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV).

Be wise in your expectations. Don't set them too high. Don't keep them low to play it safe. Put your expectations in the One who can handle them. God expects us to lay our requests before Him, and He expects us to wait in expectation for Him to act.

I expect you will be pleased with the results.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the East Brainerd Church of Christ in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

The Prayers Are Ended

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0500

In the New International Version of the Holy Bible, Psalm 72:20 reads: "This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse." The Amplified Bible reads like this: "The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended."

In the two previous verses David concludes his prayers with these words:

Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen (Psalms 72:18-19 NIV).

There may be no great theological significance to the statement, "The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended"; however, they prompt me to ask: How will I conclude my prayers? I'm not talking about the prayer at the end of the day or the prayer before a meal or the prayer before I write an article or the prayer before I preach a sermon or the prayer at a graveside or the prayer at a bedside. How will conclude my prayers? When it's all over and, as John Ortberg says, "It all goes back in the box," how will I conclude my prayers? (From John Ortberg's When the Game Is Over It All Goes Back in the Box)

Will I be making one more request for some physical need to be met? Will I be asking for one more favor? Will I be pleading my case? Will I be making an excuse for not living the way I should have, or the way I wanted to but didn't? Will I be asking Him a question about why He acted in one way, or why He did not act in another?

I wonder how I will end my prayers.

David had done many wonderful things in his life. He had done some awful things in his life. He had accomplished much. He had seen a lot. He had missed a lot. He had messed up in big and small ways. He had sinned and been forgiven. He had seen God's glory and God's great deeds. So have I.

Yet, when his prayers were concluded (at least those we have recorded for us in Psalms), he did not speak of his deeds, his needs, or make a request to succeed. He concludes with:

Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen (Psalms 72:18-19 NIV).

I hope I will. I don't know when the prayers of Tom Norvell will end, but I hope that the time between now and then will be lived in such a way that my prayers will conclude with these words:

Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen (Psalms 72:18-19 NIV).

I hope you will, too.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the East Brainerd Church of Christ in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

Keep on Speaking

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

A new week has begun. You're heading back into the workplace tomorrow. Like every other week, it's a battleground. You know you'll be tested. It is part of the life of a follower of Jesus. You know there will be those moments when you feel the nudge from God telling you to speak up, stand up for what is right, stop listening to the gossip, say something. But you hesitate.

You want to speak up. You know you need to. But something stops you. Sometimes it feels like your mouth is wired shut. Every time you try to open your mouth your mind starts playing tricks on you, "Be quiet." "Keep your mouth shut." "You'll sound silly." "Everyone will laugh." "You will be rejected." "It's not a big deal. Just let it go. It won't make any difference anyway."

Or, maybe you have been feeling compelled to talk to your neighbor, or your co-worker, or your son-in-law about their walk with the Lord. You really care about them. You notice things that concern you about the life they are living, but you are afraid of "Turning them off." Every time you see them you say to yourself, "Today is the day." You even pray for the right opportunity. Suddenly there you are standing in the middle of the frozen food section at the grocery store, and look up and there they are. Not another living soul in sight. Just you and them. One on one. You greet each other. You talk about work, the kids, and the weather. In the back of your mind you are thinking, "Say something! Invite them to lunch. Set a time to meet." But you don't. You smile and say, "It's great to see you. See you later." They head off down the aisle toward the dairy products. You head off to the checkout line feeling like you blew it.

Why do we do that? Why are we reluctant to talk about the things that matter most to us, to the people that matter most to us? Why is it so difficult to say the things you know you need to say about God, about Jesus, about His love for us, and our love for them?

The simple answer? Probably fear. Fear of embarrassment. Fear of rejection. Fear of sounding foolish. Fear of being misunderstood.

The solution? Remember that God understands those fears and is already thinking ahead of us.

Here's a good example. The apostle Paul is preaching in Corinth -- not the kind of place where faith and holiness and living for God are the common conversation. Nevertheless, he's doing pretty well. People are listening. People are hearing him. People are responding to the message of the gospel. In fact, we are told that, "In the course of listening to Paul, a great many Corinthians believed and were baptized" (Acts 18:8 NIV).

Great! "Go Paul!"

But, obviously God knew what was ahead for him because the next verses read:

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God (Acts 18:9-11).

If you read ahead, you'll see that things were about to get more difficult for Paul. He eventually left Corinth for Syria, but he kept on speaking. He did not allow his words to be silenced.

Three quick thoughts from what the Lord said to Paul in his dream that might help us to keep on speaking:

We need to speak up:
The Lord said, "Keep it up, and don't let anyone intimidate or silence you."

We need to speak for Him:
Sometimes we need to speak with our words; always with our example.

We are not alone:
The Lord said, "I am with you" and "I have many people in this city." Another way to say this is, "You have no idea how many people I have on my side in this city."

If you are serious about living like a Christ follower, there is a good chance that before this week ends, maybe before the day is over, you will have an opportunity staring you in the face when you will hear the Lord say, "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent." When you hear Him say those words, don't stop listening, before you hear the rest of His message, "For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city."

Keep on speaking.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the East Brainerd Church of Christ in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

Impossible?

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The movie Amazing Grace tells how the influence of former slave trader turned preacher, John Newton, compelled William Wilberforce to dream of abolishing slavery while Wilberforce's friend, William Pitt, dreamed of becoming Prime Minister. In one scene, the two are discussing the possibilities of seeing their dreams come true. Pitt has a plan. Side by side they will make the world a better place. Pitt is confident and persuasive. Wilberforce questions his friend on what makes him believe that the two of them are the ones to change the world. Pitt responds, "Which is why we are too young to realize that certain things are not possible." Through their idealism and determination they pursue and realize their dreams.

Can you remember a day when you were "still too young to realize that certain things are not possible?"

Are you still too young? I hope so.

We need people in the Kingdom like Pitt and Wilberforce.

We need men and women who refuse to accept things as they are and unwilling to settle for life as usual.

We need men and women who will stand up for they believe is right and trust that God is still able to do what we think is impossible.

We need men and women to stand firm on what they know God believes in, what God blesses, and what God wants.

We need men and women who believe that with God's help anything is possible and that the world can be a better place.

We need men and women who take God at His Word when He says...

"I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me" (Jeremiah 32:27 NCV).

He [Jesus] replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, 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 17:20 NIV)

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26 NIV).

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27 NIV).

"For nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37 NIV).

Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God" (Luke 18:27, NIV).

Are you still too young to realize that certain things are impossible?

Chances are, if you already have not been, you will be faced with something before too long that will challenge your faith and put this question of possibility to the test. A relationship will seem hopeless. Recovery will seem unlikely. A career change will seem improbable. A dream will seem impossible.

There's a reason you're still too young to realize that certain things are impossible: God wants you to make the world a better place!

Believe Him. Trust Him. Witness the impossible.

It will be amazing ... grace!

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the East Brainerd Church of Christ in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

Is It Really Enough?

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0600

When they asked Jesus, "Which is the most important of all the commands?" Jesus said, "Love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. Then, love your neighbor as yourself. All the others hang on these two" (Matthew 22:34-40).

My question: Is this enough?

Jesus said these are the most important things: Love God and love people.

My question: Is this enough?

For those asking the original question, it seems the answer did not satisfy. Jesus follows His answer with a question for them, "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" (v. 42) After they wrestled with the question Matthew says, "No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions" (Matthew 22:46 MSG).

In chapter 23, Jesus speaks to the crowds and to his disciples:
"The teachers of the Law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach" (23:2-3).
The rest of chapter 23 contains some of the most harsh statements ever uttered by Jesus.

Again, my question: Is love for God and love for people enough?

What if it was? What if we took Jesus seriously? What if we said that loving God and loving people is our goal -- that these two would be priority #1 and #2 in our lives?

If we would let loving God and loving people be enough, there would be few arguments about following His teaching and doing whatever He called upon us to do. He addresses this very clearly in some of His last words with His disciples (John 13:1-17:26). Most of the issues we debate about would possibly be resolved. He clears up many of these questions -- hard questions we wrestle with -- in His sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), but again, these all focus down to these two basic priorities.

If we would let loving God and loving people be enough, many of the issues of "Who is lovable and who is not?", "Who is acceptable in the Kingdom and who is not?", "What is right and what is wrong for God's people to do in worship, in business, in marriage, and in all our relationships?" could be settled. Or better yet, they would never surface. It might bring some clarity to many of the questions we have about how to take care of our planet, poverty, war, and how to interact with people of other races and religions.

All these good things could happen if we would let loving God and loving people be enough. So, we're back to the question: is it enough?

This is not a question to be answered only by the religious leaders of Jesus' day, or our day. It is the fundamental question we all must answer. As Jesus said, everything else depends on how we answer this question. Everything else in my life depends on how I answer this question. So it is rather important.

A new week is upon us. A new challenge is before us. Will we love God and love people this week as of first importance? Will that be enough? Will we let it be enough?

It's worth a try, don't you think? This week: love God and love people.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the East Brainerd Church of Christ in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

The Center of God's Will

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

"The safest place in the world is to be in the center of God's will."

Those were the words of a woman who has spend most of her life sharing the love of Jesus Christ in a culture so different from ours that most of us who were listening to her story could not imagine living the life she described. She has moved into a culture where life-threatening experiences were the norm, the language was completely unfamiliar, and where the customs and way of life were completely different from anything she had ever known. By following God's lead, she has seen and experienced His power, His mercy, and His protection. As she told her story, she stated with great confidence that "The safest place in the world is to be in the center of God's will."

Let that thought sink in: "The safest place in the world is to be in the center of God's will."

When one reads the Scriptures or studies the lives of the faithful from the pages of God's Word, it would be difficult to argue anything else. Throughout the pages of the Bible, we read of men and women who lived through difficult times, survived seemingly impossible situations, left the familiar for the unknown, endured life-threatening conditions, and some lost their lives for their mission and their faithfulness. But they honored and pleased God! They lived and rested in His promises. They were in the center of God's will.

For this seventy-five year old woman, there is no doubt the safest place in the world is to be in the center of God's will. Scripture confirms it as true. What about you? Do you believe that the safest place in the world is to be in the center of God's will? Do you agree that the safest place in the world is to be in the center of God's will?

To reverse the thought: if the safest place in the world is to be in the center of God's will, then the most dangerous place in the world is to be out of God's will.

It's a serous matter which leads to a very serious question: How do I know if I am at the center of God's will?

A similar question was posed to Jesus by the religious leaders of His day. They asked it in a different way, and their motives were not so pure, but their desire to know and be in God's will was just as real as ours:

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:34-40).

There's our answer. Love God above all else. Love people as much as you love yourself. Love God with your whole heart, and love people like God loves them. If we live like that we can have confidence that we are at the center of God's will, and thus be in the safest place in the world.

Want to feel safe? Love God and love people.

Want to be confident that you are doing God's will? Love God and love people.

Want to live a life that has meaning and purpose and value? Love God and love people.

A life lived that pleases God and lived to love people is a life lived on the edge, a life filled with adventure, and perhaps a life of danger. But, it is also life at the center of God's will.

We can live that kind of life. We can enjoy that kind of life. We can enjoy it. Then, we can share that kind of life.

Let's do it! Let's live in the safest place in the world ... the center of God's will.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the East Brainerd Church of Christ in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

Whom Shall I Fear?

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

David begins Psalm 27 with these words: "The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?"

Those words are worth repeating: "The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?"

Maybe we should read them again, this time out loud! "The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?"

David had his enemies. He had his foes. He had those who would betray and forsake him. He had those who wanted to do him harm. Yet he could say, "Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?"

We have our enemies. We have our foes. We have those who have betrayed us, forsaken us, or who are about to. We have those who would do us harm. So we ask, "Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?"

David's response would be, "No one! If the Lord is your light and your salvation and the Lord is the stronghold of your life, then you have nothing to fear. No matter whom the enemy is, no matter what foe you come against, you have no reason to be afraid."

So, why do I fear? Why do I allow myself to get worked-up and whacked-out and worn-down? If "the Lord is my light and my salvation" and if "the Lord is the stronghold of my life," then what is keeping me from living courageously and confidently and fearlessly?

I forget. I forget the promise! "The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?"

I forget that no foe has a chance against my Lord.

I forget that there is no enemy who can come close to overcoming the stronghold of the Lord.

I forget that God is strong enough, powerful enough, wise enough, loving enough, resourceful enough, and is determined to protect me from anything or anyone that may try to harm me.

When life gets dark, I forget that He is my light. When I am in the midst of battle, I forget that He is my salvation. When I feel weak and weary and worn-down, I forget that He is my stronghold.

I forget, so I must learn to remind myself that "The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?"

When others are afraid, or discouraged, or weary, or near defeat, I must remember to remind them, "The Lord is your light and your salvation -- whom shall you fear? The Lord is the stronghold of your life -- of whom shall you be afraid?"

So, just in case that description fits you, I remind you, "The Lord is your light and your salvation -- whom shall you fear? The Lord is the stronghold of your life -- of whom shall you be afraid?"

Through His servant, David, God is speaking to us. "The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid?"

If I try not to forget that this week, and if I try to remind others this week, and if you will do the same, by the end of the week, maybe we will be able to say what David said at the end of the Psalm, "I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

We have our message. Now, let's live it.

For a powerful promise of God related to this theme and displayed graphically, check out the following Heartlight Scripture graphic:
http://www.heartlight.org/powerpoint/2205.html

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the East Brainerd Church of Christ in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note

Trust His Timing

tomnorvell@mac.com (Tom Norvell) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0600

One of the features of my new mobile phone is a clock that allows me to see the time in multiple time zones, set an alarm, use a stopwatch, and time an event. When I take a walk, I usually set the timer for about fifteen minutes short of the length of time I want to walk. That way, I can decide the route for the last part of the walk. For instance, if I plan to walk for an hour, I will set the time on my phone for 45 minutes. Invariably, I will check the timer a number of times before the alarm sounds.

Is this thing working?

Did it sound and I did not hear it?

Has something malfunctioned?

Thus far, the alarm has never failed to work. I have never walked an extra hour by accident. The device has never failed to perform as it is designed to do. Yet, I still have a feeling of distrust in the clock.

The same thing happens as I walk through life, trying to live on God's time-table.

I have read the instructions from His word about trusting Him. I am listening to God, praying for His will to be done. I believe that He is working even though I cannot see it. I know that the Father is in charge. I know that nothing will happen that escapes His view. I know that He cares for me. I know that the Lord has always dealt, and will always deal, with me according to His justice and goodness. However, there are still times when I have difficulty trusting His timing.

I have discovered three realities about trusting His timing.

First, trusting His timing is sometimes hard. There are times when I eagerly lay my cares down, but then I decide not to wait for God to work and pick them back up again. There are other times when my concerns must be ripped from my hands. My doubts and fears take over: What if He does not listen? What if He hears the wrong thing? What if He chooses to act in a way that I do not like? Or worse, what if He chooses not to act at all? I have swallowed hard when He responded with "No," and I have laid awake at night wrestling with His answers that appear to be, "Not now."

Second, trusting His timing is sometimes easy. There are times when waiting for God to work His plan is easy. Laying my concerns at the feet of the Lord and leaving them there comes naturally. I have experienced answered prayer soon after making the request. I receive his "Yes" with joy and gratitude. I receive His "No" with patience and trust.

Third, whether easy or difficult: I have learned over life and from His word, that the Father's timing is always right.

Solomon said it this way:

He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV).

You may be in a waiting time. Waiting for the answer. Waiting for direction. Waiting for peace. Waiting for hope. Waiting for healing. Waiting for victory. Doubt and uncertainty may have set in. You may be left with questions and fears.

Whatever is the focus of your wait, trust His timing ... it is always right.

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Tom Norvell is the author of "A Norvell Note." He ministers at the East Brainerd Church of Christ in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Website: A Norvell Note