Posts by Norman

Text: ‘”I have had enough, Lord”, he said. “Take my life, I am no better than my ancestors.”’ – 1 Kings 19:4 Thought: The title of  Today’s Teaching can be interpreted in several ways. For example, as a reply to the question, “Would you like some more dessert?” No thanks, I’ve had enough.” Unless, of course, what’s being offered is another slice of Jenny’s scrumptious pavlova, then I’m having some more whether I am full up or not! It could also be the response of an exasperated parent informing their child they’ve had enough and disciplinary action is on its way! Or maybe it’s the frustration of a golfer, leaving the course vowing never to return, when the drives and putts go astray. Another way, “I’ve had enough” is commonly used is as a response to a problem or difficulty. This is the context of Today’s Teaching about Elijah’s outpouring. He had had enough! Let’s have a look at what caused Elijah to end up in this state and see how God responded. It will reassure us that God has our best interests at heart at all times. Elijah’s depression Depression is a terrible condition and judging by the amount of tranquillisers prescribed every year, far more people are...

Text: ‘I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’ – Matthew 8:10 Thought: Faith is what many Christians dream of having. Great faith is considered to be beyond the reach of most. In the Gospels two people are commended for having great faith. Both were Gentiles, outsiders of the nation of Israel. Many Christians stream forward for prayer for healing, yet end up going away disappointed as nothing happens. At the same time they’re amazed that the non-Christian who did the same, walks away healed. They can’t understand why! It’s all too easy to end up thinking that God has favourites. Let’s take a short study of what the Bible records about one of the two with great faith and see if something can help us get our miracle too. He was a Roman Centurion, an unlikely candidate to have great faith, who came to Jesus on behalf of his servant who was dying. The Intention of Jesus – ‘I will come and heal him’ Jesus’ clear and forthright way in which he responded to this request is exactly the same as how he replied to the leper who said, “‘Lord, if you are willing you can make me clean.’”   “‘I am willing, be cleansed.’” Yet...

Text: ‘Then Samuel answered, Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening’ – 1 Samuel 3:10 Amplified Version Thought: When a work colleague first spoke to me about Christianity and having a personal faith in Jesus Christ, he said, “You’ve seen what the world can offer you, why don’t you give God a chance?” I remember being challenged by that question. I was impressed that he believed in a God who would know when I was giving Him that chance, and also that God would be interested in me with five and a half billion other people in the world. So I accepted his invitation to attend church, secretly thinking, “I’ll go once, won’t like it and will never go again!” Yet two days later I found myself in that church service praying, “Lord I want what they’ve got.” God answered that prayer and that night in February 1973 I became a Christian. Since then I’ve made another amazing discovery – that God wants to talk to me! Far too many Christians only experience a one-way communication with God. Yet right from the beginning of creation He has wanted to talk to us. The Bible records that in the Garden of Eden, God would come down in the cool of...