Alma Norman
[Autobiography at end]
I
will love You, O LORD, …. (Psalm 18:1)
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all
thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the
first commandment. Mark 12:30
The Holy Scriptures have given us many inspired words regarding the heart and love. Most of the time they will appear together, almost inseparable, throughout the scriptures.
God requires all men to put Him first in their lives. God has not only emphasized the necessity of loving Him from the heart, He wants one's full devotion. This will also involve loving Him with one's soul, mind, and strength. God wants our whole being.
Jesus said to him, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." (Matt. 22:37)
This commandment alone stands as the base of one's whole Christianity. Without love for someone or something coming from one's heart and whole being, it will be less than substantial. It will never meet the standard that God has required.
God is a jealous God. We learn this from His Old Law. (Ex. 20:5) It was the 5th of His 10 commandments. He will never accept being put anywhere but first in man's life.
Loving
God in this manner will be a love that is loyal and true. It is this type of
love that will allow Christ to be glorified through the lives of all
Christians. The Christian life is not burdensome. Rather, it is filled
with delight in loving and serving God.
Unfortunately,
many today aren't living their Christian life with enough love or zeal. Their
service to God is more out of necessity or to avoid hurting their consciences.
They have not found joy in Christian living.
It all goes back to not loving God from the heart and their whole being. Many who have not matured in their faith are guilty of having these feelings. Loving God will come gradually if one will strive for the faith that will be pleasing unto God.
To
gain more faith, one must study and meditate upon His word. The scriptures
tell us that faith comes by hearing His word. (Rom. 10:17)
ISBS
Ladies Daily Devotional
01/17/05
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Alma Norman
I live about 45 miles south of Nashville, Tn. in a small community, Water Valley. My husband, Bobby and I have been married for 38 years. We have our two married sons and their families who live very close. Together, they have given us five grand children, one boy and four girls. Their ages range from one to thirteen years. Old. We all worship together at the Water Valley Church of Christ, one mile from us.
I teach a teenage girl’s class on Sunday morning. I have spoken a few times at our Ladies Day function and once for a large congregation in Nashville, Woodson Chapel Church of Christ, where my brother had served as an elder. I also enjoy singing and our song leader depends on me to sing the alto part at our congregation of about eighty members.
I was reared on a farm by my Christian parents along with six more siblings, 5 sisters and one brother. We all worked together, milking cows and farming. This was my dad’s sole source of income in addition to selling some of his property now and then. Today we all still live close. Our mother is residing in a nursing home and our dad died at the age of ninety-two.
I became a Christian at the age of twelve years old. I later decided to be baptized again when my husband obeyed the gospel. This was about 36 years ago. Earlier, I knew what I was doing, but just felt like I was following my older sister down the aisle.
I enjoy writing and sharing devotionals and studies with others. I also have a Christian group online for Christian women, [AChristianWomansDailyWalkGroup] accepting some of other faiths too. Over the last couple of years, I’ve written numerous poems and devotionals. I hope to someday have them published.
I have been instrumental in teaching some privately, bringing them into the church. I consider this as being one of my favorite accomplishments…. Remembering to give God the glory in all things. Both of my daughters-in-law became Christians shortly after marrying our sons. I personally had the privilege of converting one of them. They were both baptized on Mothers Day several years ago, making this a very special day for me!
Also, I have been a beautician for over thirty-five years and I’ve had a shop in my home for around twenty of those years. I love antiques; especially old bowls, mostly McCoys. My dishes are displayed on shelves and on antique furniture such as my old black cast iron cook stove in my little red antique room. I also have hundreds of antique and vinyl dolls. Lots of Barbie dolls still in their boxes. They fill up two of my vacant bedrooms.
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