Author: Norm

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:15-35 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” (Matthew 18:33) Jesus is urging His followers to be merciful, because we all need mercy.This is more challenging for those who have been severely…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:15-35 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.” (Matthew 18:27) Jesus tells one of His teaching stories (parable) to explain how forgiveness works. A man owes a HUGE debt (equaling 5 lifetimes of…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:15-35 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (22) Peter hears Jesus’s heart for rescuing, restoring and reconciling (Matthew 18:1-20) and is challenged by this idea of reconciling with someone who sins against you (Matthew 18:15-17). He asks the…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:15-35 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) This verse is a part of the section on dealing with sin in the church. As I suggested yesterday, the church is a…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:15-35 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “Treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:17) Jesus has demonstrated His compassion and passion for rescuing, restoring and reconciling with ‘little ones’, those who are struggling, wandering or looked down on (Matthew 18:1-14). Now…

This week (April 14-20, 2025) we are focusing on Matthew 18:15-35. Pray for the Spirit of Jesus to speak to your heart. Watch the Bible Project video below (Part 2) to review the big picture. Read this chapter through a few times, with silent reflection. Make note of any words or sentences, thoughts or questions that arise….

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:1-14 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14) I’ve spent the whole week reflecting on God’s compassion and passion for the ‘little ones’. As Christians we talk a lot about…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:1-14 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “What do you think? Will he not leave the ninety-nine and go to look for the one that wandered off??” (Matthew 18:12) I’ve often wondered about how Jesus describes the shepherd leaving the 99 to find the wandering 1. Jesus’s…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:1-14 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “Their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10) Jesus urges his disciples (1) to humble themselves like little ones, (2) to welcome other little ones, (3) to not cause the little ones…