March 27, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20:20-23 OBSERVATIONS Mom just wants the best for her boys. She does not understand life in God’s kingdom. She imagines it is like Caesar’s palace, where the close associates of Caesar get all the advantages. Did they put Mom up to this, did they think Jesus could not refuse a sweet…
Author: Norm
resurrection living
March 26, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20:17-19 OBSERVATIONS We’re all going to die, it’s not a question of IF but WHEN. Still, Jesus seems to be quite open to talking about it. And not just any death, a horrible, painful death. To be arrested by the representatives of Moses (remember Moses talking with Jesus with Elijah), the…
God’s amazing generosity
March 25, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 20:1-16 OBSERVATIONS If God gave us what we deserved, we would be in trouble. Thankfully, God gives us what we do not deserve – it’s called grace. Yet this story makes it sound unfair. How can someone who worked all day get the same amount as someone who only worked the…
Dear to God’s heart
March 24, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 26 OBSERVATIONS Here is a Psalm that I cannot pray. I cannot say ‘I have lived without blame’ or ‘I have never doubted’ or ‘I have always lived by Your truth’. David is not claiming to be absolutely sinless (though it sounds like it), but that his desire has been to…
Deuteronomy 7-11
March 22-23, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 7-11 OBSERVATIONS What do you notice in this passage? APPLICATION What do you sense the Lord saying to you? PRAYER
The reward of blessing others!
March 21, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19:25-30 OBSERVATIONS Salvation (being reconciled to God and restored to life in God’s forever family) is impossible for us to accomplish – no amount of religious activity out good deeds will address the real problem. Only God can do this… and He has, through Jesus!!! Peter is still thinking in worldly…
technological spirituality?
Technology is amazing! It can do everything… or almost everything. This video below is a good reminder that technology has it’s limits. It may also have its downside. Now that we can read the bible on our gadgets, we can have it with us everywhere, always. I wonder if this means that we read it…
A love that overflows
March 20, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19:16-24 OBSERVATIONS This guy seems sincere, though pretty self-confident (“I have obeyed all those commandments”). Jesus seems to be digging deeper into this guys soul (“Why do you ask me about what is good”), and then probes his deep pride and greed with “If you want to be perfect…”. Why give…
Blessing the children
March 19, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19:13-15 OBSERVATIONS What were these people hoping for their children? Good luck, a charmed life, a promise of divine protection, an advantage over other children, a good position in the restored kingdom of Israel? What did Jesus actually give them when He placed His hands on them? Was it an empty,…
A single-minded focus (whether single or married)
March 18, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19:10-12 OBSERVATIONS Jesus describes singleness as a God-enabled calling. He mentions the practice of having eunuchs for royal or religious purposes (for example, to guard the kings harem). These would either be men born without genitals (birth defect) or castrated (ouch). Others choose singleness (not castration) to serve the kingdom, to…