Author: Norm

October 1, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1:1-17 OBSERVATIONS 1. There were four women included (Tamar v.3, Rahab v.5, Ruth v.5, Bathsheba v.6) have less than stellar reputations, yet they are included in Jesus’ family tree. Tamar was impregnated by her father-in-law when she posed as a prostitute; Rahab and Ruth were foreigners, Bathsheba had an affair with…

I have begun a new bible reading schedule (see left column). There are readings for each day of the week: a Psalm for Day 1 (Sunday), a Gospel reading for Days 2-5 (Monday-Thursday), and a larger chunk of Old Testament and New Testament readings for Days 6-7 (Friday-Saturday). If you can’t do it all, at…

September 30, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 1 OBSERVATIONS 1. This psalm suggests that the truly happy person, the person who not only survives but thrives in life, is the one who pays attention to and lives according to the “law” (revealed will) of the Lord. This person will live a fruitful, abundant lives (like a tree by…

September 29, 2009 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 36 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. [Psalm 36:9] In this Psalm David considers those who live sinful lives, apart from God. He contrasts this to the glory and goodness of God, then petitions God to protect the upright from sinners. Those who…

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 35 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. [Psalm 35:20] David has been betrayed, and he is deeply hurt. This psalm expresses that hurt, and his desire for his betrayers to hurt like him. David describes how he had cared for these people [Psalm 35:13-14],…

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 34 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. [Psalm 34:19-20] David wrote this psalm after God helped him escape from king Achish [1 Samuel 21:10-15; Abimelech means ‘my father and king’ and is probably a title,…

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 33 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth– he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. [Psalm 33:13-15] David is urging everyone to join him in praising God… why? Because God is great (His powerful word)…

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 32 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long… Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”– and you forgave the guilt of my sin. [Psalm 32:3,5] God sees into my heart,…

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 31 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. [Psalm 31:9] Why does God wait so long to help? It often seems that He waits until the last possible moment before He shows up (think of Daniel in…

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 30 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. [Psalm 30:5] Its hard to have this big picture perspective when everything seems to be going against us. David does not get to build the temple, yet he…