Author: Norm

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 18 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier…

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 17 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said…

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. [Matthew 16:17] Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have…

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even…

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. [Matthew 14:13-14] I am struck…

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that…

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the…

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 11 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. [Matthew 11:27] Do we really know Who God is? Do we really…

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 10 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. [Matthew 10:19] Jesus sends out His…

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 9 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: (Read my reflection from 2008) The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.” [Matthew 9:33-34] Jesus defied expectations, He was not the Messiah anyone expected. He claimed to forgive people, like…