SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” [Mark 1:12-13] Both Israel and Jesus were ‘baptized’ by God, declared in love to be His much-loved children [Mark 1:9-11, 1 Corinthians 10:1-4]. Then…
Author: Norm
moving boldly forward
SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the…
surrounded by supporters
SCRIPTURE: Romans 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” [Luke 22:31-32] These words from Jesus offer a warning, an encouragement, and a calling. Jesus warns Peter (and us) that we…
living the mission
SCRIPTURE: Romans 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” [Matthew 5:16] The love of Jesus at work in and through us results in praise and conversion. Paul talks about the ‘spirit of unity’ that results from accepting and blessing…
blessing, not judging
SCRIPTURE: Romans 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little…
just the gospels?
“Would Christians today be different if we only had the four Gospels to interpret? What if all we had to look at over all these centuries were the four accounts of Christ’s life? Would we be better Christians on the streets? I think we probably would. Sure we would be missing a depth of rich…
a politician like Jesus
SCRIPTURE: Romans 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” [Matthew 22:21] The religious leaders are trying to trap Jesus into speaking against Rome so that He can be arrested. Jesus’ answer is more than a clever evasion, it is a profound truth. We live in two realities: this world as…
a good question
“How long has it been since you knew someone who came to faith for the first time? I’m not talking about in a youth group setting or in a children’s church. I’m talking about an adult who had no idea about God but who has since found faith in Christ and rearranged his or her…
in view of God’s mercy
SCRIPTURE: Romans 12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “Jesus asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’” [John 8:11] Notice that Jesus does not tell her first to stop sinning, then He will not condemn her; rather, He…
for ALL people (including the Jews)
SCRIPTURE: Romans 11 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’” [Matthew 11:25] Apparently God chooses to bypass the proud and work with the humble and lowly. At one time, this is what…