Author: Norm

So here is the question of the week: If Jesus’ birth was really in a stable, do our festive traditions (lights, tinsel and presents) trivialize His birth?

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 56 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant– these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house…

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 55 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. [Isaiah 55:1] Thirsty, hungry, needy, poor, desperate – these adjectives describe the human condition well. Looking for love, belonging, acceptance, significance, recognition, for…

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 54 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: For your Maker is your husband– the Lord Almighty is his name– the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. [Isaiah 54:5] Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my…

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 53 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him…

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 52 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Just as there were many who were appalled at him — his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness– so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see,…

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 51 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Therefore hear this, you afflicted one, made drunk, but not with wine. This is what your Sovereign Lord says, your God, who defends his people: “See, I have taken out of your hand the cup that made you stagger; from that cup, the goblet of my wrath, you will never drink again….

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 50 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will…

So here is the question of the week: Is the virgin birth for real, does it really matter? (Check out previous questions here)