“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” [Psalm 27:4] Does anyone have an idea what it means for David when…
Author: Norm
God’s growing family
SCRIPTURE: Ruth 3-4 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son.” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. [Ruth 4:16-17] Ruth is a love story within a love story. On the surface we…
why me?
SCRIPTURE: Ruth 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me–a foreigner?” [Ruth 2:10] The book of Ruth is a teaching story, and God uses the main character to show His people the kind of humility, love and…
afraid?
The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my…
no greater love
SCRIPTURE: Ruth 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May…
because He lives!
SCRIPTURE: Mark 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. [Mark 16:6] This declaration of the angel is so well-known to us, that it hardly registers on the surprise monitor. He has risen! This is the most important declaration of all,…
9/11 and the cross
SCRIPTURE: Mark 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” [Mark 15:39] A non-Jew, a witness to the horrific death of Jesus, and also to the circumstances surrounding His death, comes to this conclusion,…
something beautiful for God
SCRIPTURE: Mark 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. [Mark 14:6] These last hours of Jesus must have been horrible for Him. He is preparing for death, and He knows it will not be easy – His passionate prayer in the garden makes that…
called to witness, not debate
SCRIPTURE: Mark 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. [Mark 13:10] Jesus seems to have different priorities than us. As He describes the end time, He is more concerned that the message is preached than that the messengers are kept safe and comfortable. He notes that His followers (the elect or called…
why go to church?
Have you heard this one? It’s made the email rounds before, but it does make you think. Its not only true for going to church, its true for reading the bible, prayer, or any other spiritual exercise. It’s the cumulative effect that counts, that tips the scale in the right direction. (Thanks Trish). A Church…