SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 3 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. [2 Samuel 3:1] In today’s reading, we see God’s purpose unfolding in the midst of the turbulent day-to-day grind. From a God perspective, David…
Author: Norm
(un)civil war
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their brothers?” [2 Samel 2:26] A civil war is anything but civil. In this chapter, Israel is divided after Saul’s death, with David…
as He sees me!
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Saul and Jonathan– in life they were loved and gracious, and in death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. [2 Samuel 1:23] It is not uncommon after someone dies that their loved ones mostly remember the good things. Rarely during a eulogy will someone describe the…
what really matters
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 6 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. [Galatians 6:2] Paul concludes his letter with an appeal to focus on faith expressing itself through love, and not on being religious (whether a person is circumcised or not). God is much more concerned about how we treat…
what we look like together
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of…
a Jesus-shaped heart
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of…
a special relationship
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 4 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,…
innocent?
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 3 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. [Galatians 3:24-25] Paul is eager to show that following the Law will not help us, for only by keeping…
dead or alive
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [Galatians 2:20] This past week I met a former muslim extremist (he failed…