Author: Norm

SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 18 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. [1 Samuel 18:14-15] Saul is not stupid, he sees what is happening. David is quickly becoming a rival to his throne. And since God made it plain to…

SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 17 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands. [1 Samuel 17:47] What guarantees success in whatever challenges or battles we face? Does the strongest always win? The biggest?…

SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” [1 Samuel 16:7] In this world, the lucky ones are the…

SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys. [1Samuel 15:3] Let’s be honest, isn’t this ethnic cleansing? A whole people group wiped out? Were they were such terrible…

November 7, 2009 SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: There are aspects to this story that do not sit well. Saul’s oath, God not answering Saul because of Jonathan’s eating honey, God using the lot to expose Jonathan, Saul’s intent to kill Saul. Does this passage suggest that God is party to these kinds of actions? I am…

November 6, 2009 SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favour.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” “You acted foolishly,’ Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had,…

SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.”[1 Samuel 12:24-25] Having a king was not the problem; God’s eventual plan was to…

SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 11 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger. [1 Samuel 11:6] Anger is a burning fire, to be handled with care. In this messed up world, anger is unavoidable, there are many things that ought to make us angry. I’ve experienced times when,…