Having grown up in a tradition that talks a lot about comfort (afterall, ‘what is my only comfort in life and in death’), I wonder whether we’ve become too comfortable?
Author: Norm
psalm 151
Have you ever read Psalm 151? Probably not, since it hasn’t been written… yet! Psalm 151 is my psalm, your psalm, anyone’s psalm. Its our own personal response to God’s presence, power or purpose in our life. Just as David wrote psalms to express his own faith and struggle, we can also do the same. It can…
giving birth to Jesus
SCRIPTURE: Luke 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: ‘For nothing is impossible with God.’ ‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.’ Then the angel left her. [Luke 1:37-38] God’s plan is to introduce the messiah into the world through unconventional means. Whereas our world celebrates strength, wealth, royalty, celebrity, beauty, etc., He…
a smart kid!
hope… that makes a difference
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. [Psalm 37:7] Sometimes the world can be so discouraging. If I allow my mind to dwell on how much suffering is going on all over the world – some of…
meekness, not weakness
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 37 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace. [Psalm 37:11] David is reflecting on the fact that the enemies of God seem to prosper for a season, while the meek (not weak, but those who quietly trust in the Lord [Psalm 37:7] and do what He delights [Psalm 37:3-4] will one day…
fountain of life
For with you is the fountain of life… [Psalm 36:9] ‘Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus…
coming into the light
September 29, 2009 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 36 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. [Psalm 36:9] In this Psalm David considers those who live sinful lives, apart from God. He contrasts this to the glory and goodness of God, then petitions God to protect the upright from sinners. Those who…
heart of worship?
I am thinking about ‘worship’ a lot lately. Can’t get over the feeling that something is missing, something is wrong. I’m talking about in the church in general, at least as I have experienced it. I remember hearing the story behind the song “The Heart of Worship”, and as I reviewed this video, I can…
betrayal
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 35 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land. [Psalm 35:20] David has been betrayed, and he is deeply hurt. This psalm expresses that hurt, and his desire for his betrayers to hurt like him. David describes how he had cared for these people [Psalm 35:13-14],…