Author: Norm

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.’ (Matthew 2:1-2) I love this part of Jesus’ story. How on earth did these pagan astrologers learn about…

For those participating in the SOAP Bible Reading schedule, here is an introduction to the readings from Genesis that begin today (Taken from GotQuestions.org). Author: This gospel is known as the Gospel of Matthew because it was written by the apostle of the same name. The style of the book is exactly what would be expected of a…

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: ‘Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ (Matthew 1:22-23) As we switch from reading Genesis to Matthew, we see the connection between…

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 50 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” (John 11:25-26) Do I believe this? Do I believe the promise of God? Am I…

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 49 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:2-3) The Jews were expecting someone, “the one”. Jacob mentions “the one” in his blessing of Judah: The sceptre will not depart…

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 48 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping…

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 47 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. When you enter the home, give it your blessing. If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. (Matthew 10:11-13)…

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 46 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” (Matthew 2:14-15, quoting Hosea 11:1) It seems that what happens to God’s people in the old testament…

SCRIPTURE: Genesis 45 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. ‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’ (Mark 14:35-36). Jesus is confident in the greatness and the…