SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of…
Author: Norm
an innocent man
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 27 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: ‘I have sinned,’ he declared, ‘for I have betrayed an innocent man. [Matthew 27:4] The recurring point in this reading is that Jesus is an innocent man. Judas realizes this, and despairs. Pilate realizes this, and washes his hands of the whole affair. Even the Roman soldiers come to realize this after they…
do you see what I see?
Watch this video, then read what follows for an insight into seeing God.
eating with His betrayers
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 26 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: He replied, ‘One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me.’ [Matthew 26:23] In Jesus’ time, to eat together was an intimate, spiritually bonding experience. To break bread together meant you were one in heart and mind and spirit. This needs to be recalled when we hear…
teamwork
Here is an ode to teamwork…
loving the King today!
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 25 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ [Matthew 25:40] Though it seems as if there is no one Ruler of this planet, and though it seems as if we…
ready or not, here He comes
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. [Matthew 24:36]. Interesting, Jesus seemed to think that “these things” would happen within the disciples’ time frame [Matthew 24:34], but then He says He doesn’t know when…
“the shack” series: forgiveness
The Shack is a parable about one man’s healing encounter with God. Part of Mack’s healing journey is forgiving his father (an alcoholic who abused him) and his young daughter’s murderer. The underlying theme of this book is that Mack will not find freedom from the great sadness (how he describes the depression that encompasses…
Jesus meek and wild
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 23 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence! You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the…
catch the wave
We just finished our first “wave” of the Senior Wave – The Deep End. This is the new and improved senior high youth program. We are now meeting on Sunday nights from 5-8pm. It ran for 6 weeks, and will begin another 6 week run in the new year.