Author: Norm

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 50:1-11 OBSERVATION: Speaking to captive Israel, God compares His letting Israel go to a divorce, necessary because of their ‘adulterous’ behavior with other lifestyles/religions (v.1) God has the power to save His people, but they have to be willing (vv.2-3). The messiah will be enabled to speak wisdom, and will endure abuse for God’s…

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 49:1-21 OBSERVATION: A conversation between God and His messiah – He will be the Saviour of the world (v.6). The day is coming when kings will bow to the messiah, when the messiah will be a new covenant, will feed the masses, lead them through barren places, have compassion on them, especially the weak/needy…

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 42:1-17 OBSERVATION: Description of God’s promised messiah (servant who will bring justice to the nations, vv.1-4). God reminds His people Who He is, assures them He will keep His promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) and bring blessing (light) to all people, especially the weak/needy. Isaiah urges people to praise the Lord because He will rise…

SCRIPTURE: John 12:20-36 OBSERVATION: The Greeks want to see Jesus, Jesus replies by speaking about dying to produce many seeds. The ‘many seeds’ refers to the many people (not just Jews) who will be saved by His death, the ‘all people’ He will draw to Himself. Jesus shows the high cost of following Him (vv.24-25), as…

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 40:12-31 OBSERVATION: The basic message is, ‘how can you criticize or complain about Me, don’t You realize who I am?’ God made it all, in a way, with a wisdom and a power that far surpasses us. We have a lot of nerve to compare God to a statue, to reduce Him to our…

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 9:1-18 OBSERVATION: Paul is being criticized by certain people (possibly leaders) at the church in Corinth, accused of being in it only for their money, being materially and personally motivated. Paul argues that although he has the right to expect certain things, he didn’t claim those rights so as to not hinder the spread…