Author: Norm

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 2:1-10 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.1-3) This passage reminds me of how serious my sin condition is, apart from God’s mercy: spiritually dead, following the ways of the world and of the devil, gratifying the cravings of the sinful nature, following its desires and thoughts, by nature an object of wrath. APPLICATION: Do I sense how…

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:15-23 OBSERVATIONS 1. (vv.15-19) Even though Paul has heard about their strong faith and love, he still prays for the Spirit of wisdom to know Him better, and for their hearts to see the greatness of their hope and power in Him. APPLICATION: I still need more of the Spirit, I still need to…

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 1:1-14 OBSERVATION: God has lavished every spiritual blessing on us, true and lasting (heavenly) blessings. Although they are ours in principle, in practice we have received the Spirit as a deposit, the guarantee of the fullness that is ‘in the bank’ for us. Paul stresses God’s side of this blessing, He called us to…

SCRIPTURE: Ruth 4:1-22 OBSERVATION: The main point of this story is to show how God works through the culture and times of Israel’s history to produce the ‘seed of the woman’ who will crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). King David is an anticipation of the future messiah to come. The reference to Perez and Tamar (see…

SCRIPTURE: Ruth 3:1-18 OBSERVATION: A different time and culture. This passage is descriptive (describing how it happened), not prescriptive (prescribing how it should happen). This should be a caution to us when we read the Bible, to not make laws out of things that are not laws. Ruth is a model of humility and loyalty, the…

SCRIPTURE: Ruth 2:1-23 OBSERVATION: This passage mentions finding favour three times (2:2,10,13), and in the context of God’s story that is important since grace and favour are parallel terms, undeserved kindness. Ruth also expresses the wonder of grace in that she – a foreign woman – is treated so well. Unfortunately the men of Israel were…

SCRIPTURE: Ruth 1:1-22 OBSERVATION: This story (Ruth) will show how history is His story, how God works through the dramatic details of the lives of His people. God does not eliminate hardship, but He does work through it to restore His creation. And He works in surprising ways. That Elimelech moves his family to Moab was…

SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 5:1-14 OBSERVATION: Peter identifies himself as a “fellow elder”, a reminder that in the community of Christ-followers there is no hierarchy. We are all under-shepherds under the Chief Shepherd, and we are called to serve the sheep in a selfless, loving and eager way! The emphasis on suffering and submission is important, this is…