Author: Norm

This week (April 21-26, 2025) we are focusing on Matthew 19. Pray for the Spirit of Jesus to speak to your heart. Watch the Bible Project video below (Part 2) to review the big picture. Read this chapter through a few times, with silent reflection. Make note of any words or sentences, thoughts or questions that arise….

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:15-35 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.” (Matthew 18:34) The ending of this story is disturbing… “to be tortured”!?!?”And v.35 makes it sound like God…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:15-35 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” (Matthew 18:33) Jesus is urging His followers to be merciful, because we all need mercy.This is more challenging for those who have been severely…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:15-35 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.” (Matthew 18:27) Jesus tells one of His teaching stories (parable) to explain how forgiveness works. A man owes a HUGE debt (equaling 5 lifetimes of…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:15-35 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (22) Peter hears Jesus’s heart for rescuing, restoring and reconciling (Matthew 18:1-20) and is challenged by this idea of reconciling with someone who sins against you (Matthew 18:15-17). He asks the…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:15-35 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20) This verse is a part of the section on dealing with sin in the church. As I suggested yesterday, the church is a…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:15-35 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “Treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” (Matthew 18:17) Jesus has demonstrated His compassion and passion for rescuing, restoring and reconciling with ‘little ones’, those who are struggling, wandering or looked down on (Matthew 18:1-14). Now…

This week (April 14-20, 2025) we are focusing on Matthew 18:15-35. Pray for the Spirit of Jesus to speak to your heart. Watch the Bible Project video below (Part 2) to review the big picture. Read this chapter through a few times, with silent reflection. Make note of any words or sentences, thoughts or questions that arise….

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:1-14 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” (Matthew 18:14) I’ve spent the whole week reflecting on God’s compassion and passion for the ‘little ones’. As Christians we talk a lot about…

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 18:1-14 What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage? “What do you think? Will he not leave the ninety-nine and go to look for the one that wandered off??” (Matthew 18:12) I’ve often wondered about how Jesus describes the shepherd leaving the 99 to find the wandering 1. Jesus’s…