PHILIPPIANS 4:8–13; COLOSSIANS 3:1 According to David H. Roper, Idaho’s valley in the USA experiences extreme cold in winter due to clouds and fog, trapping cold air behind warmer air. However, a nearby road climbs Shafer Butte’s flank, a 7,500-foot mountain, allowing for a refreshing view of the valley below. This road offers a short distance … [Read more…]
JOHN 4:31-34 Meat Mountain is a hidden menu item in fast-food restaurants, resembling a featured item. It is known only through social media and word of mouth, suggesting an offer of secret menus to in-the-know customers. Jesus revealed His hidden food to His disciples, who were confused about it. He explained that it was to fulfil His … [Read more…]
PSALM 46 In the past, letters were responded to within weeks, while fax machines provided a few days’ response. Today, with email, instant messaging, and mobile phones, a response is expected the same day. In Psalm 46, two commands are read: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Being still is essential in today’s busy … [Read more…]
GALATIANS 5:13-26 A woman parked her car and blocked my way to the fuel pump. I could not wait, so I honked my horn and shouted at her. I felt bad about being impatient and unwilling to wait for her to move. I apologised to God and realised I could have spread kindness and patience instead … [Read more…]
LUKE 19:1-10 “My days of tree climbing are past,” remarked a woman who, as a child, loved to climb trees. “I think that is not very respectable or safe.” Zacchaeus, a wealthy man, threw away shame and climbed a tree in Jericho to see Jesus. Despite being short and unable to see, he managed to see and … [Read more…]
JOHN 16:28-33; REVELATION 21:4 A lifelong fan of a football club experienced disappointment due to the team’s lack of championship appearances. Despite this, the team has a loyal fan base, often referring to their home stadium as the “Factory of Sadness.” Our shattered world might operate as a “factory of sadness” as well. Whether brought on by … [Read more…]
LUKE 2:21-35 Rembrandt, a Dutch painter, left an unfinished painting on his easel, depicting Simeon’s emotion while holding Jesus. According to some art historians, Rembrandt was prepared to “be dismissed” (Luke 2:29) because he sensed his time on earth was drawing to a close, just like Simeon. Simeon’s presence in the temple when Mary and Joseph … [Read more…]
REVELATION 22:1-5 We all have something in common. We live in a mixed-up, tarnished world, and we have never known anything different. Adam and Eve could recall the world before the curse, free from death, hardship, and pain. In pre-fall Eden, hunger, unemployment, and illness did not exist. No one questioned God’s creative power or human … [Read more…]
1 KINGS 12:1-15; MATTHEW 20:26 In traditional African societies, leadership succession is a crucial decision, with candidates chosen based on strength, fearlessness, and sensibleness. Candidates are examined to determine their suitability for serving the people or dictating with a heavy hand. The successor must be both a leader and a servant. Rehoboam succeeded Solomon. Rehoboam’s lack of … [Read more…]
NUMBERS 14:39-45; PSALM 37:7 After five delays brought on by bad weather, the space shuttle Challenger finally launched on January 28, 1986, amid a raging display of noise and flame. System failure caused the shuttle to disintegrate 73 seconds later, killing the entire crew of seven. The disaster was believed to have been caused by a “go … [Read more…]
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