LUKE 18:1-8 The saying, “The squeaky wheel gets the oil,” is popular. I used to ride far on my bicycle as a teenager, and the squeaky sounds of the wheels alerted me to the necessity of lubricating them. The widow in Luke 18 kept asking the judge for justice against her enemy, sounding like a “squeaky … [Read more…]
MARK 4:35-41 During a storm, a retired pastor and his wife left their home and headed to a shelter. They went back to their house after the storm had passed to get a few items, but all they could find floating in the water were a few family photos. Then, as he removed his father’s photograph … [Read more…]
REVELATION 19:7; 21:1-8 Jewish wedding customs saw an addition around the fourth century AD. The groom ends by crushing a wine glass with his foot. One explanation for this is that the breaking of the glass represents the temple’s destruction in AD 70. Young couples are urged to keep in mind that God’s home has been … [Read more…]
LUKE 22:24-27 Jesus washed His disciples’ feet even though it was not necessary for Him to do so (John 13:5). He had the option to serve them as opposed to the servants who were assigned to that task. We are urged to strive to “be somebody,” according to today’s culture. We aspire to hold the highest … [Read more…]
PSALM 100 When children fail to emulate their parents’ level of religious faith, it can be surprising. It is equally surprising when a devoted follower of Christ comes from a non-religious home. Each individual has a choice in every generation. Samuel, a mighty man of God, appointed his two sons, Joel and Abijah, as Israel’s leaders (1 … [Read more…]
JOHN 11:32-44 When my friend’s mother passed away, I went to see him. Our conversation was easily drawn into a cycle of emotions as we talked, combining tears of sadness over her passing with laughter as we remembered what a kind and fun person she had been. Many of us have gone from crying one minute to … [Read more…]
COLOSSIANS 3:12-17 One member of our group revealed after the conference that she had left something behind at the venue. Our group leader, who is usually meticulous in his focus on issues, strongly criticised her after she departed to get it. The leader was shocked to learn that he had also left his passport at the … [Read more…]
JOHN 1:29 I have been blamed for many things, and rightfully so. I have also taken the blame for things that were not my fault. But I have been on the other side of the fence, accusing other people. Blame hurts. Guilty or innocent, we waste a lot of time and mental effort looking for someone … [Read more…]
1 PETER 5:1-11 “If you ask me: What is the single most important key to longevity?”, an actor and comedian once remarked, “I would have to say that it is keeping anxiety, stress, and tension at bay.” I would still have to tell you if you had not asked. He made people laugh, lived to reach … [Read more…]
MATTHEW 26:36-46 Someone once said to a man whose 12-year-old son had just died in a car accident, “God never gives us more than we can handle.” His words, which were meant to encourage him, instead made him feel miserable and made him question why he was not at all “handling” the death of his … [Read more…]
RECENT COMMENTS: