EPHESIANS 4:31 Bitter orange extract is often used in weight-loss supplements. But because it raises blood pressure and has been linked to heart attacks and strokes, it has been banned in some places. Can you just liken these negative effects to what bitterness does in us? Imagine Naomi asking people to call her “Mara,” meaning bitter. … [Read more…]
MATTHEW 7:24 Whose wisdom, insights, or opinions do you listen to the most? Jesus used the image of building a house on a faulty foundation to explain the danger of building our lives on just any word or idea. Many families have fallen apart because of this and many lives have been shattered too. If we base … [Read more…]
LUKE 4:1-13 Some people feel temptations are more during Lent and so they are very agile during this season. The truth is that temptations come each day and will continue through this season and beyond. The fact that Jesus was tempted in the wilderness did not wipe away the challenges He had to face after then. … [Read more…]
EPHESIANS 5:8 Paul reminds us as believers that we were once darkness, but quickly noted that now we are light in the Lord and should live as children of light. Light has a way of exposing what darkness tends to cover. That is precisely the truth upon which Paul bases his instruction. Such is our … [Read more…]
JEREMIAH 1:5 People value recognition because it makes them feel important. Usually the recognition we seek is from other people. When we are not recognised, we may end up with feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, emptiness, disappointment, and even hatred. Not only does God recognise you. He has special feelings for you. He cannot stop thinking … [Read more…]
PSALM 32:8 We make decisions from time to time. We have many decisions ahead. Some of them will be pleasant and some of them will be painful no matter what we decide. There is, however, one decision we can make right now that will help us through this time as well as the rest of … [Read more…]
PSALM 51 Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day is the day before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. The name Shrove comes from the old middle English word ‘Shriven’ meaning to go to confession to say sorry for the wrong things we have done. The other name for this day, Pancake Day, comes from the old English custom … [Read more…]
MATTHEW 5:44 Serious enough, many people, even Christians have bought into the idea that love is just a warm fuzzy feeling. But love is not just a feeling. It is a choice. Matthew 5:44 tells us to love our enemies. It is impossible to feel warm and fuzzy about people we do not like … [Read more…]
JOHN 11:1-44 When Jesus lived on earth, His seemingly slow pace sometimes disappointed His friends. In John 11, Mary and Martha sent word that their brother, Lazarus, was sick. They knew Jesus could intervene. But He arrived some four days later, after Lazarus had died. ‘Lord,’ Martha said to Jesus, ‘if you had been here, … [Read more…]
ROMANS 8:28 Is it possible that everything can be used by God for our good? Certainly! Even though they cause pains and inconveniences, God can use them to draw us near to Him. That is when the undesirable and unimaginable can become stepping stones. God uses all things for our good and for His glory. We … [Read more…]
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