PSALM 119:65–72 While some people enjoy sweet chocolate, others prefer bitter chocolate. Chocolate was a popular beverage among the ancient Mayans of Central America, who flavoured it with chilli peppers. This so-called “bitter water” appealed to them. It was brought to Spain many years later, but the Spanish liked chocolate sweet, so they added honey … [Read more…]
EPHESIANS 1:3–14 Because it is located on the location of the biggest slave market in East Africa, their visit to the Christ Church Cathedral in Stone Town, Zanzibar, was extremely emotional. The designers of the cathedral wanted to demonstrate how the gospel frees people from slavery. Once a scene of evil and misery, this location … [Read more…]
ROMANS 8:28–34; 2 CORINTHIANS 1:11 “Your prayer was a great comfort during my brother’s illness; I truly appreciate it.” Jane thanked me with tears in her eyes for the church’s prayers for her brother facing cancer, which encouraged their family. Praying for someone is one of the greatest ways to show them how much you care. Jesus is … [Read more…]
HEBREWS 10:19–25; NEHEMIAH 3 Stephanie Kanowitz in The Washington Post says more than five million people pay to run obstacle courses each year, facing challenges like vertical walls and muddy tracks. Some do it for personal growth, while others enjoy teamwork and support. The Bible encourages teamwork in living out our faith in Jesus, urging us to … [Read more…]
JOB 38:1–18; ROMANS 11:36 Some of us focus only on the negatives in the world. DeWitt Jones, a National Geographic photographer, highlights the positives by capturing moments of beauty that often go unnoticed. He reveals wonder in everyday people and nature through his lens. Job had many reasons to see the world’s wrongs. He lost everything he … [Read more…]
DANIEL 3:4-30 These days, anarchy and lawlessness are the norm. Even the individuals who are supposed to enforce the law can violate it with their full chest. As lawlessness grows, God urges us to choose and stand firm for Him against compromise. Standing for righteousness creates noticeable impact, showing God’s faithfulness. In Daniel 3:4-30, three Hebrew friends, … [Read more…]
PSALM 34:1-4 Sports fans proudly show their support by wearing logos, posting on Facebook, and discussing their teams with friends. They leave no doubt where their loyalty stands. Our sports loyalties can remind us that our greatest loyalty should be to our Lord. This unashamed loyalty is demonstrated in Psalm 34, which emphasises someone who is … [Read more…]
NEHEMIAH 8:5–12 American recruits in basic training for World War II used humour and letters to deal with their challenges. One young man exaggerated the vaccination process in a letter, saying, “Two medical officers chased us with harpoons. . . ” One soldier discovered that humour has its limits. After receiving a Bible, he wrote, “I … [Read more…]
1 KINGS 13:11–24 Her second child, Jane, wanted to sleep in a “big-girl bed” in her sister’s room. Each night, she tucked her in and reminded her to stay in bed, warning her about the crib. However, she often found her in the hallway and had to take her back. Later, she discovered that her sister … [Read more…]
1 KINGS 12:1–7, 12–17; JOB 12:12 In 2010, a newspaper published a report featuring life lessons from eight senior citizens. It highlighted how ageing can bring emotional and social knowledge, referred to as wisdom. Wise older people offer valuable life lessons, but a newly crowned king in the Bible overlooked this. King Solomon had just died, and in … [Read more…]
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