LUKE 9:23, 57–62 Some shortcuts are beneficial, but others can harm our spirits and lives. We desire romance without the challenges, greatness without the risks, and pleasing God without inconvenience. Jesus talked of the importance of surrendering our lives to Him, warning that no one can serve in the kingdom of God if they look back (Luke … [Read more…]
COLOSSIANS 1:3–14, 23 A group of teenagers visited an elderly home and noticed a lonely man on a bed, which he could not move from due to his disability. A teen shared God’s love story and read Bible passages, causing the man’s eagerness to learn more. She explained Jesus’s sacrificial death, which was difficult for him to … [Read more…]
1 PETER 1:22-2:5 With the intention of starting over, I rearranged my room. Bags of goods waiting to be recycled, distributed, or thrown away were waiting outside the front door after hours of cleaning and sorting. However, the result of this tiresome effort was a stunning space that I could not wait to use. The housecleaning project … [Read more…]
EPHESIANS 4:1–6 One morning, while walking along the street, I met a friend I had a disagreement with, and we talked openly, resolving the issue. I thanked God for allowing me to talk to him, and we were able to resolve the situation. Paul’s New Testament letter to followers of Christ in Ephesus reflects his personal … [Read more…]
EPHESIANS 2:1–10 Ken was driving with friends to a sporting event when their car had an accident. One friend was paralysed, and another died. Ken was declared dead, but he revived from what turned out to be a deep coma, turning his parents mourning into joy. In Ephesians 2, Paul reminds us that we were dead … [Read more…]
1 KINGS 8:54–63 A few months ago, I was invited to join a community of “driven people,” who are highly motivated and committed to achieving their goals through hard work. Are driven people inherently good? Doing it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31) is an unfailing test. We frequently act in ways that magnify … [Read more…]
1 THESSALONIANS 5:9–28 Workplace communication significantly impacts customer satisfaction, company profits, and co-worker appreciation. Teams with the least productivity tend to use negative comments more than positive words. Paul, a disciple of Jesus, learned the importance of words in shaping relationships and outcomes. Initially terrorising followers of Jesus Christ, he became a great encourager through his letter … [Read more…]
HABAKKUK 1:1–4; 2:20 The use of chastisement is justified in terms of deterrence. The deterrence position maintains that if the offender is chastised, not only the offender but also those who see his example are deterred from further offences. Although we may applaud God’s chastisement of others, Habakkuk contains a crucial passage that causes us to pause: … [Read more…]
2 CHRONICLES 6:7–9, 12–15 He closes his eyes during church praise, focusing on the harmonica he is playing and the music, to block out distractions and perform his best, praising God. Some people question the necessity of closing our eyes during prayer, as it can be challenging to do so every time and in all places. There are … [Read more…]
ROMANS 12:3–8 I was impressed by the performance of a group of 11- and 12-year-olds in a school band concert, showcasing their collective skill and talent. The woodwinds, brass, and percussion sections all contributed to the beautiful music. Paul wrote to Jesus’ followers, stating that they form one body in Christ, with each member belonging to … [Read more…]
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