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…]
ACTS 8:26–40 “Where’s Waldo?” is a popular children’s book series featuring a cartoonish character, Waldo, who hides in crowded scenes, inviting children to find him. Parents also enjoy the sweet moments of discovery and helping their children find him. Stephen’s death led to persecution against Christians, leading many to flee Jerusalem. Deacon Philip followed the fleeing … [Read more…]
2 CHRONICLES 20:14–22; PSALM 47:6 Singing has been found to have a significant impact on the brain, releasing hormones that alleviate anxiety and stress. Research suggests that when a group sings together, their heartbeats actually synchronise with each other. Paul’s writing encourages the church to communicate through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with the Bible repeating “Sing … [Read more…]
JOHN 13:3–17 The church commissioned a new group of leaders who participated in a memorable foot-washing ceremony, symbolising their roles as servant-leaders, with the congregation observing as they washed each other’s feet. Jesus Christ, in John 13, poured water into a basin and began washing His disciples feet, stating that no servant is greater than their master … [Read more…]
JOHN 14:25–31 A lady shared her longing for peace and contentment, despite her successful business and influential relationships. One day, she found the Prince of Peace, a source of true peace and contentment, after a friend shared the good news of Jesus. This profound experience changed her understanding of true peace and contentment. Jesus spoke of … [Read more…]
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