COLOSSIANS 1:15-23; ROMANS 5:1 Many old churches were built to be calm, quiet places where people could compose themselves. They offer a pleasant respite from the chaos of the outside world. Many people yearn for peace, and a brief period of stillness may be therapeutic. But the Bible asserts that the source of genuine peace—peace with God—is … [Read more…]
2 KINGS 5:1-15 A complicated game using sticks and string was being played by two boys. After some time, the older lad frowned at his friend and stated, “You are not doing it right.” “It is my game, and we play it my way.” Early on, we develop the impulse to do things our way. Early … [Read more…]
EPHESIANS 1:3-14 When American civil rights icon Rosa Parks passed away in 2005, Oprah Winfrey considered it an honour to eulogize her. According to Oprah, “I often thought about what that took—knowing the climate of the times and what could have happened to you—what it took to stay seated” in reference to the woman who … [Read more…]
PSALM 34:4-18 My friend was dealing with some challenging issues. I admitted to him that I was at a loss for words and actions. “Just be near,” he urged as he turned to face me. I chose to take that action. When others are challenged, we frequently do not understand how to respond, and our comments … [Read more…]
LUKE 22:54-65 There are always at least two levels of hurt when I hear stories of people who have been bullied or of women or men who have been physically abused by their partners. The first, and most obvious, is due to the cruelty of the people who are committing the deed. That is bad … [Read more…]
EPHESIANS 2:4-10; COLOSSIANS 4:6 A senior presidential advisor once mistook four-star General Peter Chiarelli, who was the No. 2 general in the US Army at the time, for a waiter at a formal Washington dinner more than ten years ago. The senior advisor asked the general to grab her a drink as he stood behind her … [Read more…]
PSALM 37:23-31 The book Walking with God in the Modern World by Anonymous offers testimonies from readers and passages from the Bible that inspire believers to maintain a relationship with God. The author’s name is absent. The book is about the reader’s walk with God, not what the author has to say. Writing books, gathering with others for prayer, … [Read more…]
JUDGES 6:11–16 Gideon was a regular person. Judges’ account of his life is motivational. He was a farmer, yet he was also timid. Gideon’s initial response to God calling him to save Israel from the Midianites was to highlight the frailty of his tribe, Manasseh, and the fact that he was the least among his … [Read more…]
2 CHRONICLES 17:1-11 “Wealth scares me!” declared a successful Christian businessman. “I have learned a lesson from Solomon’s verdict on the abundance of wealth. “It is all meaningless.” He was determined not to let his wealth interfere with his devotion to God. Rather, he desired to use his resources to serve God and assist the poor. God … [Read more…]
PSALM 139:17-24 I had to visit the doctor again for my yearly checkup. Even though I was in good health, I was aware of the value of routine checkups since they can reveal hidden issues that, if ignored, could develop into significant health problems. Evidently, spiritually, the psalmist felt that way. He asked God to look … [Read more…]
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