JEREMIAH 8:8–15; ROMANS 5:1 In 1984, Bob Dylan was asked by a journalist if he still hoped for peace. “There is not going to be any peace,” Dylan answered. Although there was criticism of his answer, it is undeniable that peace is still elusive. Around 600 years before Christ, most prophets predicted peace, but God’s prophet, Jeremiah, … [Read more…]
NUMBERS 11:1–11 The chronic pain and limited mobility led to discontent, unnecessary demands and ungrateful behaviour. Complaining about her husband’s caregiving became a routine. Eventually, God helped Lois to see her wrongs and sought forgiveness from her husband and the Lord. The Israelites faced a dilemma of longing for different circumstances, leading to complaining and self-centredness. … [Read more…]
EPHESIANS 6:10–18 Teresa Prekerowa, a teenager in Poland during World War II, saved her Jewish neighbours from the Warsaw ghetto and the Nazi purge. She became a leading historian of the war and Holocaust, and her courage in standing against evil earned her the Righteous Among the Nations award at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial … [Read more…]
ROMANS 14:1–13 It is difficult to walk away from unending arguments over differing interpretations of the Bible. It is good when both sides agree to disagree. Remembering that we will all answer to the Lord for our actions in our disagreements as well as our opinions is the key to agreeing to disagree, according to Paul … [Read more…]
JEREMIAH 31:16–26 Qu Yuan, a wise Chinese government official during the Warring States period (475-246 BC), warned his king about a potential threat, leading to his exile. He ended his life when he learnt of his country’s fall. Qu Yuan’s life resembles some aspects of the life of the prophet Jeremiah, but Jeremiah found hope in adversity. … [Read more…]
ISAIAH 55:1–7 At a Bible Club programme, a little boy devoured his snack and the leftovers of other children, yet he wanted more, causing concern among the teachers. Like that boy, we search for ways to fulfil our deepest desires but are never really satisfied. Isaiah invites hungry and thirsty people to come and eat … [Read more…]
PSALM 119:65–72 I once Googled “Is dark chocolate good for you?” because I enjoy dark chocolate. I received a range of outcomes, some positive and others negative. Almost any food product can be treated in the same way. Is it healthy to drink milk? Does coffee provide health benefits? Is rice a healthy food? You … [Read more…]
MATTHEW 1:18–25 In keeping with his dreams and goals for his son, Methodist pastor Gip Hardin named his son after the well-known preacher John Wesley. Sadly, though, John Wesley Hardin took a different route than his namesake, who was devoted to preaching. Hardin, who claimed to have murdered forty-two men, rose to prominence as one … [Read more…]
MATTHEW 6:5–15 I admire those who diligently record prayer requests, maintain a prayer journal, and engage in communal prayer. I have tried to emulate their styles and eloquence, aiming to learn the right prayer method. Eventually, I discovered from Matthew 6:5 that the Lord desires prayer with humility, a personal exchange, and no fancy words. Prayer … [Read more…]
PROVERBS 15:9–21 The most common question I received while I was getting ready to go on a mission trip with some young people was, “Is there Wi-Fi?” And there would be, I told them. So picture the cries and moans if the Wi-Fi went off one night! When we are removed from our cellphones, a lot … [Read more…]
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