MICAH 5:2–4 My children used to ask me all the time when they were younger, “How much longer until it is Christmas?” Even though we used a daily Advent calendar to count down the days until Christmas, they still thought the wait was unbearable. Waiting can be hard for everyone, not just children. Micah spoke about … [Read more…]
2 TIMOTHY 3:16 My attempts at fixing things at home often result in hiring someone to fix my mistakes. Recently, I successfully repaired a home appliance by watching a step-by-step YouTube video. Paul was a strong role model for his young protégé Timothy, who accompanied him and saw his work. From prison in Rome, Paul wrote about … [Read more…]
MARK 10:13–16 The little girl danced happily to the music, spinning and waving her arms, while her mother smiled. My heart lifted as I watched and wanted to join her, but I did not. I had lost the joy and wonder of childhood. Though we grow and mature, we should not lose our joy and wonder, … [Read more…]
1 THESSALONIANS 5:16–24 Cell phones provide us with nearly endless access to communicate. However, this leads many to talk or text while driving, causing serious accidents. To prevent this, distracted driving is banned in many places. In the U.S., there are new highway signs indicating areas where drivers can stop safely to use their phones. Restricting mobile … [Read more…]
1 KINGS 19:19–21 Joan enjoyed attending Sunday evening services at their church as a child, which often featured inspiring talks from missionaries and guest speakers who left everything behind to serve God in challenging and unfamiliar places. Elisha, like those missionaries, abandoned his life to follow God as a prophet after Elijah called him while he was … [Read more…]
JOHN 14:1-14 A lady moved over 1,000 miles to a new city with her husband, dividing tasks to meet a tight schedule. Her husband found a new home while she packed. Despite not seeing the area beforehand, she trusted her husband due to his history of considering her preferences. Jesus spoke to His disciples in the … [Read more…]
ROMANS 1:1–10; PHILIPPIANS 1:3 While working on my computer, I heard the sound of a new email. Despite trying to avoid distractions, the subject line “You are a blessing” intrigued me. A faraway friend sent me a card and said she was praying for my family. She displays the card in her “Blessing Bowl” and prays for … [Read more…]
1 PETER 3:13-18 Fear is a constant for Hadassah, a young Jewish girl in Francine Rivers’ book A Voice in the Wind. Becoming a slave in a Roman household, she faces persecution for her faith in Christ. Christians are despised, often executed or thrown to lions. Will Hadassah have the courage to stand for her beliefs … [Read more…]
ACTS 6:1-7 An increase in refugees has caused growth in local churches, bringing challenges such as integrating newcomers with different cultures and languages. Disagreements are common in church, like anywhere else. If not resolved properly, they can lead to divisions. The early church in Jerusalem experienced growth but faced a cultural dispute between Greek-speaking Jews (Hellenists) and Aramaic-speaking … [Read more…]
2 CORINTHIANS 9:10–15; HEBREWS 13:16 During a car ride after church, my daughter refused to share her Goldfish crackers with her siblings. I had made a connection between her snack and the story in class about Jesus feeding thousands with just a few loaves and fish. Despite the lesson, she was adamant about not sharing, claiming … [Read more…]
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