PSALM 117 A young believer in Jesus was encouraged by a spiritual mentor to keep a thanks journal. This small booklet was carried everywhere, recording Thanksgivings either immediately or at the end of the day. The author of Psalm 117, the shortest of all the psalms, exhorts everyone to give thanks to the Lord since His … [Read more…]
MATTHEW 6:6–13 One weekend the children decided to make breakfast for themselves, causing a chaotic scene. Tired from a long week, Daddy and Mummy slept until 7:00 a.m., when they heard a loud crash and found a shattered bowl of oatmeal on the floor. The children chose independence, not seeking help, and the outcome was … [Read more…]
PROVERBS 15:13–15 A man crossed the road without looking carefully. I slammed on the brakes, missing him. Startled, the man looked up and met my gaze. I smiled at him. His face lit up with relief, and he lifted the corners of his own mouth in appreciation. I could not hear him, but I knew he … [Read more…]
PSALM 104:24–35 The hum produced by the hummingbird’s fast-beat wings gives it its English name. It goes by the names “flower-kisser” (Portuguese) and “flying jewels” (Spanish) in different languages. The Mexican Zapotec term biulu, which means “what remains in the eye,” is one of my favourite names for this bird. You will always remember seeing … [Read more…]
MICAH 5:2–4 “What is the remaining time until my birthday?” My child used to ask this question all the time when he was little. He found the waiting unbearable, even though he used a calendar to count down the days until his birthday. Waiting is a challenge for all God’s people, as seen in the prophecy … [Read more…]
ACTS 14:21–28 Despite the constant burden of unfinished tasks, it is important to celebrate God’s faithfulness and the tasks completed in our faith journey. Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, where they had been committed to God’s grace, after their first missionary journey. They gathered the church and reported God’s work, which had opened a door … [Read more…]
LAMENTATIONS 3:19–26 The pastor, amidst the music-filled sanctuary, reflected on the past year’s prayers, the grief and joy experienced by the congregation. He recalled the changes and healings experienced, as well as the joy of celebrating victories, weddings, graduations, baptisms, and welcoming children into God’s family. He reflected on the trials faced by the church members, … [Read more…]
MARK 9:33–37; MATTHEW 23:12 I was assigned a middle seat on a passenger flight but only saw a place behind to put my luggage. This meant I had to wait for everyone to leave before retrieving my bag. I laughed as I realised that waiting would be beneficial. I decided to enjoy the extra time by … [Read more…]
PSALM 89:1–17 Before starting his day’s job as a cook in his community in the seventeenth century, the monk Brother Lawrence would pray for God’s grace to stay in His presence. He continued to talk to God while working, listening for His guidance. He looked for and discovered a sense of his maker’s love regardless … [Read more…]
LUKE 11:5–13 During World War I, Oswald Chambers was assigned as a YMCA chaplain to British Commonwealth soldiers at Zeitoun Camp, a military training facility close to Cairo, Egypt, in October 1915. He called a religious service for the weeknight, and four hundred men showed up to hear Chambers’s talk, “What Is the Good of Prayer?” … [Read more…]
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