PHILEMON 1:8–16 I visited Jane, a former prisoner reintegrating into society. My life was different from hers. She was fresh out of jail, struggling with addictions, and separated from her son. Onesimus, like Jane, was aware of what it meant to be on the periphery of society. He was a slave who was incarcerated for wronging … [Read more…]
JUDGES 2:11–23; 21:25 He was feeding his obstinate pride after rejecting God’s word and the guidance of His Spirit. Was this worth the strain on his marriage? Not at all. However, he had left a trail of wounds because he had disregarded wise advice and had lived as though he had no one else to account … [Read more…]
HEBREWS 12:1–3 Joshua Bell, a well-known violinist, conducts the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, a 44-individual chamber orchestra, in an unconventional manner. He leads the other violinists while playing his Stradivarius, not by brandishing a baton. He told a Colorado Public Radio that while he is playing, he can give them all kinds … [Read more…]
HEBREWS 11:8–13 A teenager prefers reading books over movies, citing the ability to linger and “inhabit” the stories, to stay there as long as he wants. Hebrews 11, also known as the faith chapter, describes numerous individuals who faced hardship and doubt but chose to obey God. These individuals, who lived by faith even after death, … [Read more…]
PSALM 73:21–28; PHILIPPIANS 4:12 As a boy, my siblings and I would argue about the size of a meat my mom served us. Focussing on others’ possessions can lead to jealousy, but God’s Word emphasises the importance of contentment and focussing on God. The psalmist, inspired by the Holy Spirit, promises to obey God’s words and seek … [Read more…]
2 CORINTHIANS 5:11–21 Tham Dashu, feeling disconnected, started attending the same church with his daughter, but they never connected due to past offenses. He would sneak in during singing and leave promptly after the service. The gospel was preached to him by congregation members, but Tham consistently graciously declined their invitation to follow Jesus. However, he continued … [Read more…]
ECCLESIASTES 4:9–12 Two competitors in the 5,000-meter race at the Rio Olympics in 2016 attracted international attention. American Abbey D’Agostino and New Zealander Nikki Hamblin collided and fell approximately 3,200 meters into the race. Abbey got up fast, but not before stopping to assist Nikki. Shortly after the two athletes resumed their running, Abbey started … [Read more…]
JOHN 1:1–18 John Babler, a Texas chaplain, attended police academy training during a sabbatical to understand the challenges faced by law enforcement officers. This experience fostered humility and empathy, and he aims to improve his effectiveness in counselling officers dealing with emotional stress, fatigue, and loss. God understands our situations because He created us and sees … [Read more…]
EPHESIANS 6:18–19 Robert Hamlet’s song “Lady Who Prays for Me” was inspired by his mother’s morning prayers for her boys. A young mother, inspired by Hamlet’s song, committed to praying with her son. The heartwarming result was that the son returned with some children, revealing that their mothers did not pray with them, so he … [Read more…]
2 CORINTHIANS 3:1–6 My mother and her sisters practiced a lost art of writing letters weekly, filled with personal messages about life, friends, and family. This consistent practice caused mailmen to be busy. The apostle Paul’s said that those who follow Jesus are a letter from Christ. He encouraged the church in Corinth to continue following the … [Read more…]
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