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2 CORINTHIANS 4:7–18 The Nozomi Project, named after the Japanese word for “hope,” was established after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that claimed 19,000 lives and destroyed 230,000 homes in northeast Tokyo. Nozomi women salvage rubble from homes to create jewellery from broken china shards, selling it globally and symbolising their faith in Christ, providing a livelihood … [Read more…]

1 SAMUEL 17:8, 32–37, 48–50 At high school, he spent more than two years working at a fast-food restaurant. A few facets of the work were challenging. He had to apologise to customers who expressed their frustration when he did not satisfy them. He applied for a computer job at his institution shortly after leaving. His … [Read more…]

EXODUS 33:7–14 Despite the increasing interconnectedness of the world, face-to-face interactions remain the most enjoyable. Sharing and laughing together allows us to unconsciously sense each other’s emotions through facial movements, making it a better form of bonding. The Lord and Moses had a face-to-face relationship, growing in confidence despite the people’s rebelliousness and idolatry. Moses set … [Read more…]

LUKE 24:44–49 One of the three kinds of redwoods, the sequoia tree is one of the biggest and most resilient species on the planet. It can live for three thousand years, reach a height of three hundred feet, and weigh more than 2.5 million pounds (1.1 million kg). However, much of the massive sequoia’s size … [Read more…]

PSALM 139:1–18 The vastness of the universe is astounding. The moon is currently orbiting our planet at a speed of over 2,300 miles per hour. Our planet is orbiting the sun at a speed of 66,000 miles per hour. Our galaxy is one of 100 billion galaxies speeding across space, with our sun and 200 … [Read more…]

JOHN 5:17–20 A child often mimics his father, holding his imaginary steering wheel in a car seat and closely monitoring to see what Daddy does next. I recall enjoying doing the same thing as my father drove his car, and he was happy watching me imitate him. God must have felt good when He saw His Son … [Read more…]

JOHN 20:17 For some, Father’s Day is a joyful and easy celebration and remembrance, while for others, it is a day of sorrow and regret for a relationship that once was and is now gone, or for a desired relationship that was never possessed. This makes worship easy for some and difficult for others. Jonathan Edwards … [Read more…]

ROMANS 5:1–11 A church has a welcome card that embodies God’s unconditional love and grace. “If you are a saint, sinner, loser, winner,” it reads, and then a long list of other descriptive words for those who struggle with life, such as “alcoholic, hypocrite, cheater, fearful, misfit… You are welcome here.” We often accept labels and … [Read more…]

HEBREWS 4:14–16; PSALM 73:28 When she saw an empty chair, the woman who wanted to pray kneeled down in front of it. She begged her heavenly father to have a seat, crying, saying, “You and I need to talk.” She prayed then, her eyes fixed on the empty chair. She approached the Lord with assurance, as … [Read more…]

PSALM 93 Situated on the border between Brazil and Argentina, the breathtaking Iguazu Falls comprise 275 falls spanning 2.7 km (1.67 miles) along the Iguazu River. The words of Psalm 93:4, “Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!” are etched on a … [Read more…]