EPHESIANS 4:11–16 On her first day of nursery school, Charlotte was instructed to sketch a portrait. The drawing had two round eyes, an oblong head, and a basic sphere for a body. She was able to sketch herself at the conclusion of her nursery education, wearing vibrant clothing and smiling, illustrating the progression of a … [Read more…]
EPHESIANS 4:15, 26–32 During dinner, a friend expressed frustration with a family member who ignored him. When confronted, he responded with sarcastic remarks, causing a rift within the family. I share similar anger handling issues and struggle with confronting people, often suppressing feelings until others’ mean actions trigger an explosion. Paul advises against letting anger fester (Ephesians 4:26), … [Read more…]
JOHN 8:39–47; JOHN 1:12 During a cell phone purchase in the Middle East, the clerk asked about the customer’s father’s name, which surprised the customer. This question was important for establishing identity and understanding ancestry, a concept not typically valued in some cultures. The Israelites valued their ancestry, particularly their patriarch Abraham, and believed being part of … [Read more…]
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…]
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