1 PETER 4:7–11 During vacation, he grew a beard, receiving compliments from friends and co-workers. One day, however, he looked at the beard and decided, “It is not me.” So out came the razor. Individual differences and preferences exist in our personalities, as they are uniquely and “wonderfully made” by God. Peter highlights the role of each … [Read more…]
2 TIMOTHY 1:3–5 A 2019 study showed that mothers and grandmothers significantly influence spiritual development in United States believers, with two-thirds citing their mothers and one-third acknowledging their grandmother’s role. Paul noted in his epistolary correspondence with his protégé Timothy that his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois served as role models for Timothy’s faith (2 Timothy 1:5). … [Read more…]
EPHESIANS 2:11–22 James, an African refugee, is unsure of his birthplace and lost his mother during the civil war. Unable to prove his birthplace, he seeks arrest at a British police station, preferring jail over living on the streets without the rights and benefits of citizenship. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians addressed the challenges of living without … [Read more…]
HEBREWS 11:23–28 Eric Liddell, born in 1902 in Tianjin, China, died in 1945. Born to Scottish parents, he won a gold medal at the 1924 Olympics and returned to teach in Tianjin, encouraging young people to contribute to mankind. A memorial stone with an epitaph stands on the grounds of a former Japanese prison camp in … [Read more…]
EXODUS 32:1–5, 19–26 The CEO admitted to making mistakes in illegal activities, expressing regret but maintaining distance from personal responsibility. Mistakes can include driving in the wrong direction or forgetting to set a timer. God calls deliberate deeds sinful, as seen in Adam and Eve’s disobedience. Aaron took no personal responsibility for building a golden calf, explaining … [Read more…]
ISAIAH 66:12–16 I was honoured to hold my friend’s adorable four-day-old infant. The moment I held the baby in my arms, she started to fuss. She became more and more agitated until I placed her back in the crook of her mother’s eager arm. As she fell into the safety she knew so naturally, she … [Read more…]
1 CHRONICLES 16:8–27 His four-year-old child is a chatterbox with lots of questions. But he has the regrettable habit of talking to him even while he is not looking. “Please look at me when you are talking—I cannot hear you,” is something he finds himself repeating a lot. We often talk to God without truly “looking” at … [Read more…]
1 CORINTHIANS 13:4–8 The mother expressed her frustration with her daughter’s relationship, citing questionable friends and confiscating her phone. The situation escalated, leading to a worsening of their relationship. The daughter, deeply in love with her mother, was struggling with smothering love and longed to break free. We all face challenges in our relationships, whether as parents, children, … [Read more…]
ROMANS 14:1–12 A visiting instructor from America encountered Southeast Asian students who left some questions in their first multiple-choice test unanswered. The instructor suggested that students take guesses instead of leaving answers blank. One student raised concerns that if their guess was right, it would imply they knew the answer when they did not, highlighting … [Read more…]
HEBREWS 13:1–2 The dinner where we hosted five families was a memorable experience. The conversation was diverse and inclusive, allowing everyone to contribute to a wider discussion on life in Nigeria. It fostered new friendships and taught me about different cultures. The writer of the book of Hebrews encourages community life by encouraging us to … [Read more…]
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