One of the great things about the Bible is that people are mentioned by their names. There are lists after lists telling us the names of the people involved. What does that have to do with you? Everything. Just like the people gone before us, also you are special. God knows you by name. God knows all of us by name. We are not just numbers. We are persons with names and each of us have a different life story….
Do you believe that you’re very dear to God? Truly precious and beloved? Good for you. Do you believe that you are always loved and cherished? That is a bit harder to believe, don’t you think? Because we don’t so easily love unlovable ones ourselves. Because we don’t always love even those who are dear to us. Because we are incapable of altruistic and unconditional love. But God is not hindered by our in-capabilities. God is God and he is…
Are you painfully conscious of your need of those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened? Do you know what those things are? How do you get your soul refreshed, supported, and strengthened anyhow? If we hurry and go after all the bling-bling in the world, we will miss it. But if we take time to listen, we find our way to the well. God has been calling us to the fresh waters long, long time. Already…
It’s getting dark very early these days. Even the days seem gloomy. We yearn to have more light. We try to get rid of darkness by putting up Christmas lights. But no amount of Christmas lighting can take away darkness of our lives. Only God can do that. Psalm 36 verse 9 has been giving me comfort and perspective as it gets darker and darker around us: For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see….
Today I’ve been pondering on giving. What it is and what is is not. I don’t think we need expensive gifts but I do think we need extraordinary generosity. Material gifts do not bring happiness. But love and caring do. Because when we love each other, we are touched by God. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. (Luke…
As we approach Thanksgiving and other big family celebrations, it is good to remember how to be at peace in demanding situations. We can’t be peaceful without being centered on God. We can’t be gracious without resting in grace ourselves. We can’t be loving without feeling God’s love. What to do then? Before you enter into difficult situations (or any day for that matter) spend time with God. Not just a hasty prayer here and there but pray until praise…
Yesterday at church a senior men’s choir sang a beautiful hymn at the end. It was so touching. I am sure I was not the only one with misty eyes in the audience. Not because of the words of the song. Not because the performance would have been somehow extraordinary. But because these older men were standing there and praising God with their song. After decades of hard life and difficult circumstances, they were still praising God. What a testimony….
Have you ever read a novel with a protagonist who just doesn’t get what s/he needs to learn in order to succeed/find happiness or balance in his or her life? You as a reader just can’t understand why s/he does not get it. The protagonist struggles with the same thing over and over again until finally s/he gets a break through and things start looking better. It is so easy to know what’s good for the protagonist while you’re reading…
Have you ever felt – or do you feel right now – that God is silent? Do you know what to do when God is silent? It is an important faith skill. Because too often we worry about if we have done something wrong when God feels distant. The silence of God is part of salvation life. Sometimes it lasts few days or weeks, sometimes the silent period lasts months or even years. But it doesn’t mean that we would…
One of the most famous Bible verses is Psalm 119:105 (AMP): Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. There are songs about it and almost everybody – it seems like it – knows it by heart. I’ve always loved it too but today I read it in the Message paraphrase and saw it very differently afterwards. By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path….
