Let’s reveal the true hope behind this often misunderstood familiar verse in the Psalms
Friday, May 18, 2012, Part 2
“In the Lord I put my trust. How can you say to my soul, ‘Flee as a bird to your mountain? For look! The wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?’ The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven; his eyes behold, his eyelids test the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous. But the wicked and the one who loves violence his soul hates. Upon the wicked he will rain coals, fire, and brimstone and a burning wind; this shall be the portion of their cup. For the Lord is righteous, he loves righteousness; his countenance beholds the upright” (Psalm 11).
IDEA: We can misrepresent God when we use a sentence in the Bible out of its context.
PURPOSE: To help listeners to look at who is speaking as well as at what is said.
A Yellowstone Reflection
By Jill Phua, 18, Singapore Click to download this wallpaper This is one of my favorite photos. It was taken in Yellowstone National Park, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA. The picturesque scenery reminds me that God is our Creator and that He is sovereign. In comparison with the majestic mountains and lakes that our Lord has [...]
A Place For You
A couple who brought their elderly aunt to live with them were concerned that she would not feel at home. So they transformed a room in their house into an exact replica of her bedroom at the home she left behind. When their aunt arrived, her furniture, wall hangings, and other favorite things felt like a special “Welcome home!” to her.
Practical advice for reading through the Bible, and understanding it along the way!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012, Part 2
IDEA: Because we have a reverence for the Bible, we may be led to misinterpret it.
PURPOSE: To help listeners understand that while the Bible is a unique text, it can be looked at as we would any other piece of literature.
Courageous Conversation
Is it possible that technological advances in communication have left us unable to confront people properly? After all, employers can now send layoff notices via e-mail. And people can criticize others on Facebook and Twitter instead of talking face to face. Perhaps it might be better to put all that aside and emulate how Paul communicated with Peter when they had a disagreement.
Fear
By Issac Tan, 20, Singapore Fear is a funny word. The very essence of the word can send shivers down our spine and stop us dead in our tracks. From the uncertainty of what lies ahead to the imagining of what sleeps under our beds, a variety of things could bring on this crippling oppression. [...]
Seeing Near And Far
Having two healthy eyes is not enough to see clearly. I know this from experience. After a series of eye surgeries for a torn retina, both eyes could see well but they refused to cooperate with each other. One eye saw things far away and the other saw things close up. But instead of working together, they fought for supremacy. Until I could get new prescription glasses 3 months later, my eyes remained unfocused.
Are you struggling to get a solid grasp on the Bible?
Tuesday, May 15, 2012, Part 1
IDEA: Because we have a reverence for the Bible, we may be led to misinterpret it.
PURPOSE: To help listeners understand that while the Bible is a unique text, it can be looked at as we would any other piece of literature.
Looking at some commonly misunderstood Bible passages
Monday, May 14, 2012
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
IDEA: A passage taken out of its context is a pretext.
PURPOSE: To help listeners realize the consequences of misusing texts in the Scripture.
The Old Windmill
A man who grew up on a ranch in West Texas tells about a rickety, old windmill that stood alongside his family’s barn and pumped water to their place. It was the only source of water for miles.
Closer
By Debra Ayis, Nigeria Hold me close in Your embrace; Safely clasped in Your strong arms. O Lover of my soul, My life belongs to Thee. Heart, mind, soul and strength, I surrender all. May I forever be in Your presence, Loving you beyond all measure. To Thy love alone I shall stay true. Pure [...]
A Woman Of Influence
During the early years of the Prot- estant Reformation in Europe, Katharina Von Bora, a former nun, married Martin Luther (1525). By all accounts, the two had a joyous married life. Luther said, “There is no bond on earth so sweet, nor any separation so bitter, as that which occurs in a good marriage.”
Outside The Boat
Katsushika Hokusai was one of the most prolific and celebrated artists in Japanese history. Between 1826 and 1833, when he was in his mid-60s and early 70s, he created his greatest work—a series of color woodblock prints titled Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji. Among those paintings was his masterpiece: The Great Wave Off Kanagawa. This painting, created during a time of financial and emotional struggles for Hokusai, shows a towering wall of water edged with clawlike foam about to crash down on three slim boats full of rowers.
Discover why studying the Bible in community is so important
Friday, May 11, 2012
A Sense Of Concern
Statistics are tricky. While numbers give us information, sometimes they can also desensitize us to the people those numbers represent. This hit me recently as I read a statistic: Every year 15 million people die from hunger. That’s chilling, and for those of us who live in cultures of plenty, it’s hard to fathom. In 2008, nearly 9 million children died before their fifth birthday, with a third of those deaths related to hunger. These are staggering numbers, but they are much more than numbers. They are individuals loved by God.
