How does Jesus’ sermon to a first-century audience affect us?
Pick up a book written last century, and you’re bound to run across some language that sounds almost foreign! Join us as we put Scripture into context.
Flight Simulator
When airplane pilots are training, they spend many hours in flight simulators. These simulators give the students a chance to experience the challenges and dangers of flying an aircraft—but without the risk. The pilots don’t have to leave the ground, and if they crash in the simulation, they can calmly walk away.
Reflection: When God Isn’t Answering Your Prayer
By Lau Jue Hua, Singapore Most of us have been taught that prayer is the first thing to do when we are in trouble. While it is sound advice, there is a possible pitfall. When we view prayer as a problem-solving technique, we lose sight of God’s intended purpose of it—as an instrument of intimacy [...]
Water Problems
Our church family was excited to see work begin on our new sanctuary. Each Sunday we eagerly looked at the big hole in the ground. But progress seemed slow.
It all came down to water. Too much in one place and not enough in another. An underground spring was one problem.
Hanging On Nothing
A world map published by the National Geographic Society has this notation: “Earth’s mass is 6.6 sextillion tons.” And what supports all that weight? Nothing. The planet we inhabit spins on its axis at 1,000 miles per hour as it hurtles through space in its orbit around the sun. But it’s easy for that to remain unnoticed in the midst of our daily concerns about health, relationships, and how to pay the bills.
Greedy Birds
Every year when I put out the hummingbird feeder, the busy little birds start battling for position. Even though there are four places at the “table,” the birds fight for whatever place one of their neighbors is using. The source of food at each place is the same—
Reflection on “Seconds”
Written by Benjamin Smith, Perth, Western Australia As I sit deep in thought, In my family’s lounge room, My attention is drawn to an old pendulum clock. I spend time and thought reflecting on this clock, Reflecting on time itself. As the pendulum swings from side to side, The chime goes tick, tock, tick, tock, [...]
Reflection on “Seconds”
Written by Benjamin Smith, Perth, Western Australia As I sit deep in thought, In my family’s lounge room, My attention is drawn to an old pendulum clock. I spend time and thought reflecting on this clock, Reflecting on time itself. As the pendulum swings from side to side, The chime goes tick, tock, tick, tock, [...]
The implications of placing anything above our love for the Lord
If you were to make a list of the things you love most, what items would be at the top of the list? We’re talking about what we treasure.
Rock Of Refuge
One year during my vacation, I walked along the shoreline of a large lake. As I approached a pile of boulders, I noticed a small alcove between the rocks and observed that a tiny plant had taken root there. The plant appeared to be absorbing the right amount of sunlight and water, and it was also getting something else: protection.
Let’s take an honest look at what Jesus had to say about money and possessions
Some people claim that God wants everyone to be rich, healthy, and happy. But a closer look at Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount shows that assumption is off base.
Play In Pain
Baseball Hall-of-Fame catcher Gary Carter was a follower of Jesus. During his 19-year career, he drew strength and endurance from his faith in God to compete day after day. In an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal shortly after Carter died of brain cancer at age 57, writer Andrew Klavan told how Carter had influenced his life.
My Utmost for His Highest
. . . do you love Me? . . . Tend My sheep —John 21:16
Jesus did not say to make converts to your way of thinking, but He said to look after His sheep, to see that they get …
Social Media Fuels Our Discontent?
By Lau Jue Hua, Singapore Apparently, Facebook could make you feel discontented with your life. Researchers from two German universities surveyed 600 students regarding their feelings after using Facebook. More than one-third of the respondents feel worse after visiting friends’ pages. They cited predominantly negative feelings of anger, exhaustion, frustration, and irritation. Thirty percent considered [...]
A challenging conversation about how treasure has the undivided attention of our heart
A winning lottery ticket. An overflowing bank account. A healthy stock portfolio. We tend to think of “treasure” in monetary values. Treasure can include anything that has the undivided attention of our heart!
