#firstworldproblems: Legit or Trivial?
As a Singaporean, I’m well-acquainted with the fact that I live in a “first-world country.” This in turn means that I’ve had my share of “first-world problems.” For example, taking the subway during peak hour.
Legacies of Love
I was paging through my great-grandmother’s Bible when a treasure fell into my lap. On a small scrap of paper, in a young child’s handwriting, were the words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:3–4 kjv). Scribbled beside those verses in wobbly cursive was my mother’s signature.
My great-grandmother had a habit of teaching her grandchildren to write Scripture verses so they would learn them and take them to heart. But the story behind this verse brought tears to my eyes. My grandfather…
Praying to God in Secret
When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place . . . —Matthew 6:6
The primary thought in the area of religion is— keep your eyes on God, not on people. Your motivation should not be the desire to …
The Right Way to Pray
I admire people who record prayer requests in journals tattered from daily handling, those who keep track of every prayer and praise and then faithfully update their lists. I’m inspired by those who gather with others to pray and whose kneeling wears out the carpet at their bedsides. For years, I tried to copy their styles, to simulate a perfect prayer life, and to imitate the eloquence of the so-much-more-articulate-than-me folks. I strived to unravel what I thought was a mystery, as I longed to learn the right way to pray.
Eventually, I learned that our Lord simply desires prayer that…
What To Renounce
We have renounced the hidden things of shame . . . —2 Corinthians 4:2
Have you “renounced the hidden things of shame” in your life—the things that your sense of honor or pride will not allow to come into …
Good for You?
Because I like dark chocolate, I sometimes Google “Is dark chocolate good for you?” I get a variety of results—some good, some bad. You can do the same for almost any food product. Is milk good for you? Is coffee good for you? Is rice good for you? There is a dizzying array of answers to these questions, so you have to be aware that the search itself may not be good for you. It may give you a headache.
But if you are looking for something that is one-hundred-percent good for you all the time, can I recommend the Word…
How To Talk To Children About The Crucifixion of Jesus
The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. But is it appropriate to read it to young kids? Today on Discover the Word, the team, and special guest Sally Lloyd-Jones talk about ways to explain the reality of the way Jesus died to children. Hear Sally read the story of the crucifixion […]
Arguments or Obedience
Simplicity is the secret to seeing things clearly. A saint does not think clearly until a long time passes, but a saint ought to see clearly without any difficulty. You cannot think through spiritual confusion to make things clear; to make things clear, you must obey. In intellectual matters you can think things out, but in spiritual matters you will only think yourself into further wandering thoughts and more confusion. If there is something in your life upon which God has put His pressure, then obey Him in that matter.
When Suicide Strikes
Every 30 seconds, the worst kind of death is leaving brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, friends asking “why?” Every 30 seconds, somewhere on the globe someone’s life ends by their own hands. Al Hsu lost his father to suicide. He’s tasted the pain of distorted grief. In this booklet, Al chronicles …
What Happened When I Quit Social Media
“Am saying bye bye to Facebook! It’s taking too much of my time. I’m on Insta (which I check sporadically) or Messenger, text or WhatsApp! Adios!” That was my last Facebook post, written two months ago.
As soon as the post went live, I deleted my Facebook app and shuffled my Instagram app to sit on the lowest row of my phone.
The Ultimate Satisfaction
As we distributed snack food for children at a Bible School program, we noticed a very hungry little boy. After devouring his snack, he also ate the leftovers of the children at his table. Even after I gave him a bag of popcorn, he still was not satisfied.
As leaders, we were concerned as to why this little boy was so hungry. But are we perhaps like him when it comes to our emotions. We look for ways to satisfy our deepest longings, but we never find what fully satisfies us.
The prophet Isaiah invites those who are hungry and thirsty to…
Reflecting On God’s Endless And Unconditional Love
God doesn’t only love us when we follow Him and obey His Word. He even loves us when we turn our backs and walk away. Today on Discover the Word, the team and special guest Sally Lloyd-Jones, author of The Jesus Storybook Bible, reflect on the power of God’s endless, unconditional love. Pull up a chair for Discover the […]
After Surrender— Then What?
I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. —John 17:4
True surrender is not simply surrender of our external life but surrender of our will— and once that is done, surrender is complete. The greatest crisis we ever face is the surrender of our will. Yet God never forces a person’s will into surrender, and He never begs. He patiently…
Why I Gravitated Towards BTS’s Music
My favorite K-pop boyband BTS has just released a new album. I was really excited to hear that they’ve set another record with the music video of their latest single, “Idol”. The video racked up over 50 million views within a day of its release—the highest hits for any YouTube video over a 24-hour period!
What’s in a Name?
“Gip” Hardin, a Methodist preacher, named his son after the famous preacher John Wesley, reflecting Gip’s hopes and aspirations for his baby boy. John Wesley Hardin, however, tragically chose a different path than his ministry-minded namesake. Claiming to have killed forty-two men, Hardin became one of the most notorious gunfighters and outlaws of the American west of the late 1800s.
In the Bible, as in many cultures today, names hold special significance. Announcing the birth of God’s Son, an angel instructed Joseph to name Mary’s child “Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). The meaning of…
