Topic > Christian Beliefs
Unpacking our doubts about God’s love
The “Discover the Word” group continues their series “She Did What She Could” today. After Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus with expensive ointment, Judas and others criticized her . . . until Jesus told the men to “leave her alone.” Join us as we unpack the concept of “leaving ourselves alone”. . . by not being hard on ourselves, or allowing others to make us doubt God’s love for us.
The Main Event
While watching a fireworks display during a celebration in my city, I became distracted. Off to the right and the left of the main event, smaller fireworks occasionally popped up in the sky. They were good, but watching them caused me to miss parts of the more spectacular display directly above me.
Sometimes good things take us away from something better. That happened in the life of Martha, whose story is recorded in Luke 10:38-42. When Jesus and His disciples arrived in the village of Bethany, Martha welcomed them into her home. Being a good host meant that someone had to…
Winning the Big One
In every field of endeavor, one award is considered the epitome of recognition and success. An Olympic gold medal, a Grammy, an Academy Award, or a Nobel Prize are among “the big ones.” But there is a greater prize that anyone can obtain.
The apostle Paul was familiar with first-century athletic games in which competitors gave their full effort to win the prize. With that in mind, he wrote to a group of followers of Christ in Philippi: “Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ” (Phil. 3:7). Why? Because his heart had embraced a…
Doing what we can with what we’ve been given
Today on “Discover the Word,” we conclude week one of the discussion on doing what we can for Jesus with what we’ve been given. Today’s discussion contrasts the two women whose act of passionate devotion for Jesus led them both to anoint Him with perfume. One woman, Mary of Bethany, did this out of love with the purpose of preparing Jesus’ body for burial. The other woman anointed her Savior in grateful response to having been forgiven.
An extravagant act of devotion
Today on “Discover the Word,” we discuss Mary of Bethany’s extravagant act of devotion in anointing Jesus with expensive perfume. Knowingly or unknowingly, she was preparing Jesus’ body for burial. It was a risky and appropriate act of love. Mary used what she had to invest in His life when He needed it the most. And that should be an example to each of us. The “what” of “She Did What She Could,” today on “Discover the Word”!
Living loved
How often do we talk about doing good for others, but then never act on it? Today on “Discover the Word,” we will talk about how Mary of Bethany was a woman who “lived loved.” As a result she found the courage to step up at a pivotal moment in Christ’s life, giving Him comfort when He needed it the most. She did. “She Did What She Could” continues today on “Discover the Word”!
After Such Horrific Attacks, what Hope is there?
It’s hard to keep track of everything that has been said about Paris, Beirut, terrorism, and the state of our world in the past few days. So many perspectives have been raised, and so many emotions evoked.
A passionate worshiper
Mary of Bethany was an ordinary woman. But there was nothing ordinary about any woman in the male-dominated culture of that day sitting at the feet of a Jewish rabbi! Today on “Discover the Word,” we discuss the extraordinary decision by God to “pick a girl” as a person that history would hold up as an example of a passionate worshiper of Jesus. Join us today on “Discover the Word”!
Why I Cried Over A Dream
It was still fresh in my mind when I woke up that morning. It wasn’t a bad or sad dream. In fact, it was one of the sweetest dreams I’ve had in a while. I was sharing a chocolate ice-cream cone (that wasn’t why it was a sweet dream) with my father.
Safe in His Arms
I sat next to my daughter’s bed in a recovery room after she had undergone surgery. When her eyes fluttered open, she realized she was uncomfortable and started to cry. I tried to reassure her by stroking her arm, but she only became more upset. With help from a nurse, I moved her from the bed and onto my lap. I brushed tears from her cheeks and reminded her that she would eventually feel better.
Through Isaiah, God told the Israelites, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isa. 66:13). God promised to give His children peace…
Mary of Bethany: she did what she could
In the story of Mary and the alabaster jar in Mark 14, Jesus says, “She did what she could.” It’s a story about an act of devotion that was actually reasonable in light of Mary’s deep love for Jesus. You’re invited to join the group on “Discover the Word” as we begin the discussion on Mary of Bethany and how her life speaks to us today.
Sex: What are you waiting for?
I grew up in a dysfunctional non-Christian family, but my mother raised me to be responsible, conservative, and cautious, to the best of her ability. Though I was not explicitly taught to wait for marriage before having sex, I knew that this was the right thing to do. So I waited.
The Mighty Finns
It began as a distant, foreboding hum, then grew into an ominous, earth-rattling din. Soon hundreds of tanks and thousands of enemy infantrymen swarmed into view of the badly outnumbered soldiers in Finland. Assessing the murderous wave, an anonymous Finn lent some perspective. Courageously, he wondered aloud about the enemy: “Where will we find room to bury them all?”
Some 2,600 years before Finland showed such pluck in that World War II battle, an anxious Judean citizenry reacted quite differently to their own overwhelming situation. The Assyrian armies had trapped the people of Jerusalem inside its walls, where they faced the…
God’s long-range perspective for growing us
Today on “Discover the Word,” our special guest Margaret Feinberg helps us conclude our discussion about the surprising depth of some of the agrarian images used in the Bible. Today’s conversation comes out of a fruitful visit Margaret had with a vintner that showed her how the long-range perspective a vintner has for growing grapes is the same kind of long-range perspective God has for growing us.
