Topic > Christian Living
The Gates of Worship
When you enter some of the greatest cities in the world, you can encounter famous gates such as the Brandenburg Gate (Berlin), the Jaffa Gate (Jerusalem), and the gates at Downing Street (London). Whether the gates were built for defensive or ceremonial purposes, they all represent the difference between being outside or inside certain areas of the city. Some are open; some are closed to all but a few.
The gates into the presence of God are always open. The familiar song of Psalm 100 is an invitation for the Israelites to enter into the presence of God through the temple…
“Miracle in reverse”
Author and seminary professor Darrell Bock says that all the accounts of the miracles of Jesus recorded in the New Testament start with the miracle and end with the audience’s reaction to it, all except one. Today on Discover the Word, the group and guest Darrell Bock discover the significance of this “miracle in reverse.” Tune […]
Fiery Trials
Fire can be one of the worst enemies of trees. But it can also be helpful. Experts say that small, frequent fires called “cool” fires clean the forest floor of dead leaves and branches but don’t destroy the trees. They leave behind ashes, which are perfect for seeds to grow in. Surprisingly, low-intensity fires are necessary for healthy growth of trees.
Similarly, trials—pictured as fire in the Bible—are necessary for our spiritual health and growth (1 Peter 1:7; 4:12). James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the…
Appreciating the great debt Jesus paid for you
Are you struggling in your Christian life? Could it be you’ve developed a “pinch of spiritual entitlement”? Today on Discover the Word, the group and guest Darrell Bock remind us how appreciating the great debt Jesus paid for us can cure us of that entitled feeling and get us back on the right track spiritually. […]
A needed perspective
Imagine you’ve gone back in time and you’re watching Moses part the Red Sea, after observing all the plagues that convinced Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Many believers wish they could have witnessed those dramatic miracles. But today on Discover the Word, the group, and our guest Darrell Bock give us a needed perspective on […]
Worth the Calories?
I love egg roti prata, a popular pancake in my country of Singapore. So I was intrigued to read that a 125-pound (57 kg) person must run 5 miles (8 km) per hour for 30 minutes to burn 240 calories. That’s equivalent to only one egg roti prata.
Ever since I started working out in the gym, those numbers have taken on a new significance for me. I find myself asking: Is this food worth the calories?
While it is wise to watch our food consumption, it is even more important to watch our media consumption. Research shows that what we see can…
The Survival Float
Sunlight glittered on the swimming pool in front of me. I overheard an instructor speaking to a student who had been in the water for quite a while. He said, “It looks like you’re getting tired. When you’re exhausted and in deep water, try the survival float.”
Certain situations in life require us to spend our mental, physical, or emotional energy in a way that we can’t sustain. David described a time when his enemies were threatening him and he felt the emotional weight of their anger. He needed to escape the distress he was experiencing.
As he processed his feelings, he…
A Pleasing Aroma
A perfumer who works in New York declares that she can recognize certain combinations of scents and guess the perfumer behind a fragrance. With just a sniff she can say, “This is Jenny’s work.”
When writing to the followers of Christ in the city of Corinth, Paul at one point used an example that would have reminded them of a victorious Roman army in a conquered city burning incense (2 Cor. 2:14). The general would come through first, followed by his troops and then the defeated army. For the Romans, the aroma of the incense meant victory; for the prisoners, it…
Africa: The Secret Behind Faith and Hope
Whenever I visit other continents, a question I am often asked is, “What is the hidden secret behind faith and hope in Africa?” That’s when I share about the power of thanksgiving and prayer—the fuel that drives the church in Africa towards faith and hope.
Forgiveness is a transition
Most believers would say that John 3:16 is the most important verse in the Bible. But today on Discover the Word, the group, along with author and seminary professor Darrell Bock, gives us new insight into another 3:16 . . . Luke 3:16. In a sense, it may be as important as John 3:16, as it […]
Is there reward in true repentance?
What do you think of when you hear the word, repent? Today on Discover the Word, we will, along with our guest Darrell Bock, discuss how our limited understanding of repentance keeps us from reaping its full benefits. As we read in Luke chapter one, the path to healthier relationships is often through the door […]
Emergency Prayer
On September 11, 2001, Stanley Praimnath was working on the 81st floor of the World Trade Center South Tower when he saw an airplane flying directly toward him. Stanley prayed a quick prayer as he dived under a desk for protection: “Lord, I can’t do this! You take over!”
The terrible impact of the plane crash trapped Stanley behind a wall of debris. But as he prayed and cried for help, Brian Clark, a worker from another office, heard and responded. Making their way through rubble and darkness, the two found their way down 80 flights of stairs to the ground…
Misplaced Trust
Don’t put your trust in mere people, or in the things of this world that will fade away. The only place to put your trust is in the hands of the One who deserves it. The One who gave Himself completely for you and who continues to give day after day after day. He will […]
Everything Comes from God
I was 18 years old when I got my first fulltime job, and I learned an important lesson about the discipline of saving money. I worked and saved until I had enough money for a year of school. Then my mom had emergency surgery, and I realized I had the money in the bank to pay for her operation.
My love for my mother suddenly took precedence over my plans for the future. These words in the book Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot took on new meaning: “If we hold tightly to anything given to us, unwilling to let it…
The Real Reason I Worked Hard in Army
I usually introduce myself as Jireh, but on weekdays when I’m in camp, I’m known as Third Sergeant (3SG) Jireh. For close to two years now, I have been fulfilling my National Service (NS)*.
