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    Planning For The Unexpected While Yielding To God

    When our plans go off course is it always up to us to get things back on track? How do we know when we should move over and let God take the wheel? Today on Discover the Word, we will talk about the balance between planning for the unexpected while still yielding to God. A lesson from […]

    Usefulness or Relationship?

    Jesus Christ is saying here, “Don’t rejoice in your successful service for Me, but rejoice because of your right relationship with Me.” The trap you may fall into in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service— rejoicing in the fact that God has used you. Yet you will never be able to measure fully what God will do through you if you do not have a right-standing relationship with Jesus Christ.

    A Time for Peace

    The ceasefire began with the sound of singing on the battlefield. It was Christmas Eve 1914, along the Western Front of the fighting in WWI. German soldiers alternated singing Christmas carols with their enemies—British, Belgian, and French soldiers. This goodwill spilled into the next day, when fighters emerged from the trenches, unarmed. They introduced themselves and exchanged small gifts. Reflecting on that experience, one veteran said, “If we had been left to ourselves there would never have been another shot fired.” A short break in hostility allowed the soldiers to see their opponents as people, not merely enemies.

    The House on the Rock

    After living in their house for several years, my friends realized that their living room was sinking—cracks appeared on the walls and a window would no longer open. They learned that this room had been added without a foundation. Rectifying the shoddy workmanship would mean months of work as builders laid a new foundation.

    They had the work done, and when I visited them afterwards, I couldn’t see much difference (although the cracks were gone and now the window opened). But I understood that a solid foundation matters.

    This is true in our lives as well.

    Jesus shared a parable about wise and…

    Do Life’s Detours Have A Greater Purpose?

    It’s discouraging when our best-laid plans fall apart. But could the frustrating interruptions in our lives actually be God’s design for accomplishing His greater purpose? Today on Discover the Word, we will explore how an unexpected detour was part of God’s good plan for the apostle Paul. A challenging discussion, today on Discover the Word!

    Why We Never Give Up

    I’ve seen believers in Jesus walk through fierce storms of life while trusting in God through it all. How do they do it? I’ve often wondered if it was their personality enabling them to show calm in the midst of turmoil, kindness when mistreated, and courage when most would falter.

    John McCain: A Life That Reminds Us Why We Value Sacrifice

    Scrolling through Facebook over the past weekend, a post caught my eye. My friend had shared a video link to the speech American Senator John McCain gave when he received the Liberty Medal last year (the Liberty Medal recognizes leadership in the pursuit of freedom). His comment that went along with the video included the statement, “Thank you for your great service to our country”.

    You Love Me?

    As a teenager, I went through the typical season of rebellion against my mother’s authority. My father died before I entered adolescence, so she had to navigate these turbulent parenting waters without his help.

    I recall thinking that Mom didn’t want me to ever have any fun—and maybe didn’t even love me—because she frequently said “no.” I see now that she said “no” to activities that weren’t good for me precisely because she loves me.

    The Israelites questioned how much God loved them because of their time in captivity in Babylon. But that captivity was God’s correction for their continued rebellion against Him.…

    Bees and Snakes

    Some problems have Daddy’s name written all over them. For instance, my kids recently discovered bees had moved into a crack in our concrete front porch. So, armed with bug spray, I went out to do battle.

    I got stung. Five times.

    I don’t like being stung by insects. But better me than my kids or wife. Taking care of my family’s wellbeing is at the top of my job description after all. My children recognized a need, and they asked me to address it. They trusted me to protect them from something they feared.

    In Matthew 7, Jesus teaches that we too…

    John McCain: A Life That Reminds Us Why We Value Sacrifice

    Scrolling through Facebook over the past weekend, a post caught my eye. My friend had shared a video link to the speech American Senator John McCain gave when he received the Liberty Medal last year (the Liberty Medal recognizes leadership in the pursuit of freedom). His comment that went along with the video included the statement, “Thank you for your great service to our country”.

    “Navigating Life’s Shipwrecks”

    All of history is really God’s story. And each of us has a role to play in this epic tale! Today on Discover the Word, the team will explore a scene from the book of Acts, revealing that each character had a part in God’s grand plan. Join the team for a stimulating conversation, today on Discover the Word! […]

    When “I’m Praying For You” Feels Hollow

    Have you ever watched a friend go through something you really can’t help them with?

    I have a good friend who struggles with a slew of health problems. The best I can do is hug her and tell her that God is in control—whatever comfort that may be. She also struggles with finances. Her family does not have steady income. I have no idea how they pay the medical bills.

    Crazy Rich Asians: The One Struggle We All Have in Common

    “Why are you watching that bimbo show?” A friend of mine asked incredulously, when I told her that I was going to catch the sneak preview of Crazy Rich Asians, which had finally opened in my country, Singapore, earlier this week after much hype.

    When What I Do Causes Someone to Stumble

    I enjoy a free and clear conscience when it comes to drinking alcohol (in moderation, of course).

    But my husband doesn’t drink alcohol. His family has a history of alcoholism, and because of that and other factors, he’s decided to not drink alcohol at all.

    Surviving Sexual Assault: How I Learned to Forgive Myself

    I was sexually assaulted by a senior member of my church’s staff for four years. I was 21, and was doing an internship at my local church to explore a calling to full-time ministry. She was 42, and a director of the discipleship department.