What does it mean to be a Christian? What does it mean to be a disciple? How can we have a genuine and growing relationship with God?
There are two general categories of emotions: positive emotions, which are enjoyable – contentment, surprise, and happiness; then there are negative emotions – sadness, anxiety, fear, anger, shame, and guilt. We have been socially trained to largely avoid negative emotions. Join us as we navigate negative emotions from a biblical perspective.
I only recently became aware that there were large fires in different regions across the world including the Amazon, Siberia, Greenland, and some parts of southern Europe.
I read a few news sources and they say the Amazon is known as the Earth’s lungs and produces up to 20% of the world’s oxygen. It’s a terrible thought to lose the ability to breathe properly. The biodiversity in the Amazon forest is also lost due to these fires. The Earth isn’t looking too good going forward. There is also much heat in the political arena between powerful countries (e.g. the US vs Iran) and political ideologies (e.g. far left vs far right).
Jesus predicted that humanity’s selfish choices would destroy the Earth and create mounting conflict between the nations in Matthew 24.
In the midst of all these happenings we can be consumed by fear and uncertainty of the future.
“Blue and green should often be seen,” I quoted as I opened the hotel room balcony to the stunning view of the sun-splashed Coral Sea in tropical Queensland. I had learned that little mantra from the book Live More Happy by Dr. Darren Morton that outlined 5 principles of happiness. It basically means, go out in nature – because uplifting physical environments are clinically proven to make us feel better.
Although it was only for 3 days, we were able to immerse ourselves in blues and greens – the lagoon, Green Island, the beach, the stunning waterfall at Barron Gorge… and we were happy.
What do you consider as your treasure? What is of the most value to you? Jesus Christ said in Luke 12:34,“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Is your treasure the kind that fades or rusts? Can it be easily stolen? If your answer is yes to both questions, then you are saving up the wrong kind of treasure. And your heart might be in the wrong place.
Did you know that God designed a ‘fail-safe’ for the powerful hero, Samson? But he refused to use the fail-safe and this led to his downfall. Explore how we can apply lessons from the success and failure of Samson.
We have a little boy who is 4 years old. He has taught me many things in his short life time. But one thing parenthood has shown me is the wonder of a father’s love and how it is a reflection of God’s love for us.
You are to have no other gods before me. You are not to make for yourselves a carved image or any kind of representation of anything in heaven above, on the earth beneath or on the water below the shoreline. You are not to bow down to them or serve them; for I, ADONAI, your God, am a jealous God…
Exodus 20: 3-5a Complete Jewish Bible
It appears there is some recessive gene in my family, which expresses itself as you get older and makes you very interested in Hebrew word definitions.
It is disconcerting to be turning into older relatives in ways I did not expect but I am glad for it because it lights up the Bible in a whole new way.
The word translated ‘serve’ in the Ten Commandments above is the Hebrew abad which means “to work or serve”.
It is first used in Genesis 2 when humans are told to abad the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 2:5,15)
Historically, God always surprised by doing powerful, miraculous, creative things that challenged, inspired and awed humanity. Do we still expect great things from God? Are we open to the new ways He may be working now?
Do you ever feel like you’re inconveniencing God when you ask for help? Or do you feel like you shouldn’t be asking for help in certain situations? What does God think about our requests for assistance? We will be exploring Mark 2 this weekend to answer these questions.