In the book of Ruth, we learn more about dealing with disappointments. We also see God’s grace and new hope after what seems like a dead end. In this devotional series, I’ll be going through the book with you as well as some other relevant passages. The plan is to post twice a week. Ruth 1:1–22 (NIV)In the days when the judges ruled, there was … Continue reading Ruth #1: feeling empty
The Magi came to Jesus. Why? “We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.“ Matthew 2:2 They went a long way to see him. It was not an easy trip, probably. When they came, they asked nothing of Jesus. They only worshiped and gave to Him. Am I this passionate about worship? I don’t think it’s wrong to want things … Continue reading Matthew 2
Genealogies can be boring. Matthew 1 starts with one. But for Jews, ancestry was all about identity, I think. This genealogy tells us who Jesus is. He is the promised Son of David: the King who will rule forever.He is the son of Abraham. He is the one through whom all the nations will be blessed. He is the one people have been waiting for … Continue reading Matthew 1
We all have things we struggle with. How do we keep perspective in hard times? One important answer is hope. In the Bible, hope is a certain assurance that God will help us, and that we have great things awaiting us in our heavenly future.1 As I’ve been studying hope, I’ve found some gems, and I’d like to share one with you: Therefore we … Continue reading Hope
Do you feel busy and overcome by all the different demands screaming at you in different directions? Do you feel you have no time to pray or be with the Lord? Martha could relate: As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, … Continue reading Too busy to sit still?
Praise EAr (listen) Rest Love Lately I’ve been learning to live live from an attitude of praise and prayer and rest in Jesus, and then to love from that. Priority number #1 should be being with Jesus. From being with Him and listening to Him in His word, we can do everything else: not from being rushed, but by His power within us. A pearl … Continue reading pearl
My name is written on His hands Not merely pen and inked Two thousand years and more it stands And hence our fates are linked My name was driven through His hands With nails that brutally marred His palms according to demands From crowds that he once healed He had long planned and thought me worth This excruciating pain Died my death before my birth … Continue reading written on His hands
In the previous post in this series, I talked about the importance of receiving love. It’s great and very important. When we receive this love, it changes us, and helps us to give love. We are filled to overflow with love to others! I feel a problem with us as Christians in the West is that our faith often becomes very me-focused. It kind of becomes … Continue reading love #3: our call to action
Right now, I’m reading Leviticus. It’s a difficult book, about sacrifices, being unclean, impure blood flows, and so on. How does that have to do with our modern lives, and with our lives as a Christian? Of course, it goes back to a different time and a different culture. It was before Jesus, who revolutionised the way we could come to God. At the same … Continue reading Holiness and Leviticus
How many times have you looked in the mirror the past day? As women especially, we’re often looking in mirrors. (Male readers, I’m pretty sure this post is relevant to you as well; please keep reading!) I confess, I like staring in the mirror, and especially enjoy seeing it when my radiant face looks back at me. I look into the mirror rather a lot, … Continue reading mirrors
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