When Jesus appeared to Saul
For the apostle Paul, the resurrection of Jesus Christ was personal and humbling. Today on “Discover the Word,” we will discuss when Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus, and how it was more like Jesus appearing to Osama bin Laden rather than Billy Graham! Exaggeration? Well, be part of an insightful conversation today on “Discover the Word”!
Hand of God
Lorenzo Quinn’s 900-pound aluminum sculpture called “Hand of God” features a gigantic open hand with a man seated on the highest part of an upturned palm. The man appears to be troubled and his posture reflects deep discouragement. But the hand that holds him up is much larger than he is.
God of My Strength
No one could have mistaken the ancient Babylonian soldiers for gentlemen. They were ruthless, resilient, and vicious, and they attacked other nations the way an eagle overtakes its prey. Not only were they powerful, they were prideful as well. They practically worshiped their own combat abilities. In fact, the Bible says that their “strength [was] their god” (Hab. 1:11).
God did not want this kind of self-reliance to infect Israel’s forces as they prepared to battle the Midianites. So He told Gideon, Israel’s army commander, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast…
Dear Our Daily Bread Ministries,
I’ve been reading Our Daily Journey since 2014. I have been encouraged each day as I spend my quiet time reading God’s words. I thank God for His timely messages and reminder of who He is.
The article on 20th March 2016 “Beautiful Captivity” ended by challenging the readers to think of a situation that we desperately wanted to escape and how this situation might glorify God. At first I laughed, how can the skin allergy I’ve been battling with for weeks be a blessing to others? As I thought about these questions for days, I realised how faithful and loving God is, even though He allows me to suffer for the time being.
This led me to share my testimony on Facebook, which can be found at the end of this letter.
Thank you to everyone involved in Our Daily Journey ministry. May God continue to use each one of you to be a blessing to the people around you.
In His love,
Annalisa Liew
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Wow can’t believe I’ve been at uni for 1 month! A lot has happened. In-class tests has started and I’ve just started working on my 3 assignments. On top of that, I’ve been battling with a health issue since O-Day. No doubt stress was one of the factors.
An article by Francis Frangipane titled Cease Striving and Know reminds me to "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" (Ps. 46:10).
Key points that personally stood out for me:
“You see, fear is a magnifying lens that exaggerates whatever it looks at. The devil is a master illusionist who uses fear to take our eyes off the Lord. The result is that our stress level increases, and anxiety brings death into our world. Indeed, the more we talk about what's wrong, the less we see what is right and good in our world. Be quiet. Wait upon the Lord and compose your soul. Don't let your unbelieving words deplete your spirit; for the more you talk, the more peace you lose. Keep your soul focused upon Christ, the Lord. Those who believe enter His rest, and from the place of rest, we can hear His voice.”
“If you know who God truly is, anxiety will fade into trust. Therefore, cease worrying! God cares for you. Those who trust Him have peace that surpasses all understanding. Talk to the Lord and then quietly listen. As you do, your spirit will soar, and your heart expand and ascend into His presence.”
“It has been truly said, "Fear is the darkroom where Satan develops our negatives." Therefore, renounce fear. Divorce anxiety. Beloved, the Lord is good. Trust Him with your battle. Yes, it's time to cease striving and know that He is God.”
Also this song “Still, My Soul Be Still” by Keith & Kristyn Getty has given me comfort and a timely reminder to Trust God, Wait upon the Lord and to just REST in God alone.
I really thank God for His strength and peace as I go through this season in life.
For those of you who are going through some hard times at the moment, remember, “Leave all your worries with Jesus because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.
Hope all of you have a blessed Easter, enjoying the well-deserved break from the busyness of life and be renewed, refreshed and find peace this season.
P.S. (For those of you who are keen to read the whole article you can check out the link: http://francisfrangipanemessages.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/cease-striving-and-know.html)
How has the resurrection changed your story?
Imagine if God had given us a theological textbook instead of relatable stories on how people interact with God. Today on “Discover the Word,” we begin a study called, “The Impact of the Resurrection.” The resurrection of Jesus changed the stories of so many people we read about in Scripture, including the apostle Paul. Join the study today on “Discover the Word”!
Blessed to be a Blessing
As a Chinese person, I celebrated my new year on February 8. During the special New Year season, I greeted people with these words among others: “gōng xǐ fā cái” (happiness and prosperity) and “nián nián yǒu yú” (a wish for abundance and surpluses)—extending blessings of good health, prosperity, success, and happiness.
Open My Eyes
Days have a way of blending into each other. The repetition of life dulls our senses until our world can become gray. But like refreshing rain, God gives us splashes of joy to color our world and to help us see with new eyes.
5 Myths about Heaven
All of us want to go to heaven don’t we? But let’s be honest: not everything about heaven seems that enticing, does it? For example, if all we do in heaven is sing to the Lord—sure, it’s a good thing—won’t it get a bit boring, especially for those of us who aren’t that great at singing?
Surprised!
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571–1610), an Italian artist, was known for his fiery temperament and unconventional technique. He used ordinary working people as models for his saints and was able to make viewers of his paintings feel they were a part of the scene. The Supper at Emmaus shows an innkeeper standing while Jesus and two of His followers are seated at a table when they recognize Him as the risen Lord (Luke 24:31). One disciple is pushing himself to a standing position while the other’s arms are outstretched and his hands open in astonishment.
Luke, who records these events in his…
A Bad Child?
Look at what you’ve done by becoming a Christian. You’ve deserted the family tradition. Your father feels like a failure. He couldn’t keep the family together.” My mother tried to reason with me to forsake my newfound faith. And I wavered. It pained me to see my parents’ sadness and disappointment. In my collectivism-based culture,group is esteemed greater than the individual. So I thought, By becoming a Christian, did I become a bad child?
Poem: Third Day
A thousand years our eyes may see;
Still none lived like Him of Galilee.
Centuries cannot compare
To the seconds of His single tear.
Easter Start
One detail in the Easter story has always intrigued me. Why did Jesus keep the scars from His crucifixion? Presumably He could have had any resurrected body He wanted, and yet He chose one identifiable mainly by scars that could be seen and touched. Why?
I believe the story of Easter would be incomplete without those scars on the hands, the feet, and the side of Jesus (John 20:27). Human beings dream of pearly straight teeth and wrinkle-free skin and ideal body shapes. We dream of an unnatural state: the perfect body. But for Jesus, being confined in a skeleton and…
What Jesus Said About Life After Death
How do you know if Jesus’ claim about eternal life is true or if it’s simply wishful thinking? In this video presentation you’ll travel to Jerusalem with host Mart DeHaan and hear from a variety of authorities. Join the discussion as they explore questions about life beyond the grave and examine the words of Jesus. […]
