Be Prepared
Man first landed on the moon after years of preparation. Likewise, a team which wins the cricket or football world cup or an athlete who wins gold at the Olympics does so after years of hard work and preparation. Again, no one clears a national level examination without long years of preparation. … Read the rest
For Children: How to Make Right Decisions
We all make decisions every day. As a young person, it is important that you learn to make good decisions. Let us try to find out some steps that can help you make the right decisions in life.
Wisdom
The first thing needed to make good decisions is wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to apply … Read the rest
For Children: Utilize Your Time Wisely
Time Is Precious
If time is wasted, there is no way to get it back. Those who have succeeded in life are those who made the best utilization of time.
Your childhood and youth are the best times of your life. You can make best use of time by following some simple principles.
Plan
Make … Read the rest
The Road to Freedom
The Road Map
Think about road maps. It helps people who are not familiar with the routes to proceed in the right direction. You need not stop to ask anyone. What you need to do is follow the directions; recognize the landmarks properly and proceed. You will reach your destination quite comfortably.
So to reach … Read the rest
The Response of Mary Made Christmas Possible
Christmas is about a response to good news.
Mary accepts the plan God had for her. It is not easy for us to imagine the trembling that might have come to Mary who was a village teenage girl when twenty centuries ago angel Gabriel told her that she was going to become pregnant as a … Read the rest
The Miracle on the Road to Emmaus Is Not What You Thought It Is!
It was a journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a village 7 miles away. Two men walked and talked. Their hearts were sad.
A stranger joined them. They did not recognize him. He asked them, “What are you talking about?”
They stood still; unable to assess how this person missed the momentous event that all had … Read the rest
Lesson 18: “I Am the True Vine.”
This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series.
John 15:1
Israel the Vine and Jesus the True Vine
Jesus is speaking about the intimate union we can have with him. In a theological sense, Israel was the vine that God had planted (see Isaiah 5:1—7). But it continually failed to witness to God … Read the rest
Lesson 15: “I Am the Good Shepherd.”
This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series.
John 10:11
A Leader
“ ‘Shepherd’ was the name he [God] gave then to those to whom he had entrusted the political, moral, and spiritual leadership of his people. In Ezekiel 34, God rejects the shepherds who had failed and he himself promised to come … Read the rest
Lesson 4: Philip–The Man Jesus Found
This Lesson is part of John’s Gospel Easy Notes Series.
Jesus took time to talk with individuals during his ministry. In John’s gospel we have a record of many conversations that Jesus had. Each one of them impacted the people to whom he talked with. Here let us look at Jesus’ Conversation with Philip.
“Follow … Read the rest
How to Receive Blessings
Seek God; His blessings will follow you.
Seek blessings; you forget the One who gives it.
God blesses those who obey Him.
For all His promises have a tag attached, which reads:
“IF you obey Me, then specified blessings will be given you.”
His favor rests on those who fear Him;
And not on those … Read the rest
Are You Struggling with Masturbation?
You have hope. You are not a failure in God’s eyes because you are struggling with the habit of masturbation!
You’re probably reading this article because you are longing to find victory over this sinful habit. You have struggled to overcome this habit for so many years; but have failed. Each time you failed, you … Read the rest
A Prayer of Disbelief
Chapter 20
| Theme: A Prayer of Disbelief |
| Focus on: Jeremiah |
| Reading Portion(s): Jeremiah 32 |
| – Important Background Information | |
| – Helps you find strength in God |
| What this article teaches you |
| Obedience to God is never easy. One of the difficulties is that we may not understand “why” God is asking us to do certain things. |
A Prayer for Confirmation
Chapter 19
| Theme: A Prayer for Confirmation |
| Focus on: Gideon |
| Reading Portion(s): Judges 6 |
| – Important Background Information | |
| – Helps you find strength in God |
| What this article teaches you |
| We all have fears. Sometimes these fears affect the way we act. It affects us so much that we fear to act even when God |
But When It Lifted, They Would Set Out
Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out (Numbers 9:21b, 22 NIV).
Think about a faithful … Read the rest
I Will Make a Distinction
… Read the restBut on that day I will deal differently with the land of Goshen, where my people live; no swarms of flies will be there, so that you will know that I, the Lord, am in this land. I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This miraculous sign will occur tomorrow (Exodus
If the Lord Delights in a Man’s Way
If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand (Psalm 37:23, 24 NIV).
A child of God is God’s delight. God watches over him all the time. He therefore need not fear losing the way. But … Read the rest
For I have Seen All that Laban Has Been Doing to You
And he said, “Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you” (Genesis 31:12 NIV).
God has seen what someone else has been doing to you. Even though the other person is powerful and … Read the rest
Solomon Has Taken His Seat on the Royal Throne
Moreover, Solomon has taken his seat on the royal throne (1 Kings 1:46 NIV).
First of all we see God’s grace in action here. For Solomon’s parents, David and Bathsheba first met in an adulterous relationship. It was followed by murder. And then a series of tragic events in David’s family and kingdom as a … Read the rest
The Third Entrance
Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and had him brought to the third entrance to the temple of the Lord (Jeremiah 38:14a NIV).
The title of this piece, “The Third Entrance of the Temple” would have made you curious; isn’t it so? Possibly yes.
The Third Entrance stands for a secret meeting between … Read the rest
I Will Wait Until You Return
And the Lord said, “I will wait until you return” (Judges 6:18b NIV).
It is surprising to note God’s choices. He chose many who were not confident about themselves. He chose those who were afraid to step out. But he made leaders of such stuff as these.
Even today he continues to do so. You … Read the rest
Do Not Interpretations Belong to God?
Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams” (Genesis 40:8b NIV).
The Bible deals much about dreams. The Book of Genesis and the Book of Daniel contains many references to dreams and their interpretation. Today, there is much talk about dreams in the Christian world too.
They quote … Read the rest
But First Make a Small Cake of Bread for Me
“But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son” (1 Kings 17:13b NIV).
Giving to God is never easy. Here we find an example of a widow. She was about to prepare her last meal. Then … Read the rest
Separate Those Who Lap the Water
So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink” (Judges 7:5 NIV).
Many come to serve God. But God does not choose all. He first of all finds those who are … Read the rest
Do Not Be Afraid, O Worm Jacob, O Little Israel
“Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 41:14 NIV).
God sees into you much better than you do. He sees how you think about yourself in certain seasons of life. He knows that you are … Read the rest
Break Camp and Advance
The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Break camp and advance into the hill country of the Amorites … ” (Deuteronomy 1:6, 7a NIV).
Achievers for God don’t sit still for ever. They press forward. They do not make victories an occasion for rest. But … Read the rest
Forming an Alliance, but Not by My Spirit
“Woe to the obstinate children,” declares the Lord, “to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin (Isaiah 30:1 NIV).
Alliances play an important role in life. They can help you or cause your ruin. So one should enter into alliances very … Read the rest
Because They Have Not Followed Me Wholeheartedly
Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly … (Numbers 32:11a NIV).
Half-heartedly following God is dangerous. It causes you to have puny (small and weak) faith. It cannot take God at His word and act on what He has commanded. I
t looks at obstacles and trembles in fear instead of looking at a big … Read the rest
After Rachel Gave Birth to Joseph
After Rachel gave birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Send me on my way so I can go back to my own homeland” (Genesis 30:25 NIV).
Have you ever felt that it is time to move? Possibly yes. Jacob also felt so at one time. But the important thing to note here is a … Read the rest
David, “Where Shall I Go?”
In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of towns of Judah?” he asked. The Lord said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered (2 Samuel 2:1 NIV).
One of the chief qualities that shaped David’s life was his willingness to … Read the rest
The Lord Your God Will Himself Cross Over Ahead
The Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you (Deuteronomy 31:3a NIV).
There is a change of leadership here. Moses had to step aside and Joshua was the new leader. And He was given the charge to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land.
But the important person here was neither Moses nor … Read the rest