Obedience

https://odb.org/2024/11/18/obedience-is-a-choice We know from the narrative on Saul with Samuel on the offering of the sacrifice to the LORD that obedience takes precedence over sacrifice. In that incident, Saul’s men were pestering him to go out for battle, but Saul wanted to offer a sacrifice unto God first. It was perhaps as a means ofContinue reading “Obedience”

Kindness

https://odb.org/2024/11/13/unmeasured-kindness Proverbs 11 NIV: 17 Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves. 24 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. 25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. It is somewhat counter-intuitive that if we are kind,Continue reading “Kindness”

Grace of giving

https://odb.org/2024/11/12/a-handful-of-rice It is amazing how a church in poverty could still give and share with others. The churches in Mizoram, India, despite being poor, have given millions to missions and sent out missionaries to all over the world. Surely, it is the grace of God that sustains them. The church in Macedonia is the biblicalContinue reading “Grace of giving”

Forgive your enemies

https://odb.org/2024/11/11/loving-the-enemy My local church just had a family retreat, and the teaching was on the Kingdom of God and what it means and how we can have a Kingdom mindset in all that we do. We act and think Kingdom. It’s an attitude that puts God first in our daily lives and spiritual walk. WeContinue reading “Forgive your enemies”

Our service to God

https://odb.org/2024/11/09/serving-with-love 1 Peter 4: 7-10 NIV – 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mindf so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you shouldContinue reading “Our service to God”

Promises of God

https://odb.org/2024/10/30/a-beautiful-surprise Isaiah 4:2-3 In that day, the Branch of the Lordu will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and gloryx of the survivor in Israel. 3 Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the livingContinue reading “Promises of God”

Pray continually

https://odb.org/2024/10/29/pause-to-pray Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanksContinue reading “Pray continually”

Esau and Jacob

https://odb.org/2024/10/28/getting-rid-of-baggage The forgiveness by Esau of the cunning but changed Jacob is one of the highlights of the book of Genesis and serves as an example of what God expects from us as His children when it comes to our own forgiveness of others. Jacob committed two major “transgressions” against Esau. The first is buyingContinue reading “Esau and Jacob”

Running away from God

https://odb.org/2024/10/25/whale-watching While it is generally true that if we do not respond to God’s calling, He will choose or call someone else to do the work. The principle is true because the sovereign will of God will be achieved independent of the originally chosen one. Thus, when Saul didn’t meet the LORD’s expectations, He raisedContinue reading “Running away from God”

Feed the hungry

https://odb.org/2024/10/24/food-for-the-hungry In Isaiah 58, Isaiah prophesied in verses 3 to 9 about God’s rebuke to the Israelites about their self-serving fasting to fulfil their religious obligations, hoping to gain some personal benefit for themselves. Actually, there is nothing wrong with such an approach to fasting except that at the same time, they ignored the needs ofContinue reading “Feed the hungry”