1 September 2011
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Deuteronomy 15:7-11 : Openhanded to Your FellowsIf anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found (...)
1 August 2011
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)John 16:16-24: Your Pain Will Turn into JoyJesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.” Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking (...)
1 July 2011
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Psalm 1: The “Law” Which Gives LifeBlessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the (...)
1 June 2011
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Philippians 4:4-7: Unfailing JoyRejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your epieikēs be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)
It may seem paradoxical that the letter of Saint Paul that speaks most about joy was written in prison, at a moment when the apostle (...)
1 May 2011
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)1 Samuel 16:1,6-13: Discerning God’s PresenceThe Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” (…) When Jesse and his sons arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look (...)
1 April 2011
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Matthew 13:44-46: A Hidden TreasureJesus told these parables: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:44-46)
These stories encourage us—there really is a “hidden treasure” meant for us.
Interestingly, the emphasis is not on the finding of the (...)
1 March 2011
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Genesis 22:1-18: Losing to WinSome time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw (...)
1 February 2011
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Romans 12, 14-21: Overcoming Evil with GoodPaul wrote: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is (...)
1 January 2011
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)Psalm 139: The Everlasting WayO Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away. You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, O Lord, you know it completely. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain it. Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you (...)
1 December 2010
Bible Meditations & Prayers (by language)Monthly Bible Meditation (en)1 John 3:11-18: Choosing to Love11This is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12and not be like Cain who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13Do not wonder, brethren, that the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 15Any one who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has (...)