Blog Posts by slpcenglish

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John 4:27–54. What draws us to Jesus?

by slpcenglish

1–7 July 2018. John 4:27–54 (click to read). One of the things we are all searching for in life is direction. How should I live? What goal and purpose should I direct my life towards? And who can tell me which way I should go? Today millions of people are desperate to find someone who […]

2 Kings 25. Is it worthwhile to turn away from what we know is right?

by slpcenglish

24–30 June 2018. 2 Kings 25 (click to read). We all like stories with happy endings. But sadly the end of 2 Kings isn’t very happy at all. Earlier in the story of Judah, the Babylonian empire had attacked and defeated Jerusalem, taking many of its leaders and people into exile. But despite this defeat, […]

2 Kings 13–14. Power is in God’s hands alone

by slpcenglish

17–23 June 2018. 2 Kings 13–14 (click to read). Suddenly in 2 Kings 13, in the middle of a lot of fairly dry lists of all the different kings of Israel and Judah, we find a strange little story about the prophet Elisha. King Joash of Israel hears news that Elisha is about to die, […]

1 Kings 21–22. A good friend tells us when we are wrong

by slpcenglish

10–16 June 2018. 1 Kings 21–22 (click to read). When we face temptations, it’s easy to tell ourselves that this temptation is such a little thing and won’t have a big impact on our lives. It’s only afterwards that we see the terrible results that small temptation led us to. When King David first looked […]

1 Kings 9–10. One person’s wisdom blesses a whole nation

by slpcenglish

3–9 June 2018. 1 Kings 9–10 (click to read). There was a popular belief among the ancient Israelites that the exotic people of Southern Arabia and Ethiopia were especially blessed with wisdom. Other nations may have great warriors or great riches, but the people from Sheba were famous for their wisdom. In 1 Kings 10, […]

2 Timothy 4. Always keeping our eyes on Jesus

by slpcenglish

27 May – 2 June 2018. 2 Timothy 4 (click to read). With sadness we come to the end of Paul’s second letter to Timothy as well as the final phase of Paul’s own life. Paul is now imprisoned, his friends and coworkers have abandoned him, and he is facing his coming execution. But despite […]

1 Timothy 3. The importance of humbleness and service

by slpcenglish

20–26 May 2018. 1 Timothy 3 (click to read). One of the most common temptations we face is the temptation to grab hold of power. Sometimes we want power because our pride pushes us to want to stand above other people and make ourselves feel greater than them. We think having power over others makes us […]

Deuteronomy 28. The dangers of breaking a contract with God

by slpcenglish

13–19 May 2018. Deuteronomy 28 (click to read). For a long time in ancient Israel, the text of Deuteronomy 28 was lost. 2 Kings 22 tells us that when it was rediscovered and read to King Josiah, the text was so shocking the king tore his clothes in despair. Even though this text doesn’t apply […]

Deuteronomy 17–18. Overcoming temptations

by slpcenglish

6–12 May 2018. Deuteronomy 17–18 (click to read). Our lives are full of temptations. Some of us are tempted by popularity, by possessions and money, by power, or countless other things. It doesn’t matter whether we are great or small, pastors or lay people, men or women or children, we all struggle with temptations. That’s […]

Deuteronomy 5–6. The Greatest Commandment

by slpcenglish

29 April – 5 May 2018. Deuteronomy 5–6 (click to read). Which is the most important law in the Bible? If we had to answer that question, I think many people would choose one of the so-called Ten Commandments. Most people know those commandments very well, and we even find them written out twice in […]