March 2021 L: D, I am confused how the wise scriptures can say some thing as demeaning as this. I am extremely surprised that the holiest of books can say some thing like this. I am sure there is a conspiracy. Looking for your guidance here D: Got it, L. I'll study this Deutronomy 22:28-9 & get back. D: I read this portion, which was the law given by God then on dealing with a rape situation. Deut 22:28-29 “If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found, then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he has violated her. He may not divorce her all his days." Following is what I  understand: Sex is a gift to be enjoyed between man & woman in marriage. When a man rapes a woman, he is expected to marry her & pay the bride price to her father & also not divorce her all days of his life Also, the father can refuse to give his dau...

  The Great Exchange -- "Our Confident Self" to "Life of God" In our world, we are told that the secret to a better life is more knowledge, better habits, and stricter discipline. While these things might help us manage our time or health, the Bible reveals a profound truth -  Human effort can improve our circumstances, but it cannot ignite our soul. A "richer true life" (what the New Testament calls  Zoe  --   the life of God) doesn't come from the outside in, it comes from the inside out. 1. The Starting Line - A New Spirit, Not a New Leaf The journey doesn’t begin with a "new year" or a "new year's resolution" but with a "new birth." Jesus was clear that human discipline alone cannot cross the threshold of true life. "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’"  --  John 3:6–7 Without the Holy Spirit, we are simply ...

"I see a believer NOT walking in the truth of the gospel of Christ. However, it's NOT my sphere of ministry. It's their pastor's responsibility. Let me not intervene, disturb peace for possibly few people, & most probably get into trouble!" - This was my state several years back.    But, one day, Galatians 6:1-2 convicted me.  To understand Galatians 6:1-2, we look at its immediate context. In Chapter 5, Paul describes the "Fruit of the Spirit." In Chapter 6, he explains how that fruit looks in action - specifically, how a spiritual person should treat a fellow believer whose actions deviate from the truths of the gospel. The core messages are - restoring those who sin with gentleness, staying humble to avoid the same traps, and sharing the weight of life’s struggles. 1. On Restoring Others Gently The goal of Galatians 6:1 is not punishment, but "restoration." Following are the other verses that share this focus. James 5:19-20 - "My br...

  In the NIV Bible, the most famous mention of being "poor in spirit" comes from Jesus during his Sermon on the Mount. Key Verses (NIV) 1.  Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 2.  Isaiah 66:2 - "These are the ones I look on with favor - those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." 3.  Psalm 34:18 - "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." 4.  Proverbs 16:1 - "Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud." What does it mean to be "Poor in Spirit"? When we hear the word "poor," we usually think of someone who doesn't have much money or many toys. But Jesus wasn’t talking about money! Being "poor in spirit" is about how we feel in our hearts toward God. 1. It means having an "Empty Cup" heart. Imagine we have a cup. If the cup is al...

The battlefield has never been out in the open; it has always been the quiet, chaotic terrain of my mind. I have learned the hard way that the devil and his demons do not often appear as monsters in the dark, but as whispers in our thoughts, designed to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). My journey began years ago in a season of profound disillusionment. I came to the crushing realization that the love I received from those around me was a counterfeit. It was transactional—people did not love  me ; they loved my performance, my results, and the sense of worthiness I provided them. Feeling bankrupt in a loveless world, I decided to check out. I attempted to exit this life by my own hand. But right at the precipice of death, a counter-acting thought pierced through the darkness. It was a truth I hadn't considered: I do not own myself. The realization was sharp and immediate. As Scripture says, "You are not your own; you were bought at a price" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) . ...

This is a deeply painful and serious situation. It is of the utmost importance to address this with extreme care, compassion, and clarity. Before we turn to the Bible, we must state something unequivocally: **Our safety is the number one priority.** What the abuser is doing is a crime and a profound sin. What the ones who should have protected us are doing is a horrific betrayal of their God-given duty to protect us. Their "solution" is not a solution; it is an attempt to cover up a terrible evil and dispose of their responsibility.  Please, if we are in this situation or know someone who is, let us reach out to a trusted adult outside the situation (a teacher, a school counselor, a pastor we trust) or a professional organization that can help. In the US, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is 800-656-HOPE or RAINN's website. We need to be safe. With that vital foundation laid, let's carefully and gently look at the principles of Christ from the bible to navigate the...

Proverbs 23:4-5 (NIV): 4 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust in your own cleverness. 5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. This proverb delivers a powerful two-part warning about the pursuit of wealth. "Do not wear yourself out to get rich...":  This is not a command to be lazy or to avoid work. Instead, it's a warning against making the accumulation of wealth the central, all-consuming purpose of our life. The phrase "wear yourself out" (or "toil") implies an exhaustive, life-draining effort. It cautions against sacrificing our health, family, integrity, and relationship with God on the altar of financial gain. It's about priorities. "...do not trust in your own cleverness.":  This part addresses the source of our security. The pursuit of riches often involves relying on one's own schemes, intelligence, and business acumen. The proverb ...