The Man Who Died Praying

On November 10, 1871, journalist Henry Stanley, after his 7,000-mile journey, finally found the missing medical missionary and explorer Dr. David Livingstone in Central Africa and uttered his famous words, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" (infoplease.com)

Why We Should Forgive

Matthew 5:7

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." 

According to The Power New Testament, the phrase "to be merciful" is a Hebrew idiom meaning to be forgiving. The Lord Jesus further said in Mt. 6:14-15, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." 

It is sad to note that today's generation is becoming more violent and unforgiving. He's not out in the street throwing a Molotov bomb or in a dark alley holding a knife. He's becoming savage with his fingers.

The Epistle of Jacob

An interesting Bible trivia here: the name "James" that we see in modern English Bibles can be replaced with "Jacob."

In fact, the Greek title for the Epistle of James is Iakob, which is Jacob in English. So how did we come up with James?

Joseph the Wise

Genesis 41:33-40

 ³³ “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. ³⁴ Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. ³⁵ They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. ³⁶ This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

 ³⁷ The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. ³⁸ So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”

 ³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. ⁴⁰ You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

Joseph was able to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, but it was his wisdom that impressed Pharaoh more. It was wisdom that qualified Joseph for the promotion. He was not called to be a magician, he was called to be a leader.