COVID, Russia/Ukraine, recession…does the Bible have a say?

Over the past three years i.e. since 2020, the world has faced two epic shocks that no one predicted - the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, and the Russia/Ukraine crisis in early 2022. In this note, I look at some of the important mega trends that these shocks have accelerated. Specifically, I highlight how these shocks seem to affect almost all countries in similar ways, leading to similar responses. Also, how these shocks are driving more cohesion by world leaders and peoples in how they deal with what they consider to be a shared problem. What is really happening? What could it imply for your money? And does the Bible have anything to say about all this?

How is the word of God a ‘lamp to our feet’? Why lamp?! 🤔

Perhaps the first thing to think about is: what is a lamp and when do we need one? A lamp in Biblical days is probably synonymous to what we call a lantern or torchlight 🔦 today. They’re used amidst darkness, to give a little light. Better said, the light from a lamp is sufficient enough to help us take the next step but never enough to completely clear out the darkness. In the dark, you must rely on the lamp to know the right step to take i.e. any step you take without it would likely be the wrong one. This also means that if you've been walking without a lamp, just start using it and you'll find your way back to the right track no matter how far off you had gone, but you need to use it consistently. Another analogy to use in thinking about this is the lights of a car.

Generational curses – what the Bible says

Exodus 20:5-6 are the oft quoted verses where God talks about curses on the father flowing through to the children to the third and fourth generation. Indeed there are multiple examples through the Bible where generations after the one that sinned paid the price for historical sins. But limiting our understanding of these verses to this explanation would be inconsistent with the rest of the Bible. Ezekiel 18:20 and Deut 24:16 specifically say that the son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father or vice versa. As the Bible doesn’t contradict itself, there’s more to study.

Food: What does Timothy mean by sanctified food by the word of God?

1 Timothy 4:4-5 Food: What does Timothy mean by sanctifying food by the word of God? Does he mean I can simply say some words of God to make unclean food clean? Like can I say some words of God and snakes or pigs become clean and their effect on my health is vanquished? If … Continue reading Food: What does Timothy mean by sanctified food by the word of God?

God’s truth is progressive, shining ever brighter…

Luke 8:16-18 As God reveals His truth to us, if we have open hearts, even more secrets of God’s kingdom will be revealed to us! Every secret will be revealed; nothing held back! We will overflow with this truth; and like a lamp whose light cannot be hidden, we will be sharing this truth with … Continue reading God’s truth is progressive, shining ever brighter…