Words of the Bible

Trust Score

During the intense struggle for maritime dominance from the 15th to 17th centuries, the Netherlands, despite being a latecomer, emerged as a leader in global shipping, controlling nearly 80 percent of Europe’s merchant fleet. One of the key factors in surpassing Spain and Portugal was the strong trust placed in Dutch merchant vessels—trust that was deeply rooted in the legacy of Captain Willem Barentsz. In 1596, Captain Barentsz embarked on his third voyage to discover the shortest sea route to Asia via the Arctic Ocean. Determined to surpass rival nations’ well-established routes, his expedition set sail with high hopes. However, their journey took a tragic turn when the ship became trapped in ice. Stranded in the frozen wilderness, the crew…

Since You Have Asked for Wisdom to Govern My People

Solomon, who became king of Israel after David, showed his love for God by walking according to the statutes of his father David. Before the temple of Jerusalem was completed, he went to Gibeon to offer a thousand burnt offerings to God. That night, God appeared to Solomon in a dream. “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” “You have shown great kindness to me to sit on my father’s throne. However, I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. I am here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. Who is able to govern this great people of yours? So give…

Snowflakes! No Two Snowflakes Are Alike

On a snowy morning, even the cold winter feels cozy and warm. Thick snow covers everything white, and snow flowers that bloomed overnight on every tree branch look like there’re going to fall off at any moment. This quiet winter scene, where time seems to have stopped, is a gift from the heavens. The scenery covered with snow, where the sun shines through the clear air, is dazzlingly beautiful. The snow scenes are beautiful, but if you take a close look at the snowflakes, you will find they are even more splendid than what they look like on the outside. Open your eyes big and take a close look at the snowflakes, and you will find beautiful jewels, the gifts…

Because You Say So

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, a large number of people crowded around Him to listen to Him teach the word of God. Then He saw two boats at the water’s edge, and got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon Peter, and taught the people from the boat. When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Peter. “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When Peter let down the nets as Jesus had told him to, he caught such a large number of fish…

How Can We Meet God?

Everything Is Made by Someone

If Something Is Invisible, Does That Mean It Does Not Exist?

Turn Away and Repent! Then Sin Will Not Be Your Downfall

When the secretary is reading the Book of the Law, the king is weeping, tearing his robes. In the eighteenth year of the reign of King Josiah, the king finds the Book of the Law while repairing God’s temple, and mourns. King Josiah gives these orders to his servants: “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD’s anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.” When the servants go to the prophet to carry out…

The Value of Salt

There is something that is in the soil, rocks, butterflies, elephants, blood, muscles, and even in amniotic fluid. What is this? It is salt. Now it is easy to get salt thanks to the development of techniques which produce salt artificially. However, in the past, salt received special treatment, so there was even a saying in Korea, “A salt seller is better than a governor.” Salt has been with humans throughout history and playing an important role. Now, let’s learn about the value of salt. Salt and History In the primitive ages when humans lived by hunting, they were able to ingest salt by hunting and eating fish or birds. However, as they began to farm and grain became the…

If I Just Touch His Clothes

There was a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. Meanwhile, she heard about Jesus. When Jesus was passing, she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak, because she thought, ‘If I just touch His clothes, I’ll be healed.’ Jesus turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched My clothes?” His disciples did not know why He asked that. But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman came and fell at His feet and, trembling with fear, told Him the…

You of Little Faith, Why Did You Doubt?

Jesus lets His disciples get into a boat and go to the other side. And He alone goes up to a mountain to pray. The boat is buffeted by the waves as the wind is against it. Around dawn, Jesus goes out to them, walking on the lake. As the disciples see Him walking on the lake, they are terrified, thinking He is a ghost and cry out in fear. “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Jesus reassures the disciples. Then Peter steps forward pompously. “Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water.” Jesus calls him to come. Peter gets down out of the boat and walks on the water toward Jesus. However…

In the Name of Jesus Christ

When Peter and John were going up to the temple, they saw a man, who crippled from birth, being carried to the temple gate. He was put there every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John entering, he asked them for money. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God. When people…

Hearing the News of Salvation

Sodom was a city where Lot, Abraham’s nephew, was living. God sent two angels to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah that had become corrupt. At Lot’s earnest request, the angels stayed in his house and delivered the news of salvation. “Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here. God sent us here to destroy this place. This city will be destroyed soon.” Lot hurriedly delivered this message to his daughters and his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. However, his sons-in-law thought he was joking and did not move an inch. With the coming of the dawn, the angels urged Lot. “Hurry! Take…

Let Her Be the One God Has Chosen

It was toward evening. A traveler, covered with dust, stopped near the well outside the town. He was Abraham’s servant, who came a long way from Canaan to find the wife of Isaac, the only son of his master. This old servant had the camels kneel down near the well and gathered his both hands to pray: “O LORD, God of my master Abraham, now is the time the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. When I ask a girl for some water to drink, let the girl give me water gladly and water my camels, too, before I ask her to. Then I will know that the kindhearted girl is the one You have chosen…

Service in Truth and Blessing

Service is noble and valuable, but if we do not know the truth, God’s blessing is not promised to our service. However, God’s abundant blessings are promised to us when we serve in the truth. Now, let us look at God’s teachings to see with what kind of heart we should serve to receive even more blessings. 1. As One Who Serves The word service refers to the act of serving others with respect. Since the high cannot serve the low, to serve, one must position themselves lower than others. Jesus, who is God in nature, came in the flesh and took the form of a servant, setting an example of obedience and service (Lk 22:26–27). We must remember Jesus’s…

The Importance of the Covenant

Promises serve as the foundation of every aspect of human life: workplace interactions, marriages forming families, the simple act of buying and selling, and more. In the past, transactions were conducted through barter, but now they are completed using money or checks. Although some forms of currency might physically resemble mere tissue paper, they carry different values, such as a hundred-dollar bill or ten-dollar bill. This is due to the promises and agreements made between people. Similarly, our relationship with God is sustained by a covenant. 1. The Covenant Between God and His People Through Baptism Baptism, which is undergone at the beginning of one’s religious life, is a sign of the covenant between God and His people. Water itself…

Human Rules

If we are God's people, it is only natural to keep God's commandments. Today, many Christians, who claim to be God’s people, keep human rules, which are not found in the Bible, instead of God’s commandments. Here are some examples of human rules. 1. Sunday Worship God appointed the Sabbath as the day of weekly worship (Ex 20:8). However, today, many people keep Sunday worship instead of the Sabbath. Sunday worship originated from the pagan worship of the sun god. It is not in the Bible. It is a human rule. 2. Christmas People commonly believe that December 25 is the birthday of Jesus, and most churches hold celebrations on this day to commemorate His birth. However, Christmas on December…

The Blessing of Jacob

Jacob, who had received the birthright blessing from his father Isaac, fled from his brother Esau’s fury and stayed in the house of Laban, his mother’s brother, working for him. He decided to return to his hometown, but he was afraid that his brother would still be angry with him. So, just before he returned to Canaan, he sent messengers ahead to find out the situation. When they came back, they said that Esau was coming to meet him with four hundred men. Jacob was in great fear, and he earnestly prayed that God would help him return to his home safely as He had promised. That same night, Jacob got his family with all his possessions across the ford…

Immortal Telomeres

In the 14th century, the average life expectancy in Europe was a mere 38 years. With the advent of soap in 1790, disease incidence significantly decreased, leading to a ten-year increase in life expectancy. By 1928, with the discovery of the antibiotic penicillin, life expectancy rose to 58 years, making another ten year leap. In the 21st century, the average lifespan has reached 80 years. Experts anticipate a further increase to 100 years in the near future—a twenty-year gain. The term “Homo-Hundred” is already understood and acknowledged by the public. Scientists have identified telomeres as a crucial factor in aging and human lifespan. Telomeres, derived from the Greek words telos (end) and meros (part), are protective caps at the end…

Why We Must Keep God’s Commandments

If we consider ourselves God’s people, we must cherish and obey the commandments established by God. Let us explore through the Bible why it is essential for us to keep God’s commandments. 1. Those Who Love God Will Keep His Commandments When people meet someone they want to love, they go to great lengths to express their love in various ways—sometimes through letters, sometimes with roses, and sometimes with various gifts. Then, how should we express our love for God? God does not want us to express our love with letters, roses, or gifts; instead, He has stated that we express our love by keeping His commandments. “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.”Jn…