The Biblefaktor

How to Read Luke | Biblefaktor How to Read Luke Luke probably did not know Jesus personally. But as a dedicated convert in the early church, he accompanied the apostle Paul on missionary trips. In three of his letters, Paul refers to Luke with great affection. As he mentions in his introduction, Luke eventually saw the need to draw up a carefully researched account of the life of Christ. Many accounts of varying quality existed then, but Luke set out to interview eyewitnesses and compose a thoughtful summary. His book shows thoroughness and detail. It starts before Jesus’ birth and ends with his ascension into heaven. You should find Luke a very appealing book to read. Luke was a gifted writer, and the stories he recorded have won their place among the classics of literature: the Good Samaritan , the Lost Son , the Rich Man and Lazarus . If Mark is a Gospel of action, Luke is a Gospel of relationships. It contains very good charact...

“He looked up to heaven, and with a deep sigh said to him, ‘Ephphatha,’ which means, ‘Be opened.’” — Mark 7:34 Why this matters: Many of us feel shut—by fear, past hurt, or constant noise. Jesus’ Aramaic word Ephphatha speaks to closed ears, tied tongues, and guarded hearts today. 1) The Story in Brief (Mark 7:31–37) People bring Jesus a man who is deaf and can hardly speak. Jesus takes him aside, touches his ears and tongue, looks to heaven, and says, “Ephphatha.” Immediately, the man hears and speaks clearly. The crowd is astonished. 2) What “Be Opened” Means Hearing truth: Openness starts with listening—to God’s word, wise counsel, and even correction. Speaking life: When hearts open, speech follows—clear, gracious, courageous. Whole-person healing: Jesus opens more than ears; He restores identity, community, and calling. 3) How to Practice “Ephphatha” This Week Quiet ten minutes daily: Read Mark 7:31–37. Ask, “Lord, what’s closed in me?” Note one act...

Faith is more than just a belief—it is the foundation of a meaningful Christian life. The Bible reminds us in Hebrews 11:1 that, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." This means that trusting God even when circumstances look impossible opens the door to miracles. Why Faith is Essential When you put your faith in God, you are acknowledging that His plans are better than your own. This trust allows Him to work in your life, even in situations that seem hopeless. How to Strengthen Your Faith Read the Bible daily ( Here’s a guide on reading the Book of Mark ). Pray and talk to God regularly. Surround yourself with believers who encourage and inspire you. Biblical Examples of Faith Abraham trusted God when he was called to leave his homeland ( Genesis 12 ). David had faith when he faced Goliath with just a sling and a stone ( 1 Samuel 17 ). You can read more about David’s inspiring journey in this post: David’s L...

About 90% of Mark’s content appears in the other Gospels , yet Mark is an ideal starting point for anyone new to Jesus. Its style—short, simple sentences without long speeches—makes it easy to read, like a fast-moving news report. Many believe Mark first served as a missionary book for people who knew very little about the new Christian faith. Except when citing Jesus’ own words, Mark directly quotes the Old Testament in only one place ( Mark 1:2–3 ). He also avoids detailed references to the Mosaic Law—very different from the other Gospels. These clues suggest a non-Jewish audience, likely Romans, who valued brevity, action, and clarity. How to Read Mark (It’s Simple!) Mark’s breezy style makes it as understandable as a newspaper. The book loosely follows the chronology of Jesus’ life , so it’s an excellent introduction. As you read, pause and reflect: Why did Mark choose these events? What did they mean to people in Jesus’ day? How do they speak to you righ...

David in the Bible is one of the most fascinating figures in Scripture — a shepherd boy who became king, a warrior who defeated giants, a poet whose psalms still comfort millions, and a man described as “after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). His story, recorded in 1 Samuel , 2 Samuel , 1 Kings , and the Psalms , is a journey of faith, victory, failure, and redemption. 1. Humble Beginnings – The Shepherd of Bethlehem David was the youngest son of Jesse, from the tribe of Judah, living in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:1). While his older brothers served in Saul’s army, David tended sheep. In the quiet hills, he learned courage by defending his flock from lions and bears (1 Samuel 17:34–36) and developed a deep relationship with God, often worshiping with his harp. It was here that God shaped his heart long before giving him the throne. 2. Anointed but Not Yet Crowned When King Saul disobeyed God, the Lord sent the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king. Surprisingly, God chose D...

Anybody who has looked over an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form knows what tax col- lectors like: neat, orderly rows of figures, with all expenses and income classified by type and source. Fittingly, the Gospel attributed to former tax collector Matthew reflects system- atic, ledger-sheet thinking. He doesn't tell Jesus'story chronologically; he groups facts topically. Matthew collects Jesus' sayings in five main places. First comes the famous Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5-7. Chapter 10 records Jesus' instructions to his disciples about their mission; chapter 13, a series of parables on the kingdom; chapter 18, Christ's words on the church as a community; and chapters 23-25, Jesus' thoughts on religious hypocrisy and his predictions of the future. Sandwiched in among these five great discourses you'll findconnected scenes of Jesus in action.  The skillful blending of Jesus' action and teaching has helped earn this Gospel an esteemed place in liter...

Biblefaktor -MALACHI God's voice dominates Malachi, the voice of a loving father pleading with his children. The people's response is given in the form of seven questions or complaints. The result is a kind of dialogue-almost an argument-which lets you see into the personal attitudes of God and the people he is speaking to.  As in most arguments, a variety of issues are raised, but they are all rooted in a few basic attitudes. As you read through Malachi, try to see what attitudes lay behind the questions, complaints, and problems of God's people. Also note what attitudes lay behind God's words and promises to them.

Biblical representation of Zachariah  Most people find Zechariah difficult to understand.Throughout the book you will find references to people and events that are hard to interpret.A commentary can be a great help, clarifying the meaning of these details. For historical background on Zechariah's times, read Ezra 1-6. Zechariah is mentioned by name in Ezra 5:1.  The book of Zechariah breaks into three parts.The first six chapters offer eight symbolic visions, which were meant to encourage the builders of the temple.They are not too difficult to understand if you take them one at a time and don't rush through them.Their main emphasis: God is at work again. He plans to live with his people in Jerusalem. He will protect them from their enemies, cleanse them from their sins, banish evil. He is making a new beginning for them.  Chapters 7-8 address the quality of life God wants his renewed people to enjoy. These words contain many encouraging promises to Israel.  The las...

Reverend Father Jeremiah Yakubu The pastor of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Kauru, Kaduna Municipality, Rev. Jeremiah Yakubu, was kidnapped by gunmen. Although the Kaduna police authorities have not yet commented on the incident, the Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, Rev. Emmanuel Okolo, said in a statement that Father Jeremiah was kidnapped from the parish rectory in Kauru LGA at about 11pm on Sunday. The Chancellor calls for fervent prayers for the speedy and safe release of the victim from the kidnappers and urges parishioners not to take justice into their own hands.

Morning prayer can bring many benefits to those who practice it. While specific benefits may vary based on personal beliefs and practices, here are some commonly recognized benefits:   Spiritual Connection: Morning prayers offer an opportunity to connect with a higher power, the Divine or 039; s spiritual beliefs. It allows people to start their day with purpose, dedication and gratitude.   Inner Peace and Tranquility: Prayer can bring a sense of calm and peace to the mind and spirit. It helps focus thoughts, relieve stress and find comfort in moments of stillness and reflection.   Concentration and Clarity: Morning prayers set the tone for the day ahead. They help people clarify their intentions, align their actions with their values, and focus on their goals. This can result in increased productivity, efficiency and a sense of direction throughout the day.   Gratitude and Positivity: Starting the day with a prayer of gratitude fosters a posit...

Father Oluoma           Mercy Chinwo Father Chinenye Oluoma, a Catholic priest from the Archdiocese of Abuja, criticized the gospel singers. This is when he revealed that some famous gospel singers currently charges N10 million to perform in the church.   He made this known while disparaging how expensive religious worship had become. Speaking in a video that is trending on social media, Father Oluoma chastises gospel musicians for demanding huge sums of money to perform at a place of worship. Taking Mercy Chinwo as an example, the rabbi, in a viral video, reiterated that the singer charges a church performance fee of N10 million. “We have made religious worship expensive. If I had to bring Mercy Chinwo here and sing, how much would I pay her? How much does it cost for a gospel artist with Mercy Chinwo status to go to an event or church, currently it's up to N10m. "This is the tragedy that we have transformed  Christiani...

Zephaniah will seem more interesting if you grasp the historical situation in which he wrote. For the decadence that led to King Josiah’s reforms, read 2 Kings 21. Josiah’s history is told in chapters 22 and 23. Second Chronicles 33-35 tells the same story with slightly different details. Zephaniah is easily understood. It has a clear and symmetrical structure, opening (after a brief introduction) with a warning of judgment for Judah and its capital of Jerusalem, then extending the judgment to Judah’s neighbors, and closing in chapter 3 with good news about Jerusalem. Beyond Darkness (A worldwide catastrophe and a shining light) Z EPHANIAH WROTE NOT LONG AFTER Manasseh had ended his 50-year reign in Judah. One of the worst Kings on record, Manasseh had idol worship and child sacrifice as common practice. He had built altars for star worshippers of God’s temple and had encouraged male prostitution as part of the religious rituals. He had also “shed so mu...

One of the shortest books in the Bible, Haggai can easily be read at one sitting. Haggai’s words came at a critical time in the life of the nation of Israel. They mark one of the few times in all history when God spoke and his people quickly and unquestioningly obeyed. For the historical background, read Ezra 1-6. Haggai’s crucial message is mentioned in Ezra 5:1-2. There is a progression to God’s warnings and his promises through Haggai. Study each of Haggai’s messages, and note what encouragement, what warning, and what hope God offered Israel. How did god motivate them to obey.  SOMETIMES AT CRUCIAL MOMENTS, A single voice can stir a directionless mass of people to action. Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s inspiring oratory may have saved Britain in World War II. American clergy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King’s sermons and speeches captured America’s conscience in the 1950s and 60s. Haggai’s words, similarly, rang clear in a time of confusion. The Jews...

Other prophets carried messages from God to humankind; Habakkuk addressed God alone. He pondered deep riddles of life while wrestling with two terrible realities: the degeneration of his own nation and the certainty that it was about to be overrun by another, worse nation. How can a just God allow, even use, such evil? To fully delve into Habakkuk’s questions, you may want to read the book of Job and Psalm 73, which explore related issues. The first two chapters of Habakkuk tell of two “complaints” and two answers. As you read, try to imagine the emotional changes Habakkuk experienced as he talked with God. Then read the joyful psalm of chapter 3 (set to music, either by Habakkuk or someone else) and ask yourself: where did this joyful confidence come from?

Nahum stands out from the other short prophetic books in two ways. He addressed a foreign city-Nineveh-instead of his own home nation, and he used unusual vivid language. You can read more background on Judah and its relationship to Nineveh in the following historical accounts: 2 Kings 17-19 and 2 Chronicles 32-33:13. The background will help you understand why God was so angry at Nineveh. As you read Nahum, pay special attention to the vivid imagery. Some of the best examples are the following: Descriptions of warfare: 2:3-7; 3:1-3 Nineveh like a pool with its water draining out: 2:8 Nineveh like a lions’ den, full of bones: 2:11-12 Nineveh like a prostitute shamed in the streets: 3:5-6 Nineveh’s fortresses like fig trees, with fruit shaken into the mouth of their attacker: 3:12 Nineveh’s numerous citizens like grasshoppers: prolific, voracious, and quickly disappearing: 3:15-17.