Today’s thought “This defiles a person” (July 14) Most people are never conscious of the need for spiritual cleanliness; the Jewish religious leaders had made quite a ritual out of material and physical cleanliness, hands in particularly had to be constantly cleansed. In today’s chapter in Matthew we read a lesson of Jesus about this… Read More Today’s thought “This defiles a person” (July 14)
Today’s thought “The manifestation of the spirit for …” (August 30) We have come to that part of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians which is about the gifts of the Spirit which were possessed among the believers there. The Gospels were not yet in circulation, probably they had just been written. Now what was the… Read More Today’s thought “The manifestation of the spirit for …” (August 30)
Today’s thought “We rejoice in hope” (July 30) Romans 5 and 6 need to be read and digested slowly – like rich food! Paul proclaims that believers “having been justified by faith … have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ … have also obtained access by faith in to this grace in which… Read More Today’s thought “We rejoice in hope” (July 30)
War. Again. People never cease warring with one another. War is a horrifying thing, as some of you reading this can testify from direct experience. All the suffering, the death, the destruction. Why do people keep doing it? There are countless “small” wars going on every moment — not small to those affected, of course.… Read More War, why do people keep doing it
Today’s thought “Speaking the truth in love” (October 6) How wonderful to know what is true – the Truth that the Bible alone reveals. Yet how often do we see examples in history of such knowledge causing people to be “puffed up” and pleased with themselves – an attitude which undermines their privilege in understanding… Read More Today’s thought “Speaking the truth in love” (October 6)
Those having chosen to follow Christ should regularly come together and be the breath of life for the ecclesia.… Read More A breathing ecclesia
In completing our reading of Habakkuk we noticed the ‘footnote’ that concludes the last verse, “To the choirmaster …” this indicates that the last three verses are a hymn or song. It has always been in our hymn book, yet, for many years we have rarely heard it sung. It seems to us that we… Read More Today’s thought “Yet I will rejoice …” (December 14)
“5 My righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the peoples; the isles shall wait for me, and on mine arm shall they trust. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth… Read More Today’s Thought “God’s salvation shall be for ever, and His righteousness shall not be abolished” (June 26)
The Breaking of Bread Jesus commanded that baptized believers should remember the death and resurrection of their Lord by sharing together some bread and wine, just as he and his disciples did at the Last Supper. This act is described in the New Testament as the Breaking of Bread, or sometimes as an act of… Read More How should we worship God? #7 The Breaking of Bread
“Why are there so many churches in Christendom” “Why are there so many sects in Christendom?” In the world we can find many groups discussing about Christianity and Christendom. Lots of people dare also to react very strongly and aggressively against other Christian groups. Sometimes they go so far to show a very unchristian attitude.… Read More One Bible, many Churches
“I remember you in my prayers” (May 29) The short letter of Paul to Philemon has some valuable lessons for us in the area of spiritual relationships of believers with one another. Paul is writing as “a prisoner of Christ Jesus” (verse 1) and Timothy is with him – and other visitors support him, “Mark,… Read More I remember you in my prayers
We are aware how true Paul’s prediction has been throughout history: that “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and imposters will go from bad to worse. But as for you (and us!) continue in what you have learned and firmly believed … how from… Read More Increase our zeal for the Holy scriptures
In serving Jesus, we must ourselves seek to show love by what we do. There will be times when we need to be gentle as he was with his disciples when they faltered, and he said “O you of little faith” (Luke 12:28; but read verses 22-31). We might think of what we want, but… Read More Message to teenagers
Expression of doubt and posing questions The last few days in our small Belgian community we spoke about looking for Christ, having doubts, loving Jesus, actions to be taken as lover of Jesus and lover of God. Some people may feel like they have to climb a very steep mountain or could say “I Die… Read More Doubting and going astray
Benefits of praying People wonder what is the use of prayer or speaking to someone who we cannot see or hear. Though we cannot see God, He took care that those who are willing to find and to hear Him shall really find and hear Him. In the Holy Scriptures we can see many examples… Read More Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #16 Benefits of praying
Condition In the history of humankind there have been also men of God who did not get answers from God like they wanted. Even though David had called out to God day and night, God had not answered all the prayers of King David. “(1) My Ěl, My Ěl, why have You forsaken Me –… Read More Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #10 Prayer #8 Condition
In Manifests for believers #3 Catholic versus Protestant we saw that what was meant as signal, a call to seek together how our church also today could bring over credibly the ‘good news’ of and over Jesus, has now grown out to a severe debate over how the Catholic Church can, may or must be… Read More Manifests for believers #5 Christian Union
Belgian Ecclesia Brussel - Leuven 