Transcaucasia, also known as the South Caucasus, is a geographical region on the border of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, straddling the southern Caucasus (Russian Kavkaz) Mountains, presenting us the Caucasian States lying between the Black Sea (west) and the Caspian Sea (east) and occupied by Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Around the Black Sea… Read More South Caucasus 2021 update
In this world, there are many temptations. We also find lots of people who call themselves Christian, but who undertake a lot of acts and keep to a lot of traditions that are not in line with the Biblical instructions. The Bible is full of examples for us, to learn from. We find a lot… Read More Today’s thought “Taking examples as warnings” (August 28)
When the Nazarene master teacher performed his miracles, he asked the healed ones to go home and tell everything God did in them. This way, several people must have gone back to the place where they came from and told all over their village or town to their own people everything Jesus had done in… Read More Today’s thought “Proclaiming the Message” (August 27)
Today’s thought “But let the scriptures be fulfilled” (August 19) Whenever there is reference to “the scriptures” in the New Testament it is referring to the Old Testament. Mark 14 makes heart-searching reading: its 72 verses begin with a woman (verse 3) anointing Jesus with precious oil, and Jesus rebuking those who criticised her, saying,… Read More Today’s thought “But let the scriptures be fulfilled” (August 19)
Today’s thought “Lest he come suddenly, and …” (August 18) Today we read three thought-provoking chapters – but that is the ‘appeal’ of God’s word – and each year we exercise our minds each day seeking to think through the words we read and gain more understanding – and also take lessons for ourselves from… Read More Today’s thought “Lest he come suddenly, and …” (August 18)
Today’s thought “You know neither the scriptures nor …” (August 17) We saw today in Mark 12 how Jesus challenged those who distort God’s word. This word, to them, was what we call the ‘Old Testament’. These equally inspired words are largely ignored today despite the wonderful discovery of scrolls of all of the books… Read More Today’s thought “You know neither the scriptures nor …” (August 17)
The Lord has called you—individually—to be a light among many to proclaim the good news of God’s Kingdom through your words and your behaviour. Sam Taylor of Goad Tidings asks: Have you ever noticed a rainbow on a wall when light shines through a window? What causes that to happen? In his article The Spectrum… Read More The Spectrum of the Saints
Today we come to read in Mark 9 how Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain. What they came to see onto that mountains was special. Jesus his appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. His clothes shimmered, glistening white, whiter than any bleach could make… Read More Today’s thought Mark 9 A voice out of the cloud declaring Jesus to be His son (August 14)
In today’s reading of Mark 8 Jesus called his disciples together to tell them that the crowd wss breaking his heart. “1 In those days, when there was again a great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, 2 I have compassion on the multitude,… Read More Today’s thought Mark 8 Which sings from Christ do you want to see (August 13)
Today we look at Jesus who returned to his hometown. His disciples came along. On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. many were very surprised , them having no idea this Nazarene man was this good! “ And when the sabbath was come, he… Read More Today’s thought Mark 6 A carpenter son sending out 12 men (August 11)
Zion is another name for Jerusalem, and 100 years ago Jerusalem was a neglected city. It had been part of the aging Turkish empire for several centuries and only those who saw significance in Bible prophecies about this ancient city were interested in its welfare. Of course, some of the scattered Jews were also interested.… Read More Zion for whom no one cares
On the 6th of August we started our daily readings of the Gospel of Mark. Also the Belgian Bible Students are now looking at that most chronological book of the gospels. It is probable that he is the Mark referred to four times in Acts, called John Mark in Acts 12:12. Most of the stories… Read More Reading of the Gospel of Mark
Today’s thought “Disaster is going forth from nation to nation” (August 4) Today’s Jeremiah 25 is very disturbing. The prophet is receiving visions from God of future events, some of the visions include a future then far distant. God’s judgements are about to fall on Jerusalem. Jeremiah is told “this whole land shall become a… Read More Today’s thought “Disaster is going forth from nation to nation” (August 4)
Today’s thought “… will not be put to shame” (August 1) These are the concluding words of yesterday’s Romans 9, “… whoever believes in him will not be put to shame”. Of course our understanding and resultant belief has to take in the context of the passages in God’s word – and then we must… Read More Today’s thought “… will not be put to shame” (August 1)
Today’s thought “The gospel … the power of God” (July 28) Paul in writing to the Romans speaks about “the power of God”. But he is not referring to physical power such as will be shown at the time Jesus returns when the greatest earthquake ever (Revelation 16:18) and other terrible events occur. God gave… Read More Today’s thought “The gospel … the power of God” (July 28)
Today’s thought “Not as I will but as you will” (July 25) Today we read the account of the dreadful last twenty-four hours or so in the mortal life of our Lord Jesus. It is clear he was mortal, otherwise his death was only a sort of ‘mirage’. His agony of mind in the Garden… Read More Today’s thought “Not as I will but as you will” (July 25)
Today’s thought “Your name will be magnified forever” (July 22) It feels as if we could fill a book with the thoughts that arise from our three chapters today! However, 2 Samuel 7 is surely the most heart-warming and challenging! David, now king and reigning from Jerusalem, decides he should build a house, that is,… Read More Today’s thought “Your name will be magnified forever” (July 22)
Today’s thought “… but those invited are not worthy” (July 21) One of the more challenging parables of Jesus is in today’s Matthew 22. Jesus says his kingdom “may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son” (verse 2). The “wedding” will see the commencement of the total transformation of… Read More Today’s thought “… but those invited are not worthy” (July 21)
Today’s thought “A people producing its fruits” (July 20) Jesus taught saying, “I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits” (Matthew 21:43). The life of Jesus was reaching its climax when he said this in the last of several parables in today’s… Read More Today’s thought “A people producing its fruits” (July 20)
Today’s thought “Is it lawful to divorce … for any cause” (July 18) Our reading in Matthew’s Gospel tells us how the Pharisees came up to Jesus “and tested him by asking, ‘Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” The religious groups were at odds between themselves in their efforts to impose… Read More Today’s thought “Is it lawful to divorce … for any cause” (July 18)
