Will God Ever End Suffering? This is the whole point that is so often missed. The assumption is made that God is to blame for suffering (which, as we have seen, He is not); that all suffering is bad (which is wrong); that if God allows suffering He therefore does not love us (when it… Read More Suffering and the God of Love #5 Will God Ever End Suffering?
We have already seen that we cannot blame God for causing suffering, it is our fault whether we like it or not. But if God has the power to stop it and does not, it might be argued that He must take some of the blame. Suppose you were an expert swimmer, and you saw… Read More Suffering and the God of Love #4 Does God Allow Suffering Because He Does Not Love Us?
Initially this seems like a foolish question, after all no one likes to suffer. It is unpleasant, but that does not mean it is bad. It is possible for something to be unpleasant and yet useful at the same time. Remember that particularly nasty medicine you probably had at some time? It was unpleasant —… Read More Suffering and the God of Love #3 Is Suffering Necessarily Bad?
If we think about it carefully, we find that there are basically four kinds of suffering in the world: Suffering caused deliberately by humans In this category are included war, robbery and murder. If a person (or a nation) sets out to deliberately kill, maim, rob or cheat, then a great deal of suffering will… Read More Suffering and the God of Love #2 Is God Responsible for Suffering?
There is no doubt at all that the problem of suffering is one of the greatest problems a Christian has to face. It has probably caused more people to lose faith, and prevented more people from finding faith, than almost any other problem. It is the argument most often used by atheists when they want… Read More Suffering and the God of Love #1 Intro
When I was young, I, together with others, used to play ‘hide and seek’. It was fun. When you become an adult, Paul says, of himself, “I gave up childish ways” (1 Corinthians 13:11). But when you are grown up you should still seek! But what do you seek? This line of thought was prompted… Read More Today’s thought “Seek the Lord” (December 16)
History illustrates the awesome outworking of initial events from when the LORD has declared. “I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the LORD … their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them on the day of the wrath of the… Read More Today’s thought “I will bring distress …” (December 15)
Did you notice that James 3 begins with a pretty serious warning, telling that teachers will incur a stricter judgment. The writer of the letter tells us that with that tiny thing in our head, our tongue, do we bless our Lord and our Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made… Read More Today’s thought “A serious warning for teachers” (December 09)
In today’s second Bible reading we get the impression that God’s people looked on His laws as burdensome and felt that serving Him was difficult. The Elohim therefore asks them: “ O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.” (Mic 6:3 ASV) The God of… Read More Today’s thought “How have I burdened you?” (December 08)
There are those who point out the increased sensitiveness of Christ to physical suffering; but have we realised his sensitiveness to sin? He lived in the presence of his Father, in an atmosphere of holiness and light. He went down to the shame and ignominy of a criminal’s death. His pure mind had to face… Read More Today’s Thought: Christ in Gethsemane
The agency which God has appointed for bringing about the indwelling of the word, is based upon the fact of human forgetfulness. There is a constitutional need for bringing to remembrance. Every man of reflection experiences this need. Even in human knowledge, the memory has constantly to be refreshed; how much more in the things… Read More Today’s Thought: Enduring to the end
What if we shut up the bowels of our compassion towards those who suffer? What if with plenty in our hands, we think only of our own need, and our own comfort, and our schemes are shaped and burdened only and continually with our own cares and our own interests? What if we never help… Read More Deal thy bread to the hungry
We shall come to see that the Most High God shall make an end to this godless world and shall turn its ground up-side-down. (Isaiah 24:1) The Divine Creator had made his promise to sent some one to this world to restore the damaged relationship. That person has come already once but shall return to… Read More Jehovah shall make the earth waste and turn its ground up-side-down
Acts tells how the numbers of believers in Christ multiplied rapidly. The pouring out of God’s Spirit on the day of Pentecost was being manifested in dramatic ways. Jesus had said he would be with them through the Spirit “that will guide you into all the truth” (see John 16:12-14). So the Apostles are able… Read More Today’s thought “Counted worthy to suffer dishonour” (April 25)
From our Newbury ecclesia: Thank you to those of you that have provided items for the children of Ukraine and other sufferers. I have collected the bags and boxes from the hall and today I am pleased to tell you that these have been delivered to the collection point in Basingstoke. I was able to… Read More Thank you to those of you that have provided items for the children of Ukraine and other sufferers
In these days, when we get to see horrible pictures of war crimes, we see enough proof of how man has gone far away from the precepts or prescriptions of God. We can wonder what would have gone into those heads of soldiers who raped and tortured those people in Ukraine. Clearly there have been… Read More Today’s thought “Fear-of-God, also in times of war, is a school in skilled living” (April 05)
More than one month ago, Vladimir Putin did what he had said not going to do. This is yet another proof that one cannot rely on the words of a human being. One must always be very careful when things are denied or promised. In today’s reading (Numbers 14) we also see how people easily… Read More Perplexity among the nations
I would love to share the prayer I said in this morning’s service Prayer for 2022 March 06 Asking for Strength by the Russian-Ukrainian war Dear God We thank you that we could come together at this meeting in Newbury and be connected with people from many places around. Our thoughts… Read More Prayer for 2022 March 06: Asking for Strength by the Russian-Ukrainian war
The world after so many years of peace in Europe now faces what we might call “a war of choice”. Vladimir Putin did not have to invade – Ukraine was not threatening Russia in anyway and even if it joined NATO in the future it would only be from a defensive point of view. But… Read More Russia choose to start a war
We pray to the great Spiritual Power God of love, You are the God who takes the side of the oppressed. You are the God who is close to the broken-hearted. You are the God who raises high the humble. We pray for refugees around the world. May they be welcomed with… Read More Prayer for refugees around the world
Belgian Ecclesia Brussel - Leuven 