Much has changed in the last three weeks. The recent build-up of Russian arms and military posturing has turned into a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Battalions from the north, east and south have crossed borders and begun pressing into the centre of the country. Major towns and cities are gradually becoming isolated and cut off.… Read More Build-up of Russian arms and military posturing
Our readings in the book of Revelation lead to a description of the ultimate climax of human history – we read of visions, largely, but not entirely, in symbol, picturing God’s judgements. It is a time for opening “the book of life” (3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27). The seventh and only other reference to “the… Read More Today’s thought “Do not harm … until” (December 24)
As Peter completes his second letter he asks a question “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of the Lord …” (3:11,12). What is to be dissolved? He writes that… Read More Today’s thought “What sort of people ought you to be …” (December 15)
With our Belgian ecclesia we are like the ancient God’s elect, living as aliens scattered among the unbelievers like the ones who were living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia to whom the apostle Peter wrote. (1 Peter 1:1) We have not many real believers around us. That does… Read More Today’s thought “Elect exiles of the Dispersion” (December 11)
Today’s thought “Trouble in times of the latter days” (November 3) On the 1st and 2nd of November people remember their dead. Lots of them do not stand still for the days of the living and do not think of the days to come for the living and the dead. Believing the many theologians and… Read More Today’s thought “Trouble in times of the latter days” (November 3)
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)
“Watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles” Paul warns about divisive people saying “to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil”. Today’s thought “Who cause divisions and create obstacles” (August 05) It is good – and much to be preferred – to always focus on the positive words that… Read More Today’s thought “Who cause divisions and create obstacles” (August 05)
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)
“Establish your hearts” (June 10) Today we read the final chapter of James and his warning to the believers in Jerusalem, for some had “laid up treasure in the last days” (verse 3). The “last days” facing Jerusalem, James knew, was the destruction that Jesus had foretold, the time when it would be surrounded by… Read More Thought for June 10 to Establish the hearts
Today’s thought “The word that I have spoken will …” (April 19) Deuteronomy 2, Proverbs 29, John 12 Deuteronomy, which we are now reading is, to some extent, a kind of history lesson to the next generation – the children of those who had died in the wilderness. This is an example to us –… Read More Today’s thought “The word that I have spoken will …” (April 19)
Today’s thought “You have the words of eternal life” (April 14) Today’s John 6 is particularly challenging – for our meditation. It needs deep thought for the depth of its meaning to truly come alive in our minds. Many of his disciples found his words too challenging, too difficult to grasp – and “many of… Read More Today’s thought “You have the words of eternal life” (April 14)
Today’s thought “An hour is coming when …” (April 13) In our reading today in John 5, Jesus speaks of the dead hearing his voice! However, note how he says this twice – and the meaning is different! These quotes are in verse 25-29. The first time (verse 25) he says, “I say to you,… Read More Today’s thought “An hour is coming when …” (April 13)
Today’s thought “Those who fear him” (February 27) Psalm 103, 1 Cor 12-13 The phrase “those who fear him”, meaning, who fear God, occurs three times in our Psalm reading today. The sense of ‘fear’ is – to be in heartfelt awe of what God must be. This is a Psalm that should reach deep into… Read More Today’s thought “Those who fear him” (February 27)
The Spirit of God calls our body His temple and as children of God we should unite and assemble in that spiritual temple by the formation of an ecclesia or church.… Read More Ecclesia – Church – Minding your reference
Today’s thought “I never knew you” (January 5) There are some really challenging sayings of Jesus in the first twenty-seven verses of Matthew 7 today. Then his comment in verses 28,29 jumps out at us. “When Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who… Read More Today’s thought “I never knew you” (January 5)
On the 21st day of the 7th month (Av = July-August), the prophet Haggai gave a second message from the Eternal. (Haggai 2:1) He asked about Zerubbabel (Shealtiel’s son and Judah’s governor), Joshua (Jehozadak’s son and the high priest), and all those who returned from exile, or any of them still living who saw how… Read More Today’s thought “Latter glory of the house of God shall be greater than the former” (December 18)
What ominous warnings do we read in today’s chapter in Zephaniah! They are a sequel to what we read yesterday – they are a challenge for us to act to make sure we are on the Lord’s side – now! Hopefully all those who read and know their Bibles are already in the process of… Read More Today’s thought “The burning anger of the LORD” (December 16)
Unceasing evil The above two words are the last words in the short prophecy of Nahum we read this morning. His three chapters are “an oracle concerning Nineveh” (1:1). You will remember that Jonah reluctantly went there, but they responded to his preaching of warning that in “forty days” they would be destroyed because of… Read More Today’s thought “Unceasing evil” (December 11)
From the previous bible readings this month we saw that many had lost the connection with the Only True God. It is part of indifference which is a cause man allows himself to be carried away by human philosophy. All those writings of so called theologians bringing other ideas than the Word of God gives… Read More Thought for today November the 6th: Indifference
1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord. (NKJ) Feeling alarm or anxiety I… Read More Prayertheme for August 2020: Feeling alarm or anxiety
Belgian Ecclesia Brussel - Leuven 