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)
“Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?” When we take the lowest place and “seek not high things” we need have no fear of falling. Pride is the destroyer of men’s souls. We rise in the balloon of our own self-esteem, only to fall to… Read More Today’s Thought: The lowest place
Today’s thought “For my people who …” (July 9) Today and tomorrow we read the final two chapters of Isaiah. God expresses through the prophet his lament for those who turn away from him, those who “insulted me” – to whom he says, “do not come near me, for I am too holy for you”… Read More Today’s thought “For my people who …” (July 9)
By the beginning of the New Year we, in our third and fourth Daily Bible Readings, we look at Psalm 1 & 2 and think about the people we have, or do want to have, contact with. We should know that happy may be the one who manages to stay clear from the wrong friends;… Read More Today’s thought “Going with the right people” (January 01)
2Kgs 5:18: “May the LORD forgive your servant for this one thing: When my master enters the temple of Rimmon to worship, and he leans on my arm and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant for this.”” Whether we can equate Naaman’s idol problem to correspond exactly… Read More Bowing down in the temple of Rimmon, may the LORD forgive your servant for this.
In this world where more people are interested in worldly matters, mostly material matters, having not much fertile ground for spiritual matters, it is not always easy for a follower of Christ to stand firm in the faith. The apostle Jude felt he had to write to his fellow brethren to ask them to stand… Read More Today’s thought “Standing up for the faith” (December 20)
We are reading the letters of John. They are rather challenging, partly because he writes in quite a different way to Paul and Peter. It some ways he is simpler, he tries to make sure his readers grasp the basics of living for Jesus and for the Father. As we meditate – slowly and carefully… Read More Today’s thought “By this it is evident …” (December 17)
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)
James 3 Preaching and teaching the Word of God is a serious “job”. Willing to be “servants of God” we are fully aware of the particularity but also of the seriousness and possible consequences of our task. Those who want to teach in the ecclesia should know or be aware of the strictness or strict… Read More Today’s thought “Teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others” (December 09)
How many can speak with confidence these days? Certainly politicians can’t, although they often try to sound that way! We read the last chapter of Hebrews today where Paul is emphasising to them the need to be positive in their attitude to the spiritual aspects of life. His first four words are, “Let brotherly love… Read More Today’s thought “So we can confidently say …” (December 6)
Today’s thought “Performing deeds in keeping with their repentance” (November 10) Every time we read Paul’s speeches in defending himself after his arrest, we are moved by his total conviction of mind and commitment. What a transformed man he was after his intensely dramatic encounter with the risen Christ outside Damascus. He has turned himself… Read More Today’s thought “Performing deeds in keeping with their repentance” (November 10)
What is love? As we read the aged disciple John’s final two short Epistles, his use of the word “love” jumps out at us. He writes how, “I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth … and this is love, that we walk according to his commandments” (2 John:4,6). This… Read More Today’s thought June 19: This is love, that we walk …
Performing deeds in keeping with How inspiring are the words Paul addresses to King Agrippa! In Acts 26 we read his account of his life following his conversion, in effect Paul was turned right around, to become a follower of the true Messiah. What an example this is to the great majority today, who need… Read More Today’s Thought “Performing deeds in keeping with … ” (May 11)
Today’s thought “A house of prayer” (March 27) Our readings in the book of Numbers and the Gospel of Luke include references to cleansing. In Numbers we read yesterday how they consecrated the tabernacle now that it had been set up, offerings were made by each of the twelve tribes. It was about to be… Read More Today’s thought “A house of prayer” (March 27)
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)
Today’s thought “To proclaim … the day of vengeance” (July 5) Our first reading today of 1 Samuel 17 saw “the day of vengeance” of Israel upon the Philistines due to the wonderful faith of a youthful David. His faith and commitment to serving the Lord gave him the strength of mind to go forth… Read More Today’s thought “To proclaim … the day of vengeance” (July 5)
Today’s Thought “I remember you constantly in my prayers” (May 25) Today we started reading the final epistle that Paul wrote, his second letter to Timothy. The spiritual relationship he had developed with him is an example to us of the relationship we should aim to develop with fellow believers; surely we should remember each… Read More Today’s Thought “I remember you constantly in my prayers” (May 25)
Today’s thought “Godly and dignified” (May 22) We live in a world where those in authority are constantly being challenged. Where democracy is practised, elections become public confrontations. An earnest and committed Bible believer has feelings of dismay. What attitudes should they take? In the early days of our community, the pioneers were confronted in… Read More Today’s thought “Godly and dignified” (May 22)
In Relationships The apostle Peter wrote about partners in a marriage where only one of them was a believer and this is what he advised: “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their… Read More How should we worship God? #10 In Relationships
Christian Behaviour The way we behave – with believers and unbelievers alike – is a very important expression of the change that has taken, or is taking, place inside us. For the things we say and do are outside indicators of our inner state of mind. We have to try to live a transformed life,… Read More How should we worship God? #9 Christian Behaviour
Belgian Ecclesia Brussel - Leuven 