Readings for today: Joshua 1; Isaiah 7; 1 Thessalonians 1-2 All three of our readings today say much about human reactions to God. We started reading Joshua and saw God’s challenge to him to take the people over the Jordan. He is told, “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with… Read More Today’s thought “If you are not firm in faith” (May 17)
Today’s thought “Be astounded and perish” (November 3) As we proceed in reading the book of Acts we see the challenges Paul and Barnabas faced in spreading the good news about the true God and His son Jesus; we see the kind of opposition they attracted. “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those… Read More Today’s thought “Be astounded and perish” (November 3)
We do not know a great deal about Isaiah’s personal situation. In John’s Gospel we read that “Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him” (12:41), so the seeing was with the eye of faith, a vivid picture in the mind. Isaiah “saw” what was to come, believing with such… Read More Morning by morning
We always pray … that our God may make you worthy The first two chapters of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians have some awesome thoughts. Today, more than ever before, we live in a herd environment, a human herd. Mass advertising in a great variety of media confronts us hour after hour, this creates… Read More Today’s Thought “We always pray … that our God may make you worthy” (May 20)
Today’s thought “Rooted and built up in him” (November 14) Colossians 2 contains some inspiringly positive points from Paul – we need to fully absorb these to spur us on – into becoming more and more like Christ. Paul tells them that although he is not with them physically, “I am with you in spirit,… Read More Today’s thought “Rooted and built up in him” (November 14)
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 “… in vain do they worship me” (July 14) The religious leaders in Israel in the time of Jesus were zealous in their rituals of worship: the same can be said of the main forms of Christianity down through the centuries. Today in Matthew 15 we see how Jesus confronted the “Pharisees and… Read More Today’s thought “… in vain do they worship me” (July 14)
“For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Mat 12:50). “There are many writers and perhaps even some thinkers who would readily fall into error if asked to describe the true Christadelphian. In the Brotherhood there has been a very natural tendency to put the emphasis… Read More Today’s thought July 11 Reading 3 – Matthew 12:50
There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness Today we read the last two chapters of Paul’s last letter. It was his second letter to Timothy. These chapters (3 and 4) contain some wonderful expressions of his faith in his future. May we all be able to share Paul’s words here and say,… Read More Today’s Thought “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness” (May 27)
“Call on the Lord from a pure heart” Paul’s final letter, the one he wrote to Timothy, is probably the most personally challenging one for believers – and that surely includes us today! He is warning and advising Timothy about some “who have swerved from the truth …” (2:18); this problem has plagued believers ever… Read More Today’s thought “Call on the Lord from a pure heart” (May 26)
Today’s thought “Do not add anything to what God commands you, and do not take anything away” (April 21) Today we encounter a very important writing which may even frighten us who want to preach. It reminds us of the importance of bringing Gods Word to others how it is and not how human doctrines… Read More Today’s thought “Do not add anything to what God commands you, and do not take anything away.” (April 21)
Today’s thought “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will” (April 15) The Gospel of John is particularly soul stirring as we read it. We learn much detailed information about parts of the ministry of our Lord, filling some of the ‘gaps’ in the other gospels. We learn that the centre of opposition to Jesus… Read More Today’s thought “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will” (April 15)
Today’s thought “God has come to test you …” (February 10) Exodus 19 + 20 We read today in great detail of the arrival of the people of Israel at Mount Sinai on “the third new moon” (Exodus 19:1). For the great mass of people with their flocks and herds, it had been a testing… Read More Today’s thought “God has come to test you …” (February 10)
This morning in service, we had a look at the Book of Nehemiah, in which we can find the longest (Ch. 9) and the shortest prayer (Ch. 2) For a hundred years the people went asleep. We too have come into a period when previously lots of people though they said to be Jew, Christian… Read More Coming to Thanksgiving day 2020
It was a beautiful late summer day so we packed some sandwiches and drove to a nearby village. We were aiming to walk along the track of a disused railway line in the area. We discovered the line of the track as embankments and ‘cuttings’ which could easily be seen across the countryside. However, as… Read More A Walk in the country
Today’s thought “That the nations might tremble” (July 8) First we read 1 Samuel 20, an account of Saul’s increasing jealousy of David – and his developing desire to kill him: such is human nature and its self-centredness. We constantly see this around us – it is more evident than ever at election times! Then… Read More Today’s thought “That the nations might tremble” (July 8)
Today’s thought “Having the appearance of godliness” (May 27) Today we completed reading Paul’s inspiring – and challenging – letters to Timothy: there are so many lessons we can (and should) take for ourselves from the advice Paul gave him. “Flee youthful passions” Paul told him – not just avoid them! The younger generation today… Read More Today’s thought “Having the appearance of godliness” (May 27)
Today’s thought “… his word abiding in you” (April 13) Today we began reading the detailed teaching of Jesus that is special to the Gospel of John. Jesus is teaching in Jerusalem, it is “a feast of the Jews” and he tells them, “The Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me” but… Read More Today’s thought “… his word abiding in you” (April 13)
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
Congregational Worship Paul does not spend time in this letter explaining how worship should be arranged, but he does this in other letters. For example, in his letters to the believers at Corinth he deals with problems they were having in their communal worship. It is something to watch out for as you are reading… Read More How should we worship God? #5 Congregational Worship
Belgian Ecclesia Brussel - Leuven 