I was rather overwhelmed by the range of appropriate thoughts in all our readings this morning! God’s words through Isaiah, quoted in our title (33:2) arrested my attention. Jesus is the “arm of the Lord” – soon we will read Isaiah’s famous chapter 53 which starts “to whom has the arm of the LORD been… Read More Thought for June 09: Be our arm every morning, our salvation in time of trouble
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)
Ah, that little word – “IF”! Our quotation above is from 2 Peter 1. Today we read Peter’s final message as he realises he is soon to die. It is a time when he sees much evil growing and false believers coming to the fore who “promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of… Read More Today’s thought “If these qualities are yours” (December 14)
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 “The breastplate of faith” (November 18) Some of the verses in the final chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians are really appropriate for conditions we live in today. The chapters in Nehemiah are also full of lessons, showing his dedicated effort, despite all kinds of distraction and opposition. He led the… Read More Today’s thought “The breastplate of faith” (November 18)
Today’s thought “Showing the Gospel, teaching publicly and from house to house,” (November 07) In the 3rd reading of today we listen to the apostle Paul who from the first day that he set foot in Asia, served the Lord Most High God and His sent one, in all humility of mind, and with many… Read More Today’s thought “Showing the Gospel, teaching publicly and from house to house,” (November 07)
Early in Acts we read of Peter preaching, “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out” (3:19). All who do this should be “eagerly waiting for him” ready for when he comes “to save those who” are doing this, with oil in the lamps, ready to cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom!… Read More Todays tought (June 2) Repenting whilst eagerly waiting for Christ’s return
Today’s thought “… and will not be able” (March 22) Today’s chapters in Luke are full of challenging parables. They challenge us to understand and act in a particular way. For a start we noted the response of Jesus when someone asked, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” (13:23). The question leads Jesus… Read More Today’s thought “… and will not be able” (March 22)
Today at our service we had a live meeting on Zoom but this time without a live exhortation. For all, we include the video of this morning sermon here on this platform as well, so that we can reach also people who were not at our service this morning. We do hope you enjoy it… Read More Today’s exhortation on Mark 10 With God all things are possible
“That you may grow up into salvation” We meditate thoughtfully on Peter’s first letter: he was writing to the “elect exiles of the Dispersion” (1:1) – primarily Jews – as James (1:1) had also done “To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion” (1:1). Peter names them as being in “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia”… Read More Today’s thought “That by it you may grow up into salvation” (December 12)
TESTIMONY special issue Vol. 90 No. 1,060 May-June 2020 For the study and defence of the holy Scripture Previous issues from THE TESTIMONY • The Name of Jesus Christ. A survey of Bible teaching on the major aspects of this half of the gospel message. 84 pages. 50p. • The Judges of Israel. Their life… Read More Special issue of The Testimony: The Commandments of Christ
God is calling people of faith. He’s calling people not to believe what they want to believe, but to believe what he’s revealed. God is not a God of confusion. Faith Foundations Podcast Series This series of First Principle or “Faith Foundation Podcasts” is a recreation of an original series of Radio Broadcasts created by… Read More God is calling people of faith
Here is an extract from the notes relating to today’s reading, Judges chapter 7: “Gideon’s volunteer army is drastically reduced at God’s command, for victory must be seen to have come from Israel’s God, not their military might. Any remaining doubts Gideon had are settled when he overhears a conversation between two enemy soldiers. Dividing… Read More Today’s thought “Judges Discussion Notes” (June 10)
Today’s thought “… salvation to the ends of the earth” (May 04) Acts 8 Today God’s message of “salvation” has reached “to the ends of the earth”. This word occurs six times in the book of Acts. Paul, early in his missionary journeys (with Barnabas) began to preach the “good news about the kingdom of… Read More Today’s thought “… salvation to the ends of the earth” (May 04)
Today’s thought “Rejoice in the Lord” (April 9) Today, more than ever before, people love to enjoy themselves. Looking for means of enjoyment is often the pre-occupation of those in “the western world”. They seek situations in which they can have fun, play games, watch shows and much more. Planning for weekends, especially Easter and… Read More Today’s thought “Rejoice in the Lord” (April 9)
New Life in Christ None of this is easy of course and you may be wondering how you could possibly keep it up, even if you started living in this way. It seems an impossible standard to achieve. It is exactly for this reason that the apostle structured his letter in the way he has… Read More How should we worship God? #11 New Life in Christ
The apostle Paul had been systematically explaining the gospel of salvation when he suddenly paused in wonderment, as though overtaken by the magnificence of God’s grace and mercy towards fallen humanity. He had glimpsed the end of God’s purpose, the salvation of all those who respond to God’s invitation and choose to be saved, when… Read More How should we worship God? #1 Appreciation for God
Today’s thought “Of first importance” (March 2) Psalm 106 is a survey of God’s dealings with Israel – above all of his mercy toward them: it ends with a petition, “Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations” (verse 47) – and he is doing this! Then in 1 Corinthians… Read More Today’s thought “Of first importance” (March 2)
We must be one with Christ; we must be in him, not only in our standing, but also in our daily walk and talk. … Read More Thought for today (January 17): Walking not after the flesh, but after the spirit
Mankind has received the Word of God in which we can find words of many prophets, a.o. also of the son of man called Jeshua ben Joseph the ben ha-Elohim or son of God. That son of man born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth and went out preaching about his heavenly Father, the God… Read More The son of man given authority by God
Belgian Ecclesia Brussel - Leuven 