Outstretched arm Written By Paul Zilmer One of those terms we encounter over and over in scripture is “the arm of the Lord”. Usually it is said to be “outstretched”—active in doing something, not passive. Sometimes we find the Lord’s “right hand” referred to; often enough, in context it’s equivalent to the arm. Here’s a… Read More Today’s thought “outstretched arm of Jehovah” (February 01)
Good Written By Paul Zilmer “No one does good. Not even one!” In Romans 3:10-18 the apostle Paul quotes from a series of six Psalms, a Proverb, and Isaiah, all making this same point. There is no one who is righteous. All turn aside. Why say it so many times? Maybe so it will… Read More Today’s thought “No one does good” (January 28)
How much patience do people have today? In most cases, very little, at least that is so in this country. Life is lived in a constant “hurry’ – you can perceive a sense of urgency in many – this life is all I have, let me enjoy it as much as possible as the future… Read More Today’s thought “Through faith and patience” (December 1)
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)
Today we read one of the most important chapters in the Bible – 1 Corinthians 15. Many verses jump out inviting our meditation. The one we have chosen to concentrate on is verse 10. Paul laments on his unworthiness, but then says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his… Read More Today’s Thought (September 01): His grace toward me was not in vain
The sentiment that Christ’s righteousness alone is to be the basis of our acceptance, is one of the countless and pernicious corruptions of clerical theology. It doubtless originated in the misapplication of a certain element of apostolic truth, namely that which informs us that all are under sin, and that our salvation is not of… Read More Today’s Thought: The servants of Christ
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)
Belgian Ecclesia Brussel - Leuven 