Daily Readings and Thought for March 13th. "TODAY THIS SCRIPTURE HAS BEEN FULFILLED"

   Those who read God’s word regularly are naturally inclined to watch world events, especially in the Middle East, to see if they can fit them into some prophecy. The disciples looked to Jesus in expectation of developments toward the establishment of his kingdom: two of them even asked if they could sit on either side of him in the kingdom (Mark 10 v.37).  But those in the synagogue who heard him quote a particular portion from the scroll of Isaiah (Luke 4 v.17) which he unrolled until he “found the place where it was written” were puzzled at what he chose to read; even more so when “he rolled up the scroll … to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled .. ’” [v.20-21] We ponder the passage he read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me , because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor: he has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” [v.20-21]   Is it clear to us what the passage means?  Who bothers to preach to the poor, they had no money to put into the treasury!  There is a spiritual meaning too, deliverance to those who are captive to sin, and of those who are spiritually blind. But most people, including the disciples, were focussed on themselves and what the reality of the kingdom would mean for them when it came! But there is work to be done first, this is still “the year of the Lord’s favour” !  In v.43 we read how Jesus kept moving on to “preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” We follow in his footsteps and today a final effort is being made to preach to people all over the world, even in the remotest parts.  But surely too, it is wherever opportunity occurs such as to our workmates and neighbours! And after that?  Just as the arrest and death of Jesus took place so suddenly, so also his return. How meaningful for us today are his words, “Watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with … cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap” [Ch.21 v.34]  What are we watching? [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORV3JIdiYso[/embedyt] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-and-thought-for-march-13th-today-this-scripture-has-been-fulfilled/?feed_id=60757&_unique_id=65f06f8dbc629

Daily Readings and Thought for February 25th. "IF ANYONE LOVES GOD, HE IS KNOWN BY GOD"

   Love is, above all, an active quality; genuine love causes us to do things: it is a motivation from the heart.  The things love causes us to do are not things we do out of a sense of obligation, occasions when we say, “I suppose I had better …” We meditated on this as we read the start of 1 Corinthians Ch. 8.  Verse 3 tells us, “But if anyone loves God , he (or she) is known by God.”  When God, who sees all things through his spirit (Psalm 139) knows our professions of love for him are genuine - we are “known by God.”   But this is more than a one sided sense of knowing, to truly know God results in a two-way relationship, David’s Psalms show this, we read this morning, “Know that the LORD, he is God!  It is he who made us, and we are his” [100 v.3] We read a few days ago in Exodus, “Moses said to the LORD … you have said, ‘I know you by name … therefore if I have found favour in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you …” [Ch.33 v.12,13]  Knowing God comes through living and therefore working for and with him and knowing his ways; there comes the wonder of the realization that we are “working together with him” [2 Cor. 6 v.1]. One of the wonders of this, Paul told the Corinthians is to realize that “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” [1 Cor. 10 v.13]  Many believers in Corinth experienced temptations to continue to enjoy the fleshly advantages of “fellowship” in the idol temples and the feasting on the food that had been offered to the idols.  In human ways of thinking this food was special having been blessed by Temple priests: we have seen this happening in Indian temples. It is not difficult to see the modern equivalents, especially in prosperous countries in the things that the masses idolize.  In Corinth athletic sports were idolized, it is no different today; the spectators idolize those who compete.  Paul’s pointed comment is – “Every athlete exercises self control … they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” [1 Cor. 9 v.25] He tells believers, “So run that you may obtain it … I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” [v.24,27]      We can say that the ‘oil’ which ‘lubricates’ all our understanding and ways of thinking and resultant efforts to “run” effectively - is - our love for God and our awareness that we are “known” by God. https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-and-thought-for-february-25th-if-anyone-loves-god-he-is-known-by-god/?feed_id=58564&_unique_id=65db089c005e6

Daily Readings and Thought for June 19th “I HAVE NO GREATER JOY THAN …”

  Daily Readings: Judges 21, Isaiah 43, 2&3 John Today we read the 2 final short letters of John.  He is obviously an old man; he waits for news of developments among those he knows – news must have travelled very slowly in those days – it is the complete opposite today – in most cases. In his final letter we read – “I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” [v.4].   Note the words, John’s great “joy” is to hear of their “walking” – not just that they are believing! Belief in that which is true is an essential foundation – and we recall John’s declaration near the end of his gospel.  “He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe.” [ch. 19 v.35] This is the foundation – but we must build on that foundation, otherwise the foundation is wasted.  We recall the words of Paul as he took his leave from the elders at Ephesus, “I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” [Acts 20 v.32] Sanctified means – seen to be holy. We can be ‘tempted’ to simply read and talk about the truth – but not be converted in heart – but that will prove to be a tragedy when Christ returns!  We ponder the many parables of Christ – we must have oil in our lamps – remember the parable when Jesus described how when “the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them.” [Matt. 25 v.3]  They had ceased to be a light in the world, they had ceased to “build” themselves – and others – up – to put their faith into action. Remember what we read in James earlier this month, he declared, “I will show you my faith by my works.” [2 v.18] When Jesus comes we will “have no greater joy than” to be welcomed into his kingdom – together with all those who have been “walking in the truth.” [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BflF4zlTg4[/embedyt] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-and-thought-for-june-19th-i-have-no-greater-joy-than/?feed_id=40942&_unique_id=648fc55e0d99f

Daily Readings and Thought for June 17th. “WHOEVER CONFESSES THAT … “

  Daily Readings: Judges 19, Isaiah 41, 1 John 3,4 What deep spiritual perceptions John unfolds in his First Epistle.  They are simple – yet they are profound!  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” [1 John 4 v.7]  What is it to “know” God?  It is – to have a ‘real’ day-to-day relationship with him – a relationship in the spiritual sense. Now we ponder – deeply – on the next verse! “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”  The word ‘love’ has been almost totally ‘debased in today’s world – it has largely been put on a par with the word ‘like.’ John tells us how the love of God was made known! “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.” [v.9]  What does that mean? How do we “live through him.”? We meditate on the words of Jesus, John recorded in his gospel. Whoever does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him.” [5 v.23]   How do we honour the Son?  We look ahead to John’s second epistle.” Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.” [v.9]   Let us “abide” – live -  by absorbing the “teaching.” Back to today’s 4^th chapter and finish by asking ourselves whether v.15 is true of us!  May it be true, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.” How do we “confess”?  The Father knows our answer – the heart-felt reality of our prayers, our abiding. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuA7TepLYow[/embedyt] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-and-thought-for-june-17th-whoever-confesses-that/?feed_id=40873&_unique_id=648d3376a0395

Daily Bible Readings and Thought for June 15th. “… DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS FROM THE LORD"

  Daily readings: Judges 16, Isaiah 39, 2 Peter Our thoughts yesterday went to the strange example of Samson as a man God used in his service to deliver his people. The list in Hebrews of those who are named as examples of faith has some surprising inclusions and Samson is one of them.   None of those in the list lived ‘perfect’ or blameless lives, but all had times in which they displayed great faith in God.  And ourselves? Today we read the accounts of Samson’s remarkable strength because his hair had never been cut. When Delilah finally succeeded in getting him to tell her the source of his strength she shaved off all his hair and then awoke him and said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, ‘I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.’ But he did not know that the LORD had left him. And the Philistines seized him …” [Judges 16 v.20,21] The LORD was the real source of his strength – and at his death he killed a great number of Philistines who had “praised their god. For they said, ‘our god has given our enemy into our hand’” [v.24].  We read that “Samson called to the LORD and said, O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once” [v.28] and the Philistine house to their God, built around two main pillars, collapsed as Samson was given the strength by the LORD to push them apart, “so the dead that he killed at his death were more than those whom he had killed during his life.” [v.30] In chapter 14 We read –  a significant verse: when his father objected to him seeking a wife from among the Philistines and Samson insisted and “said to his father, Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes” [14 v.3], the next verse is very significant, “His father and mother did not know that it was from the LORD, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines.” This illustrates that God, who sees all and knows all; in giving us a free will, often weaves the weaknesses of our human nature into the way he achieves his divine purpose – especially among his people. Paul was aware of this, he wrote, “we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” [Romans 8 v.28]  It is according to the Divine purpose that “things work together” – God frequently makes use of human “weakness” to weave together his plans and bring them to pass. The more we read the Bible the more we will see examples of this. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECx9Q7juCgg[/embedyt]   https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-bible-readings-and-thought-for-june-15th-did-not-know-that-it-was-from-the-lord/?feed_id=40650&_unique_id=648a2ca196781

Daily Bible Readings and Thought for June 14th. ” THE LORD KNOWS HOW TO RESCUE THE UNGODLY FROM TRIALS”

  Daily Readings: Judges 14,15, Isaiah 38, 2 Peter 1,2 We have quite a mixture of Scripture to read today – God used all kinds of people to speak to/or deliver his people – Samson was an outstanding, but strange example: he was a ‘superman’, possessed of remarkable physical strength, but desires a Philistine as a wife.  He needs his parents to arrange this – they object and say, “Is there not a woman among our own people.” [ch.14 v.3] But Samson is adamant; he wants the Philistine woman – “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” His father and mother did not know that it was from the LORD, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines.” We learn from this that God usually allows the human will to take its course – yet he can weave this into his purpose – as he did here. Then in Isaiah we read a somewhat similar situation. King Hezekiah is told by the prophet, “Thus says the LORD; set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” [38 v.1] The King prays and “weeps bitterly” and the LORD responds, “Behold I will add 15 years to your life”[v.5] – but, as we shall see, those 15 years have a big effect on Israel’s subsequent history. Our 2 chapters in 2 Peter are awesome in their description of God’s ultimate purpose in bringing great judgements on the world because it becomes totally godless. Yet, at the same time, says Peter, “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials” [2 v.9]. Paul wrote, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted (tested) beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” [1 Cor. 10 v.13]  It is evident Paul is writing from personal experience. How wonderful that God provides “a way of escape” for the godly!  But we must each ask ourselves, ‘Does God count me as godly?’ We look at the ‘godly’ in the scriptures, they all had blemishes, Samson was a particular example – and suffered for it – but was listed among the men of faith in Hebrews 11 v.32.  May “the Lord … rescue” us “from trials” if we are to experience (and how soon now?), “a time of trouble, such as never has been” [Dan. 12 v.1] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2suCNFXVpXs[/embedyt]   https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-bible-readings-and-thought-for-june-14th-the-lord-knows-how-to-rescue-the-ungodly-from-trials/?feed_id=40581&_unique_id=648935bb7b7e4

Daily Bible Readings and Thought for June 13th. “WHEN THE CHIEF SHEPHERD APPEARS, YOU WILL RECEIVE …”

  Daily readings: Judges 12,13, Isaiah 37, 1 Peter 3,4,5 Today we read the concluding chapters of Peter’s 1^st Epistle. What a challenging message Peter conveys to the “elect exiles of the Dispersion” [1 v.1]. As Paul was the apostle “to the Gentiles” – see Galatian 2 v.8,9., so Peter is the Apostle to the natural Jews who have come to believe in Jesus who have left Israel for the relative safety of “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” Peter was joined in this mission by James – remember how we read the start of his Epistle last week – “To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.”            Why were they scattered?  Undoubtedly some would have remained in Jerusalem – while it still existed!  Peter has a warning for them – and how appropriate is this for us today! He wrote “The end of all things is at hand;therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly…” [4 v.7,8]  And then in his final chapter, “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” [v.4].  We must take these words of Peter to heart ourselves Finally – note how verses v. 5 to 8 contain an exhortation we should embrace today with all our hearts. “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful.”  Let us fully embrace these words today ready for “when the chief Shepherd appears” – and then we will be wonderfully ready to “receive …” [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzSja__oImI[/embedyt] ”  https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-bible-readings-and-thought-for-june-13th-when-the-chief-shepherd-appears-you-will-receive/?feed_id=40512&_unique_id=6487f9721455e

Daily Readings and Thought for June 12th. “… LEAVING YOU AN EXAMPLE”

  Daily readings: Judges 10,11, Isaiah 36, 1 Peter 2, Let us meditate on what Peter is writing about in the 2^nd chapter of his first epistle. Peter penned these challenging words!  “…if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God”.[v.20]  How true this was in centuries past for those who dedicatedly read and put into practice the original teaching of Jesus and his followers, such as Peter. We note in particular what Peter tells them (v.21) “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” Is this “example” followed in these last days?  We are surrounded by modern inventions such as Television, mobile phones and the Internet!  What bad examples some of them set us! But consider the internet – this is how you are receiving this message – it has its blessings. I lived through the post war years in the 50’s and 60’s remarkable for many reasons; yet as it unfolded we saw the hand of God at work – and his nation came to life again – after nearly 2,000 years. The words of Jesus spring to mind and meaning! “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled… And there will be … distress of nations in perplexity…. “– Luke 21 v.24!   God’s “times” will soon begin. Finally, back in Peter – there is a verse we need to particularly meditate upon!  Peter tells them how Jesus “suffered for” them “leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”  Let us seek to do that – and how necessary it will become as there is increasing “perplexity” as the nations experience greater and greater “distress.” [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXKdlz-5RSA[/embedyt] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-and-thought-for-june-12th-leaving-you-an-example/?feed_id=40443&_unique_id=6486a1c96ed06

Daily Readings and Thought for June 11th. “PREPARING OUR MINDS FOR ACTION”

  Daily Readings: Judges 9, Isaiah 35, 1 Peter 1.  The above words jumped out at us in 1 Peter 1 v.13.  What action are we preparing for?  In one sense, each morning we need to prepare our minds for action to make that day count in service before God – and even more so as we start a new week. We must be ready to cope with each days challenges. Believers through the centuries have encountered times of crisis and challenges in their lives.  The Jewish exiles to whom Peter was writing were suffering persecution, with greater persecution coming as a result of the Jews rebellion against Rome in AD 67-70. But Peter writes of those “who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” [v.5]  We conclude Peter is being inspired to write what is meaningful for our days as well as his. The end of the Gentile age will parallel the end of the Jewish age.  Peter further writes, “if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold … may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [v.6,7].  He writes of the time when the truly faithful will “rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith” [v.8,9]. Our Isaiah reading (Ch.35) has wonderful words about this time when the faithful “come to Zion with singing: everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” [v.10]  So let us, start each day, by “preparing our minds for action …having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth …” [1 Peter 1 v.13,22]; an obedience shown by our love for one another “earnestly from a pure heart … through the living and abiding word of God” [v.22] that we feed we on every day as the major factor in “preparing our minds for action” [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6WU4oQXAE0[/embedyt] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-and-thought-for-june-11th-preparing-our-minds-for-action/?feed_id=40328&_unique_id=648542af6ba65

Daily Readings & Thought for February 19th. “ … THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THEM”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today we completed reading the Gospel of Mark.  God has seen to it that four records of the life on earth of his Son have been written and preserved so that, together, they provide a detailed picture of what his Son taught and the wonderful events that occurred, events which challenged all who witnessed them and heard him. They needed to show from their hearts what these events really meant to them. 

The end of Mark’s gospel shows that only those to whom Jesus personally appeared believed that he had risen.   We read how some “went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.” [v.13]    Paul testifies that, after appearing to the twelve, he later appeared to “more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep” [1 Cor. 15 v. 6] The evidence became overwhelming for most – we wonder how the Chief Priests and Pharisees reacted to what they heard!     The whole of the events that followed, including some of the records in secular history from the first and second centuries makes no sense if Christ was not raised. 

Faith became a keyword among the early believers – the need for faith was an integral part of the wisdom of God and today it applies as much as ever.  Belief in God as the great Creator is an outcome of true faith.  Paul significantly wrote  “that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” [Rom. 8 v.28]  Has God a purpose for you?  Do you sense this? God expects to use those who genuinely believe – in his service – in a whole range of different capacities. 

We look around us and upward and the faith in our hearts tells us, as it told David that ”The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” [Psa. 19]  Our Master declared, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." [John 20 v.19]

The familiar chapter 11 in Hebrews starts, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”  Do we fully have that conviction?  Our convictions will be tested when this world starts, as prophesied, to really fall apart.  Let us recall what Jesus said to his disciple Thomas, ”Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." [John 20 v.29] May we all be blessed. 

May our lives, our actions, increasingly show that we believe – with ALL our heart.

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Daily Readings and Thought for December 6th. "SO WE CAN CONFIDENTLY SAY ...."

  How many can speak with confidence these days? Certainly the 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 4 words are, “Let brotherly love continue”   That surely includes sisterly love too!  It means love in a practical sense, not just words.  John wrote, “let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth,” [1 John 3 v.18].  There is a saying, ‘actions speak louder than words.’ Paul then says, “Remember those who are in prison, as those who are in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” (of Christ) [v.3] As this world falls apart and becomes more dysfunctional these words will have more frequent application. A few years ago robbers with guns broke into a home where brethren hold their meetings and some lived and, as well as stealing money and valuables, they sprayed bullets around injuring a father and 3 sons, one seriously.  Other members rallied around to help, giving their blood for transfusions. This happened in Pakistan, but the potential for similar incidents to happen in more and more countries is increasing as this world becomes increasingly ungodly. Now let’s look at v.5 & 6.  “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?’ ”    Where did he say this?  Those words are from the prophet Haggai, giving a message to those living in difficult circumstances; we will read his message in a couple of weeks.  Those who only read the New Testament are missing much powerful encouragement from their God.   Today’s chapter in Micah is a good example; it starts, “It shall come to pass in the latter days … nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” [4 v.1,5]  This is a description of God’s kingdom when it is fully functioning, those alive then will say, “Come let us go up to the mountain of the LORD … that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths” [v.2]  Let us live today – and every day – so that we can, by faith, confidently say – we will be there. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NniSmsUxf6k[/embedyt]   https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-and-thought-for-december-5th-so-we-can-confidently-say/?feed_id=27457&_unique_id=638f0cf8d957a