Daily Readings & Thought for June 8th. “A KING WILL REIGN … PRINCES WILL RULE …”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Judges 4,5), (Isaiah 32), (James 2) Our chapter (32) in Isaiah starts, “Behold a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice.”  This surely visualises God’s king, the Lord Jesus, at last reigning over the earth.   There will also be “princes” reigning  who ”will rule with justice.” At last the world will experience true justice.  The words of the prophecy imply the “reign” will initially be against a scene in which the world has become “a dry place” and “a weary land” [v.2] The “princes” who “will rule” will provide “a shelter from the storm” that occurs as the world is transformed and comes to accept the fact that there is an all-righteous king reigning. True justice will at last happen, “the fool will no more be called noble, nor the scoundrel said to be honourable.” [v.5]   Human hearts will no longer be “busy with iniquity to practice ungodliness, to utter error concerning the LORD.” [v.6] May we, by the grace of God, be there among the “noble (who) plan noble things…” [v.8]  The time will  then develop “when the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness quietness and trust forever” [v.17]     Jesus told his disciples, “when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” [Matt. 19 v.28]   In Revelation he said, “The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations” [Rev 2 v.26], surely these are the “princes” mentioned in our Isaiah chapter who “will rule with justice” as we read in v. 2.. We must make sure we are God’s people now who “hold the faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” [James 2 v.1, also today’s reading].  And then in that day, looking at v.18 in our Isaiah chapter, we will be among those of whom God says, “My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”   [vc_column_text]   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePhLeNa3LWI[/embedyt][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-june-8th-a-king-will-reign-princes-will-rule/?feed_id=40135&_unique_id=64823d24690f0

Daily Readings & Thought for the day (June 7th). “COUNT IT ALL JOY … WHEN”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Judges 2,3), (Isaiah 31), (James 1) Once again God’s words through Isaiah attracted our thoughts.  There are so many parallels today with the attitudes the LORD was seeking to counteract in Israel in the time of Isaiah.  The message the prophet was to convey was, “For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning (or repentance, mg) and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ But you were unwilling …” [30 v.15] In v. 18 this is repeated with added emphasis, “… the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.  For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”   We see that the LORD’s words to the people through Isaiah have remarkable parallels in the words of Jesus – remember the invitations to the wedding banquet – and the poor response – see Matt 22 v.3 and John’s record of Jesus saying, “the Scriptures … bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me … you do not have the love of God within you.” [John 5 v.39-41]  What would he say to you? As we read each day – let us make sure we see the “witness” of the Scriptures.  There are also some thought parallels in today’s final chapter in Hebrews, “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So that we can confidently say, the Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” [v.5,6]  Paul writes of the sacrifices we should make, to be content, to have no love of money.  He reminds and stresses, our Lord sacrificed himself “in order to sanctify the people through his own blood” [v.12]   And then v.15 should jump out to attract our thoughts, “Through him then let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name … for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” [v.16] Let us make sure they are pleasing to us – and come genuinely from our hearts – a contrast to the noise and show in the Temple in the days of Isaiah, Jesus and Paul; learning that “in quietness and in trust shall be (y)our strength.”   [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIpxvT-rZAc[/embedyt] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-the-day-june-7th-count-it-all-joy-when/?feed_id=40073&_unique_id=64823c52a1026

Daily Readings & Thought for the day (June 6th.) “IN QUIETNESS AND IN TRUST”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Judges 1), (Isaiah 30), (Hebrews 13) Once again God’s words through Isaiah attracted our thoughts.  There are so many parallels today with the attitudes the LORD was seeking to counteract in Israel in the time of Isaiah.  The message the prophet was to convey was, “For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning (or repentance, mg) and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ But you were unwilling …” [30 v.15] In v. 18 this is repeated with added emphasis, “… the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.  For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”   We see that the LORD’s words to the people through Isaiah have remarkable parallels in the words of Jesus – remember the invitations to the wedding banquet – and the poor response – see Matt 22 v.3 and John’s record of Jesus saying, “the Scriptures … bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me … you do not have the love of God within you.” [John 5 v.39-41]  What would he say to you? As we read each day – let us make sure we see the “witness” of the Scriptures.  There are also some thought parallels in today’s final chapter in Hebrews, “Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ So that we can confidently say, the Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” [v.5,6]  Paul writes of the sacrifices we should make, to be content, to have no love of money.  He reminds and stresses, our Lord sacrificed himself “in order to sanctify the people through his own blood” [v.12]   And then v.15 should jump out to attract our thoughts, “Through him then let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name … for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” [v.16] Let us make sure they are pleasing to us – and come genuinely from our hearts – a contrast to the noise and show in the Temple in the days of Isaiah, Jesus and Paul; learning that “in quietness and in trust shall be (y)our strength.”   [vc_column_text]   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6d_32YyypA[/embedyt] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-the-day-june-6th-in-quietness-and-in-trust/?feed_id=39980&_unique_id=64823bf7029d8

Daily Readings & Thought for June 5th. “A BOOK THAT IS SEALED”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 23,24), (Isaiah 29), (Hebrews 12) How many can read the Bible – as a whole – and really make sense of it, so that it speaks to them in their heart, and stirs them to live their lives really conscious of God and of his Son?  This question came to mind as we pondered the message in Isaiah today – parts of it evidently a commentary on the attitudes of many in the prophets’ day, many had failed to develop a real ‘living’ relationship with God. After recording a vision of what will happen to people at the time when “the multitude of all the nations be that fight against Mount Zion …”  This vision “shall be like a dream, a vision in the night” [29 v.8] In v.11 the condemnation is  made, “the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed” [v.11].  The people are like those who refuse to read “when men give it to one who can read, saying ‘Read this,’ he says, ‘I cannot, for it is sealed.’” But it is clear that this is an excuse – for a remarkable statement is made in v.13 &14  “And the Lord said, ‘Because this people draw near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men …. the wisdom of their wise men shall perish …”  It is human wisdom that perishes, they are told they “turn things upside down!  Shall the potter be regarded as the clay,   that the thing made should say of its maker, ‘He did  not make me’” [v.16] – today many would add – ‘I just evolved.’ How well these words apply to the human ‘wisdom’ of today – God’s word is “a book that is sealed” . We must remember that there is no middle path – if we do not apply our minds to the true meaning of God’s words then it “is sealed” for us.  The day is coming, God’s word says, as we read on in v.19 & 20, when “the meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel. For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease.”   There is no point in being aware of the vision of God’s ultimate action against the nations of the earth if we only “honour” God “with our lips” refusing to apply our minds to unseal his book.  [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdscgnyQwNM[/embedyt] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-june-5th-a-book-that-is-sealed-2/?feed_id=39959&_unique_id=64823bb937586

Daily Readings & Thought for the day June 4th. “BY FAITH …”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 22), (Isaiah 28), (Hebrews 11) Today we read the well known 11^th chapter of Hebrews, it starts, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  This is the vital lesson we must take to heart in reading this chapter – that having faith is having a state of mind that must cause us to lead different lives, different priorities – to have different aims. We live our lives in service to our Saviour – accomplishing things in his service.  Read the chapter, noticing how often the words “By faith” occur.  “By faith Noah …by faith Abraham …  by faith Sarah …” Our faith is not just something we talk about – or listen to others talking about.  We read today of many examples of men and women of faith, highlighting in many cases some particular deed that proved the nature of their faith.  It is most valuable to look on into the first 2 verses of tomorrow’s chapter., it starts “Therefore” – therefore we should put the chapter break after verse 2.   “Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (all those examples of men and women of faith in ch. 11), let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith …”   We must each search our hearts as to how effectively we are living our lives so that he sees that our faith has developed real strength, that we have acquired a real sense of teamwork with our Saviour and our God. That our lives demonstrate that we are “working together with him” [2 Cor. 6 v.1]  May we all be able to look back on our lives, on our journey in developing greater and greater faith to see how we have been “made strong out of weakness” [v.34] because we have developed a real “conviction of things not seen” and “we are not of those who shrink back … but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” [10 v.39] [vc_column_text]   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SomApSj0eYg[/embedyt] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-the-day-june-4th-by-faith/?feed_id=39844&_unique_id=647c384b46f9f

Daily Readings & Thought for the day (June 3rd.) “PERFECT PEACE”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 20,21), (Isaiah 26,27), (Hebrews 10) Our Isaiah and Hebrews readings provide an abundance of thoughts today.  Some verses encourage peace of mind, others a sense of awe at what is coming on the world – the judgements our godless world deserves.  Ch. 26 in Isaiah is a grouping of quite contrasting revelations from God – verses 3 and 4 are worthy of being memorised.  “You will keep him (her) in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he (she) trusts in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.”  How wonderful to have a mind that is “stayed on” God, the only foundation for “perfect peace” in a world which knows no peace: no peace between nations – yes - but more vital than that – no trust and peace between individuals.  The reign of Jesus when returned to the earth will see the time “when your judgements are in the earth, the inhabitants of the earth learn righteousness…” [v.9]  But at the moment, as in Isaiah’s day, “O LORD your hand is lifted up, but they do not see it.” [v.11].   May we “see” the Lord’s hand so that the next verse is true for us, “O LORD, you will ordain peace for us; you have done for us all our works.” [v.12] because those works have been done in the strength that God gives to us – and then we will heed the warning given in v.20,21 “… my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.  For behold the LORD is coming out from his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth …” There are words in our Hebrews reading which dovetail in with these;  “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works … encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” [ch. 10 v.23-25]  This is the only way to achieve and maintain “perfect peace.”  [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3WDfcnbZ9A[/embedyt]   [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-the-day-june-3rd-perfect-peace/?feed_id=39775&_unique_id=647a0e6f9f223

Daily Readings & Thought for the Day (June 2nd) "... TO SAVE THOSE WHO …”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 19), (Isaiah 25), (Hebrews 8,9) Let us link up the closing words of our reading in Hebrews (ch.9) “Christ … will appear a second time … to save those who  are eagerly waiting for him” with the words God gave to Isaiah, in today’s ch. 25, which we referred to yesterday.  This describes the time when God “will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth …”  It will be said on that day, ‘Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him … let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” [v.8,9] How eagerly are we waiting?  Is the world around us full of ways of living that attract us, things that largely or fully occupy our minds?  Yes, we have to live in the world and earn our living, but are we keenly interested in the vision God’s word provides for us that goes far beyond the present materialistic way of thinking and doing?   We are forced to admit that this computer communication age, which is very helpful in many ways, is also very distracting – do we need to allow it to be totally distracting?  The more our minds feed on God’s word the more we will be attracted to that word.  In that coming day, the LORD tells us through Isaiah, the redeemed will say, “O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you … for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure … Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you.” [v.1,3]  At that time those who have been “eagerly waiting” and showing this by their priorities in life will “be glad and rejoice”. Peter in his 1^st epistle, which we will soon read,  expresses this powerfully, “Though you do not now see him, you believe him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith …” [1 Pet. 1 v.8,9]  Imagine the joy?  Imagine the glory? Finally, note the point Paul made earlier in Hebrews ch. 9!  “How much more will the blood of Christ who … offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” [v.14]   If we do not sense our progress in that purifying and, as a result, serving, then we have to ask ourselves, ‘Do I genuinely belong to Christ?’ [vc_column_text]   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFN4ZqdieDo[/embedyt] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-the-day-june-2nd-to-save-those-who/?feed_id=39685&_unique_id=647973c48969f

Daily Readings & Thought for the day (June 1st.) “THE LORD OF HOSTS REIGNS ON MOUNT ZION”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 18), (Isaiah 24), (Hebrews 6,7) Today’s and tomorrow’s chapters in Isaiah (24 & 25) contain a powerful message about the climax of human history, yet they are not very often quoted.   Chapter 24 ends with “for the LORD of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and Jerusalem and his glory will be before his elders.”   The next chapter begins with the reaction of the righteous, “O LORD, you are my God, I will exalt your name for you have done wonderful things …”  Humanly fortified cities have become ruins, never to be rebuilt (v.2) and the “cities of ruthless nations will fear you.” [v.3]  God has “been a stronghold to the poor … to the needy in his distress” [v.4] Then a glorious scene opens up, “On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food … he will swallow up death forever and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces … Behold this is our God, we have waited for him … “ [v.6,8,9].    But go back, we jumped over nearly all of Ch. 24 – it speaks of what is to happen before this time of wonder and joy on the earth.  It is an extremely frightening picture!  Is it about to happen?  The chapter started, “Behold the LORD will empty the earth and make it desolate …” The next verse indicates that all the buyers, sellers, lenders, borrowers, creditors and debtors will suffer.  Verse 3 says, “The earth shall be utterly empty and utterly plundered; for the LORD has spoken this word”.  Then we read “the earth lies defiled under its inhabitants” [v.5], “its inhabitants suffer for their guilt” [v.6] and then follows details of the ways in which they will suffer. Reading further - “The earth is utterly broken … is violently shaken … its transgression lies heavily upon it and it falls and will not rise again” [v.19,20].  This is symbolic language of the heavens and the earth (rulers and people) that now exist being destroyed.  But later in Isaiah we will come across a wonderful vision, for God says, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold I create Jerusalem to be a joy  … my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” [Ch.65 v.17,18,22]  Will you behold these things? [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCR0HJVyu-k[/embedyt] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-the-day-june-1st-the-lord-of-hosts-reigns-on-mount-zion/?feed_id=39616&_unique_id=6477a764753b6

Daily Readings & Thought for the day May 30th. “HE IS ABLE TO HELP …”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 16), (Isaiah 22), (Hebrews 1,2)  Today we began reading the specially thought-provoking letter to the Hebrews.  The author is not named, but the best conclusion is that Paul wrote it as a message to his fellow Jews and he didn’t name himself because a prejudice against him had developed and some, maybe many Jews, would have ignored the letter if it had been obvious it came from him.   Now Paul had a special relationship with his Saviour because he appeared and spoke to him on the road to Damascus.  He is wonderfully conscious of the continuing unseen presence of Christ in his life and encourages his fellow  Hebrews to develop the same consciousness, he quotes many Old Testament passages from the Psalms and Moses’ writings that foretold the special and wonderful role God’s Son would have.  We see the emphasis in these two chapters of how he would first come into the world to die as a once and for all sacrifice for sins and also experience life as we do and so be able to understand and help us, We note in particular the closing verses in ch. 2 (from v.16) “For surely … he helps the offspring of Abraham.  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.  The Greek word, translated ‘tempted’ essentially means ‘tested.’  Yes, “he is able to help,” but we do not receive this help, this guiding oversight of our lives, unless we prayerfully seek it.  We will see Paul’s warning in ch. 3, where, quoting David’s words in Psalm 95, Paul says, “Today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…” [v.15]  It is God’s ‘living word’ that we read and ‘hear’ – and “he is able to help” if we truly ‘listen’ and respond. [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtQBKsZCS0Q[/embedyt] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-the-day-may-30th-he-is-able-to-help-2/?feed_id=39547&_unique_id=647591d375d91

Daily Readings & Thought for the Day (May 29th.) “I REMEMBER YOU IN MY PRAYERS”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 15), (Isaiah 20,21), (Philemon) The short letter of Paul to Philemon has some valuable lessons for us in the area of spiritual relationships of believers with one another.  Paul is writing as “a prisoner of Christ Jesus” [v.1] and Timothy is with him – and other visitors support him, “Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke” [v.24]. He tells Philemon, “I remember you in my prayers.” (v.4) We meditate on what filled Paul’s hours and days in his imprisonment, his mind was very much occupied with thoughts about the believers he knew and the news he hears about them. We  remember the dramatic night when he and Silas sang hymns while in prison, and we surely imagine him singing hymns with “Epaphras my fellow prisoner” [v.23].  How do we compare, we who are free to do as we please – does how we spend our time help or hinder our spiritual life?  We have to admit that, unless we are at some spiritual gathering, the events of our daily lives rarely help us spiritually; it is vital that we ask ourselves – do they hinder, do they undermine?   Paul is pleased with Philemon “because I hear of your love and the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints (fellow believers), and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective …” [v.5,6] Would others hear the same sort of thing about us?  If not, what would they hear?  Would it have any effect on them in the sense of a good (or bad) example we set them? Paul is able to say to Philemon, “I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”  [v.7]    Do we shed abroad a spirit that refreshes the hearts of other believers – so that we are a light that really shines in the increasing spiritual darkness of this world – the effect of that light being so good that even some unbelievers will notice?    Let us live so that we do this, it maybe that we do it unconsciously, only realizing the effect we have had as we look back on events.  And in communicating with fellow believers – and those who do not yet believe, which may include some of our children, we can state, “I remember you in my prayers.”  [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6HrDjLjCqI[/embedyt] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-the-day-may-29th-i-remember-you-in-my-prayers/?feed_id=39478&_unique_id=647425090785b

Daily Readings & Thought for the Day (May 28th.) “YET I WHOLLY FOLLOWED THE LORD”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 14), (Isaiah 19), (Titus 1,2,3) In Joshua ch. 14 today we read of the blessings received by a man who “wholly followed the LORD.”  Caleb was the other man, who with Joshua, spied out the land and brought back an optimistic report; this was after the people had miraculously escaped from Egypt, been fed in the wilderness, built the tabernacle and received the law. Surely the whole nation had evidence on which to base their faith – and today, God’s book is available for all to read and provides much evidence to build up our faith. Caleb is now aged 85 and seeks his promised reward. We read his testimony to Joshua of the time “when Moses … sent me … to spy out the land, and I brought him word again as it was in my heart” [v.7] His was a good positive report, spoken in faith.  Sadly, he adds, “my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the LORD” [v.8]  A prophecy about Egypt features in our Isaiah chapter 19 – and today the Coptic Christians in their midst are an unhappy and somewhat persecuted minority. Verse 17 came remarkably true after Israel was re-established in 1947/48.  We read, “In that day the Egyptians will be like women and tremble with fear before the hand that the LORD of hosts shakes over them.  The land of Judah will become a terror to the Egyptians …” [v.16,17]  This never happened in history – until then!   But then Isaiah is caused to look further into the future to the time when “the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know the LORD in that day and worship …” [v.21]  In that day all the world will become dramatically aware there is a Creator – and a divine law to be obeyed (see Isaiah 2 v.2,3) Let us “wholly follow the LORD” now, for, said Jesus, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” [John 20 v.29].  Caleb saw – yet in seeing he was aware of all the difficulties, but he “wholly followed the LORD”.  We see the unfolding fulfilment of prophecy, especially with Israel, as an aid to strengthening our faith; may we be able to say in that day, “yet I wholly followed the LORD” [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l9SEAWRaD4[/embedyt] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-the-day-may-28th-yet-i-wholly-followed-the-lord/?feed_id=39363&_unique_id=6472d6dca10ad

Daily Readings & Thought for the day (May 23rd.) “I WILL PUNISH THE WORLD FOR ITS EVIL”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 9), (Isaiah 13), (1 Timothy 4,5) Isaiah ch. 13, todays’ reading, appears to have a double application: it tells us [v.1] it is an “oracle concerning Babylon,” but much of its content is remarkably parallel to the ‘Babylon’ described in the book of Revelation.  It is enlightening to note that the word ‘Babylon’ in the Hebrew is actually ‘Babel’; part of this chapter appears to be about the ‘Babel’ of the last days. In the days of Isaiah Assyria was the enemy Israel feared, Babylon was not yet a nation to be feared. Isaiah is caused to write of “The sound of the uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathering together! The LORD of hosts is mustering a host for battle … the weapons of his indignation to destroy the whole land”  [v.4,5]  What “land” is to be destroyed?     The same Hebrew word (eretz) is translated as “earth” in v13, “the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger”.  To our way of thinking it should be understood as “earth” in both places.  We note the context, look at v.9 -11, “Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger …the sun will be dark at its rising and the moon will not shed its light. I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity”   This describes a far greater calamity than when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and brought to an end the kingdom established under David and Solomon. We must seriously consider how it describes the world today, with its’ world-wide ungodliness when “every way of man is right in his own eyes” [Prov, 21 v.2] and there is no thought that an all-seeing Creator even exists.   Are we to expect physical signs – will the sun “be dark” and “the moon will not shed its light”?   Jesus made some awesome prophecies, that “there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven” [Luke 21 v.11]  But he also said, “there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation  … if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose …”  [Mark v.19,20] Make sure you are among the elect – for “he will send out the angels and gather his elect … from the ends of the earth” [v.27]  An utterly awesome divine forecast of events – we close our eyes to it – at our peril. [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubnmSqGvU1o[/embedyt] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-the-day-may-23rd-i-will-punish-the-world-for-its-evil/?feed_id=38995&_unique_id=646c42b7de456

Daily Readings & Thought for the Day (May 22nd.) "YOU WILL SAY IN THAT DAY"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 8), (Isaiah 12), (1 Timothy 1-3) We usually have a reasonable idea of what we are going to talk about as today progresses, also some of the things that are likely to be part of our thoughts and conversations tomorrow – but it is invaluable to meditate on what the 6 verses that make up the entire 12^th chapter of Isaiah told Israel and tells us of what “you will say on that day.”   How utterly wonderful to be among those who will say, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD God is my strength …” [v.2]   Of course, believing in God and his Son should always be the foundation on which our “strength” rests – it is not physical strength is it!  What strength of mind do you have?  How much does your mind meditate on the ultimate future?  In v.3 we read “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation”. This takes our thoughts to what Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well, “… whoever drinks of the water that I will give him …(it) … will become in him (or her) a spring of water welling up to eternal life” [John 4 v.14] We link this saying with his words “on the last day of the feast” that the one “who believes in me … out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” [7 v.38]    After Jesus left them, “the Spirit” [v.39] was to flow out of the heart of the disciples to produce more of the words of God – on which we can (and must) feed our minds. Now back to Isaiah, the last 2 verses vividly picture the time when the redeemed will “Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously … Shout and sing for joy. O inhabitant of Zion. For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”  These words take us to “the song of the Lamb” in Revelation 15.  Let us live so that, by the grace of God we will be there to experience and sing this “in that day”  “Great and amazing are your deeds O Lord God the Almighty!  Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!  … For you alone are holy.  All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.” [v3,4]   At the moment they have been concealed – except to those who read and mediate on God’s word and prepare themselves for what they “will say (and sing) in that day” [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMybXP9GiGI[/embedyt] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-the-day-may-22nd-you-will-say-in-that-day/?feed_id=38972&_unique_id=646afe2f14c93

Daily Readings & Thought for the Day (May 21st.) “MAY THE LORD DIRECT YOUR HEARTS TO …”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 7), (Isaiah 11), (2 Thessalonians 3) As Paul concludes his 2^nd letter to the Thessalonians he tells them, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” [3 v.5] It is evident that the Lord cannot “direct” this – unless our hearts are already “looking” toward our Saviour.  Paul told the Hebrews, they needed to be “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith” [Heb 12 v.2] and the Gk. For “looking” refers to a fixed direction of ‘looking.’ It is evident that this cannot happen unless our attitude of heart is already desiring this. We read today in Joshua of the judgements of God that affected the whole nation because one man coveted some of the spoil of Jericho when it was destroyed.  It is evident it was a deliberate calculated act because when Achan is identified, under the direction of God, he admits, he took them, including silver and gold and “they are hidden in the earth inside my tent” [ch. 7 v.21].  The words Joshua addressed to Achan are significant, “My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel and give praise to him.  And tell me what you have done.” [v.21] Honest confession to God, gives him a form of “glory” because it acknowledges the total supremacy of an all knowing Creator.  But Achan’s sin was a calculated deception and “all Israel stoned him with stones” [v.25] and our thoughts turn to the words of Paul in Hebrews that “if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of Judgment …” [12 v.26]    Thankfully for our human weaknesses  and failures, the grace of our Lord is readily extended to us, but let us never forget the lesson of Achan, who should have felt an awed humility when he saw the walls of Jericho fall without any human effort.  What of us, when God destroys the “walls” of the remarkable ‘civilisation’(?) human beings have now created in this modern world? Finally, the inspiring chapter we read in Isaiah today (11) gives us such a wonderful vision of the future God has planned for our world and for those faithful to him and his Son; in reading them we should feel spiritually motivated to live our lives more and more to reflect that we really are his spiritual sons and daughters looking forward to the time when “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” [v.9]   Is your motivation increasing? Are you seeking more and more earnestly for “the Lord to direct your heart”?  Remember what he is directing it toward – read again the opening quote from Paul’s letter. [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yz2dJlkYqo[/embedyt] [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]https://www.podbean.com/site/default/externalPodcastBadges[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-the-day-may-21st-may-the-lord-direct-your-hearts-to/?feed_id=38949&_unique_id=6469a6e27f4ae

Daily Readings & Thought for May 20th. “YOUR FAITH IS GROWING ABUNDANTLY”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 5,6), (Isaiah 10), (2 Thessalonians 1,2) Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians shows he now has greater confidence in them, in their faith and love, this causes him “to give thanks to God … because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” [1 v.3]  He commends their “steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions”  [v.4]  We are aware that there are true believers in some countries of whom this can be said today – and this is true of every generation.  As Jesus said in his message to Smyrna, “I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) … Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.” [Rev.2 v.9,10]   Let us all be “rich in faith.” Ukraine is much in the news these days – and there are true believers there today and we pray specially for them and for those in Iran  - and we know that Stalin wiped out our community of believers in Ukraine in the 1930s.    We ponder the reference in the 2^nd chapter  to a particular “man of lawlessness” and that there will be a “rebellion”.  We see just about everyone, in a sense, rebelling against any meaningful belief in their being a God. The “day of the Lord” then occurs.  The leader of this rebellion is “against every so-called god or object of worship” [v.4]   In a sense the ‘doctrine’ of evolution fulfils this, being against any concept of their being a God, a Creator whom humans should worship and serve.  Humans are also worshipping money – and Jesus said, no one “can serve two Masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and money.” [Luke 16 v.13]  Nearly everyone is devoted to the things money can buy today.  Finally we note Paul’s warning that “those who are perishing” will do so because “they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” [v.10]   James wrote [2 v.5], “has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to those who love him”  Let us be “rich” in the things our Master approves making sure we truly “love him” and that our “faith is growing abundantly”. [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R9qid7EKDY[/embedyt] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-may-20th-your-faith-is-growing-abundantly-2/?feed_id=38742&_unique_id=64684e4603de0

Daily Readings & Thought for May 19th. “GOD HAS NOT DESTINED US FOR WRATH”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 3,4), (Isaiah 9), (1 Thessalonians 5) We follow on from our thoughts yesterday about our “our hearts being established blameless in holiness” with Paul’s conclusion to his first letter to the Thessalonians where he stresses very strongly to them that “having put on the breastplate of faith  … God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ who died for us …” [ch. 5 v.8-10] The wonder of that salvation which those who truly serve God will experience is illustrated for us in today’s chapter in Isaiah (ch. 9) where there are words which have found a prominent place in the famous Oratorio ‘The Messiah.’  “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder … of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and uphold it  with justice and with righteousness …” [v.6,7] We took particular notice of the phrase, “the increase of his government”  which implies the spread of his control – and noted Paul’s words today – that when “people are saying , ‘There is peace and ‘security’ then sudden destruction will come upon them” [v.3]  People everywhere will feel a more urgent need than today for peace and security, and when they think they are achieving it, then – disaster!   But then, wonderfully,  the child who was born, the “Son” of God, returns to rebuild life on earth on divine principles; a complete rebuilding will be necessary.  “The increase of his government” indicates this as the general population recovers from the terrible experience of the “sudden destruction.”  As we read on in Isaiah we will come across passages such as in ch. 34, of the time coming when “the LORD is enraged against all the nations and furious against all their host (armies); he has devoted them to destruction …”[v.2] May we all live our lives so that we are among those of whom it will be true to say and experience that, “God has not destined us for wrath,” but to obtain salvation.  [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKqAC7qGTT0[/embedyt] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-may-19th-god-has-not-destined-us-for-wrath-2/?feed_id=38719&_unique_id=6467015db0c8d

Daily Readings & Thought for May 18th. “ESTABLISH YOUR HEARTS BLAMELESS IN HOLINESS”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 2), (Isaiah 8, (1 Thessalonians 5) The last 2 verses of today’s 3rd chapter in 1^st Thessalonians is specially thought provoking. “… may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus …”   Read that again slowly!   Can you imagine your heart being “blameless in holiness?” What is the process by which he will establish our hearts in this way?  One thing Paul is telling us is that this establishing of our hearts is the result of the way we “increase and abound in love for one another.” Love comes, as Paul sees it, in different qualities and quantities!   Paul did not know when the Lord would return, just as we do not, but the expectation has grown increasingly high in recent years.  We take note also that the establishing of our hearts “blameless in holiness” is “before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord…”  It is what the Lord is looking to see at this wondrous time! At the beginning of his Epistle Paul commends them for their “work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope” [1.v.3]   But note what we read in ch. 3 today!  After being encouraged by “the good news” of their “faith and love”  that Timothy [v.6] brought to him, Paul writes, “we pray earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face” – and there is a particular reason for this earnest prayer! It is so that he could then “supply what is lacking in your faith” [v.19]   From what we had previously read we would have thought they had demonstrated a really good faith!  Let us remember the emphasis in James’ epistle on this vital quality believers must possess. “You know,” James writes, “that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” [ch. 1 v.3,4]   It seems that what was “lacking” in their faith was some testing!  They had done works of faith, but Paul knew it needed testing to make sure it would remain “steadfast” – a vital factor in establishing our “hearts blameless in holiness  before our God” A vital lesson for us today! A faith testing time is coming on this world – there is no doubt about that – but is your heart established blameless and strong ready for that time of testing? We need to do a lot of heart searching: remember our thoughts yesterday. [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kz0mAwd_kwk[/embedyt]   https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-may-18th-establish-your-hearts-blameless-in-holiness-2/?feed_id=38374&_unique_id=6465aeb7b6f00

Daily Readings & Thought for May 17th. “IF YOU ARE NOT FIRM IN FAITH”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Joshua 1), (Isaiah 7, (1 Thessalonians 3,4) All 3 of our readings today provoke serious meditation about human reactions to God. We started reading Joshua and saw God’s challenge to him to take his people over the Jordan.  He is told, “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.  I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land … [1 v.5,6]  In Isaiah (ch. 7] the prophet is told to “Go and meet (king) Asa” [v.3] and encourage him to face the threats from the north.  He is to tell him, “Be careful, do not fear, and do not let your heart in faint …” [v.4]  Then the king is bluntly warned, “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” [v.9]  It is not possible to have a sort of half-faith!   Ahaz feels he is putting God to the test if he asks with a full expectation God will preserve him, he says, “I will not ask, I will not put the Lord to the test” [v.12]  Because of his lack of faith the LORD then gives, through Isaiah, messages to him of bad times to come when, among other things, “all the land will be briers and thorns” [v.24] In the New Testament we started to read Paul’s 1^st letter to the Thessalonians and saw how he is commending them on “how you turned … to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” [v.9,10]  These words as so meaningful for us today; let us be “firm in faith” that God means what he caused his servants such as Paul to write.   May we, with full conviction in the word of God, “wait for his son from heaven’ sensing that “wrath” will soon be coming on our world because it has reached the stage of near total godlessness. Let us not neglect our regular Bible reading as it lays the foundation to being “firm in faith” and to “be strong and courageous” both now – and even more – when the promised “wrath to come” actually happens and the dramas we will read of tomorrow in Paul’s words actually takes place. [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eatvsG0zH-8[/embedyt] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-may-17th-if-you-are-not-firm-in-faith-2/?feed_id=38282&_unique_id=64643b1fa72ef

Daily Readings & Thought for May 16th. “YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Deuteronomy 33,34), (Isaiah 6), (Collosians 3,4) Paul told the Colossians that ”you have died and your life is hidden …”  What does he mean?  Are we clear in understanding the sense in which they had died – and how their life was now hidden?  If we meditate on the first 4 verses of the 3^rd chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossians we will be richly repaid, but first we look back at ch. 2 and its reference to believers “having been buried with him in baptism” [v.12] and the equally significant next words, “in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God …” We are now ready to more fully see the significance of the opening words of ch. 4;  “If then you have been raised with Christ …”  Do we tend to omit the word “if”?  Do we have any doubt we have been “raised” – in a spiritual sense?   Re-born is another way of putting it – remember the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus in the night! (see John 3 from v. 3) You “cannot see the kingdom of God” unless you have been born again.  Coming back to Paul, he makes the point that those “raised with Christ seek the things that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”  And in seeking them they (and ourselves) must, “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”  If we fully “set” our “minds” in this way we will realize we “have died and (y)our life is hidden with Christ in God”  - and the outcome will be wonderful, for “When Christ who is your life appears then you also will appear with him in glory." If our life is not hidden in this sense – then we will not “appear with him in glory”   Paul tells the Colossians that they “once walked” [v.7] in the wrong way, and so did we; but now, we pray, we have put on, or are in the process of putting on the character of Christ. Paul describes this, among other things as “compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience” [v.12]  In these things we show that our “life is hidden”   [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB2bFW_LQRw[/embedyt] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-may-16th-your-life-is-hidden-2/?feed_id=38190&_unique_id=64630b1876c69

Daily Readings & Thought for May 15th. “FOR IT IS NO EMPTY WORD”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation="zoomIn"][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today's readings.. (Deuteronomy 32), (Isaiah 5), (Collosians 2) We read today the song Moses spoke “in the ears of all the assembly of Israel.”  The song is long and has a remarkable text.  They were expected to learn it, to bring it to mind as they entered and lived in the promised land.  Of course there were no books, i.e. scrolls, readily available to the people – and in any case we presume only a select few could read – but God had seen to it that Moses, in his youth,  “was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds”, said Stephen (Acts 7 v.22) Moses song starts, “… let the earth hear the words of my mouth.  May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distil as the dew, like gentle rain … For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; and ascribe greatness to our God!” [Deut. 32 v.1-3]  Let us appreciate the spiritual application of these words. The song is a warning to those who do not serve God, the only real God, who is now about to bring them into the promised land, he is  “A God of faithfulness … just and upright is he.  They (in the past) have dealt corruptly with him  … Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations;” [v.4,5,7]  But God knows that future generations will not learn from the mistakes, the failures of faith, in the past.  “Do you thus repay the LORD, you foolish and senseless people?” [v.6]  This could be said to our world today!  May it not be said to us! After completing the song Moses says, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live …” [v.46,47]    We are blessed in having all the words that God caused men to utter - and for them (and others) to write down and preserve.  The climax is the final message of his son in the last book of the Bible that he gave to his loving disciple John in his old age.  The final words of the song (v.47) can be used as a promise to us, to all who genuinely aim to serve God; “by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess”  God has promised the whole world as a promised land to those who love him – and this “is no empty word.” [vc_column_text] [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUcE6mRh7mg[/embedyt] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-may-15th-for-it-is-no-empty-word-2/?feed_id=38121&_unique_id=6461be1a39a0d