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=60756&_unique_id=65f06f8cb4eb8

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=58563&_unique_id=65db089b6c3e6

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=40941&_unique_id=648fc55d42d2d

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=40872&_unique_id=648d33758bd86

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=40649&_unique_id=648a2ca105b30

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=40580&_unique_id=648935ba74178

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=40511&_unique_id=6487f9712191c

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=40442&_unique_id=6486a1c86c21d

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=40327&_unique_id=648542ae77116

Daily Readings & Thought for February 25th. "SELF-CONTROL IN ALL THINGS"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our reading of Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians continues to give us many points of guidance.  Paul set the highest principles of living for himself so that he would be a true example.  He refused to accept any "material things" from them, although it was his "right."  He said "we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ." [9 v.12] 

Although it was a principle under the Law of Moses for those serving in the Tabernacle (we are also reading about) to have all their needs provided – and, says Paul,  "the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel" [v.14],he says, "I have made no use of any of these rights" [v.15].  

Then comes a most significant comment, "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!   For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward ..." [v.16,17] Our aim has always been to follow Paul's example; the so called 'christian' world has far too many examples of those who have become wealthy through preaching work! Furthermore, so many embellish some areas of the original message – our daily reading is a ‘cure’ for any inclination we have to do this.

Paul asks, "What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge ... I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them." [v.18,19] He appeals to the example (especially in Greece) of those whose ambition is to be top athletes and who train to "receive the prize" [v.24], but Paul is seeking the wonder of the 'prize' that God alone can give!

As a spiritual athlete he "exercisesself-control in all things."  He is the outstanding example for us - and notice the powerful point he makes in comparing himself with athletes!   "They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable" - an eternal reward.  Therefore we should be inspired to exercise, as Paul was inspired, specially noting how this chapter concludes. He states his determination to "discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."   

Paul warned in the last chapter of the final letter he wrote,  “the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions" [2 Tim 4 v.3]. John said the same in his 2nd letter, "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God" [v.9] 

So let us exercise "self-control in all things" so that we are in no danger of being "disqualified." 

[vc_column_text]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awFNsrU8vP0[/embedyt][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-february-25th-self-control-in-all-things-3/?feed_id=32803&_unique_id=63fd45ae1288b

Daily Readings & Thought for February 24th. “UNDIVIDED DEVOTION TO THE LORD”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This phrase occurs in our Corinthians chapter (7) today.  It is a chapter that is not as clear in meaning in some sections as we would like, but it becomes clearer as we take a contextual view of the flow of Paul’s reasoning.  As we have read in the preceding chapters the large ecclesia at Corinth is in a real spiritual mess. The members were largely from a pagan background, the Jews had “opposed and reviled him” [Acts 18 v.6] when Paul preached in their synagogue at Corinth. One point Paul had stressed in writing to the ecclesia (ch. 5 & 6) was about the extensive immorality they were failing to deal with and the fact that members were even going to law against one another.   Given the rapidly increasing immoral atmosphere in which we live, the principles revealed in this chapter apply just as much to us today.  

Paul states in today’s chapter, “I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.” [v.35]    In v. 31 he had written, “for the present form of this world is passing away”.  That is surely also true of our world.   

Actually it was nearly 200 years before the city was totally wrecked by the barbarians. The city had a 1700 year history of greatness, but the ecclesia there failed to continue and make any mark on history. The only way for an individual to survive was to have “undivided devotion to the Lord”.  Did you note in yesterday’s chapter (6) that Paul gave a list of those who will not have a place in God’s kingdom.   Notice he does not just list those who practice what we would call the worst forms of behaviour, but he says the kingdom will not include “thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers” …. And such were some of you.  But you were washed, you were sanctified … “ [v.10,11] Sanctified means counted as holy, may we never cease to be so counted.

The ever more evil world of Corinth was destroying the believers devotion to their Lord.  Recall how the previous chapter concluded – before he made these points!  He told them, “do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit within you … you are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”  A lesson few had learnt!  Are we failing to learn this today? 

Some claiming to be Christians today make much in their imagination of possessing the Holy Spirit; but, the Scriptures show it is really the other way round, the Holy Spirit possesses us, but we only realize that, if we give the Lord our “undivided devotion.”

[vc_column_text]

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3Eu2OwBDUc[/embedyt][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-february-24th-undivided-devotion-to-the-lord-2/?feed_id=32866&_unique_id=63f80a38efaa7

Daily Readings & Thought for February 23rd. “HAS BECOME MY STRONGHOLD”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We have two faith strengthening Psalms today. "When I thought, 'My foot slips,' your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul."[94 v.18,19].  The cares and anxieties of life are increasing, if we have cause to say/think, “My foot slips” let us prayerfully turn to the scriptures more and more for the “consolations” to cheer our soul, our heart.  The Psalmist says those who do not know God "band together against the life of the righteous ... But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge”  [v.21,22]

  How firm will our faith need to have become as the climax is reached and God acts to deal with the godless!? The next verses tells us, "He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the LORD our God will wipe them out."  A repetition in the wording here – for emphasis!  This will herald the establishment of God's kingdom and what a picture the next Psalm (95) reveals of that time!

  "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!   Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!"  Everything is his! "In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it ... " [v.4,5]

May we, by his grace, be among the redeemed who say to each other, "Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!  For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture ...' [v.6,7]  The ultimate Temple will be built, that which Jesus said, will  "be called a house of prayer for all the nations" [Mark 11 v.17] and was prophesied through Isaiah, see ch. 56 v.7. This will be the climax to places of worship God designed to the minutest detail-  as we read more about the construction of the Tabernacle today in Exodus ch. 36.

But until that day let each of us say more and more often - in the face of the increasing uncertainties of life in 2021, "the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge." [Psa. 94 v.22]

[vc_column_text]

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO1i3h0I4Ok[/embedyt][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-february-23rd-has-become-my-stronghold-2/?feed_id=32782&_unique_id=63f6ae2f4b338

Daily Readings & Thought for February 22nd. “DECLARE YOUR STEADFAST LOVE”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today’s Psalm (92) tells us “It is good … todeclare your steadfast love in the morning” [v.1,2]  It is important to begin each day with taking at least a little time to focus our thoughts upon God, to declare to him in prayer our “steadfast love.”  

We read on, “For you O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.”[v.4]   The wonders of creation are all around us, it is so easy to take them for granted. It is the greatest foolishness of human thinking to imagine that everything, sort of “created” itself.  

God’s handiwork surrounds us on every side, men have discovered so much more about the wonders of their own bodies and the incredible intricacies of nature, yet so few acknowledge and are in awe of the unlimited creative “mind” that brought it all into being.

The Psalmist says “It should make us “glad” and “sing for joy.  How great are your works O LORD!  Your thoughts are very deep.” [v.4,5]  That last brief statement seems inadequate.  Can we begin to imagine the thought processes of God!  No - we cannot.  Through Isaiah God said, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” [55 v.8,9]

Last month in Psalm 40 we read “You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.” [v.5]   Tomorrow in Psalm 94 we will read the contrast, “the Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath” [v.11] But having said that the Psalm is positive and we read on, “Blessed is the man whom you discipline O LORD, and whom you teach out of your Law” [v.12]. May you and I feel blessed.

So we learn, especially in the Psalms, that God’s eyes and thoughts are toward those who fear and love Him.  We have been learning in Exodus of how close to God Moses became; we read yesterday of how he was able to speak to God “face to face, as a man speaks to a friend”[33 v.11]  This does not mean physically face to face, but rather, mind to mind.  The limits to physical contact are described in v.20 when God said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”  

There is a sense in which the Bible shows us the “face” of God, but only when we prayerfully read it with our heart ‘open’ to receive and meditate on its meaning.  How precious it should be to us.  How they longed to read it hundreds of years ago when copies were precious and very expensive because they all had to be hand written and paper was very expensive..  Today the situation is the very opposite and the attitude has become the opposite. Let us not be affected by this, let us “declare (y)our steadfast love” every morning – and throughout every day. 

[vc_column_text]

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp2DSPMg8Zw[/embedyt][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-february-22nd-declare-your-steadfast-love-2/?feed_id=32845&_unique_id=63f55d31f3d82

Daily Readings & Thought for February 21st. "I ... COULD NOT ADDRESS YOU AS SPIRITUAL PEOPLE"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our 5 chapters today were all intensely thought provoking.  First, the utterly remarkable and challenging relationship of Moses (and the people through Moses) with the LORD (yhwh) who had delivered them from Egypt. Second, the Psalms of Moses, 90 & 91; “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” [90 v.12]: then, noting the opening words of Psalm 91, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High … will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’.”  We are surely going to need this spirit this year – and whatever more years remain – until God acts to punish the world for its godlessness and our Lord returns.

In Paul’s heart searching first letter to the Corinthians we read Paul’s distress at their minimal progress toward real spirituality – so parallel to Moses’ experience with the God’s nation in the wilderness. 

  In chapter 2 we read, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he (or she) is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” [v.14] and then ch. 3 starts, “But I, brothers (and sisters - footnote) could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.”[v.1] 

He deplores their lack of unity, their failure to see the need to team together under the guiding hand of Christ as he was doing. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants not he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” [v.6,7]  He goes on to state, “For we are God’s fellow workers”[v.9]. Visualise that!  As such we team together to build God’s spiritual house which is only seen by the “eyes” of those who have spiritual vision. 

God laid “the foundation … which is Jesus Christ.” [v.11] “Let each one take care how he (or she) builds upon it” [v.10] whether it be “gold silver … hay, straw” then “the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.”[v.13]

What does v.15 mean? “If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he (or she) … will be saved, but only as through fire.”  What is our work? It is the same as Paul at Corinth, to witness, to bring people to Christ beginning with any children God has blessed us with. The signs in 2021 are ominous, time as we know it may be very short; let us become  genuine “spiritual people”, more zealous to build – for surely God’s building is nearly completed!

[vc_column_text]

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INeNdaf4am8[/embedyt][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-february-21st-i-could-not-address-you-as-spiritual-people-2/?feed_id=32761&_unique_id=63f40ba88e23d

Daily Readings & Thought for February 20th. “… I WILL BLOT OUT OF MY BOOK”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It is interesting in how many parts of Scripture we find the words "blot" and "blotting" used  - to indicate that God is so angry he is  wiping out someone or some people, the worst case was in the time of Noah (Gen. 6 v.7 & 7 v.23) We encounter them today in Exodus. 

Our chapters today portray the fickleness of human nature; Moses is away - up in the mountain (Joshua is with him) for 40 days.  That is a relatively long time when you are camped - with very little to do. The same applies to today - but worse - year after year with no thought of their being a God, no long term future, people say/think, ‘let us experience all we can now’.  The 'gods' of pleasure and leisure now dominate human minds. 

But we ourselves have no excuse, we have God's word to feed on, chew over, as much as we may desire - and his word provides a great variety of mind nourishing - and mind and heart challenging material for our prayerful meditation. Are we really doing this?

In the time Moses is with him on the mount the LORD is aware of the attitude that is developing down in the Camp; he says to Moses,  "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.  Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them ..." [32 v.9,10]

Can we compare the absence of Moses with the absence of Christ?  There was keen anticipation of Christ's return and the 'promised land' of the kingdom in the brotherhood some 150 years ago, this reached its peak with the deliverance of Jerusalem from the Turks over 100 years ago.  

Then, the brotherhood was full of anticipation of the immanence of Armageddon and the advent of the kingdom when Israel became a nation. 

But, as with Moses seeming 'delay' in the mountain, how many of us feel, at least subconsciously, that our Lord seems to be delayed in his return?  Our world offers an increasing number of distractions – they are not necessarily evil!  How interesting travel can be, many up until 2020 "ran to and fro" and what fascinating 'mind consuming' inventions now exist; 'knowledge'  has incredibly increased. We know well these words in Daniel 12 v.4 - but is v.10 so readily in our minds? "And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand."   How full and convicted of mind are we in our understanding?

In all the crisis that occurred when Moses came down from the mountain, v.33 stands out! 'the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book."      If we, having left 'Egypt', are now letting our minds wander and become absorbed in the ways that surround us, and  in a sense, 'worship' the fascinating things and experiences our world thrusts before us, then are we not most likely to be among those of whom God says, "I will blot (them) out of my book."?   This is food for the deepest meditation. 

[vc_column_text]

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VARJ8znRwBQ[/embedyt][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-february-20th-i-will-blot-out-of-my-book-2/?feed_id=32702&_unique_id=63f2b99b38a4a

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.

[vc_column_text]

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRAQQs5o5ss[/embedyt][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-february-19th-they-did-not-believe-them-2/?feed_id=32643&_unique_id=63f1682ae5410

Daily Readings & Thought for February 18th. "LET THE SCRIPTURES BE FULFILLED"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our N.T. reading of Mark's gospel is the heart stirring 72 verses of his 14th chapter.  It records the 'last supper' that Jesus shared with his disciples and its' age-lasting simplicity has had heart stirring meaning for his genuine disciples in every generation since that time.  After the supper there follows the heart searching time in the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prays, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." [v.36]  The individuality of the Father and Son is so evident here, Jesus sets us an example that wherever Scriptural principles are involved we should follow our Saviour's example and say to our heavenly Father, " not what I will, but what you will."  These words make it plain that the 'theology of the Trinity' which the Catholic's invented centuries later, has no place in the mind of the true believer.

Judas now comes “and with him a crowd with swords and clubs’.[v.43]  Jesus does not resist, he says, “let the scriptures be fulfilled.”  And so they were, the Old Testament has several prophecies about this; these Scriptures  also make it plain, as we read yesterday, that there will be a final time of trouble for our world. 

The words Jesus spoke then have a particular application for us now, "Be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand." [13 v.23]  Back in today's chapter we note what Jesus told the High Priest, and we see its awesome meaning for us as we live with increasing anticipation of this event.  He was warning the High Priest telling him, " you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." [v.62]   

The High Priest will be there, among the goats! What horror will fill his heart!   But what a wondrous prospect of joy their fulfilment hold for us. Our thoughts go to the words of Paul when he described this coming event to the Thessalonians in his 1st letter to them, " the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." [4 v.16,17]   

And where will the Lord be?  Reigning from Jerusalem! The world will experience "a new earth in which righteousness dwells" as Peter puts it in his final epistle [3 v.13]  May the "scriptures be fulfilled" very soon – and may we have the strength of faith to endure the coming tribulation with a sure anticipation of the wonders to follow.

[vc_column_text]

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18IGcBdIn8A[/embedyt][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-february-18th-let-the-scriptures-be-fulfilled-2/?feed_id=32584&_unique_id=63f016aa9557f

Daily Readings & Thought for February 17th. "KEEP AWAKE ... STAY AWAKE"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Today we read the answer Jesus gave to the 4 disciples who sat with him on the Mount of Olives, they  earnestly asked,  "Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?" [Mark 13 v.4]  Jesus had astonished them earlier "as he came out of the temple"  and they were admiring its "wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings"-  by telling them that "There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." [v.2]

We conclude that his words - as far as v.23, are a prophecy of events that will fulfil this.  According to Matthew's record of this conversation, they also asked, "What will be the sign of thy coming and the close of the age?" [24 v.3] Therefore, after v.23 in today's chapter, Jesus is answering the second question, probably in asking it the 4 disciples thought that both events would happen about the same time. 

Luke's record of this conversation - in his 21st chapter - includes some significant extra wording; Jesus says "there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." [v.23,24]

Jerusalem was trampled underfoot - until 1967 - "the times of the Gentiles" are now fulfilled and the situation in the Middle East is increasingly ominous with its portents for the future. Psalm 83 was also a remarkable reading we had today!  It describes the nations surrounding Israel who say, " "Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!" [v.4]  The Psalmist's prayer about this is, "Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD.  Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace,  that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth." [v16-18]  

On the surface this seems contradictory, but we think it means that those who say "Come, let us wipe them out" are the ones who "perish in disgrace."  We should say and pray, 'Let all the nations in the world, 'know, the LORD is the Most High over all the earth.' 

Back in Mark's chapter  we read at the end some challenging words for us in 2021 "Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come ... lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake." [v.33,36,37]

[vc_column_text]

 

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvwAmswh8vk[/embedyt][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-february-17th-keep-awake-stay-awake-2/?feed_id=32525&_unique_id=63eec50ab16b0

Daily Readings & Thought for January 21st. “FILL UP, THEN THE …”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As his ministry was reaching its climax, our Lord most bluntly confronted the religious leaders in Jerusalem.  In today’s reading [Matt.23] he calls them “hypocrites”  “blind guides” and “children of hell”.  He says they concentrate on outward appearances “but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” [23 v.25]  His words stirred up their hatred of him, which had increased when they saw the adulation he received as he entered Jerusalem on the donkey. As a result they are now even more determined to destroy him.  What is most interesting is that seven times in this chapter Jesus says “Woe to you” [v.13,15,16,23,25,27,29] The hidden sevens in the Bible are interesting, as we have noted in Revelation.  It seems especially significant when he says, “Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers.  You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape … all these things shall come on this generation.” [v.32,33,36]   The same Gk word is used in Ch. 13 v.47-50 when Jesus told the parable of the net being “thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind.  When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad.  So it will be at the close of the age …” – the age in which we live. Jesus is using a way of speaking that God used through the prophet Joel; speaking then of gathering in a grape harvest, to indicate the overflow of his anger on the nations “ … the harvest is ripe.  Go in, tread for the winepress is full.  The vats overflow, for their evil is great … for the day of the LORD is near … and the heavens and the earth quake … so you shall know that I am the LORD your God.” [Joel 3 v.13,14,16.17]  The main application of Joel’s prophecy is to our world today!  How close is our world to being “full”?  The amount of godlessness is starting to overflow! A fearful repetition of God’s punishment on the ‘Jewish world’ that rejected Jesus is nearly upon us – but this time it is a godless world that has turned away from any belief in God and his word.!  Remember the final message of Jesus we read last month,, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth … they (the angels) were told not to harm  (true believers)… only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” [Rev.8 v.13; 9 v.4] How can those who do not read the Bible and fear God have any hope of having the seal of God on them Let us make sure we have that seal. [vc_column_text]   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_IM6LXDpPs[/embedyt][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-january-21st-fill-up-then-the-2/?feed_id=30990&_unique_id=63cb2c901bd1c

Daily Readings & Thought for January 20th. “BE NOT ENVIOUS OF …”

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The world today puts a great lot of effort and money into marketing goods and services.  The internet, radio, TV, newspapers magazines and sign boards are full of promotions of one kind of thing or another.  A fundamental aim of the majority of this promotion is to make us envious of what other people have or experience – the aim is to make us want it ourselves!  Now David’s Psalm (No. 37) today is very special, it is full of spiritual advice to those who aim to live in a godly way in contrast to the attitudes in our world of 2021.  David says, “I have been young and now I am old” [v.25] so these are words of reflection at the latter end of his life.  He starts by saying [v.1] “be not envious of wrongdoers” because they, like the grass, have no future.  In another Psalm we read, “I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” [73 v.3] So David had to learn the right attitudes in his life’s experiences, like we do.        But it is not just a matter of avoiding doing wrong, or not being envious of the successful: note what David also says in today’s Psalm, “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way” [v.7]  It is a real challenge to “be still” in the sense that is meant here  – in a world that is so active in experiencing and doing everything possible – it is a hyperactive society today. How much are you being swept along by it? !  Is it affecting you sub-consciously? The awareness the Lord gives David, leads him to see a time when “the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace” [v.11]  Our Lord Jesus repeats this and applies it to inheriting the entire earth! [Matt. 5 v.5]  We need this awareness, if we are to effectively counteract temptations to take part in as much of this world’s spirit of living  – without actually engaging in wrongdoing.   David says, “the Lord laughs (mocks) at the wicked for he sees that his day is coming” [v.13].  Now note v.30 & 31, “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.”  An essential foundation for that kind of thinking and living is achieved today by those who regularly read the word of God, and really think about what they read: May that include all who are reading this. [vc_column_text]   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVLycgAkDW4[/embedyt][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row] https://christadelphianvideo.org/tftd/daily-readings-thought-for-january-20th-be-not-envious-of-2/?feed_id=30914&_unique_id=63c9db16ac1f9