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MY BIBLE BLOG
APRIL 2007
SUFFERING
This subject has captured my mind this month, beginning with man’s
inhumanity to man. For instance, it has recently been reported that a
Sudanese minister and a Janjaweed leader are responsible for the deaths
of 200,000 people in Darfur. More than two million people have been
forced to leave their homes.
Christians are suffering for their faith. In Nigeria religious violence
erupted in the state of Plateau a few weeks ago and has resulted in the
deaths of eight pastors and 1,500 Christian believers. Open Doors
reports that 173 churches have been destroyed. Militant Islam has
resulted in the deaths of Christians in Turkey. Three Christians were
tied up and had their throats slit at a Christian publishing house in
Malatya. Although arrests have been made the attack adds to concerns
about Turkey’s bid to enter the European Union. (A fraction of one per
cent make up the country’s population of 71 million.)
Easter reminds us that Christ suffered for us. He said, “The Son of Man
must suffer many things,,, be killed and after three days rise again”
(Mark 8:31). He died to save us - and in doing so he entered human
suffering. Through his suffering he showed that commitment to God
should include love and forgiveness.
Pray for peacemakers,
MAY 2007
PENTECOST is noted in
a very few calendars and diaries these days. This is another indication
that our country, Great Britain, is losing its religious conviction and
roots. Pentecost is an important date in the Christian calendar as it
marks the advent of the Holy Spirit and birth of the Christian Church
(see Acts 2). Celebrated 50 days after Easter, it underlines the fact
that the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and poured
out his Spirit on those who knew him. The Lord is still empowering his
Church with the Spirit, equipping believers to carry on his mission
(Acts 1:8).
If we feel unsatisfied with our Christianity, it may be that we need to
know the saving and satisfying activity of the Spirit in our lives. The
Lord’s promise is still applicable: “If anyone is thirsty, let them
come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has
said, streams of living water will flow from within them” (By this he
meant the Spirit - see John 7:37-39.)
We close this page by mentioning the missing Madeleine McCann. Let’s
pray for her recovery. Her parents, as devout Roman Catholics, are
seeking spiritual help. The psalmist says, “Our help comes from the
LORD” (Psalm 121:1).
JUNE 2007
SAD NEWS has dominated
the headlines at the end of this month. The wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan continue to claim many lives. We have felt the grief of
those families who have lost their young sons and daughters in the
conflict.
Further to this, global rainfalls have caused massive floods across
America, through Europe, to China and Australia. Property and homes
have been destroyed. Lives have been lost. Massive damage has been
caused in the North of England as the River Don overflowed. Climate
changes on a massive scale!
Terrorism has raised its ugly head in Great Britain again. Car bombs in
central London and Glasgow airport corresponded with the inauguration
of Gordon Brown as the new prime minister.
Events like this remind me of those Jesus Christ said would precede
this return to earth: “Nation will rise up against nation... there will
be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and
fearful events” (Luke 21:10).
Jesus is coming!
God Bless you
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