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MY BIBLE BLOG
JULY 2007
THE DEVASTATION caused
by widespread floods is still heading the news. Hundreds of homes,
properties and businesses (in the North and South) have been damaged by
the heavy rains. The price of repair and replacement is astronomic.
Insurance companies are saying the amount is passing from millions of
pounds to billions of pounds!
Insurance? Sensible people normally insure their worldly goods. But
from what we learn this is not always the case. Many flood victims
failed to cover their homes and its contents against unpredictable
events such as fire, robbery or so called ‘Acts of God’, such as the
weather. Why is this? There are lessons to be learned. We need to plan
for the unexpected events of life. This means covering our lives and
earthly possessions with insurance. We should consider the importance
of making a will.
The weather is forcing us to recognise the temporary nature of houses,
cars, furniture, clothes, and so on. The Lord Jesus advised us not to
treasure earthly things, which deteriorate and can be stolen. Life is
more important than things (see Matthew 6:19-21).
The future? We must plan for the eternal future. “For what shall it
profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?”
(Mark 8:36).
Pray for flood victims and those involved in restoring homes.
AUGUST 2007
THE DAILY MAIL made
the award-winning TV classic “The World at War” available to its
readers last month. I obtained the set of 26 DVDs. I sat down and
watched each presentation with mixed emotions. I found the historical
insights shared by film footage and interviews very interesting
(records are taken from American, British, German and Japanese
archives). But each DVD left me with tearful eyes and a heavy heart.
The rise of Adolf Hitler and his influence on the German people and its
youth was extremely powerful. It has its parallel in today’s world! I
was impressed by the dedication, resilience, and courage of ordinary
people. Many of the 55 million who died in the War were civilians. The
spirit of people in the bombed cities was not broken.
The suffering in the War was horrific. One French town was completely
exterminated - its women and children were actually herded into a
church and shot! This was the War of the atom bomb and Nazi
concentration camps. Over six million Jews were the victims of
genocide. ‘Ethnic cleansing’ is still taking place in today’s world!
World War II revealed an age that needed God. Today’s world, which is
amassing weapons of war again, needs the Prince of Peace - Jesus Christ
(Isaiah 9:6).
Pray for peace makers and peace in our time.
SEPTEMBER 2007
Luke 4:18-9 was the text
we offered on this page for the Jewish New Year. Jesus said: “The
Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good
news to the poor. He has has sent me to proclaim freedom for the
prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”. Jesus cited Isaiah 61. He
claimed to fulfil Isaiah’s prophecy.
When John the Baptist’s disciples questioned Jesus’ messiahship he
responded with similar words: “Report to John what you have seen and
heard, the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy
are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is
preached to the poor”.
The early followers of Jesus heard his words and believed his claims.
His life and ministry fulfilled Scripture. Whether we are Jews or
Gentiles the claims of Jesus Christ still confront us. Can we say with
Peter, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”? See Matthew
16:16.
This kind of faith and confession can change our lives.
God bless you,
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