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Confidence in the One who sustains all
Good Reading
The following blogs have been contributed by members of the United Church of God - Australia, and aim to invoke further inspiration and thought on the Word of God.
NOTE: This Blog is temporarily on hold, in lieu of the regular Bible Insight Weekly articles available here.
The intercession of the Holy Spirit
All of the knowledge, wisdom, human ability and intelligence, mean little unless we are sustained by God especially in our infirmities. Scripture teaches us much about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and its power of intercession. How does the Holy Spirit assist Jesus Christ's true followers to assist them when they pray to their Father in Heaven.
Halloween - harmless fun or human folly
Halloween is celebrated on the eve of 31 October. Australians are indeed embracing Halloween in greater numbers and spending more money on this festival. Halloween decorations are more readily available in the shops and online and people are embracing this festivity with greater enthusiasm. Is the celebrating of Halloween just harmeless fun? What does the bible have to say about it?
Stooping down to pick up nothing
Have you ever wondered how incredible and enjoyable your life would be if you won the lottery? ‘You’ve got to be in to win it!’ – as they say. Is wealth, though the true source of a happy, satisfying and Godly life? Can we learn some extremely valuable lessons from a man who dedicated his entire life to this very question?
Then He delivers
Have you ever wondered where was God during the many years the Children of Israel were in captivity and under the cruelty of Egyptian taskmasters? Have you ever wondered from time to time where is God when you, your family or friends are having difficulties in life? We can learn how God delivers from the story of the exodus.
A night to be much observed
Is there an event or celebration in your life which you particularly remember fondly? The night after the Passover is of special significance and observance to many Christians. What is this night to be much observed?
Why should I?
Why should I? Why should I help out my neighbour when he never helps me? What if Jesus had thought that way? Jesus Christ didn't just die for our sins, He lived in a world full of sinners, loving and serving them every minute that He had.
Our annual pilgrimage to Golgotha
Do you identify yourself as a Christian? Are you a follower of Jesus Christ - the Passover for all humanity? How will you commemorate His death till He comes?
A New Year’s Challenge for You
Have you made any New Year’s resolutions so far this year? Are you up for a New Year’s challenge which will set you on a life changing experience and a journey of discovery?
Read on!!
Seeing the old year out and the new year in
This time of the year is a festive season, with Christmas just passed and preparations for New Years’ eve celebrations next on the minds of many.
1st January 2018 starts a brand new year. The calendar is the time keeper for what we do in life. The calendar determines for us – those who use the Gregorian calendar - when we see the old year out, and the new year in.
But do we ever stop to give consideration as to how time began? For the Christian, whose foundation of belief is the Bible, we believe God created time.
It is Unmistakably the Season of Christmas.
Have you been looking forward to the Christmas Season with all the Christmas cheer this time of the year brings – Christmas light displays, Christmas songs in all the stores and shops or maybe the carols by candlelight? Would you be interested to learn more about the true meaning of Christmas? My wife and I some fifty years ago made the decision not to observe Christmas. Does this surprise you? We were raised in Christian families and Christmas had been a part of our religious celebration but we had taken for granted that Jesus Christ – our Lord and Saviour – was actually in Christmas.
Cleansing and renewal
The world is in the “bondage of corruption” and this is the environment in which we live.
However God promises salvation. He saves us through a process that takes time – a lifetime. As Christians, genuinely seeking to follow Christ, do we know fully what is this process and how we can participate in and embrace it?
As human beings we are incomplete
Many self-help advisors claim that ‘Everything you need is already within you’. But is this really true? What does the Word of God - the Bible - have to say?
Trick or treat .... Is It harmless?
Australians are indeed embracing Halloween in greater numbers and spending more money on this festival. Halloween decorations are more readily available in the shops and online and people are embracing this festivity with greater enthusiasm.
It all looks like so much fun and seems so harmless.
But is Halloween really harmless?
The Miracles of Jesus – A Foretaste of God’s Coming Kingdom
Even those who are not Christians know of the many wonderful miracles performed by Jesus Christ throughout His human ministry which are recorded in the Bible. However, how many understand that these remarkable good deeds – which were too numerous for all to be recorded – demonstrate the kind of world He will lead as King of Kings and Lord of Lords in the coming Kingdom of God?
Good enough
What if I'm not good enough? Many of us find ourselves asking that question often in some form – maybe even daily – perhaps even moment by moment. We can discover from the Bible that God's measure of success is very different from what we naturally expect of ourselves.
Events of the end and beyond
What events are we witnessing now? Are things getting better, or rapidly getting worse? Are we heading for the time of the end and beyond?
The poor in Christ are truly wealthy
The Smyrna church had something of which Jesus took particular notice. It was not their standing in this world with respect to this world’s wealth or position. They were rich in something else that was so much more esteemed by Jesus Christ. How did He regard them as rich?
Total change
Professed belief in the name of Jesus is what most Christians do, but repentance and turning to God through Jesus Christ results in a complete change.
Tattoos – what does the Bible really say?
Does the bible have anything to say about tattoos and is it relevant for us today?
The first harvest
The children of Israel were unaware of the greater meaning of these feasts of the Lord. To them the meaning was the representation of the harvests, and it would remind them of the blessings God would bestow on them in the harvest. Are you aware of the First Harvest in God’s plan of salvation for all humanity?
What joy Isn't
What does the word joy bring to your mind? Happiness? Smiling a lot? Fun? Can we completely understand what joy really is? Can we have truly lasting joy?
And the truth shall make you free
Last year, I came across a headline on Facebook: "Trump Collapses and Dies of Heart Attack!”. In disbelief, I immediately did a search and came up with nothing. Something so shocking and world-shaking would obviously have been all over the internet! It was fake!!
So how can we know what is truth?
A feast celebrating sincerity and truth
The Apostle Paul writes: "Therefore let us keep the feast; not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Because of, the sacrifice that Jesus made we should go on and keep the feast “with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” What feast is this?
No greater love
Jesus chose to “taste death for every person.” He experienced suffering of unimaginable magnitude, and He died – not because He sinned, but because we sinned. In this there is no greater love. In this God’s great love for you and for me is manifest.
Don't lie to your children
by Reg Wright
Are some lies really acceptable? As parents we may teach our children not to lie but what kind of message are we giving our children when we lie about the reality of Santa. When they eventually learn the truth, do we really understand the implications this lie has on our children's development of trust in us as role models.
Don't let it run your life
by Reg Wright
Christmas is known as a time for the giving of gifts especially to ones children and loved ones. Because of this there is a subtle pressure that we must give Christmas presents whether or not we can afford them.
We wouldn't want to disappoint our children or loved ones, would we?
Have you felt that pressure? Are you really sure you can afford to celebrate Christmas?
It is time we took a stand and not let Christmas run our lives.
Beyond these perilous times
by Reg Wright
We join all Australians in extending our sympathy, our concern, support and prayers for the families and friends of those innocent hostages killed in the Lindt Cafe siege. Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones in these tragic circumstances.
In times like these we can draw great strength and comfort in the reality of God's promises in the Scriptures.
What is Jesus Christ’s purpose for our lives?
by Ken Murray
The other day I was meditating as I was reading the Bible and I thought: "What is Jesus Christ's purpose for our lives?" On what should we setting our hearts and minds that would be pleasing to Christ? What do we understand from the Bible is Jesus Christ's purpose for our lives?
Is Halloween harmless?
by Reg Wright
Halloween is an observance that is becoming a growing trend in Australia. Every year at Halloween well-meaning parents dress their children in grotesque and ghoulish costumes, and it was no different this year. Costume parties are held and many children go trick-or-treating.
But is Halloween really harmless? Who and what's behind this bizarre holiday?
Godly wisdom
Many go through life never knowing about one of the greatest freely given gifts -- and one we are told to ask for: "If any of you lacks wisdom ....". We are told that God possessed wisdom before anything was ever created and before He embarked on His great work to have children for Himself. We don't naturally have Godly wisdom. We are told we should ask for, indeed, seek for this kind of wisdom from the only source available – God Himself.
He will dwell with you and will be your God
How will you fare this coming year in the world today? We need Jesus Christ to be the ruler of our lives and for Him to be present with us. Contrary to what many may think and teach, Jesus Christ is not in the world, trying to save the world at this time. As we live in world rife with danger and temptation, we need to have Him fulfil His deepest desire - to dwell with us and be our God. Is that where Jesus Christ is?
The Feast of Ingathering
by Roger Waite
Most people are unaware that God has given us seven holy festivals to celebrate throughout the year. Mainstream christianity keeps festivals such as christmas and easter which were never celebrated by those names until centuries after Jesus Christ had lived and died. In fact Jesus and the apostles in the decades following the crucifixion didnot keep christmas or easter but kept the holy festivals commanded by God. What do you know about these holy festivals in particular the Feast of Ingathering?
A fast commanded by God
by Reg Wright
This past Saturday was a spiritually uplifting but physical challenging day. Why, you may ask. Not only was it a weekly Sabbath but also an annual Sabbath of God – the Day or Atonement. Did you know we are commanded to fast on the Day of Atonement?
Our world held captive
by Reg Wright
Our world is indeed a paradox – on the one hand there is tremendous good, but on the other there is tremendous evil. With all our wonderful progress, the world is in perhaps the biggest mess it has ever been in human history. It is held captive. But a time is coming when it will be freed from this captivity.
To not live by half
by Shana Heslin
You may have seen the iconic Aussie movie, Strictly Ballroom -- but do you remember the movie's slogan: Vivir con miedo es como vivir en medias? Do you know what this means in English and how might this slogan affect your walk with God?
The Feast of Trumpets: A turning point in history
by Ken Murray
Today is the Feast of Trumpets. Why is the Feast of Trumpets so valuable to you personally, and for all humankind?
Did God ever command us to observe a Holy Day about trumpets and their significance to God's plan? Why do we call this Holy Day the Feast of Trumpets?
The Prince of Peace
by Roy Holladay
In this present evil age the strong rule out of greed, lust and personal desires. They impose their style of leadership, culture and values on those they control. Isaiah 59:8 tells us that "The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways ....... ". If this be so will there ever be a time when humankind will live in complete peace and harmony? Will humankind learn from history and create political, economical and social structures which will result in global, lasting peace?
Jesus Christ and the thief
by Ken Murray
Did the thief on the cross and Jesus Christ go to heaven the same day they died?
In most cases translators and publishers of the Bible have done an admirable job but this is one case where their doctrinal bias has regrettably obscured the meaning of Christ's words.
Could a simply misplaced coma conceal the true meaning of Christ words?