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Daily Bible Readings from the Christadelphian Reading Planner for 22nd April Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

A small group of young Christadelphian brothers have taken the time to produce this valuable resource for the brotherhood and beyond, they are using the Bible reading planner developed by Brother Robert Roberts called The Bible Companion. The Bible Companion (or Bible Reading Planner) is a guide developed by the Christadelphians to aid reading the Bible. It was first produced by Robert Roberts when he was just 14 years of age, in about 1853, and revised by him over a number of years into its current format.

Most Christadelphians use this plan each day and it was designed to help you read the old testament once and the new testament twice each year.

These readings which we feature are recorded using the KJV or the NKJV of the Bible and we hope will be helpful to those who may struggle with time or who have poor eyesight.

Thought for April 22nd...'...Vanity of Vanities, all is Vanity. (Ecc 1 vs1)' Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

"VANITY OF VANITIES” April 22

Today we began reading Ecclesiastes – it says it was written by “the preacher, the son of David, king of Jerusalem [1 v.1]. We know this is Solomon and his first words are, “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity”

What does vanity mean? The lexicon says the Hebrew word means, transitory, emptiness. Solomon is reviewing, apparently in his old age, all that he has accomplished in his life, he is overwhelmed by the feeling that in the final analysis it was all just “vanity” – he had accomplished nothing lasting.

He reflects, “all things are full of weariness” [v.8], observing, “my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge” [v.16] but he saw it as “a striving after wind”. [v.17]. Tomorrow we will read his words, “then I considered all that my hands had done and all the toil I had expendedin doing it, and behold, all was vanity” [2 v.11]

We wonder to what extent today we will (or already are) look back on a lifetime of striving to make and then spend money – and see it in the end as simply “vanity”? Also, those who fill so much of their ‘spare’ time with tweeting and twittering and relaxation with TV and DVDs for entertainment will see the ultimate emptiness of time spent in this way?

In contrast we saw today in John’s Gospel the intensity of thought and meaning in the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. As it reaches its climax his mind is centred on his disciples, “Holy Father keep them in your name … that they may be one, even as we are one.” [17 v.11] Unity of mind, how wonderful!

Jesus continues, “they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth” [v. 17-19].

God’s word is “truth,” it alone reveals the ultimate meaning of life and takes us - in thought – beyond “this world”.. Sanctify means to “be set apart” from the world so that the main focus of our minds – is on God and his ways and what is really true – in an everlasting sense. It is a truth we then take into our hearts and it becomes part of us.

Finally, how meaningful are the words of Jesus to Pilate, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world – to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice” [18 v.37]. Sceptically Pilate asks, “What is truth?” [v.38]. Let us not be sceptical but read and “listen” to what we read and aim to fully possess “the wisdom from above” (James 3 v.17) so that our lives are “sanctified in truth.”

Companionship and Friendship. Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

One of the things I didn’t really think about, when it comes to the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, was how much he depended on companionship and friendship. In our readings in John we’re with our Lord in the upper room, but he is not alone. Three years previously he purposefully chose twelve disciples, companions to go on the journey together with him. Our Lord needed these men just as much as he needed all the other things in his life. The supernatural power of God, relationship with his heavenly father and angelic ministration strengthened our Lord, but the friendship of his disciples and the shared experiences were extremely important to him and to his success fulfilling his purpose. When he went up into the mount of Transfiguration, he didn’t go alone but took Peter, James and John with him. He took the same men into the garden of Gethsemane during his darkest hours. He needed companionship and friendship just as much as all of us do.

Richard Morgan

Who is the God of the Bible? Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

In this week's session we examine the remarkable detail contained in Bible prophecy. The exact fulfillment of the destruction of Tyre by Nebuchadnezzar and Alexander the great was prophesied years in advance. We also look at structure of the Bible with both Old and New Testaments to help orientate ourselves when reading.

KEEPING COMMANDMENTS Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

KEEPING COMMANDMENTS
Keeping commandments. Do the right thing. Really? Do I have to? What a chore! What a bore!
Listen to what Jesus said about it: "If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:10-11).
Here are two things I have learnt from life: There is nothing better than love. We all want to be accepted, wanted, needed and loved, and others need us to love them. It breaks our heart when love is broken.
The second thing I have learnt is this: The greatest killer of joy is guilt. Guilt, shame, regret, secrets, and the feeling of being separated from God can completely remove joy from our lives, leaving us miserable, sad and lonely.
But there is a third thing I have learnt from life: Doing the right thing - even when it goes against all logic - makes me feel really good inside. There is joy, love, warmth, satisfaction, peace and fulfilment in doing the right thing.
No, keeping the commandments of Jesus is not a chore or a bore - it's the best thing we can do. And like Jesus said, keeping his commandments fills us with love and joy. What more do we need?

Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)]

LISTEN Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

Much of what Jesus said in the last few hours he had alone with his disciples was considered so important to John that he wrote most of it down so that we too could hear what Jesus had to say. Maybe it takes more effort for us to hear the words of Jesus because the printed page does not let us hear the tone of voice Jesus used, the pleading, the passion and the urgency. It does not show us the expressions on his face, the reactions of the disciples or the tears that flowed down his cheeks. All this we have to add ourselves. So as we read the words of our Saviour we need to make sure that we cut out any distractions from our minds so that what he says to us goes into our hearts and we hear it.
And Jesus tells us the reason we need to listen to him. "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray." If we do not listen to the words of Jesus we are in grave danger of going astray - more than that - it is almost certain that we will or already have. So as we read the words that John so carefully recorded for us let us listen and take their advice so that we will not go astray.

Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)]

TEAMWORK Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

It is always said, and I know it to be the truth from my own experience, that behind any good man is a good woman. The wife of noble character is described in Proverbs 31 as one such woman that any good man would be pleased to have as his wife. But what about good women, do they have good husbands behind them to back them up and support them? As we read this beautiful description of the perfect wife, we learn that behind this good woman is a good man. About him we read, "Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land." (Prov 31:23)
It is a hard road to become the husband or wife described here without the backing of a supportive and complimenting spouse. It would almost be safe to say that to achieve what is described in Proverbs 31 would be impossible if we were trying to do it alone. To become the wife of noble character or her husband requires a great marriage. A great marriage requires teamwork. It means both the husband and the wife have to work together, support each other and have the same priorities in life. A loving marriage with God at the centre is the best environment to produce a marriage and a couple that will really stand out from the crowd.
So let's become the man or woman that our husband or wife needs, so that our marriage and our lives become all that they can be.

Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)]

TWO WOMEN Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

In Proverbs 5, 6, and 7 we read a description of the adulterous woman. She takes away the best of your strength, your life and your wealth. Her house leads to death and punishment. To be with the adulterous woman is to bring about the unquenchable jealousy and anger of her husband.
As a contrast, in Proverbs 31 we read of a wife of noble character. She brings good and not harm, she is industrious and earns her wealth, she gives to the needy, is strong and all her family are well clothed. She speaks wisdom, fears the LORD and is praised by the people and especially her husband.
I believe that an important lesson from these two women comes from who they represent and our actions towards them. Certainly they have a literal warning and encouragement to us about faithfulness and the type of spouse we should marry, but the bigger picture is of the bride of Christ - the church, compared with a life of sin and the worship of other gods. As believers we should be aiming to be like the wife of noble character with our words, actions and love all given selflessly to the glory of God and for the good of others. And as believers we must avoid sin and anything that compromises our faithfulness to our God.
"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4 v 7 - 8)

Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)]

Daily Bible Readings from the Christadelphian Reading Planner for 21st April Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

Most Christadelphians use this plan each day and it was designed to help you read the old testament once and the new testament twice each year.

These readings which we feature are recorded using the KJV or the NKJV of the Bible and we hope will be helpful to those who may struggle with time or who have poor eyesight.

Thought for April 21st...'...Love one anothe; just as i have loved you,. (John 13 vs34)' Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

“LOVE ONE ANOTHER JUST AS I HAVE LOVED YOU” April 21

Love is probably the most common word in both Christian and non-Christian literature. It is used in a wide range of situations with many different meanings. It is usually used in common speech today in a very casual way! Are those who read God’s word influenced by this?

If we are - it will undermine our appreciation of what this word means in Scripture? In the Greek there are two different words and the one we focus on is ‘agape’ which occurs so much in the Gospel of John; he uses it 27 times; 9 times in today’s chapters (15 &16).

Chapter 13 today contains a key statement of the Master, “A new commandment I have given you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” [v.34]. So how did Jesus love them? How did he set an example?

What events and words show this? He washed their feet and he used this as an example of how to serve one another; however few of us tramp dusty roads in sandals with bare feet. to make a ritual of this would destroy the lesson as we commented yesterday. It was one example of love and humility toward one another. Jesus said, “I have given you an example that you also should do as I have done to you.” [v.15].

Not many hours later he would tell them of the ultimate act of “love” soon to occur – saying “greater love has no man than this” [15 v.13]

Jesus asked, “Who is the greater, one who reclines at table, or one who serves? I am among you as one who serves” [Luke 22 v.27] So the love that Jesus showed was one of serving, he came as a servant – but will return as a King. In serving Jesus, we mustourselves seek to show love by what we do.

There will be times when we need to be gentle as he was with his disciples when they faltered, and he said “O you of little faith” [Luke 12 v28]; but read v.22-31 and appreciate the context and our Master’s final point, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”. We might think of what we want, but our heavenly Father knows what we need.

He did not send anyone away, they went away themselves when they found his sayings “hard” [John 6 v.60,66] When John, years later, wrote his epistles he made one particular point which echoed these words of Jesus, “let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth” [1 John 3 v.18] or as the NEB version puts it, “love must be genuine and show itself by actions.”

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