merciful God

A POWERFUL PRAYER! YET ONLY A FEW WORDS

(March 17, 2024) Brian Bell encourages…

This article is a little different from those I usually write, but it is still my aim that it will be an encouragement to us as we are getting close to Easter.

In the last week, I have been drawn to the scene recorded in Luke 18:9-14, and in particular those words in verse 13(NKJV): ‘God be merciful to me a sinner’ or as rendered in the slightly longer NLT version ‘O God be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’

If you are not familiar with this incident, the Lord Jesus tells the story of a proud Pharisee and a dishonest tax collector who go to the temple to pray.

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FINDING ENCOURAGEMENT IN HEBREWS

(January 28, 2024) Brian Bell shares…

I’ve been reading my way through the book (letter) to the Hebrews, and in my previous article shared some encouraging thoughts from chapter 12 to take us into 2024.

While Hebrews’ author is not identified, many believe it originates with Paul (a view I hold myself) while Bible teacher and author Robert M. Solomon (without suggesting a name) proposes it is very likely written by a Jewish Christian believer possibly before the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem in AD70.

The context of the book was to help those Jewish believers in the face of persecution, because while Jews were exempted from worship of the Roman emperor (who saw themselves as being a god), this exemption did not apply to Christians.

I am sure you’re familiar with the type and measure of persecution faced by Christian believers living in the days of the Roman Empire. Many were cruelly and brutally treated, tortured and killed in places such as the Colosseum in Rome.

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AMOS THE LORD’S MESSENGER (Part 2)

(June 29, 2023) Brian Bell continues sharing his mediation in Amos… 

What lessons we can learn from the prophet Amos!

In this article I turn our attention to Amos 7:10-17. As I read these verses I see three ‘lessons’ from which we may profit.

1) The challenge Amos faced
In verse 10 we find the challenge to Amos comes from Amaziah who is identified as the priest of Bethel. At this time in Israel’s divided history Bethel in the northern kingdom was a ‘false’ centre of worship, as distinct from Jerusalem which was situated in the southern kingdom of Judah.

 Amaziah brought false accusations against Amos, including –

  • Plotting against king Jeroboam, then ruler of the northern kingdom
  • Inciting rebellion
  • Speaking for personal or financial gain

It is never easy to face accusations or allegations against us and it can be particularly difficult when they come from people who like Amaziah claim to have a ‘spiritual standing.’

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EASTER 2023: PRAYING IN THE LIGHT OF THE CROSS

(April 06, 2023) Elizabeth Kendal, RLPB, shares…

What is humanity’s greatest problem?

Our problem is sin, the consequence of which is death. How did God deal with it? He dealt with it by sending His Son – the Logos (Word), the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ – to live the life we could not live and die the death we deserved.

  • In full humility Jesus Christ surrendered Himself to be devoured by evil. On the cross He shed His perfect blood by which we are covered, forgiven and saved.
  • From the grave He defeated death and rose again, demonstrating that all who are covered by the blood of the Lamb will follow Christ to eternal life.
  • Through this, the cross – an instrument of torture and execution – is itself redeemed. Today, crosses adorn necks and crown steeples around the world as a symbol of life and amazing grace.
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