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

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.

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Halloween - harmless fun or human folly

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?

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Stooping down to pick up nothing

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?

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Then He delivers

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.

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A night to be much observed

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?

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Why should I?

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.

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Our annual pilgrimage to Golgotha

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?

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A New Year’s Challenge for You

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!!

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Seeing the old year out and the new year in

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.

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It is Unmistakably the Season of  Christmas.

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.

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Cleansing and renewal

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?

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As human beings we are incomplete

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?

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Trick or treat .... Is It harmless?

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?

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The Miracles of Jesus – A Foretaste of God’s Coming Kingdom

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?

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Good enough

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.

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Events of the end and beyond

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?

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The poor in Christ are truly wealthy

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?

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Total change

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.

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Tattoos – what does the Bible really say?

Tattoos – what does the Bible really say?

Does the bible have anything to say about tattoos and is it relevant for us today?

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The first harvest

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?

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What joy Isn't

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?

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And the truth shall make you free

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?

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A feast celebrating sincerity and 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?

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No greater love

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.

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Following God in a selfie-centred world

Following God in a selfie-centred world by Roger Waite

Following God in a selfie-centred world

A selfie is basically a photo that one takes of oneself and posts on social media to share with family and friends. Do you find yourself taking selfies wherever you go or of whatever you’re doing? Would you say you are caught up in the world of “selfies’? Do you think taking “selfies” would be something Jesus Christ would do if He was alive in our modern era?

Just what do you mean … faith in God?

Just what do you mean … faith in God? by Roger Waite

Just what do you mean … faith in God?

How much do we REALLY believe in God? Enough to obey Him and all His laws? Enough to trust in His intervention and help no matter what the external circumstances are like? The amount we obey Him and the amount that we worry provide a window into our own souls of how much faith we REALLY have in God.

Thy Word is Truth

Thy Word is Truth by Bill Bradford

Thy Word is Truth

Can I trust myself to always know what is right? And therefore do what is right? Jesus knew the Father’s word was “truth”. We have to rely on the word of God for truth and His Spirit to convict.

In what or who do we really glory?

In what or who do we really glory? by Bill Bradford

In what or who do we really glory?

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches.....” This is the beginning of scriptures in Jeremiah, directing us to consider what or who should be glorified. In what or who do we really glory?

Before the throne of grace

Before the throne of grace by Bill Bradford

Before the throne of grace

We don’t like to “feel bad” about ourselves. We have devised many ways within our lifestyles to ‘paper over’ sin. We have lived in such a way for so long that pain is the result. It is in humankind, however to want to always be good, no matter how many bad things we do.

Do we acknowledge and embrace the free gift of forgiveness which only God can grant us through his Son, Jesus Christ?

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow by Bill Bradford

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be as wool.”

This is one of the most striking elements of the gospel message and makes the Kingdom of God possible. To have your sins forgiven freely, by the Great God who has individually approached us, is the greatest hallmark of His being.

A leader I can follow

A leader I can follow by Bill Bradford

A leader I can follow

How can we be sure that Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith? He is the one who starts our path towards having a relationship with our Heavenly Father and He will also see us through to the finish.

The Trinity Theory or baptism?

The Trinity Theory or baptism? by Matt Sieff

The Trinity Theory or baptism?

Matthew 28:19 says "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit". This verse can be a source of confusion as there are some who teach that the verse advocates the Theory of the Trinity. Does Matthew 28:19 support the Trinity Theory or baptism?

There is no gamble with God

by Bill Bradford

There is no gamble with God

Lotto and the dream of winning big seems to be a gamble that many of us are willing to wager.

But is this what life is all about? It seems to be for so many.

Is there any gamble or luck when it comes to our relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ?

As the title of this blog states – there is no gamble with God.

He’ll see us through

He’ll see us through by Bill Bradford

He’ll see us through

God has in mind a wonderful future for all of mankind. As God’s grace was shown at the beginning of creation so, too, will we see God’s grace at the end of the age. God’s plan will stand and come to pass as He said. Whatever dilemma we are in, God will see us through. We know that there is a purpose for everything that happens, and God knows all things.

With this in mind, do we have any responsibility toward God and our fellow man?

Christians Against the Odds

Christians Against the Odds by Bill Bradford

Christians Against the Odds

You are the underdog. And you will always be the underdog in this life and in this age! Does this surprise you? Maybe we think we shouldn’t have to be the weak of this world. This is the natural condition of God’s people while we live in this world.

A fast commanded by God

A fast commanded by God by Reg Wright

A fast commanded by God

Today is going to be a spiritually uplifting but physical challenging day.

Why, you may ask. Today is the Day of Atonement. Did you know we are commanded to fast on the Day of Atonement? What is the significance of fasting on this very special Holy Day?

How important is attitude?

How important is attitude? by Bill Bradford

How important is attitude?

Some say that attitude is everything, and there is some truth in it. Do you know that the word ‘attitude’ can’t be found in the Bible, but so much of the Bible is exactly about this concept – a person’s frame of mind.

Let’s see what was (is) Jesus Christ’s frame of mind – His attitude - as an example for us imitate.

Barely surviving

Barely surviving by Kim Mihalec

Barely surviving

Does life seem like one endless meaningless merry-go-round that's anything but merry? Would you like it if you could get off that merry-go-round for a day or two? Have you thought about taking your concerns to God?

Jesus Christ, the Son of God who came to die so that we could live forever, said that God actively provides for all. “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:25 & 26.

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