Hope4Bath

In our last meditation on this subject, we considered the words of John the Baptist, the greatest of all the prophets, who spoke of Jesus as ‘a Man who is preferred before me’, John chapter 1 verse 30. Later on, one of the New Testament writers also spoke of this unique Man: ‘But this Man, ….  Read More

“Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth,” Let Israel now say— 2 “Many a time they have afflicted me from my youth; yet they have not prevailed against me. 3 The ploughers ploughed on my back; they made their furrows long.” 4 The Lord is righteous; He has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked. 5 Let all those who ….  Read More

Many great prophets appeared on the stage of Israel’s history prior to the coming of Jesus Christ into the world. However, we can confidently confirm that one of them holds prime position; indeed, he was the last and the greatest of them. This is what Jesus said of him: ‘For I say to you, among ….  Read More

My mother often said to my twin brother and I at mealtimes, ‘If you don’t eat your firsts, you will not have any AFTERS.’ I can recall, with delight, that my mother’s AFTERS were worth waiting for. Large pudding bowls, lined and topped with thick suet pudding and filled with all kinds of fruits were ….  Read More

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. 2 When you eat the labour of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table. 4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. 5 The Lord bless ….  Read More

“Then he (Joseph of Arimathea) bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen.” Mark’s Gospel chapter 15 verse 46. You will have read this verse yesterday concerning the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. After all the wicked things suffered by Jesus, men thought it was over when He died. They did not ….  Read More

29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we ….  Read More

Suggested reading: Nehemiah chapter 3 verses 1-32 As we near the end of our journey, a gate filled with promise stands before us – it is the EAST GATE. Ezekiel provides us with a dramatic description of the Lord leaving Jerusalem by way of the EAST GATE: ‘Then the glory of the Lord departed . ….  Read More

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep. 3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in ….  Read More

Suggested reading: Nehemiah chapter 3 verses 1-32 It is not surprising that as we travel along the Eastern wall of the city, we reach the WATER GATE. If a ‘fountain’ speaks of a well springing up, ‘still water’ speaks of the WORD OF GOD (THE Bible). David said in his well-loved psalm, ‘He leadeth me ….  Read More