Dear members and friends of IBCZ, In the times of prophet Hosea, the people of Israel had started to worship the Syrian-Palestinian weather god (or gods), Baal, and were involved in various religious acts according to the worshipping habits “demanded” by this god. This came in strong contradiction with their
Continue readingOn Pentecost Sunday we heard Olan bring the Lord’s message from Acts 2 : 1 – 12, explaining the events, and their significance, around the coming of the Holy Spirit. We are shortly after Jesus ascended to the Heavens, when the disciples returned to Jerusalem, gathered together in the upper
Continue readingAt the turn of the year, it is again time to reflect on the past 12 months and consider the goals we had set at the beginning of the year, the extent to which we attained them and maybe formulate a new set of goals for the year ahead. It
Continue readingAs I started reading 1 Thessalonians this week, I had to stop and meditate already after the 3rd verse of the letter. Paul thanks God for his audience, specifically for their faith, love, and hope. The placement of these comments so early in the letter suggests these are essential marks
Continue readingThis past Sunday we learned that while people usually expect satisfaction in life to result from the successful achievement of some goals they have set for themselves, the real and sustainable satisfaction comes from accomplishing God’s will for one’s life. Even when we are aware of this and focus on
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