I'M OFF ON HOLS TO PORTUGAL FOR 2 WEEKS SO I REGRET THAT MY NEXT MID WEEK BLOG WILL NOT BE UNTIL WED. 13 JULY.
TAKE CARE AND EVERY BLESSING
JOHN
Monday, 20 June 2011
Mid-week reflection
Scripture Union
22 July, Day 290
John chapter 11
A matter of life and death.
Consider
Jesus is fully God and fully human. This great and beautiful mystery is at the foundation of our faith and is encapsulated in the story of the death and rising of Lazarus in chapter 11 of John’s gospel. We see Jesus’ godliness in the power he has to restore life to Lazarus, who has been dead for four days. In his other miracles, too, and through his teaching we know that Jesus is indeed the creator God who existed before time began and who possesses “all power and authority in heaven and on earth.” Yet who can doubt his humanity. Jesus was, “deeply moved at the death of his great friend Lazarus and at the grief of his sisters. We are told, “Jesus wept” [35], the shortest sentence in the bible, but surely one of the most revealing. Jesus, like you and me needs friends and tastes grief at the loss of a loved one and was fully, 100% human!!
Reflect
So often we read of a new miracle drug that will save thousands of lives. Research and development into new products to ease suffering is clearly a good thing and here in the West at least we are blessed with benefits of modern medicines and other treatments that enhance the quality of life but do they really save lives or just postpone the inevitability of death? Contrast the immortality, which the world seeks, with the resurrection which Jesus offers. We know our loved ones will not return in the way Lazarus did, but we place them in the loving embrace of the Father and trust that when his plan for humanity is fulfilled, they will be transformed into new life. A life of companionship with God, who will “wipe away every tear from their eyes” and in which “death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more.” [Rev. 21]
Pray
Risen Lord, who conquered death and restored life.
The resurrection is beyond the capability of even my wildest imagination and I cannot grasp what it means for myself or those I have loved.
But when my turn comes to leave this world may I trust my body to your loving care and enter into your unimaginable glory.
Amen
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
Mid-week reflection
Based on Scripture Union, "The Bible in a Year." Day 283
John chapter 6
Consider
Who could forget a picnic organised by Jesus?
The opening verses of chapter 6 of John's gospel describe the feeding of the 5000, the only miracle to be recorded in all four gospels. A crowd of people follow Jesus because they had seen "the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick," [verse 2]. They are further convinced that someone great is in their midst when they are all fed "as much as they wanted" [11] from the snack box of a boy. Why, you may ask, does God not perform more miracles? Surely that would generate more devout Christians!!
Not so! This episode demonstrates how fickle faith can be that is based on miraculous deeds alone. The crowd were impressed with Jesus' power and had personally benefited from it. Next they want to apply it to further their own ends and "make him king by force," so that he would use his great power to overthrow the Romans. But Jesus has no intention to rule over an earthly kingdom. He wants our loyalty for reasons other than his ability to improve our well being with his amazing deeds.
Notice toward the end of the chapter how shallow is the loyalty of some of the crowd when "many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." [verse 66]. Perhaps this explains why Jesus used miracles so sparingly and why he often instructed those who had been direct beneficiaries oh his power to keep it to themselves.
What counts in the end, is a relationship with Jesus based on trust, forgiveness and especially love. It is the words of Jesus rather than his wonders that demand devotion, so that with Peter, in verse 68, we can say, "Lord, you have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
Reflect
John chapter 6
Consider
Who could forget a picnic organised by Jesus?
The opening verses of chapter 6 of John's gospel describe the feeding of the 5000, the only miracle to be recorded in all four gospels. A crowd of people follow Jesus because they had seen "the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick," [verse 2]. They are further convinced that someone great is in their midst when they are all fed "as much as they wanted" [11] from the snack box of a boy. Why, you may ask, does God not perform more miracles? Surely that would generate more devout Christians!!
Not so! This episode demonstrates how fickle faith can be that is based on miraculous deeds alone. The crowd were impressed with Jesus' power and had personally benefited from it. Next they want to apply it to further their own ends and "make him king by force," so that he would use his great power to overthrow the Romans. But Jesus has no intention to rule over an earthly kingdom. He wants our loyalty for reasons other than his ability to improve our well being with his amazing deeds.
Notice toward the end of the chapter how shallow is the loyalty of some of the crowd when "many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him." [verse 66]. Perhaps this explains why Jesus used miracles so sparingly and why he often instructed those who had been direct beneficiaries oh his power to keep it to themselves.
What counts in the end, is a relationship with Jesus based on trust, forgiveness and especially love. It is the words of Jesus rather than his wonders that demand devotion, so that with Peter, in verse 68, we can say, "Lord, you have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
Reflect
- On those times when you wanted God to do something for you. Perhaps you have prayed for God to intervene in quite a desperate situation but feel that your prayers have gone unanswered.
- On the words of Jesus which spaek of eternal life and promise that in the end all will be well
- That in the business of life that you find time to hear the words of Jesus.
- For the ability to listen without distraction to the words of Jesus.
- To allow those words to echo in your mind, to wash over you and change your life.
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Mid-week reflection
Based on Scripture Union, "The Bible in a Year"
25 May. day 262
Consider
Throughout May [and continuing into June] at our Sunday evening services we have been looking at the Bible as “The Word of God”. We’ve learned for example that the Bible is “God Breathed” [2 Tim. 3: 16]. That is to say that each of the forty or so individual human authors was directly inspired by God so that, although it was complied over a period of a thousand years, it is amazingly consistent. It’s an awesome thought that the book that you are hold in your hand is actually backed by the power of the Creator of the universe and it’s just as relevant to YOU right NOW as it ever has been to anyone else in history.
In this week’s mid-week reflection the unknown author of Hebrews compares God’s word to a sword that penetrates to the marrow and pierces the innermost secrets of our heart.
As you read the Bible, either in private study or in the fellowship of a home group, you’ll discover that it can cut like a scalpel into your very soul. Sometimes you’ll find out more about yourself than you’d like to. You might even be tempted to stop reading because living in the glare of God’s truth seems too much to bare. But stick to the task and read on! Open up your wounds to God. Show him who you really are and act on what you discover about yourself and about God. It will not be easy but the rewards are immeasurable.
Re read Hebrews 4: 12-13.
Reflect on....
· God’s word is not just something from the ancient past but “living and active” [v12]. What particular situations do you find yourself in now where the bible can guide or help?
· What is it like to live where, “nothing is hidden from God’s sight” and “everything is laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” [v.13]? How does this reality change your priorities? How does it affect your relationships with others? Especially what impact does it have on decisions you are about to take today?
· If you are not all ready in one, will joining a house group enhance your understanding of what God has to say to you through the bible? If so speak with me, Mark or Sheila
Pray
For the word of God to be alive in you and for the courage to let it change your life.
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Mid-week reflection
Based on Scripture Union
Day 255. Wenesday 18 May 2011
Titus, Chapter 3
Reflect....
Titus is one of the three so-called pastoral letters offering practical advice on church affairs. The letter is addressed to Titus who has been assigned to the church in Crete. Read on....
Members of the newly found church in Crete presented quite a challenge: even one of their own leaders described them “as always liars, evil brutes and lazy gluttons.” [1; 12] To sort things out, Paul sends in Titus, a Gentile convert to Christianity and one of his toughest and most trustworthy helpers. Titus has a reputation for plain speaking so is ideally suited for his brief which is to “rebuke them sharply” [1:13].
It is all too easy to be trapped by our Anglican niceness and for us to be economical with the truth even when confronted by behaviour that is abhorrent to God. It is refreshing that in chapter 3 Paul instructs Titus to clearly remind people of their duty to be good citizens, recalling that those who are now Christians were once guilty of the same indulgent behaviour as the Cretans. Believers have an obligation to work for the common good. They should waste time in fruitless theological arguments and anyone who persists in maintaining false teaching is to be left to their own devices.
However, in taking a stand, Titus will have an awesome ally in God and it is by his mercy rather than our own merit that we will be baptised and reborn as people of God.
Re-read 3:3-7 and consider....
A child sits alone in an orphanage. She has no connection to the outside world; the only thing that awaits her is a life of poverty and isolation. One day two visitors arrive with the financial and emotional resources to provide a loving home and they welcome the child as their daughter.
What did the orphan do to deserve this transformation in her life? Nothing. Why did the couple choose her? We don’t know. But they did, and it had nothing to do with actions on her part. They simply had love to give and set their heart on this child.
Do you know how God feels about you? Like the lonely child, God comes to you today with the invitation to live with him and enjoy his gifts. That’s what these verses mean when they say you can become God’s “heir.” You can be adopted into God’s family by being reborn through the power of the Holy Spirit.
God opens his arms and his home and says, “Come to me.”
Why not accept his invitation today?
Pray
· For the courage to confront in love those who offend God.
· For the even greater courage to listen to church leaders who challenge your behaviour and life style.
· Especially for the courage to reach out and accept the hand of God who invites you into his loving home.
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Mid-week reflection
Based on,Scripture Union, Year of the Bible
11 May. Day 248.
2 Timothy 2
11 May. Day 248.
2 Timothy 2
Consider
I’ve heard it said that the only person to welcome change is a baby with a wet nappy! Not quite true perhaps but it does indicate that many of us are fearful of change and that it’s what we remove from our life that leads to contentment.
In today’s reflection Paul reminds us that in order to be “a good soldier of Christ,” [v3] we must stay focussed on the military campaign before us and avoid getting involved in civilian affairs. We are warned not to get sidetracked with “quarrelling about words” [14] or “godless chatter” [16]. As the Lord’s servants we should beware of being distracted by “foolish and stupid arguments” [23] that only produce quarrels. Such things might start off in a trivial way but they can end up being a “trap of the devil” [26] and difficult to break free from.
Our mission is to be a workman or a soldier of Christ who is not ashamed to speak the truth plainly.
Our goal is “eternal glory” [10] and anything that distracts from this is to be eliminated from our lives so God can use us for “any good work” [21].
Reflect on verses 21 & 22.
Paul uses common household imagery to illustrate that we have the choice to be available to God.
If you’ve decided to be a soldier of God are you ready to do your duty and let him use you for anything? If not you can’t be placed in the gold and silver category. Let go of the things in your life that you know aren’t in line with God’s design. When you surrender these things to God, even though in the short term it may create hardship, he’ll have the freedom to work in you for much higher purposes than you’ve ever imagined.
Pray
For release from those things, large or small, that hold you back in your relationship with God or which distract you from your goal “eternal glory.”
Timothy 2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)