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.

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.

Mid-week reflection

Based on,Scripture Union, Year of the Bible
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

Mid-week reflection

Based on Scripture Union, The Bible in a Year
Day, 24I, 1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3

Consider

In this letter Paul is writing to Timothy, his protégé and leader of the house church movement in Ephesus, with advice on church governance. In chapter 3, he specifically addresses the issue of leadership. The church is growing and there is an increasing need for more ministers to continue the work of the apostles. However, despite the need for more “overseers” [bishops or superintendents to use various other English translations] and “deacons”, quality is not to be compromised and Paul expects such people to be vetted to ensure they are of exemplary conduct and character and to be strong in faith.

In our modern “compartmentalised” culture it is increasingly acceptable to lead one life in private and another in public. Infidelity in marriage by those in public office, for example, is considered a private affair and not a matter for public concern.  “Not so!” says Paul. The way we conduct our family and private life defines who we are and has a direct bearing on the way we carry out our church responsibilities.

Its food for thought, too, that Paul’s prime concern is the character of leaders not the functionality of leadership.  The world may be full of good managers and good administrators and these are commendable attributes but something more is required of those in positions of influence in the church. They must be of “excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” [v13].

The Royal wedding was a wonderful spectacle full of pomp, colour and ceremony and was brilliantly organised down to the last detail. But what made it so special and so memorable was the feeling that at the heart of it was the character of a young couple who are decent and kind and deeply in love.

In the prayer written by William and Catherine for their wedding they say, “In the business of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy. Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer.”

I think Paul would approve of the prayer. It is consistent with the idea that Christian character is the foundation of church leadership at whatever level.

Reflect

·         We are all leaders in some form or another.

·         What is that appeals to you about leadership?

·         What do you give to it?

·         What do you take out of it?

Re read & Pray

Re-read chapter 3 and reflect consider the qualities identified by Paul of effective church leadership.

What are the two or three key areas where you can become a better Christian leader?