[Tuesday's Devotional] - When Satan gets an inch

 

Poor Saul.  What an end to his kingship.  His decapitated body strung up as a trophy on the walls of Beth-shan.  The bodies of Jonathan and his other sons strung up beside their father.  It must have been an awful sight - like a vision from a nightmare. It puts me in mind of images from the Holocaust concentration camps of the Second World War.  God's anointed King of Israel: dead and broken on a city wall.  What a blasphemy.  How Satan must have laughed at the sick sight.  Like at the death of God's ultimate anointed one: the Messiah, Jesus a thousand years later.  Thankfully the display of Saul's body was short-lived.  There were righteous, valiant men in nearby Jabesh-Gilead who quietly removed the bodies by night and gave Saul and his sons a decent cremation and burial near their city.

 

David, meanwhile, is kept out of the situation totally because the Philistines don't trust him.  They think that there is a chance of him throwing in his lot with Saul (if only Richard III had thought of that one).  So, instead, David returns to his Philistine home to find that the city has been raided and the inhabitants carried off by the Amalekites. David then goes off with his men on a "Boy's Own" adventure to rescue his wives and the rest of the city.  He then returns as the conquering hero, having saved everyone.  It's like an episode of the A Team.  If only he had been with Saul.  If only it had been different.

 

I find myself reading about these unfolding events with my head in my hands.  I imagine that this day must have broken the heart of God.  Sadly, the day of Saul's death and David's pathetic marginalising had been long in the making.  It started with Saul's jealousy and David's pride many years before.  You see, when God's devoted servants refuse to get on, it can lead to all sorts of evil.  The same is true today.  Hard feelings in our hearts can lead to all sorts of things in the long term.  Hopefully not in as dramatic a way as it did for Saul, but terrible things do happen.  Whenever Christians refuse to live in love with each other, Satan gets an automatic foothold in the situation.  When Christians do live in love with each other, then the results are very different.  If you have had a falling out or are unhappy with your brother or sister in Christ, get it sorted.

 

Search you heart and pray with me:

 

Father I know that you love me unconditionally.  Thank you.  Help me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ too.  If I have offended any of your children, please let me be reconciled.  Give me the grace to accept my failings and repent of them.  Give me the grace to forgive those who have upset and hurt me too.  Lord I know that it is lovely when brothers and sisters dwell in unity.  Let it be so in my relationships with your other children.

 

Amen

 

John Martin-Jones

 

Read the Bible in a year: Psalm68:28-35, 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13, John 19:28-20:9

 

[Monday's Devotional] - A desperate act

 

This week we will focus on the Bible in a year readings from the books of Samuel.

 

It has all been happening in today's reading.  David has been able to enter Saul's camp by night and without waking anyone, steal Saul's spear and water jar.  Despite this miraculous event, David then shows no faith in God and flees to the land of the Philistines.  He then further covers himself in glory by making a living raiding parts of the adjacent land and then lying to his host King about where he has been pillaging.

 

Saul, meanwhile, is preparing for battle with the Philistines, and he is scared.  Very scared.   As a younger, stronger man, Saul had put all of the mediums and necromancers (those who communicate with the dead) out of the land.  He was right to do so.  God is God and it is clearly a lack of faith in him to seek guidance and counsel from the spirit of an ancestor or any other departed person.  This is of course true for us too.  Attempting to communicate with the dead is at best misguided, and at worst a deliberate rebellion against God.  Sadly, I have personally seen the damage that this kind of occult involvement does to people's lives.

 

Saul has lost his faith in God; he is in despair.  He is losing the plot and he turns to a medium.  Of course, this does nothing to halt Saul's decline.  So sad.  But what if?  What if Saul had turned?  What if he had turned to God?  What if he had thrown himself on God's mercy?  What if he had repented?  Well, we will never know.  But we do believe in a God of mercy who can redeem us from even the darkest situations.  Whether it is the spiritual darkness of occult involvement, or any other kind of darkness, God seeks to redeem and restore us.  He wants to redeem and restore us.  He reaches out to redeem and restore us.  The hand of God just has to be grasped in the darkness.

 

Pray with me:

 

Lord, I pray for those standing on the edge of darkness.  Give them the courage to turn back.  For those who have wandered in to the dark, give them the courage to reach out and grasp your hand.  Lead them back to the light and restore them.  I ask this in the name of Jesus who came to seek the lost.

Amen.

 

John Martin-Jones

 

Read the Bible in a year: Psalm 68:21-27, 1Samuel 26:1- 28:25, John 19:1-27

 

[Friday's Devotional] - Praying

Welcome to Friday.  If you have been following the devotionals this week, you will know that we have been on a whistle-stop tour of John 13 to John 17 which cover some of the teaching Jesus gave to his disciples in the last days before his betrayal.

 

Today's passage is John 17 – read it if you get time. The chapter is titled "Jesus Prayer for His Followers' in The Message translation and also extends to all people in the latter part. After this, Jesus is betrayed by Judas (John 18) and the crucifixion process gathers pace.

 

Having read this, the thing that struck me was the intensity of the prayer Jesus prayed.  The Message translation (which you can get on Bible Gateway.com) breaks the chapter down into paragraphs focussing on the different aspects of what Jesus wanted to pray for.

 

I know that when I pray, (which is not as often as I should), I am guilty of wandering around a subject, not really addressing it and basically asking God for something if it's not too much of an inconvenience.  As you read the chapter, see how Jesus is both very direct and yet not overbearing – he fully recognises and respects his relationship with his Father and yet pours out his soul as he knows his time is coming to an end.

 

My challenge today is to learn from the way Jesus prayed and to use it myself.

 

Lord, teach us today to learn how to communicate with you in the way that Jesus did.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Richard Mason

Read the bible in a year:  Psalm 68:7-14, 1 Samuel 19:1-20:42, John 17:6-26   

[Thursday's Devotional] - Joy

We talked yesterday about accepting Jesus love and the release it brings.  Today's reading is John 16 v5 to John 17 v 5 in which Jesus continues to teach the disciples about the coming events of his Crucifixion, his Resurrection, his ascending into Heaven and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

 

As you would expect, the disciples are getting overwhelmed by all this.  In v 12 Jesus says that there is much more for him to teach, but he recognises that it is more than they can now bear.

 

But that doesn't stop him continuing this conversation with the disciples, who are getting upset that the good times appear to be coming to an end and they have little idea of where to go from here.

 

In v 22, Jesus talks about the joy that his return will bring, and spends the rest of the chapter enlarging this picture and getting the disciples to the point where they have an understanding of the idea, the disciples suddenly seemed to "click" around v 29 and confirm that they don't need to ask any further questions – how happy Jesus must have felt at that point.

 

The great thing is this – we too can experience the joy of Jesus coming again – it is the greatest event we have to look forward to, and so long as we remain in Jesus, so will we be there with him when he comes again.

 

Richard Mason

 

Read the bible in a year:  Psalm 68:1-6, 1 Samuel 17:38-18:30,   John 16:5-17:5

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Freedom of Acceptance

Todays reading is John 15 and the first 4 verses of John 16. In the early part of chapter 15, Jesus uses the illustration of the vine and the branches to teach the disciples of the need to remain in Him, which will enable them to flourish.

 

The story so far is that Jesus has been denied 3 times, he has told the disciples that they need to trust in him and everything will be ok, and now he is teaching them about growth.

 

The message within the "vine and branches" story is that of growing, the need to strip back what is not needed and the continued growth and expansion that this will bring.

 

In v10, Jesus talks about laying down one's life for one's friends.  Jesus knew at this point that his crucifixion was imminent and is continuing to set the scene about to unfold to his disciples.

 

I find it incredible that Jesus taught so much about his own death and also used the process to set up the early church through the teaching – a multi dimensional process delivering on many levels, and yet first delivered to a group of fairly simple souls who had not previously experienced this.

 

And yet it worked.  It continues to be relevant and is a key part of setting out Jesus' expectations of his followers.

 

The great thing is that we don't have to be qualified to follow Jesus, there are no entrance exams, we can't buy our way in, it is not for the privileged few.  The only requirement is to accept Jesus love for us, which is the key point of v13.

 

That is a great release, and there is also a freedom that comes with that acceptance of Jesus love that we are forgiven people, accepted and loved by God.

 

Richard Mason

 

Read the bible in a year:  Psalm 67:1-7, 1 Samuel 16:1-17:37, John 15:1-16:4       

 

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Faith

'Don't worry, I have a friend who you have never met who will help you.  It'll be fine. Trust me'

 

This is a very short paraphrase of John 14, verses 25-27. To fill the story in, Jesus has been denied by Peter 3 times, the disciples have just had the news broken to them that his time is coming, he won't be around much longer but will be coming back - and that a friend of his will be coming along to help and that the Father loves them.

 

In the space of 31 verses, Jesus has set out for the disciples the way forward, how they will be supported, and that they are going to witness something that will blow their minds with a crucifixion and rising from the dead.

 

Jesus talks about trust:

 

'Don't let this throw you, you trust God don't you? Trust me' John 14:1 [Message]

 

He then explains what will happen and concludes in v 31 that he is carrying out God's instructions.

 

I have to be honest, if I was there, I would have wanted to ask a few questions, ask if there was an instruction manual and was there online or telephone support.  The answers would have been yes – read the scriptures, pray and ask around.

 

I remember a poster in my parents house many years ago with the quote:

 

'Faith is not faith until it's all you are holding onto'

 

I am really challenged by this idea – I like being in some sort of control but that isn't God's idea of the Christian life – stepping out in faith and being reliant on him rather than our own limited efforts is the key.

 

Today, think about what is your limiting feature? is God challenging you to step out in faith? and if so, what does that look like?

 

Richard Mason

Read the bible in a year:  Proverbs 12:28-13:9, 1 Samuel 14:24-15:35, John 14:1-31

[Monday's Devotional] - Character

 

This week we shall be following the daily bible readings set out for this week from the gospel of John.  Today's passage is John 13 v18-38, where Jesus predicts his betrayal and Peter's denial.

 

This is a well known passage that most of us know the basic gist of what happens – Jesus has washed the feet of the disciples and Peter has asked for everything to be washed, Jesus has mildly rebuked him and then goes on to talk about the impending betrayal and denial.  Peter has tried to get everything on offer and more and in the process has overstepped the mark – good intentions but misplaced.  Consequently, Peter goes on to deny Jesus not once, or twice, but three times.  It doesn't look good for Peter, and he looks the least likely candidate for leading the early church.

 

Reflecting on the passage, I know that I have been there and done this – denied Jesus and my faith, or been economical with the truth about my beliefs to save being ridiculed.

 

I have been reading a book recently called 'Louder than Words' by Andy Stanley.  The title alludes to the fact that it is our actions that define who we are, it is our character that provides a true insight into our being.  At this point in John's gospel, things aren't looking great for Peter, over enthusiastic, wanting everything and then denying all knowledge of the object of his enthusiasm.  Our character is the internal script that determines our response to failure, success, mistreatment and pain.  It impacts every area of our life.

 

It is Peter's character that ultimately turns the situation round – if you read on through the New Testament, it is Peter who is one of the mainstays of the early Church, who leads the disciples following Jesus' ascendancy to heaven.  Peter's character has shone through from a very difficult position, following his repeated denial of Jesus and delivered a strong leader of the early church.

 

Can you identify with this? It is your character that defines your future, and a character based on Jesus' example is the goal.  Today, give some thought about the character you are and whether there are things you need to change to be more like Jesus.

 

Richard Mason

 

Read the bible in a year:  Psalm 66:13-20, 1 Samuel 13:1-14:23, John 13:18-38

[Friday's Devotional] - Mistaken Priorities

What could be more "Christian" than to have a heart for the poor?  It is at the very heart of the gospel and Jesus showed it again and again.  So why was Judas so wrong in our reading today from John 12?  Here was very expensive perfume being 'wasted' by Mary instead of it being sold and the money given to the poor.

Today's concluding thought on 'misconceptions' seems so obvious that it hardly needs comment.  But wait!  Is this not exactly the argument used in so many Church Councils considering major expenditure on buildings or other projects, especially when it seems to be merely to improve the comfort of those worshipping?  Maybe it is not as easy as we thought. How then should we react to Jesus' reply to Judas?
"Leave her alone, it was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." John 12:7-8.

There are seasons when there are conflicting priorities and we need to remember those that are always there and those that are short-tem, but still important.  For example, sometimes we need to attend to our spiritual needs before doing the good works we see as evidence our faith.  Otherwise we may put the cart before the horse in the mistaken belief that our works show our faith.  In Judas' case the disciples were all aware that Judas' zeal for the poor was tempered by his itchy fingers, and we need constantly to remind ourselves about why we do things, no matter how laudable.

So today why not ponder the priorities on your life in the next few days, weeks and months. It is a horrifying thought that if I don't attend to my personal spiritual needs, my spirit withers. Not His fault, I hasten to add, but mine, because He waits for us; but I may blind my eyes to Him.  Judas did that and we know what happened to him.  But so did Peter (remember the cock crow?) and we know what happened to him. (John 21:15f)


Alan Cartwright

Read the Bible in a year:  Proverbs 12:18-27, 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17, John 11:45-12:11

[Thursday's Devotional] - Mistaken Beliefs

 

Poor Martha!  Several times in John's gospel she seems to be on the wrong tack with her beliefs.  In the story we have today of Lazarus in John 11, so familiar to Christians, it is Martha's belief in the resurrection that Jesus startles her into changing.  No, no, Jesus seems to say: resurrection is now, not then!  And then goes on to illustrate it in such a dramatic way by raising Lazarus from the dead.

It is easy to grow up with beliefs inherited from our spiritual fathers.  For years I believed passionately that the Holy Spirit of God inhabits all Christians, that Christians receive the Holy Spirit at conversion which begins that miracle of change that makes us more like Jesus. I was a bit disappointed that God was taking his time in my case, but I persevered.  Then one day, a preacher spoke of the third person of the Trinity is such a different way: of the Spirit who empowers, gifts and transforms those who are willing to open their hearts to him.  I wanted that and like Martha, underwent a heart change of belief.  Afterwards I said to someone: 'the longest distance in the world is the distance from the head to the heart'.  My misconception was that the head was the sole seat of our faith.  A silly notion given the number of words in the Psalms especially about the heart – but we hold our beliefs very tenaciously.

Maybe we need to be more ready for the Lazarus experience in our lives, where Jesus says of us "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." (John 11:44). I know what my grave clothes were – and probably still have others binding me.  It needed God's Holy Spirit – the power of God – to intervene in Lazarus, and it needed that same power in me.  Let us read that story again and ask ourselves now and in the next few days, some hard questions about what might be binding us – ask them of God and have him show you. Maybe like Martha something marvellous will be revealed.

Alan Cartwright

Read the Bible in a year:  Psalm 64:1-10, 1 Samuel 2:27-4:22, John 11:1-44

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Human Misconceptions

To err is human, but to really mess things up you need a computer!  Computers work logically.  Tell a computer to suggest a present for your girlfriend between £20 and £30 and the computer does, but it also logically rejects 40 possible presents costing £19.99 and 50 costing just over £30.  The problem with them is – no imagination!

We think we want facts like that.  "Jesus: tell us plainly, are you the Christ?" [John 10 24] sounds so plausible a question.  But the problem is again, no imagination.  In this case it was a question of what they wanted to hear, not what was strictly logical.  If Jesus had said "Yes I am the Christ", would his hearers have accepted it?  It was logically correct, but he clearly did not meet their expectations and they would have rejected him.

Faith is complex.  What we expect of God depends so much on our preconceptions of God. Many Christians pray every day – fervently and faithfully, but they are somewhat surprised if they get what they are praying for!  Why is that?  It is not lack of faith – they believe in God, but the world seems so big and so complex somehow it seems inconceivable for their little prayers to have any effect.  So maybe we limit our prayers to make them more feasible.

That's where Jesus reply to his questioners is so odd.  Read it in John 10:27-28.  "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life"
 
"Be a sheep: trust your shepherd and ask away.  If you follow him I will give you eternal life…" What was that! Eternal Life? Where did that come from?

God is extravagant beyond our wildest dreams.  Ask away, pray extravagantly and you will be surprised at what he will do with our prayers.

Alan Cartwright

Read the Bible in a year:  Psalm 63:1-11, 1 Samuel 1:1-2:26, John 10:22-42

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Favourite Misconceptiopns

It is very hard to give up our favourite misconceptions.  The Pharisees in John 9:35-10:21 clearly did not want to give up their ideas about how their particular version of the Law in the Old Testament applied to people's daily lives.  They fell into the trap of believing that what they thought was what God thought.  So if Jesus said and did things contrary to their rules, then he could not be of God and therefore must be of the devil.  Sounds extreme, but notice the words of John 10:20 "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?"

In our age many different denominations exist, each convinced of the truth of their view.  Like the Pharisees in the story, churches can be tempted into thinking they have the ear of God and others who disagree must by definition be of the devil.  The result has been that around 21,000 denominations exist worldwide.

Jesus says he is the gate for sheep: sheep! Animals that wander, who seem the stupidest of creatures, the very last animal you might think of to represent humanity.  It doesn't seem to say much for us if Jesus thinks that, does it!  Yet he said it in a good way, a loving way – for he laid down his life for his sheep.  Surely, given that picture, we should look carefully at our own strongly held beliefs and make sure we still regard ourselves as sheep, and remember he has other sheep, not of this fold.  Whatever that means, it must mean there are some who are not necessarily in my church, my congregation.

So today, let's look at our brothers and sisters across our differences and remember, we do sometimes have misconceptions ourselves!  Let's not be scattered, but pray today we may be one.

Alan Cartwright

Read the Bible in a year:  Psalm 62:1-12, Ruth 3:1-4:22, John 9:35-10:21

[Monday's Devotional] - Misconceptions

Are we missing out on what God wants for us?  Do we live, as many did when Jesus walked this earth all those years ago, with misconceptions about Him?

Take for example the story written in John 9: one of the funniest stories in the whole bible! Read it and we cannot help but be struck by the humour in it.  A miracle had been done on the blind man: but watch those who opposed Jesus trying to wriggle round the evidence.  'It can't be him', they say, trying to get his parents to disown him.  The parents, obviously scared, tell them "Ask him, he is of age".  When asked to tell his story yet again the healed man exclaims, "Why, do you want to be his disciples too?" to which the Pharisees reply "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!"

Let us smile and enjoy the silliness of those 'church leaders', and perhaps smile at ourselves when we take ourselves too seriously.  Sometimes a laugh at ourselves may just defuse a situation and enable us to restore good relationships.  Maybe God gave us humour for that reason – as well as to enjoy the good things of life!

But as you read the story, did you also notice the difference in the attitude of Jesus towards the man born blind compared with those of the disciples, the people around and the Pharisees?  All except Jesus assumed that the blind man's disability was something that disadvantaged him in ways that were not related to his blindness.  'Did he sin, or was it his parents?' ask the disciples. After being healed the bystanders ask 'Surely this can't be the same man?'  The Pharisees were very clear: he was 'steeped in sin at birth'.

Jesus never thought of him that way: the blind man was there to show the work of God!  Do we see people in His way?  That woman in the wheelchair is there to show the work of God; that old man in the hospital bed is there to show the work of God?  That poor man trying to sell a magazine in the street – there to show the work of God?

Or do we too have misconceptions about those we see during our day?

Alan Cartwright

Read the Bible in a year:  Proverbs 12:8-17, Ruth 1:1-2:23, John 9:1-34

[Friday's Devotional] - Blind to the truth?

 

No prophet arises from Galilee
John 7:53

 

The officers of the temple police were deployed to arrest Jesus.  They returned empty-handed.  Their only excuse to their angry senders was that 'No one ever spoke like this man.'  Jesus was still at large.  They just had not been able to do it. However, instead of wanting to know more, the Sanhedrin's response was to accuse their officers of being deceived.  They secured this accusation by asking if any of the Pharisees had been taken in by Jesus?  Apparently, they were the measure of whether someone was speaking God's word.

 

Obviously, the point that John is making is that it was not the temple police officers that were deceived at all.  They refused to lay a hand on Jesus after hearing him.  They had responded to him.  It was the Sanhedrin that were deceived.  They were determined to end Jesus life at all costs.  They were continually hardening their hearts to Jesus.  Nicodemus gets a slapped wrist for suggesting that they should play fair, and it is pointed out to him that prophets do not come from Galilee.  Well that is true, with the exceptions of Jonah and possibly Elijah and Nahum too.  Clearly the Sanhedrin is being a tad biased and deliberately blind here.  But don't cast a stone just yet.

 

Search you heart.  Have you ever been deliberately blind to the truth?  Have you ever been part of a group that has a developed a collective will that is ungodly? Groups can be dangerous things.  How many times has a group of people been persuaded to come to a decision that the individual members would never have agreed to on their own?  Have you ever told a Nicodemus to be quiet or mocked someone for daring to speak against the prevailing spirit of the group?  I probably have and evil actions can grow from such meetings.

 

Pray with me…. Father, I am sorry for the times that I have allowed myself to be drawn into a wrong decision by not guarding myself properly in a group.  I am sorry for the times when I have blindly gone with the flow.  Please guard my mind in moments of danger and enable me to speak for you boldly even when it means going against the will of my friends.

In Jesus' name.  Amen

 

John Martin-Jones

 

Read the Bible in a year: Psalm60:1-14, Judges16:1-17:13, John7:45-8:11

[Thursday's Devotional] - Discipline and diligence

 

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge
Proverbs 12:1

 

Samson.  What a nightmare!  I mean, what would you do with him in your church? There he is, very young, very male, very tall, very strong, massively over-confident and charging around trying to pick a fight with Israel's enemies at all times.  As some of you know, I do have the experience of dealing a bit with one zealous young giant, but my stepson was no enfant terrible and being a part of his life has been a very happy experience for me.  However, if my wife had introduced me to Samson as a possible stepson, then the story of our relationship might have been very different and somewhat shorter.  What if Samson arrived at m2o?  Well, I can imagine all the mature male Christians visiting Samson en masse and giving him some heavy counselling.  It would be just what he needed as well.

 

The good news for Samson though is that despite his unsavoury life, God will walk with him anyway.  Despite his dubious reasons for marriage and lifelong weakness towards women, God will make his life part of the history of salvation.  This is good news for us too, of course, in our individual weakness.  However, Samson's life could have been different.  He could have sought the counsel of older, wiser, Godly people and used his remarkable abilities differently.  Who knows what may have happened then?

 

Our reading from Proverbs today speaks directly into Samson's situation giving direct advice on marriage and conduct.  Proverbs is a much underused book in the life of the church, but gives timeless wisdom, teaching on how to live successfully God's way.  Why would you want to have a DIY set of values, like Samson did, knocked up on the spot and full of holes, when you can live by the wisdom that God gives if only you are disciplined to seek it.  If you have time today, read chapter 1 of Proverbs again and think for a while on achieving true wisdom.

 

Pray with me… Lord, you promise to those who believe in you that Rivers of Living Water will flow from their hearts. Give us the discipline and diligence to seek you and live by your word so that those streams of water will flow from our hearts.  In Jesus' name. Amen

 

John Martin-Jones

 

Read the Bible in a year: Proverbs11:29-12:7, Judges14:1-15&20, John7:14-44

 

[Wednesday's Devotional] - The power of words

 

Lord, to whom else shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
John 6:68

 

Words are powerful things.  We all know, probably from personal experience, that the old saying about sticks and stones is just a defence.  Names and hard words will always hurt.  But it's not simply words that have got Jephthah into trouble in our reading from Judges 11, it is a vow.  He has promised to sacrifice to God the first thing that comes out of his doors when he gets home.  Tragically, and in a move copied by fairytale writers, it is his daughter.  It could be that he did sacrifice her to God as a burnt offering.  However, the Levitical laws did allow for a vow that would end in sin to be broken and human sacrifice was clearly an abomination.  Hopefully, and it is still harsh, Jephthah simply dedicated his daughter to perpetual virginity, which would have ended his family line even so.  No wonder the people of Israel wanted a King with all that going on!

 

Speaking of Kings, enter Jesus (neat link I thought).  In our reading today he is losing followers due to the uniqueness of his claims and struggling with his brothers who seem keen to put him on display, but do not really believe in him.

 

After Jesus explained that he is the true bread that has come down from Heaven, many of his disciples start to grumble.  Many left because of what he claimed about himself.  People getting offended by the uniqueness of Jesus' claims is not a new thing.  It would appear that the disciples who left Jesus were happy to follow him while he was turning water to wine and feeding five thousand people and saying interesting things.  That was entertaining and did not demand any personal commitment.  However, when Jesus started describing himself as the 'Son of Man' and saying that eternal life is given through feeding on him, people start getting offended and leaving.  Not Simon Peter though.  This time he sums the situation up perfectly.  When Jesus asks him if he is going to leave he repiles … "Lord, to whom else shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life."  That says it all really.

 

John Martin-Jones

 

Read the Bible in a year:  Psalm 59:9 -17, Judges 11:29-13:35, John6:60-7:13

 

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Belief and alignment

 

Believe in him whom he has sent.

John 6:29

 

My brother once asked me if I played the National Lottery.  I replied that I did not believe in the lottery.  He was quiet for a second and then replied.  "Sorry John.  It does exist."  Laugh?  I thought I would never start!  However, it was a good line to use and I have now used it myself on more than one occasion.  Smart Alec brothers do have their uses!  Clearly there are two ways of believing in someone or something.  You can believe that they exist, as I do with the lottery, or you can believe in them meaning that you agree with and align yourself with their purposes.  In today's reading, Jesus is asking us to do both. 

 

The majority of people believe in the historical fact of the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth.  In fact there is so much evidence that it would be absurd not to.  Less people believe in the claims of Jesus, but it has been estimated that a third of the world's population is Christian and so, if this is to be believed, one in three of us believe that Jesus is the Son of God and more than a mere historical figure.  But how many of us believe in Jesus in the way that Jesus is asking for here?  Not merely giving a creedal assent to his existence and claims, but actually really aligning ourselves with his purposes and mission.

 

In our reading from John's gospel today, Jesus describes believing in him as doing the work of God.  The belief that Jesus is asking for here is not just a mental "Amen" to who he is.  No.  He is looking for a belief that will change our lives; that will result in action.  When, because of our belief in Jesus, we align ourselves with Christ and his purposes our lives will be changed by him.

 

Now, at the risk of being ministered to next Sunday, I will admit that too often my belief in Jesus is mental and I do not allow that belief to change me and my life.  I don't think that I am the only one guilty of this.

 

Pray with me… Jesus help me not just to believe that you are the Son of God, but to do the will of your Father by living out my belief in you and having my life changed by you.  Please help me, dear Lord.  Amen

 

John Martin-Jones

 

 

Read the Bible in a year: Psalm 59:1-8, Judges 10:1-11&28, John 6:25-59

 

[Monday's Devotional] - Living in Peace

 

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Romans 12:18

 

I heard this reading recently at my stepson's wedding.  I was struck by the simplicity and practicality of what Paul is saying.  However, it can sadly seem to be so much harder, even for Christians to live it out.

 

Sometimes we try and live in peace with all, but certain people will not let us live in peace with them.  Clearly there comes a time when you have to leave them to God and shake the dust from your feet.  However, there are other times when people can continue to live in peace despite circumstances that could lead them to choose not to.  I want to share a personal example.  I do not do this to hold myself up as a great shining example, more to show what can be done by people as weak as I am when we try and live out what Paul is saying.

 

Several years ago I went through a divorce.  Happily and mercifully, I am now married to a wonderful and remarkable woman.  But I have been through a divorce, and my experiences have led me to believe that divorce is not just one of those things, not just something to shrug your shoulders over and say oh well we tried.  No. Divorce is a tragedy and a disaster.  However, you don't change that by hating your ex-wife or ex-husband.  Of course, that just makes it worse.  My ex-wife and I have always tried to remain amicable and to live peacefully with each other despite our differences.

 

I was very touched recently when my former in-laws, who are a wonderful Christian couple, offered me a bookcase from their house.  They are moving into sheltered accommodation.  It is a piece of furniture that I have always liked and they were glad for me to have it.  They explained that they did not want any money for it, but as I would need to hire a van to fetch it, would I mind taking the furniture that my ex-wife wanted to her house for her too.  That was the deal, and of course I agreed.

 

Just an everyday example of Christian people trying to live peaceably with each other.  Sometimes your efforts are reciprocated.

 

John Martin-Jones

 

 

Read the Bible in a year:  Psalm 58:1-11, Judges 9:1-57, John 6:1-24

 

 

[Friday's Devotional] - Believing

Please read this selection from today's reading in John's gospel:

 

(46)  Once more Jesus visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.  (47)  When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.  (48)  "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."  (49)  The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."  (50)  Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed.  (51)  While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.  (52)  When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour."  (53)  Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed. (54) This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.

John 4:46-54 [NIV]

 

The royal official is said to have believed twice, once in v.50 and again in v.53.  In v.50 he believed Jesus' promise that his son would not die.  But believing that Jesus can and will heal is not enough to save. What is it that the royal official believed in v.53?  The explanation is found in v. 54.

 

The miracle that Jesus performed was his Second Sign (see also 2:11).  These signs in John's Gospel were performed so that people might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing they might have life (20:31).

 

When the royal official realised that his son had been healed, he knew that Jesus was more than a mere mortal – he knew that Jesus was the Son of God.  He then placed his faith in Jesus and was born again.

 

There is a belief about facts and there is the belief of faith.  James (2:19) warns us that "even the demons believe" the facts of who Jesus is.  This is a head belief.  But to be born again we need the belief of the heart, a belief of faith, putting our hope and trust in Jesus.

 

Martin Saxby

 

Read the Bible in a Year: Psalm 57:1-6; Judges 6:1-7:8a; John 4:43-5:15

 

[Thursday's Devotional] - "Come - see, a man"

The woman at the well was so impressed with Jesus and amazed at his knowledge of her and of truth, she couldn't keep it to herself

 

(28) Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people,  (29)  "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"
John 4:28-29

……………………..……

(39) Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did."  (40)  So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.  (41)  And because of his words many more became believers.  (42)  They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world."
John 4:39-42 [NIV] 

 

Her invitation – "come, see a man" (v.28) led many people into faith in Jesus, not because of her great eloquence or understanding, but as a result of her simple testimony "He told me everything I ever did." (v.39) – this led them to find out for themselves and now they believe because "we have heard for ourselves" (v.42).

 

Invitation and simple testimony are the preludes to many changed lives.  Ask God to give you eyes to see and boldness to seize the opportunity to do those simple things today.

 

Martin Saxby

 

 

Read the Bible in a Year: Psalm 56:1-13; Judges 2:6-3:31; John 4:27-42

 

 

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Not Where but How and Whom!

Today's reading is the wonderful story of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman, of questionable character, at a well.  Do make time to reflect on the details of this passage but here is just one bit:

 

(19)  "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet.  (20)  Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."  (21)  Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.  (22)  You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.  (23)  Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.  (24)  God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth."
John 4:19-24 [NIV]

 

The first thing to note here is that Father seeks us!  God seeks after those who will worship him in spirit and in truth.

 

God is not limited by time and space.  When people are born of the Spirit, they can commune with God anywhere.  Spirit is the opposite of what is material and earthly, for example Mount Gerizim.  Christ makes worship a matter of the heart.

 

Truth is what is in harmony with the nature and will of God.  It is the opposite of what is false.  Here the truth is specifically the worship of God through Jesus Christ.

 

The issue is not where a person worships, but how and whom!

 

This is so relevant to members of m2o in Rugby as we had to consider whether to keep the old St. Matthew's church building or whether to create a new home in St. Oswald's church.   We have made the difficult decision to stay at St. Oswald's where we continue to worship the one true God in spirit and in truth.

 

Martin Saxby

 

Read the Bible in a Year: Proverbs 11:9-18; Judges 1:1-2:5; John 4:1-26

 

 

[Tuesday's Devotional] - A Question of Status

John the Baptist had a very specific and significant ministry, his role was one foretold by the prophets as preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah.  But now Jesus was here and some of Jesus' disciples were baptising people and the disciples of John the Baptist were confused – they weren't happy at the disciples of Jesus usurping their master's role!

 

John has to sort out the dispute:

 

(25)  An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.  (26)  They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan--the one you testified about--well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."  (27)  To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.  (28)  You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.'  (29)  The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.  (30)  He must become greater; I must become less.  (31)  "The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.

John 3:25-31 [NIV]

 

John is very clear about his relationship to Jesus - He must become greater; I must become less. (v.30).  Jesus had to increase:

1.      Because of his divine origin (v.31)

2.      Because of his divine teaching  (v.32-34)

3.      Because of his divine authority  (v.35,36)

 

John recognised that he had played his part, he had fulfilled his responsibilities and he now had to give way to someone who was greater than he.  This shows a remarkable level of humility.  He was prepared to see his status change and certainly did not seek or assert his status.

 

We live in a very status conscious age and people are keen to assert their rights as they see them.  Neither John nor Jesus was impressed by such attitudes.  Are you?

 

Martin Saxby

 

Read the Bible in a Year: Psalm 55:12-23; Joshua 23:1-24:33; John 3:22-36