[Friday's Devotional] - Reconciled

The final picture about how the death of Christ saves us is taken from the home.  Through what Jesus did on the cross, we have been reconciled to the Father.

The word 'reconciled' implies that we once had a relationship with God which was broken; but that through the finished work of Christ that relationship has now been restored.

Sin destroys relationships.  Our relationship with the Father was broken when we disobeyed him and enthroned ourselves as the authority in our lives.  But Christ has changed all that.  Paul writes in 2Corinthians 5: 19,

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.  And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

To be reconciled with God is to be 'at one' with him.  We have peace with him through Christ.  From this comes the word atonement.  And our reconciliation with the Father leads to two important things: We are adopted as his children, and we have access to him in prayer.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are! – 1 John 3: 1

We have seen that through the death of Jesus on the cross, the wrath of God has been averted, we have been bought back from the slavery of sin, we have been pronounced 'not guilty' and we have been reconciled with the Father.  All of this happened because Jesus chose to take my place and yours on the cross.

The response we need to make is simply to believe.  To believe is to trust God for all the things he has done for us in Christ.

Praise my soul, the King of Heaven;

To his feet thy tribute bring.

Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,

Who like thee His praise should sing?

Lord Jesus, thank you for taking my place on the cross.  Thank you that because of you I have been reconciled to the Father.  Amen.

David Long

[Thursday's Devotional] - Not guilty

In the previous two devotionals, we have looked at two pictures of how the death of Jesus is good news for us.  The idea of averting the anger of God (propitiation) comes from the Temple, and the idea of redemption comes from the market place.  Today's picture, of justification, comes from the law court.

The idea here is that we are standing before the judge, before God, who knows exactly how we have lived our lives.  We know we have done wrong; the evidence is against us; and we will be sentenced.

But before sentence is pronounced, Jesus steps in.  He speaks on our behalf.  The penalty we deserve he has already paid through dying on the cross.  We are no longer guilty in the eyes of the judge.  We are free to go.

Paul writes [Romans 3: 23 - 24]:

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

We stand before God as forgiven people not because of anything we have done, but because of what Christ has done for us.  He justifies by his grace – his undeserved love.

Because the sinless Saviour died,

My sinful soul is counted free;

For God, the Just, is satisfied

To look on him and pardon me.

Lord Jesus, thank you for paying the penalty for my sins so that I can go free.

David Long

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Ransomed

In ancient times, you might find a member of your family had fallen on hard times and had been taken on as a slave.  To rescue them from this awful state of affairs, you could redeem them by paying a sum of money – a ransom.

To redeem something means 'to buy back'.  So slaves, property, animals and so on could be redeemed by the payment of a ransom.  The first born males of all livestock belonged to God.  But some of them could be redeemed (bought back) by paying a ransom.  This was a decisive and often costly thing to do.

Jesus, in Mark's gospel [Mark 10: 45] says,

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus is saying that we as human beings are held in captivity as slaves; only the payment of a ransom can free us, and that ransom is the costly death of Jesus on the cross.  We had become slaves to sin – we were not free.  But Christ gave up his freedom in order for us to be released.

O Perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,

To every believer the promise of God;

The vilest offender who truly believes

That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Lord Jesus, thank you that you paid the ultimate price for our sins in giving up your life.  Thank you that we are no longer slaves to sin, but free to serve you.

David Long

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Averting the anger of God

Does God get angry?  We might hear a lot about God's love in our churches these days, but we don't hear so much about his anger.  While the Bible does have quite a lot to say about God's anger, we must not get divine and human anger mixed up.

We are often angry when our pride is hurt.  Human anger can be unpredictable, selfish and sinful.  But God's anger is quite different.  His wrath does not explode like human anger; it is controlled, steady but unrelenting.  And his anger is always directed against the same thing: against evil.

As sinful people our sins ought to be the object of his righteous anger, but the Bible makes it clear that on the cross, it was Jesus who was the focus:

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  [1 John 4: 10]

The technical term for 'atoning sacrifice' is propitiation.  There is the sense of Christ appeasing or pacifying God's anger.

Our sins made us the target for the wrath of God; but Jesus, by bearing our sins, received the full force of that anger.  We see this in the cry of dereliction from the cross:  My God, my God why have you forsaken me?  The agony of the crucifixion was not merely in the physical pain that Jesus suffered (awful as it was), but in loneliness he endured as even the Father turned away from him.

Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

Lord Jesus, thank you that although we deserved to be on the receiving end of the Father's wrath, you stepped in and died for our sins.

David Long

[Monday's Devotional] - In my place

Most Christians are clear that the climax of Jesus' ministry was his death.  The Old Testament looks forward to it, the life of Jesus leads to it, and the rest of the New Testament spends much of its time explaining it.

How, then, does the Bible explain the atonement, the death of Jesus for our sins?  In this week's devotionals we will explore some of the pictures that are used.

The Bible is clear that all human beings are sinners.  We have all fallen short of God's high standards; we have chosen to do wrong things; we have acted as if we were God – putting not him, but ourselves first.

But God, out of sheer love for us, suffered in our place.  He took our guilt and sin and, in the person of Jesus, died on the cross.  It should have been us hanging on the cross; instead it was God.  We, in sinning, had put ourselves where only God deserved to be; he sacrificed himself putting himself where only we deserved to be.

Bearing shame and scoffing rude

In my place condemned He stood

Sealed my pardon with his blood.

Alleluia! What a Saviour!

This is substitution.  Jesus suffered and died in our place.  He took our sins –all of them; we received his righteousness – his right standing before the Father.  Paul puts it like this:

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  [2Corinthians 5: 21]

Thank you, Lord Jesus that you were willing to take all my sins and the penalty that goes with them.  Thank you that because of the cross I have been put right with the Father.

David Long

[Friday's Devotional] - Damaging content

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Phillipians 4:8 [ESV]

 I am fairly ignorant of online pornography; I have seen very little of it. I do not look for it, even for academic reasons, as I don’t want to see people made in God’s image being degraded. The only glimpses I have had of it have happened by mistake when Googling the name a flight crew gave to an aircraft.  Let’s just leave it there. However, despite my ignorance (thank you God) I have been a teacher for ten years and have seen the damage that online images can do to young people.  I have seen young peoples’ perceptions of themselves and others damaged by online images; their use of language and imagery changed by it.  I have seen pupils huddled in groups in the school yard, looking keenly at a phone that is quickly clicked off when they know a teacher is approaching.  I am full of admiration for parents who seek to make their young people accountable and open about their use of the internet. They are too few.

Studies suggest that up to half of the men that regularly attend church are, at least, occasional internet pornography users. If that is you, find a Christian man that you can trust and pray with and get it sorted.  Bring to the healing light of Christ and make yourself accountable to a brother in Christ.

You see, Satan is afraid of the internet.  It has the potential to bring people together.  I don’t just mean Christian people either.  Anything that brings people into genuine community can make people ask questions about things bigger than themselves and point them to Jesus. Satan will seek to use the internet to feed people’s selfish and inward looking desires. He will try and use it to keep people isolated and ashamed or feed worse desires in people. The good news is though that Jesus is Lord and not Satan.

For prayer…  Pray your use of the internet that Jesus will keep you from temptation. Pray the same for those that you love and for any that you know are using the internet darkly. Pray that Jesus is king as you and others use the internet.

… whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4: 8 [NIV]

John Martin-Jones

[Thursday's Devotional] - Being Real

 'Iron sharpens iron as one man sharpens another'. Proverbs 27:17 [NIV]

I heard of a church minister who effectively banned the men of his church from using Facebook. His argument was that their temptation to seek out old girlfriends would overcome them and they would begin rekindle old relationships. Well that maybe true, but I would suggest that online social networks have a more subtle danger to them. Today, I want to flag up a couple of dangers of using social networks.

1)    Who are you when you are online? Sounds daft doesn't it, but I am noticing that people don't only have pseudonyms when they are online, they sometimes have pseudo personalities too. These range from the deliberately wacky and bizarre, the person becoming an amplified version of themselves when online for some reason, to those that are just nicer than they are in the real world. The above quote from Proverbs talks about one man sharpening another. This happens through being real and honest with each other. You will never grow through your online communications if you are putting on an act.

2)    When and why do you browse social networks?  You may not be deliberately looking for an old girlfriend / boyfriend, but your browsing may not be healthy. You may be flicking around Facebook because you are bored and using as a means to procrastinate. Or, you may be using online friendships to compensate for the issues that you have in your 'offline' friendships.

So maybe you have read the above and thought, 'no I'm ok; I am not doing either of those things'. Great, keep them as a mental checklist for the future. Or maybe you recognize something of yourself in the above. There are, of course, other unhealthy habits you can get into online too. You see, online friendships have their place and, as we have seen, can be very positive. However, we weren't made to live online. We were made primarily for real, face to face, relationships with people in our vicinity. We were made to exist and grow together in real community. 'Iron sharpens iron as one man sharpens another'. We grow through rubbing off and sparking off each other. Iron is never sharpened by being waved at a computer screen.

For prayer. Talk to God about when and why you use online social media.

John Martin-Jones

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Encourage one another

 'Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.' 1 Thessalonians 5:11 [NIV]

As you know, the Bible moves from the rural idyll of Eden in Genesis to the New Jerusalem, the city of God, in Revelation.  A city is meant to be a place of the greatest potential, of humans living and working together creatively and in harmony.  Sadly, you don't need to read many news stories to understand that the city can also be a place of alienation, violence and chaos.  Online digital media has served to create something of a global city as you can instantly communicate with people in other parts of the world.  The potential for good and harm in the online city is like that of the concrete city.  We may not be physically connecting with the people we communicate with 'online' in the same way that we do even by telephone, but the potential for good or ill is there just the same.  We need to be aware of this when we post our thoughts and respond to other peoples' on social networks.

Now I try and post interesting and wholesome comments or concerns.  I try to be an online Barnabas (brother of encouragement) to those I communicate with.  I may fail in this, but it is what I aim to do.  You see, a harmful word to one person, harms one person.  However, a harmful post or comment?  Well, you do the maths.  The other thing to be considered, of course, is that people who are not Christians will be developing their thoughts about the church and Christians by looking at your comments.  There is no need to become neurotic, but we do need to be aware of the major impact that our posts can have.  If we use social networks then we are people of great influence.  So, before we post or comment, I would suggest that we need to consider at least two things. You might have some more thoughts to add to the list.

1)    Will these words honor God?

2)    Will they encourage and build people up?

Have a great day and let your light shine in the world of online social networks.

For prayer. Bring your use of online social media before God and talk to him about it.

John Martin-Jones

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Who are you in touch with?

Some years ago a website called ‘Friends Reunited’ was launched. It allowed you to post your particulars under your school year and the name of your primary school, secondary school and university etc. It was a way of finding people from your past that you had lost touch with. The advent of Facebook meant that ‘Friends Reunited’ simply became a tool for finding friends to add to your Facebook list. Now you can expect to be in almost daily contact with people that you may not have seen for years via online social media. Personally I know that I wouldn’t be in contact with my cousins ‘Simon and Rachel’from one decade’ end to another if not for Facebook. I would completely have lost touch with Dan an old school friend too by now if not for daily meetings with his thoughts on Twitter and FB. The world has changed massively and quickly as has the way we communicate.

So what does this mean for us as Christians? We will explore tomorrow how we are people of greater influence because of online social media, but for today the question is, how do we use our connections for Christ’s kingdom? The answer, I believe, is not simply to make every single post evangelistic.  I have at least one atheist friend who dislikes reading my ‘Gody’ thoughts, but remains my Facebook friend because of the other things that I post too.  The fact that she dislikes my ‘Gody’ posts means she is reading them!  But it strikes me that it is not just the ‘Gody’ posts that witness to my Christian faith.  Because I am a Christian and that is known by people, every post that I put up is a witness to my Christian faith for good or ill.  The fact is that Christian social media users are online witnesses to Jesus and potential online evangelists.  We may not be good at it, but our every post tells people about the difference that Jesus does or does not make in our lives.  It is easy to see our online activity as ‘virtual’ and removed from our face to face interactions with people, but what we post (say) online has a real impact on the reader.

…and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8  [NIV]

For prayer… Talk to God about how you reflect him online.

John Martin-Jones

[Monday's Devotional] - Twittering Hope

I thought that I would base this week's devotionals around the use of online social media. I was very "anti" when my wife first set up a Facebook account some years ago, but then I got my own and have never really looked back. There are, of course, dangers and pitfalls with using online social media and we will look at some of these this week, but I want to focus on the positive aspects of it for us as Christians too.

I only recently started using Twitter, I rarely 'tweet' my own thoughts, but often 'retweet' the thoughts of others that I find inspiring. Twitter allows me to hear the thoughts of national church leaders and enables me to be more informed about the issues facing us as a nation and beyond. More than that, I find it incredibly encouraging to be able to connect with what the rest of the Body of Christ is doing in our nation and beyond in a way that would be impossible just a few years ago. I get great encouragement from hearing the thoughts of…

Canon Andrew White: @vicarofbaghdad

Nicky Gumbel: @nickygumbel

John Sentamu: @JohnSentamu                          to name, but a few.

I get updates on issues facing Christians today from…

General Synod - CofE: @GenSyn

Christian Concern: @CConcern

and for an extra dose of inspiration, we get a daily dose of C.S Lewis' wisdom from

C. S. Lewis: @CSLewisDaily

To get a flavor of the sort of thing that gets attached to tweets I include a link below. This was tweeted by Steve Chalke and shows what London based church did on 'Good Friday' to worship and raise funds for a local foodbank.

http://bit.ly/YLueT5

You can follow people on twitter without ever tweeting anything yourself and just receive the thoughts of great people. 

For prayer…Thank God for the benefits of ICT, use them wisely and fully.

Have a great day.

John Martin-Jones

[Friday's Devotional] - Charting new waters?

It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. Hebrews 11: 7 [NLT]

The Bible says in James chapter 2, faith without works, is dead. If we just sit and think about good intensions without expressing our faith by actually doing something, then our faith is dead.

I like studying the heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter 11. One of them was Noah who heard God telling him to build an ark in order to save his family from an impending judgement of all people in his generation, through floods. It is written that Noah obeyed God's instruction even though it had never rained before. This, brethren is great faith.

What is God telling you to do for Him, yourself or even for others? We cannot hear Him say a thing if we don't read our Bibles and learn to slow down and listen to Him.

Often God will lead us through new paths, something we may have never seen or tried before. For example, after the death of Moses, Joshua had to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land across the Jordan River. Isn't it amazing that God made Him cross the river during the flood season? He did this so that when the waters parted, people would see His glory in a greater way and Joshua himself knew God from a new perspective. God showed he was in control and that He was the same God who was with Moses.

If God is leading you to do something you have never experienced before, consider this staggering promise from Jesus in John chapter 15: 9 [NLT]:

  "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me…."

Consider all the miracles and Jesus' great deeds and glory when He walked this earth. There is no doubt God loved Him. Elsewhere the same Jesus said whatever He said these were not His words but the Father's exact words.

So, let us believe God's words above. He loves us as much as He loved Jesus. God is with us and ready to act in response to our acts of faith, just as He supported Jesus' every act of faith.

Farai Mutsambiwa

[Thursday's Devotional] - Believing God is the main job we have

….The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without the Law to instruct them.  But whenever they were in trouble and turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him out, they found him.

2 Chronicles 15: 2 – 4 [NLT]  

As we continue to seek the Lord for answers to our needs, let's make sure that we remain committed to Him for this is one of the conditions to answered prayer. If we abandon Him and His word, we forfeit His grace. This is a very clear pattern recorded in the Old Testament for our benefit – whenever Israel abandoned their God, He also abandoned them.

I know Satan may already be trying to deceive us by thinking we are in the New Testament age. Don't be cheated. God is the same, today, yesterday and tomorrow. How many of us know that if God only stops watching over us or just stops being God in our lives and gives us the free will to do whatever we like, we are finished?

Instead of ignoring or running away from God, we should come to Him for protection and blessings all the time. So don't wait for trouble to knock on the door for you to seek Him.

Farai Mutsambiwa

[Wednesday's Devotional] - You have enough faith to move mountains

It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Hebrews 11: 5 -6: [The Message]

I always like building people's faith in order that they may connect with God who is the Beginning and End of everything concerning life. Elsewhere in the Book of Isaiah, God has stated that He works in mysterious ways. I have been believing the Lord to move a particular mountain in my life for more than sixteen years, yet He calls me to encourage others as if I have already seen manifestation of my miracle.
In today's Scripture, we learn it is pointless approaching God without faith. Why? For me, it's because God is a Spirit and therefore unseen! So how can one relate to Someone who is unseen?
Over the years the above Scripture, has become one of my most favourite in the Bible. This is because it brings me closer to God's Presence, more than any other. The reason is so simple to be missed. It's when we pray. For, how can someone in their right mind talk with Someone Who does not exist? Here we go – each time we pray, know that we already please God who is already smiling because we at least have the mustard seed faith to approach Him!
Taking time to pray is a huge declaration in the unseen realm that we believe God exists. So when we pray let's leave the place of prayer knowing beyond any shadow of doubt that He has heard whatever we have asked of Him.
To help us understand this, let's look at this from another perspective. How do we know God has heard us? Why is it important for Him to do at least something when we pray? I believe that when we pray God is obliged to respond because He wants us to know that He exists and to build a relationship with us.
I shall not labour this point any further because every person that calls themselves Christian, knows God exists because everyone has at least a testimony from Him.
So as we seek Him for the next answer and testimony, let us remember, God has answered us before and He will answer us again:
In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me. (Now in my opinion, David seems to be praying again)
Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips And from a deceitful tongue.
Psalm 120 vs. 1 – 2: [NKJV]
Farai Mutsambiwa 

[Tuesday's Devotional] - If you believe, you will see God's glory

Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing."
These words were spoken by the resurrected Christ to the disciples, in particular Thomas who would not believe unless he saw Jesus with his own eyes. Seven days earlier, Jesus had appeared to the other disciples gathered together behind locked doors as they were afraid of attack by the Jews, and Thomas was not there.
When told by others that they had seen the Master, Thomas said: .. "Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won't believe it."
²⁶ Eight days later, his disciples were again in the same room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you." John 20 vs. 19 - 29: [The Message]
I am writing this devotional in order to encourage you. God has many ways of reaching out to His people in times of need, questioning and desperation. He is using me today because I answered His call, "Here I am – send me!"
God is calling you and me to believe, even without seeing any sign of Jesus' coming or of any answer to our prayers. Let's strengthen ourselves by the fact that the reason why we have not yet seen manifestation of our prayers and petitions is because God has "better blessings" in store for us. When Lazarus was resurrected from the dead in John chapter 11, Jesus deliberately delayed going to heal him, while he was still alive. He wanted people to know that they could see God's glory if only they kept on believing.
By this I am not suggesting you and I must wait until we die and then see God resurrect us. That would be testing God and in line with what the Devil wants. Rather it is about God's timing. He often delays not only for His greater glory to be seen but, also to ensure when we get the miracle, there will not be any doubt or question as to Who did it.
Often when we receive answers to our prayers, there is a tendency for us to say, I did this and that….. While it's true we have a part to play in answered prayers, we should never make the mistake of diminishing or taking or giving God's glory to people, medicine or luck, when we receive the breakthrough we need! There is nothing called luck, but only what God has given us - His blessing and unmerited favour.
While Thomas was saying to others …"I won't believe it", guess what? Jesus was hearing the conversation. So don't be deceived by the Devil, that what we say does not matter in the unseen realms. Also know that God has no distance and barriers. He is everywhere, in public and private places and so when you pray behind those closed doors He is hearing. Only believe - a better answer is on the way.

Farai Mutsambiwa

[Monday's Devotional] - Jesus' timing is perfect

This is God's Word on the subject: "As soon as Babylon's seventy years are up and not a day before, I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.
 "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen.
 "When you come looking for me, you'll find me.
"Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree.
"I'll turn things around for you. ….. Jeremiah 29: 10-14 [The Message]
If the above verses are speaking to you, this is confirmation of answered prayer from someone else waiting on God.
He will not be too early or too late in delivering the promise you have been holding onto. One of the greatest attributes of God we can depend on is that He cares for us. Can you believe that after creating the entire universe, the sun, moon, stars and delivering us from our past troubles, which all show how He cares for us, God concludes by saying:
He gives food to every living thing.
His faithful love endures forever.  Psalm 136: 25 [NLT]
So if you are about to have breakfast, lunch or dinner, just know that He is thinking about you. He knows you are hungry and you need something to eat. He does not only love you but He loves you faithfully and forever. For how can He put Himself to the trouble of creating us including the stomach that digests food and then not give us food when we are hungry? He does care. And if we know someone without food, it's His desire that we give that person something to eat.
He knows what He is doing and Has a good plan for us, a plan not to harm us but to give us a good future.
He will listen to us when we sincerely approach Him in prayer and in Jesus' Name for any need. He will give us the turnaround we are expecting, at the precise time. Yes there is a time for everything – a time to pray and time to receive answers. He will not be late.

Farai Mutsambiwa

[Friday's Devotional] - Deserving

If you have worked hard and then you get to sit down for a few minutes with a drink of whatever is on offer, you may well feel you deserve that. I think you are right. Whether it's your job or a bit of work you have done in your own time I think we would all agree you've earned that sit down with a drink. But I do get a bit heated when I hear someone saying things like "I deserve to be treated with respect for who I am", or "I've earned the right to special treatment because of my position". Even worse is "Don't you know who I am?" No I probably don't, I'm not very good with names and though your face is vaguely familiar I can't place you at the moment.  And actually I don't really care anyway.

In truth we all, and I include myself, think at times that we deserve something or that we have earned the right to behave in some way toward others and have them show  due respect.

There are, of course, some obvious exceptions. The majority of us would show The Queen the respect she deserves because of her position, and the winner of a Grand Prix or an Olympic final has earned the right to stand on the top step of the podium.

When we think of God do we believe that we deserve to be called his children? Have we earned the right to enter heaven when our time on earth is done? I can only answer for myself and it's a big NO. I haven't done anything to warrant being called son and I doubt my ability to do whatever that something is. I also doubt that I have done anything to earn a place in heaven. I simply asked Jesus to come into my life and now I'm treated like I'm special. I don't think I am!  No wonder I'm saying "Thank you Lord" every day.

May God Bless each of you and I pray that you all are treated the same as me because you have also put your trust in the Lord. He thinks you are special too!

Jim Finch

[Thursday's Devotional] - Thoughts

Isn't it marvellous when you are trying to concentrate on something, a project, a letter, or almost anything, and suddenly your mind starts thinking about some other, totally different subject. Perhaps it is triggered off by a memory or something seen or heard at that time. Several minutes later you are wondering what on earth you are thinking about when you should be concentrating on the job in hand. You have to stop, pull yourself together and try to start again on that which you were doing. It can be infuriating, can't it? You have to read what you have written to see where you had got to and then try to think where this was leading. I've just been distracted by the children playing at the nursery next door, so that's what I'm having to do now!

Another side to this is when you see something in passing and thoughts spring into your mind from nowhere. I nearly said it's as though your brain had a mind of its own! It can happen almost anytime. Suddenly you are thinking "Look at the state of that" or "By gum, she's a cracker!" or "He could do with a good slap", or "What on earth are they trying to do with that?", or some other random comment and your thoughts go wandering off again. Of course we all correct ourselves when some of these thoughts come along and we try to ignore them.

But how do you control these random, sometimes harsh or rude thoughts? The answer is you probably can't, but you can put them in their place and bring a more pleasant and correct thought into mind. And you can place them in God's hands.

So trust in the Lord to help you deal with any 'uncontrollable' or wrong thoughts. Bring them to him and let him put your mind at rest. After all, He knows your thoughts almost before you do and has dealt with them already.

Jim Finch

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Bad Times

After that bright start to the week I have to admit that things are not always that good. Actually we all have to face some bad times as we go through life. It may be the loss of our job, and at present there are too many facing that situation, or some illness which takes all our energy away – both mental and physical. It may be that we are in a situation that we really don't like but can't see a way out of. Whatever the cause we find ourselves in a position we don't like and are not happy with.

Many years ago I had my own company. I worked hard, sometimes long hours, but the rewards were good. Then the supplier of most of my work decided they would do the work in house in future. With no chance of replacing the work lost my company had to close down, and making yourself redundant is not a nice thing to do. That was definitely the worst, but there have been a few other bad times too along the way.

So, when the bad times come who are you going to call? No, not "Ghost Busters". They won't be able to help at all. When I faced my worst time I had no-one to turn to. I had made my bed, as they say, and I had to lie on it. I knew there was a god but had nothing to do with him. Yet somehow I survived and things began to fall into place even when I thought I had no chance. That's happened a few times in my life and having 'found' God finally I can see more clearly. Just when my efforts seemed so futile He has pulled the rabbit out of the hat again. And here I am, up and running again – and still smiling.

So when you're weary, feeling small, things are bad, no hope at all. Trust in the Lord, take your problems to him. Then do your best and be patient, He is on your side and things can turn around when you least expect it.

Jim Finch

[Tuesday's Devotional] - The Bonus

Now I have to find someone to take with me on my prize winner's holiday - and decide which Warner's Hotel to go to, and when. I wonder if Lynda would like to go, but she doesn't think she could get someone to look after Alexander. Perhaps Russell could put up with his dad for a couple of days. Result! We can go to Littlecote House the weekend after Easter. That's a whole lot better than an egg!

We go on the Friday, and in 2 hours we are there with a chance to look around before we check in. Once we are settled, we have a bit of lunch and go off for a walk around the gardens and grounds. So pleasant to just walk and talk, and look and listen to the countryside around. Then dinner tonight is in Oliver's Bistro. Another treat, silver service with style and we are thoroughly spoilt. Saturday, and an hour in the gym before breakfast, then archery and air rifle shooting in a group. In the afternoon a tour of the old house and another stroll around the grounds. Not a care in the world, just time to enjoy. I was told I probably wouldn't get Russell swimming, he's not that keen on the water, but he's up for it and we swim, and take time in the steam room and sauna. Then back to get ready for dinner. Not as stylish as last night, but very nice nonetheless, and the service is very good. Finish the evening watching the cabaret. It's a Cliff Richard and the Shadows tribute act which I'm not keen to see. Actually it's pretty good and I'm devastated to realise I'm singing along with every song! Next morning it's a good breakfast, a look around the gift shops, check out, and head for home. Two hours and we're safely back here again. A coffee and final chat with Russell and back to my little flat.

What a wonderful couple of days. Father and son bonding, enjoying spending time together and the beautiful surroundings.

Thank you Lord. I couldn't have arranged that as beautifully as you did, and once again I wasn't expecting it!

I pray that you are each noticing those special treats that the Lord arranges for all of us, especially when we don't see them coming.

Jim Finch.

[Monday's Devotional] - Mysterious Ways

The Lord works in mysterious ways. How often have we heard that? And have we not said that ourselves at some time or another? In fact it is true that He works in ways that we are not aware of and get caught out by events we were not expecting. I never seem to see things coming and only realise what has happened later.

At times I dream of living in a nice house in the country. Perhaps even isolated from any community and able to go outside any day and hear only the grass growing and the birds singing. Of course I would need to win the Lottery or something like it to be able to do that and I never seem to win anything worthwhile anyway.

When I gave up smoking the doctor began to take an interest in my health for the first time in many years. I was informed that I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and must now take some tablets and change my diet and do some exercise. Marvellous! I've been happy all these years and now I'm going to be messed about.

Of course I haven't asked the Lord for that Lottery win, but I've no doubt he knows what I think. Now I ought to give up some things I like and start using things I don't, like Flora margarine. Then Flora ran a free competition. All you had to do was buy a tub of Flora, check a code under the lid and enter it in the space on their website. OK I might as well do that, it will be a waste of time but well.....What! I've won something? Only the top prize of two nights at a health hotel for two people. It turns out to be a Warner's hotel – a choice of five – and out in the country.

Lord I never saw that coming. A couple of nights in a country hotel. Yes, I know it's not living there, but it's a taste and what a lovely surprise.

Trust in the Lord to give you what you need for now, even though you don't know how or when He will do it.

Jim Finch.

[Friday's Devotional] - Identity in Christ

We have looked at various things that form our identity and can define who we are. We are shaped by many things, all of which can influence how we view ourselves and who we think we are.

It can be good to have a role and to know what we are meant to be doing. To feel we are fulfilling our purpose is a great thing. The values placed on us by others can also have a positive influence on us and help us to form some of our identity. Life experiences and our past also impacts on how we view ourselves. But above all – and overriding all these things – is our identity in Christ. This is the true identity and the one we should hold onto. But who am I in Christ? What does the Bible say about our identity in Christ? The Bible says that we are chosen by God and given a purpose.  Let's look again at the verses from 1 Peter 2:

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness in to his wonderful light". 1 Peter 2:9

This is God's purpose for us. Often we forget who we are and what God has done for us. Don't compare yourself to others and don't allow feelings of insecurity to rob you of your identity in Christ. It is important that we see ourselves the way God sees us and then live in obedience to Him. God knows who we really are. He loves us and created us for a purpose.

In order to get a better understanding of your identity in Christ try and read through the book of Colossians or for a shorter read look at Psalm 139. Below are a few more Bible verses about our identity in Christ. Pick one and meditate upon it. Ask God to speak to you this weekend about your true identity in Him.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do". Ephesians 2:10

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God". John 1:12-13

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience". Colossians 3:12

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." Galatians 3:26-27

"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands" Psalm 138:8

Praying with you that you will find your true God-given identity, and live in it's fullness.

Corinne Mason

[Thursday's Devotional] - Identity in my Past

A lot of who I am and why I am that person is influenced by my past. My upbringing, my family, my schooling, where  I have lived, things I have done, events in my childhood all add together to give me my identity. They define the person I have become.

Part of my identity comes from my family - I am a daughter, sister, cousin, and aunt. Those relationships may have had a positive impact on me, or may have had negative influences that have now defined how I feel about myself and the identity I believe I have.

My schooling may have given me a certain identity, and we place an identity on people based upon which school they went to and the education they received. Consider how you would perceive a pupil at Eton for example - that gives t6hem an identity to be proud of and that will stay with them forever. They will carry the Eton label and wear it with pride. It is part of their identity.

Things that have happened to me can also influence my identity. Being good at sports or winning prizes, suffering long term illness in yourself or a family member, facing a trauma of some sort - all these things will define our identity. 

"… put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and ..be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24 [ESV]

With an identity in God we can put aside all that has defined us previously, and put on our new self. We do not have to be identified by our past as we have a new future with God, a new likeness of righteousness and holiness. If you feel your past has negatively influenced your identity, then claim that new identity that God gives you. The old has gone, He has done a new thing now. 

Corinne Mason

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Identity in my Relationships

What others think about us, or how we perceive we are viewed by others is another way that we achieve some of our identity. This can have both positive and negative impacts on us. 

If we feel we are valued and respected, that we are playing a valuable part in people's lives, then we feel positive about who we are. But if we feel undervalued, rejected or worthless then our identity is crushed and we do not live in fullness. Our identity can easily be influenced by how others react to us or treat us. 

We can also get some of our identity from the people we spend time with. This is particularly true for the younger generations who may well relate to a specific style such as indie, geek chic or vintage. They will dress similarly, like the same things, go to the same places and behave the same way. The identity they have is formed by others influences, which defines who they are and how they behave. 

It can be easy to listen to the lies that are whispered in our ears about who we are and how others view us. We can crush who we are meant to be by believing that our identity comes from what our friends or relatives think of us. Our identity is not what our friends think of us, but in what God thinks of us.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" Psalm 139:13-16 [NIV]

God planned our identity, and chose who we should be. Although we can be influenced by our friends, and by how they perceive or judge us, God chooses who we are and how we will grow. He chooses our identity.

Corinne Mason