[Friday's Devotional] - James the Deacon: the one who stayed

James the Deacon: the one who stayed

It was October 632.  The Christian King Edwin of Northumbria had died in battle at Hatfield near Doncaster. He died fighting the forces of the Pagan king Penda of Merica.  His death threw Northumbria into crisis.  The death of Edwin and defeat of his forces allowed the forces of King Cadwallon to attack the defenceless people of Northumbria on a mission of ethnic cleansing.  Men, women and children were butchered as Cadwallon attempted to exterminate the English rom Northumbria and reintroduce its previous inhabitants, the Britons.

Paulinus, the leader of the Northumbrian church who was also the widowed Queen’s chaplain, fled south to Kent.  His primary mission was to safely take the Queen, her children and other members of the royal household to safety.  Thankfully he succeeded.

James the Deacon, Paulinus’ fellow worker in the Northumbrian church did not leave.  He stayed.  He stayed in Northumbria preaching the gospel throughout the crisis and beyond.  He lived to be over ninety. The Dark Age historian Bede wrote of James’ saintly character and ability as a musician.  He states that James was humble in character and steadfast in witness.  He continued to preach and baptise as well as to teach, encourage and nurture the Christians of that large kingdom.  He must have left a deep impression on the numerous people that he ministered to. Who knows what a difference he made!

James was never famous or celebrated in his own lifetime.  For sure, his life would have been more exciting if the missionary minded King Edwin had lived.  Who knows what exciting and fruitful missions James could have gone on, but it wasn’t to be.  James could have fled with Paulinus to the Christian kingdom of Kent and continued a more fruitful ministry in the more spiritually fertile soil of a stable Christian kingdom.  But James just dug in and stayed exactly where God wanted him to be.  Sometimes Christians are called to remain the underdogs and in difficult situations because of God’s great love, his heart for the people in those places, those for whom he longs to come to know him.

Are you prepared to be an underdog for Jesus? It may not be glamorous!

John Martin-Jones

[Thursday's Devotional] - Barnabas: unsung brother of encouragement

Barnabas: unsung brother of encouragement

 

Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement)
Acts 4:36 [ESV]

I have never heard a sermon preached about St. Barnabas, and in all my years in church have only ever attended one Bible study devoted to finding out about his character.  Barnabas deserves the title underdog, simply because the church has never recognised his contribution to First Century mission.  His name appears around thirty times in the New Testament, mainly in Acts, but he is also mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians, Galatians and Colossians.
Let me just point out a few things that Barnabas got up to in his ministry…

1. He sold a field that he owned and gave the money to the Apostles to share among the believers.
2. When Saul the great persecutor of the church, became a Christian (taking the name Paul), the disciples in Jerusalem were scared of him and did not believe that he had truly converted.  Barnabas had to personally bring him to the other disciples to gain their trust.
3. He was sent on missionary journeys to accompany and support Paul.
4. He and Paul went their separate ways for a while because Barnabas wanted John Mark to accompany them on a visit to the churches that they had set up.  Paul did not want to take John Mark as he had left them on a previous journey.  Barnabas wanted to give him another chance.
5. Barnabas and John Mark went to Cyprus to evangelise the island.
6. When Paul was imprisoned (house arrest) in Rome at the end of his life, he had a few companions with him from Jerusalem who helped him. John Mark was prominent among them.  It has been suggested that Barnabas ‘influenced’ this reconciliation.
7. Barnabas was probably martyred for his faith in AD61.

Barnabas’ ministry is often overlooked in the light of Paul’s.  But I don’t think that the first missionary journeys of Paul would have succeeded without Barnabas.  The church needs more people like Barnabas: people who understand that it doesn’t matter who gets remembered most, but do what they’re supposed to do anyway.  The church needs more people who realise, like Barnabas did, that it’s all about Jesus.

John Martin-Jones

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Moses: And he sat down by a well

Moses: And he sat down by a well

When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well. Exodus2:15 [ESV]

This often overlooked verse is, I think, loaded with meaning.  It was all going so well for Moses: A quick résumé of Moses’ life so far shows that he has been saved from murder as an Israelite baby by a fearful, genocidal Pharaoh.  He had been ‘fostered’ by Pharaoh’s daughter and brought up in Pharaoh’s house with his own mother employed to nurse him.  But then, aged forty, he just had to go and get political didn’t he! Killing an Egyptian slave master for mistreating a Hebrew slave ruined it all.  Moses fled into the wilderness, a wanted man.  There he sat down by a well.   

The author of Exodus is, of course, not just commenting on Moses taking a sit down for a rest after fleeing from Egypt.  He is commenting on Moses’ attitude at this time.  Moses is no longer in Egypt.  He is away from the struggle that God’s people face in Egypt.  He is off the field, on the bench and out of the game.  It looks like the end of Moses’s relationship with Egypt.  It isn’t.   

In Midian, Moses was amongst people who worshipped the same God as his people did.  He was to find a loving wife and to have a son.  Moses might have thought that his ‘new’ life would do very nicely thank you and be content to live out his days in this pleasant situation.  God had other plans.

So perhaps you find yourself ‘off the field’ this morning.  Perhaps something that God gave you a passion for once didn’t happen the way that you hoped it would and you had to walk away?  Perhaps you sinned and you had to leave a situation behind?  Perhaps you know that the life you are now living is very cosy, but is missing something that it once had?  Well, Moses thought that his escape from Egypt meant ‘Game Over’ as far as his involvement with Israel was concerned.  But God was just preparing him for his life’s work.

If this devotional speaks to you about your life, get praying about it.

John Martin-Jones

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Joseph: The long way around

Joseph: The long way around

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20 [ESV]

I always feel for Joseph’s brothers.  What a nightmare of a younger sibling he would have been.  He was his dad’s favourite son, as the first son of Rachel his father’s favourite wife (let’s not even go into all that other than to say that the Bible always shows polygamous relationships as leading to trouble).  Joseph got special presents from his father; a coat of many colours, or a long sleeved coat depending upon which translation you prefer, but either way, he got the “designer gear” and his brothers got the “high street”.  Then there was that dream Joseph had of his brother’s sheaves of wheat bowing down to his.  Joseph’s brothers interpret the dream as a further threat to their position in the household and why wouldn’t they?  In fact, only Jacob seems to understand that the meaning of the dream may not be so obvious.  Trust me, it isn’t easy growing up with a precocious younger sibling but this situation really takes the bagel.

Joseph’s fortunes plummet from favoured son and probable heir, to Egyptian slave. They rally for a time in Potiphar’s house, but when his wife accuses Joseph of rape he is falsely imprisoned.  It must have seemed like “Game Over” for Joseph at this point.  Could things get any worse?  The only thing now going for this lowest of underdogs is that God showed him steadfast love (Genesis 29: 31).  From prison, Joseph began his climb to a position as Pharaoh’s right hand man and strategist.  We know that Joseph’s brothers did later bow before him, in his position as the Steward of Egypt, as he gave them wheat to feed their household.  The dream had never been about Joseph being somehow better than his brothers.

I wonder something.  How different was the 30 year old Joseph who entered Pharaoh’s service to the lad who had strutted around in front of his brothers with his fancy dressing gown on?  What lessons in humility, wisdom and caring for others had God taught Joseph in those years?   So many, I believe.  Pharaoh recognised Joseph as having the Spirit of God in him (Genesis 41:37) but I believe that the fruits of the Spirit grew in Joseph’s life through the experiences that God led him through.  Only then could Joseph fulfil his destiny. 

So if you find yourself sitting among the ruins of your life (again?), don’t worry, God is a patient teacher. Talk to God about what he is trying to teach you and don’t necessarily expect a quick answer, or quick escape route.  Remember though, that God’s steadfast love will be with you and that whatever the odds, God can bring you through.

John Martin-Jones

[Monday's Devotional] - Come on all you underdogs!

Come on all you underdogs!

It has been said that the British love an underdog, and it is certainly true of me.  I don’t know if it is a part of our national psyche: being an island people with all the historical challenges (as well as safety) that has given us.  But whatever the cause, it seems true. Whether it is the X-Factor or Celebrity Come Dancing (neither of which I watch), we will happily cheer on the less talented and even strategically vote to keep them in the competition just because we like them.  In sport, we love to see a determined and plucky team complete a ‘giant killing’ (note the term) act on a more resourced and successful competitor.  Perhaps we love the underdog because we can see a clear parallel between the life of the more ordinary competitor and our own.

Well, scriptures and Christian history are awash with ordinary people doing extraordinary things because of what God has done in their lives.  It is full of ordinary underdogs facing up to the challenge and making good because they stand with God at their side.  So, this week, I want to encourage us all as we approach the glorious sunny month of February, by looking again at the lives of some Biblical people and seeing how they faced situations like ours.

I want to start by taking a look at Abram  (later called Abraham):

Terah took Abram his son and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram's wife, and they went forth together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan, but when they came to Haran, they settled there.  The days of Terah were 205 years, and Terah died in Haran.” Genesis 11: 31-32 [NIV]

This is a part of the first reference to Abram in scripture.  Now we know the later story of Abram and how he went on to become the great Patriarch of Israel, but look at him here.  There is no hint of future greatness, he is simply a footnote.   The paragraph is about Terah, his father.  Abram is simply named as a part of Terah’s family, his entourage; Abram is almost just a part of the furniture.

Abram would have had few choices in life, stick with dad which equals security, wealth and some respect (due to his position as Terah’s eldest son) or leave dad and lose everything.  Abram must have wondered in his darker moments whether he would ever be his own man, whether he would ever feel fulfilled.  At this point in Abram’s life he was middle aged, living in his father’s shadow and childless.

Well, Abram didn’t know it, but God had plans, plans that won’t only change his life, they will redefine who he is.  Click on the link below for some Monday morning motivation with the Underdogz anthem from 29^th Chapter.

29th Chapter Underdogz

John Martin-Jones

[Friday's Devotional] - Speaking heaven's language

Speaking heaven’s language

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.  Psalm 34: 12 – 13 [NIV]

Jesus never said anything that He didn’t hear the Father say.  He was always able to perform miracles because He used the written Word, effectively.

When tempted in the desert after forty days of fasting, Jesus overcame the devil by speaking the word “It is written …..” Matthew 4: 1 – 11 [AMP]

He knew that God’s word was the Truth.

If God’s Word is the Truth, what then is everything else that God didn’t say? They are the opposite – Lies and Deceptions!  And if believers are called to walk by faith in God’s Word and not by sight, what then are the bad things we see around but wish we would see them change to something good? Lies and deceptions!

According to the verses in Psalm 34 above, if we desire to see many good days, we should refrain from calling things as they are but as they are not. If our health is not looking good we should keep away from continuously declaring “I am sick”. Rather we could say “I am sick, but according to God’s Word, which I agree with, by the stripes upon Jesus’ back I was healed two thousand years ago.”

According to the Word above, saying that “I am sick” is a lie. Friends we can’t speak “lies” and “false” things all day with friends, and in agreement with Satan the Father of Lies, and then spend two minutes in prayer speaking in agreement with God. It won’t add up.

In the Bible we learn, we are created in the image of God and that our words have power. So, let us be wise and learn how to speak the Truth and correctly early in life. Learning to do this on the day of trouble and disaster, is like a big unhealthy man who does no exercises, keeps eating the wrong type of food everyday, but expects that when a well-exercised burglar with big biceps gets into his house, he will have the time to run to the gym first, and then rush back home to wrestle the burglar. Too late, it won’t work!

Continuously speaking what is “false” is like worshipping idols, and we know God doesn’t like that. See how big brother, Jonah who knew how to speak and pray the Truth, prayed and got his miracle:

“Those who worship false gods, turn their backs on all God’s mercies.  But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfil all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”

Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach Jonah 2: 8 – 10 [NLT] (Author’s emphasis)

Speaking in parables, Jesus always ended - those with ears, let them hear what the Word of God says.

Farai Mutsambiwa   

[Thursday's Devotional] - Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

One of the reasons why I read the Bible every day is, I want to learn from other people’s mistakes.  A lesson from my childhood: If you have an older sister or brother, and you are a smart guy, you will already know what mum and dad like or do not like, by closely watching your older sibling’s relationship with them!

Similarly, in the Bible, God has kindly given us the children of Israel, from Adam to Christ (the second Adam) for watching.  It really bothers me why, despite the many examples, we Christians fail most of the time to live the good life so vividly painted in the pages of the Scriptures.

The answer is clear. Amos chapter 3: 3 sums it up very well – “can two walk together, except they be agreed?”

Here is what I have now learnt. If we want to receive the very best that Jesus died for on the cross, then we need to consistently agree with God in our prayers, the words we speak and in what we do, especially when faced with challenges. We need bold faith.

When experiencing health issues we should agree with God that:
“…..with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole” Isaiah 53: 5 [AMP], irrespective of what we see or how we feel.

Even with zero bank balance God still expects us to be at peace by agreeing with His Word “….though He was [so very] rich, yet for your sakes He became [so very] poor, in order that by His poverty you might become enriched (abundantly supplied).”
2 Corinthians 8: 9 [AMP]

When children are not living right we are to shout in agreement
“…children shall be disciples [taught by the Lord and obedient to His will], and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children.”  Isaiah 54: 13 [AMP]

When dealing with giants, we need to agree with God that
“…With men [it is] impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”
Mark 10: 27 [AMP]

As we have been learning this week, it’s all about God’s Word which also happens to be God!

Folks, we will never experience the supernatural by disagreeing with God i.e. His Word! This is how our big brothers Adam and Jesus, fell and succeeded, respectively.

Take it this way – when asked who do you work for, heads will turn if you reply, “I am with the President’s Office or I am with British Airways, etc.”

So it is in the spirit realm. When you pray or speak in agreement with God, you are talking big and Satan and his demons are terrified, his kingdom is shaken and things will change. Jesus, who sees under the skin, was right when He said, with God, nothing is impossible!

Farai Mutsambiwa

[Wednesday's Devotional] - A chain is as strong as its weakest point

A chain is as strong as its weakest point

Husbands who know the Lord pray for your wives.  Wives who know the Lord, pray for your husbands. Husbands and wives pray for your children.  Friends and family, pray for one another.

What for, and why?

Pray for the “lost” to be saved, pray for loved ones to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God and pray that they learn how to discern the will of God for their lives. Above all, pray that they know how to apply the Word of God in every situation.

Reason? The devil’s main trick is to distort God’s Word starting with “soft targets” or weak points in a family set up. I am not suggesting women are weaker in spiritual things than men, but just note how Eve was used as the weak point to get to Adam by the devil (Genesis 2:6). Similarly, see how, when Isaac seemed to be a false promise, Sarah was used to produce Ishmael (Genesis 16). See how in his troubles, Job was tempted to curse God and die, by his wife (Job 2: 9). It’s equally true with men and even children. Remember how Abigail saved her entire family from death after her foolish husband Nabal, refused to provide food for David when he was desperately in need (1 Sam 25: 1-38)? And at a birth day party, remember how a little girl, a man and woman of royal blood, caused the beheading of John the Baptist, for a dance (Matt 14: 1-12)? We could go on and on.

Through these examples, it’s clear how Satan fears and hates, a family, husband and wife, church or people who are saved, stand, walk or pray in agreement with one another, because he cannot influence them.

Elsewhere in the Bible, did God not say “One shall chase a thousand and two shall chase ten thousand”? In another place did He not say “two are better than one”?

Friends, the battle we fight is nothing more than the good fight of faith over God’s Word!

How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!
For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe.
Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.

Psalm 133: 1-3 [NLT]  (Author’s emphasis)

Farai Mutsambiwa

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Be doers of the Word

Be doers of the Word and be blessed

Yesterday we talked about hearing from God and that the Word of God is indeed God speaking with you. Today I want to lead you into understanding how to appropriate the promises and benefits for which Christ died on the cross.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25 [NIV] (author’s emphasis)

In yesterday’s devotional, we observed that Adam and Eve were instructed not to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. We know that they disobeyed God and the result – they sinned and reaped death and all the bad things going on in the world from generation to generation.

Conversely, if you want to benefit from God’s promises, simply do what He says and leave the rest to Him.

So if you are not enjoying life from your relationship with God, I have an assignment for you. Search the scriptures for something you are not obeying.

Pray about this and the Holy Spirit will show you what you need to do. God promises to bless doers of His Word.

Have you noticed that two of the areas that Satan seems to triumph over most Christians is sickness, disease and premature death and lack of finances. Let’s try and see what happens.

Mark 11 vs 22 – 23 says:  ‘Have faith in God,’ Jesus answered. ‘Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea,” and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.

Now, how many of us who believe in God, have spoken to sickness and disease, debt, storms and hurricanes just as Jesus spoke to a tree and caused it to wither?

Instead, many of us want to pray or say it as it appears to friends and relatives:– I am sick, this disease is incurable, I am in debt, I am finished, etc.

While this may be fine, friends, it takes only a little twist to God’s Word for one to completely miss the mark.  Watch out for the devil’s tricks: - “Did God really say, we ought to give tithes and offerings for us to be blessed financially?  No! that’s following the Law.  Did God really say speak to sickness, disease and debt?  No!  You can’t do that, people will call you a crazy fool.  Even if you try, it won’t happen, it’s not scientific, blah blah blah!” The outcome – you get to Paris when you are supposed to be in Perth, Australia.

Farai Mutsambiwa

[Monday's Devotional] - Struggling to hear from God?

Struggling to hear from God?

If you have been struggling to hear from God, this devotional is for you!

The bible says in John 1:1 [KJV] “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”.

There you go – the Bible is very clear about Who God is.  He is the Word of God.  Right now, if you have been reading, seeing or touching the Bible, you have been seeing, touching and reading the manifestation of God Himself.

So whatever your worry, concern or question, the answer is to open up your bible and find Scripture promises that are relevant to your situation. Right there in front of you, you are reading what our loving Father and Creator is saying, and has always been saying to people in similar situations from generation to generation. Take what you are reading by faith.  It’s a free gift from a loving Father, just for you!  Believe that if Jesus were walking on earth this very day and met with you to discuss your problem, He would be saying the very same thing! 

You know what the real trouble is?  It is the devil – the father of all lies.  When God created the world in Genesis 1, everything He created was by His Words and “very good”  Genesis 1: 31 [KJV].  And we all know when God says something is good, it will really be Good!

In the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve, the first human couple lived, everything was really Good, until one day, the devil came in the form of a serpent and asked Eve, only one question that caused trouble for the entire word: ……”hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Genesis 3:1 [KJV].

The moment the devil asked that question, there was doubt, confusion, contradiction and unbelief concerning what God had really said. This led to dilution of the consequences, potency and impact of what God’s Word would do to Adam, Eve and the entire human race. Yes, death came as a result of this – proving that God’s Word is never weak, but that it will always do what it says it will do.

Today stand on whatever promise God has given you, knowing that all the contradiction you are experiencing, is only Satan’s attempt to interfere with the Truth. Sooner or later, God Who is the Word, will do what He is and has been saying to you the moment He gave you that promise.

Don’t forget to read and think over and over again what God has promised you:

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies;  Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.Psalm 103: 2-5 [KJV]

He knows, if you forget the Word, you can easily be tricked by the devil. You will not hear His voice and you will not be able to believe in Him, let alone benefit from His promises.

Farai Mutsambiwa

[Friday's Devotional] - To Dream...

To Dream...

Where do I start?  A puzzlement since I’ve said what I set out to say already in this set of devotionals.  Perhaps that we all dream of a better world to live in.  But it’s not actually the world that needs to get better – it’s us, the human race.  God gave us a brilliant world to live in – the flowers, the trees, the birds, the animals, the fishes – with food for all and man to use for his needs and enjoyment.  But we blew it from the start with Adam and Eve, and we’re making a bigger mess of it now.

However, we dream of making it how it once was – or as close as we can get it – bearing in mind that we are not brilliant at doing that.  We need a few “knights in shining armour” to come along and put things right again, if that is possible.

I’m reminded of a song which comes from the musical ‘The Man of La Mancha’.  In it Don Quixote lays dying and his family are gathered around, pestering him to tell them why he did the things he had done.  His response is the song ‘To dream the Impossible Dream’ after which he collapses and dies.  If you can find a decent version of this listen to it from a Christian point of view – if you’re not a Christian listen and think on.  I’d love to sing this to a Christian audience as it should be sung, but that’s unlikely so I’ll just quote the final part and you can do the rest:

“And the world would be better for this, that one man – scorned and covered in scars,

Should strive with his last ounce of courage – to reach the unreachable star.”

So are you ready to be a “knight”? It’s not an easy thing to be, hard work to make any headway, no thanks but plenty of opposition.  But if you keep trying, God is with you all the way.  OK?  So be a knight – and keep dreaming the dream.

Lord, I want to be one of your knights to make a difference in this world you gave us. Give me the strength and courage to keep dreaming but see clearly how best to serve.

Amen.

Jim Finch

[Thursday's Devotional] - Charity...

Charity....

I have no doubt that we all give something to one charity or another at some time, and many will do so on a regular basis.  Of course, I’m talking money now but not forgetting the many who give their time freely, without which many concerns might not be able to keep going.

In times of hardship, as it is for many at the moment, every pound matters to more people, and giving isn’t easy – and for some it seems virtually impossible.  I have to admit that I have reached the point of cutting back and have already had to choose to ignore most pleas for money received through the post.  I just don’t have it to give and there are a lot of families in a worse situation than me.  The Bible suggests 10% of our income but that can be quite difficult unless your income is nicely above what you need to live on.  So I just wanted to say a big thank you to those who are still managing to give something to charity.  It might be animals, children, medical research, the church, or any one of many worthy causes.

To those who give their time, and for many it is in addition to any financial giving, I also offer my heartfelt thanks.  Without you some of those charities would struggle to operate.

All of you are reaching out in one way or another, bringing hope to someone who needs it.

Lord, encourage and help us to keep reaching out to those who are in need.  Let us not be discouraged by difficulty or fear of failure, but continue your work with a good heart. Amen.

Jim Finch

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Guilty?...

Guilty?...
As I mentioned yesterday, there are times when we think we have done our best and/or done what was right, only to be made to feel guilty about it.  Perhaps we have offered help of some sort only to be told to “mind your own business” or “we don’t need your help. Clear off!”  I remember when we did Refresh on a Friday night till about 2 a.m. we got called a few names now and then, although there were many who were pleased to take advantage of the tea and coffee we were offering, and some who wanted to know more of our Christian belief.

I’m sure we have all experienced the situation where we have been told to look after something, and when it went wrong (there being nothing we could have done to stop it and through no fault of our own) – we got the blame – we were guilty.  No use asking for understanding – we were there so it was our fault.

At boarding school I had been learning to play the clarinet for about a year and it was my last year with GCE ‘O’ levels coming up in a couple of months.  The Headmaster told me that I should give up the clarinet lessons and concentrate on my studies for the exams. So I told our clarinet tutor I would have to stop.  The next time I saw the Headmaster I was berated as “a boy who never sticks at anything, but gives up all the time.”  No point in saying anything, I was already adjudged ‘Guilty’.

Mind you there were plenty of times when I really was guilty of something and got caught out!  And there have been times along the way when I’ve done something I shouldn’t have and believed I got away with it.  On earth, yes I have, but God always knew what I had been up to, so I was guilty again.

Lord, thank you for the grace and mercy you have shown, even when I refused to act and believe as a Christian.  And thank you for comforting me when I have been made to feel guilty even though I tried to be good.  Amen.

Jim Finch

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Reach Out...

Reach Out....
It was a day last Autumn.  My grandson was away with Explorers for the weekend.  So I took Lynda to Daventry Country Park - where we had been with other family members before - for the afternoon.  We had a pleasant stroll around, although it was a bit breezy, and then got ourselves a hot drink before returning home.

As we sat and chatted I noticed a man on the bench opposite.  He was trying to get the last few drops out of a can of Pepsi into a plastic cup and wet his lips.  As he did so he seemed to be looking round to see if anyone was watching and his manner was as someone who was a bit lost.  There were two women some feet away at the same bench, one young and the other elderly, talking quietly together but ignoring him.  In fact,  nobody seemed to be taking any notice of the man who continued to look as if he wasn’t sure what to do.  I don’t wish to be unkind in any way, but he seemed a bit simple and nobody appeared to notice or care.  Lynda was sitting opposite me with her back to the man and so did not see him.  Someone needed to do something.  I excused myself with Lynda, got up, went to the kiosk and bought a can of Pepsi.  This I took to the man saying something like “You look thirsty mate.  Here I’ll open the can and you can drink from it or pour it into the cup.  Enjoy.”  Then I simply went back to my seat and continued my drink.  The man poured the contents of the can into the cup and drank it down, but still looking round to see if he was being watched.  We finished our drinks and left, but as I waited for Lynda to visit the Ladies the man came along followed by the two women. The young one indicated to the man to go and look at the ducks and swans, and she followed on with the elderly lady.  So there was a ‘carer’ with him all the time, but it didn’t seem like it earlier.

So why did I feel like I’d poked my nose in where it wasn’t needed?  Even a bit guilty of interfering?  Perhaps I had, but sometimes you just have to reach out ..... don’t you?

Lord, give us the courage to reach out when help looks needed. Don’t let us turn a blind eye and walk away if there is something we can do. Amen.

Jim Finch

[Monday's Devotional] - Hope...

Hope....

I expect we have all been looking back over the last year, pondering over what might have turned out better and also those things that made us smile, and wondering (and hoping) that this new year will be an improvement on the last one.

For some, it’s the thought that last year is one to forget and that this year is bound to be a better one, for others it’s a hope that things really are improving even though we may still have a bit of a struggle.

The final day of last year I went into town, even though it was raining, for a couple of things including a new calendar which I picked up in WH Smith.  As I got to the cash desk I saw the assistant was gazing through the glass door at something. I followed her gaze but saw nothing in particular. Then she turned, saw me, and apologised for not being aware of me.  I asked what she was looking at, and she pointed out a man who was sitting on the pavement by the doorway to the Clock Towers.  She said she saw him around quite regularly and wondered why he didn’t go and sit inside the building as it would be drier and warmer.  I suggested that the security men would probably make him leave, he would not be welcome.  We agreed it was sad, I paid for my purchase and left.

I have no idea who the man was, or why he was in his present situation – whatever that was.  I hurried away with my purchases and returned home – but wondered if there was something I could have done to help.  I may never know, but there were no Samaritans around that day as far as I know.

Perhaps the man had little expectation of things getting better, only hope kept him going. So could we all reach out just a little bit more this year and maybe the man’s hope might begin to be a reality?

Lord, give us the willingness, strength and courage to reach out to those in greater need than ourselves and keep their hope alive. Amen.

Jim Finch

[Friday's Devotional] - In Touch

In Touch

If you want to get in touch with God, take a look at His work….

“O Lord my God!  When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

 Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!”

A great modern praise anthem puts it this way:

“From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming ‘Indescribable, uncontainable’”

I love taking a prayer walk, especially in woodland or other beautiful countryside. Doing this helps me not only get things in perspective as I see reminders of God’s greatness and of His care.  I also find that my own thoughts are stilled, and I am more in touch with myself.

I remember a very helpful conversation with our bishop when I started as a curate thirteen years ago.  I asked him what he found helpful to stay in touch with God with his busy schedule.  Since then I have followed his pattern of taking a regular day of retreat approximately every month.

The main agenda of these retreats is to slow down, to get in touch with God and to get in touch with myself.

So What?

 “…news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:15,16 [NIV]

How are you doing?

What would you like to do in response to Jesus’ example of balancing a busy life by withdrawing to pray?

Tim Norman

[Thursday's Devotional] - Right Priorities

Right Priorities

11^th September 2001 is seared in the minds of people the world over.  But one good thing came out of the extreme suffering.  Many people who survived the horror of the attack on the Twin Towers have spoken about the fact that they now want to prioritise close relationships above their work and other things.  They have made a choice to spend more time with friends and family, and to be there for their children’s school sports and plays rather than fitting in an extra hour at the office.  They have made a choice to simplify life to have time for these important relationships.

It’s often been said that no dying person has ever said ‘I wish I’d spent more time in the office’.

So What?

Think about these words of Jesus and pray about the thoughts that come to mind:

“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  

Mark 12:28-31 [NIV]

Tim Norman

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Enough

Enough

How much is enough?

John D. Rockefeller was once the world’s richest man.   Considering he was a billionaire in the early 1900′s he is still considered as the richest person in modern history.  When a reporter asked him, “How much money is enough?” He responded, “Just a little bit more.”

“Better a bread crust shared in love than a slab of prime rib served in hate”.

Proverbs 15:17 [The Message]

One of the greatest gifts anyone can have is the gift of contentment.  Human experience shows that this doesn’t come from how much we have, nor from how good we look, nor from our achievements, friends or anything else.

True contentment only comes from God:

"Our Hearts are Restless Until They Rest in You"

Augustine of Hippos wrote the words above in his Confessions, a book in which he bares his soul and shares his struggles.  This is probably the most famous part of the book, and has connected so many people with the secret of ‘enough’, and with appreciating life without excess and extravagance.

So What?

Read these words of Jesus, and talk with Him about it

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

Matthew 6:26 [NIV]

Tim Norman

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Clearing the Mist

Clearing the Mist

I don’t think I have ever met anyone who likes fog.

It’s amazing how water vapour can make it impossible to see.  Apparently just a cup of water can produce enough fog to cover more than an acre of land.  Fog still closes airports today, and makes it dangerous to drive at normal speeds 

Worry can feel a bit like fog, making it hard to see what is there and to carry on as normal.

^“‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? …. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:25,33,34 [NIV]

It’s very easy for worry to become the keynote of our lives, the matrix and fabric which form the background for everything else.  But that is not how it was meant to be.

Jesus tells us repeatedly that God cares for us, and that He can provide everything we need.  Will we trust God?

The answer to clearing the mist of worry is to seek God first.  Sometimes this comes easily, sometimes you have to grit our teeth and say ‘I will trust God, I will put following God at the top of my priorities’ ...and God honours your choice to put Him first by speaking His peace into your life:

Drop Thy still dews of quietness

till all our strivings cease;

take from our lives the strain and stress

and let our ordered lives confess

the beauty of Thy peace.

John Greenleaf Whittier 

(from the hymn “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”)

Tim Norman

[Monday's Devotional] - Life laundry

Life laundry

Radical re-ordering, mega-makeover, life laundry…

At the start of a new year, people will be making new resolutions, and many resolutions will be to focus and to simplify life.

We are drowning in an ocean of choice and stuff while the quiet calm pool of simplicity is the one thing that we really desire deep-down.

I was talking to a friend who had just come back from a holiday who said that the thing that she had enjoyed most was just having less stuff and less to do. She went on to say that she would love to carry some of that into everyday life.

Our senses can be bombarded with information and overloaded with burdens, it is not surprising that we hear about many people looking to simplify life and to be free from multiple voices calling for our attention.

Perhaps that is a part of Jesus’ meaning in these words:

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” Matthew 5:8 [NIV]

Throughout history, Christ-followers have referred to this choice as ‘the discipline of simplicity’. Richard Foster puts it this way:

“The Christian discipline of simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward lifestyle”

So What?

How do you feel about the idea of simplicity?

Commit these feelings to God in prayer.

Tim Norman