[Friday's Devotional] - Gracious forgiveness

The grace of God is for me, the most beautiful thing I have ever known.  When I became a Christian I was an angry, aggressive youth, with a lot to be ashamed of, and when God finally caught up with me, the depth of his grace astounded me and has continued to do so every day since.  

 

I was taught from a young age that Christ died so that we could be forgiven, and when I became a Christian this astounded me.  That Christ could forgive me, when he was so perfect, so loving, so infinitely good and I, sinner that I am, repeatedly threw it all in his face, that in itself amazed me however forgiveness does not really adequately describe the grace of God. It is not big enough, not incredible enough, forgiveness is such a human sized feat and God’s grace is so much bigger.

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

 

This is more than forgiveness.  Forgiveness is something we can grasp, the idea that you see the sin, you let it go, you don’t hold it against someone, that I can kind of grasp.  But the idea that God looks on me, with all my sin, my fallen-ness, my shame, and sees me as righteous through what his son has done.  It’s more than removal, it’s a renewing, we are not simply made neutral, our entire charge is reversed, the stain is not simply removed we are re-clothed in righteousness as Isaiah says.

 

The idea that God in all his beauty and splendour could forgive me is incredible, but the idea that when he sees me, he sees the righteousness of Christ, that is grace like no other.

Tim Holt

[Thursday's Devotional] - Act, love and walk

For a long time one of my favourite verses has been Micah 6:8:

 

“To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”.

 

This verse is a life changing verse, but recently I was struck by a challenge I had missed in the verse, partly because it is so obvious, I kind of took it as a given, when in reality, for me I know it is not.  I realised it is one thing to strive that my actions be just, but if I never strive to act, this is simple and will simply have no effect.  It is fine to value mercy but if I never love anything more than myself, I will never love with mercy.  And I can strive to have a heart of humility, but if I don’t actively walk with God, I will humbly drift to wherever the world takes me and my humility will be for nothing.  

 

When I thought on this more I realised this is connected to a real worry in the modern church, our ability to turn everything into a bible study or a heart attitude, when if we are honest, we could all stand, to take a stand, and act on God’s word.  Francis Chan compares this to the children’s game “Simon Says”, but he says we play “God says”, we don’t actually do it, we just remember what he said in our heart, or think about what it would like if we did it, or memorise the Greek word for doing what he says.  

 

The reason this has stuck with me so much is because my heart shamefully knows this to be true for me far too often.  So as I read this verse recently I was challenged, humility, justice, and mercy are some of the most beautiful and powerful attitudes and values we can have, but if we never walk, if we never act, if we never love it is all for nothing.

 

I want to be Just, but I want it to be evident by my life acting out God’s plan for me rather than my answer in a bible study.
I want to be humble, but I want it to be evidenced by the way I walk in God’s shadow yearning to stay close but never obscuring people from seeing him.  I want it to be more than mere words.
Finally, I want to love mercy, but I want this to be shown by the way I love others, not the way I love saying it.

 

Tim Holt

[Wednesday's Devotional] - It is well with my soul

As a huge geek and Marvel fan, super heroes are a favourite subject of conversation with me, but even more so than them I love talking about the real-life heroes people have.

 

Recently I added a new name to my list of real-life men and women I admire.  People that I would love to be more like in certain aspects.  The same way as a kid (and still as an immature adult) I would love to have super strength, this man left me wanting super faith.  His name is Horatio Spafford.

He is well known for writing the hymn, “It is well with my soul”, and maybe slightly less well known for the story behind it.  Horatio Spafford was a well-known lawyer in America who was virtually financially ruined by the great Chicago fire of 1871.  Two years later his family decided to go on a holiday to England, on which his wife and four daughters went ahead of him on an earlier ship. That ship crashed into another a ship and all 4 daughters perished.  When Horatio received the telegram “Saved Alone” from his wife, he left for England to join her. According to one of his daughters born after the tragedy it was on this journey he wrote the now famous hymn. To have the kind of faith that as you pass over the waters in which all 4 of your daughters drowned and write the words: 

“When peace like a river attendeth my way, 
 When sorrows like sea billows roll; 
 Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
 It is well, it is well with my soul.”

The thing that amazes me most is not only has he clung to his faith but he still sees through eyes of a heart that knows it is saved. 

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls”. 1 Peter 1:8 [NIV]

 

This verse from Peter was one Horatio clearly knew through and though.  John Piper says of the song:

 

“No song quite gets it in terms of its cadence, its tune and especially its words, it doesn’t get any better than sorrowful and always rejoicing through it is well, it is well within my soul”.

 

This is the kind of faith I long to have, a faith that knows the truth, but more than that a faith that truly knows, with Christ, it is well, it is well, with my soul.

 

Tim Holt

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Like sheep among wolves

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16 [NIV]

As Christians today, mission is difficult.  Society will judge us, either as bigoted because of our belief, intolerant because we claim to know an absolute truth or simply ignorant and dangerous for our apparent lack of ability to grow with society, stuck with what may seem like archaic laws and beliefs.  So, what should we make of it all?

 
First of all, we should not be surprised, the bible makes clear we are being sent out as a sheep among wolves, this spells out a rough ride, ask any sheep.  We are being sent into a world that we are told will be hostile towards us, not only hostile but a world which is dangerous because as Christians there is a vulnerability to us.  We are vulnerable because we are sheep, this may sound very strange but as Christians we are sheep because we follow the shepherd, this means we are vulnerable to being snatched away.  However the chapter continues:

 

“But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the spirit of your father speaking through you.” Matthew 10: 19-20 [NIV]

 

The great commission is clear, we are being sent out but not alone, when the sheep is sent among the wolves, what hope can it have, only that the shepherd goes with it?  Among the wolves our only protection, our strength to protect our vulnerability, is that the shepherd goes with us and that as sheep we stay close to him.

But there is a second verse, we are advised to be both shrewd and innocent, something we maybe rarely consider when involved in mission.  We are told to be clever, tactical even.  We should think about who we are reaching and think about how best to reach them, where to start, how to pitch it, maybe even who to send within the mission given to us as his church, his body.  But we also must be innocent as doves, we cannot change the message or water it down, we cannot deceive or lie.  We are to reach the world as best as we can, but we are in the world not of the world.

 

Tim Holt

[Monday's Devotional] - The Father's heart

Since becoming a father I have learned so much about God and his attitude towards us. They have been the kind of truths that while I may have already known them, there is such a depth of knowing and awe to be found in them. To quote John Piper:

“Seeing is savouring. If he remains a blurry, vague fog, we may be intrigued for a season. But we will not be stunned with joy, as when the fog clears and you find yourself on the brink of some vast precipice.”

Becoming a father has caused a little more fog to shift and exploring the precipice even just a little deeper, has been an incredible experience.

Becoming a father, I expected to love my son.  I am a fairly loving person and have always loved kids.  But over the last two years I have found the love of a parent is like no other, you care for them more than you care for yourself, you want to give them everything they need and more, you want them to have joy, happiness, adventure, security, you want for them everything you would ever want for yourself and more.

As this dawned on me, God taught me two things, the first was quite simple but still overwhelming; a renewed gratitude for his grace and the offer of an open relationship with him. I want my son to know Christ more than anything and was brought to my knees in gratitude for his, that I know that relationship is open to him, I know what it cost, and I couldn’t have been more grateful for the cross.

Secondly though, is a precipice I am still climbing down daily, amazed at how deep it is and shocked I had stayed so close to the edge for so long: God’s attitude towards us, is that of a father. In one of my favourite talks by Francis Chan he is talking about his heart for others on a mission trip he was on, when he had a moment of realisation, this was a mirror of God’s heart towards us, and over last two years as I have been exploring the precipice I have had his words ringing through my heart, “Wait, God is this how you feel about me?”.

God’s love for us and overwhelmingly gracious attitude towards us is in itself a cavern of joy and awe to be explored, but that God chose to call himself “Father” and us his children is incredible.  Even more incredible when I remember, I have always found that God is infinitely more than we can ever be when it some to love, kindness, graciousness, and certainly fatherhood.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him”. Luke 15:20 [ESV]

Is this how you feel about me, God?

Tim Holt

[Friday's Devotional] - Come and worship

5 – Come and worship

 

 

Psalm 2 is a message to kings, to people in authority.  The Lord says that those who take their stand against him will be brought to book when he installs his own King [v 6], the Anointed One [v2], the Son [v 7] in Zion.

 

What should the kings do?  He tells us in these final verses.

 

Firstly, there are two guiding principles: be wise and be warned:

 

Therefore, you kings, be wise;

be warned you rulers of the earth.                  [Psalm 2: 10  NIV]

 

All in authority should seek wisdom and live in obedience to God.

 

Then, secondly, there are three commands:

 

Serve the Lord with fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry

and you be destroyed in your way,

for his wrath can flare up in a moment.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.          [Psalm 2: 11, 12  NIV]

 

Serve...rejoice...kiss the Son.

 

There is great blessing for all who trust in him, but we need to take care with our relationship with God.  We serve, rejoice and kiss the Son (kiss in homage); but we do this with reverent fear and trembling aware that he can show anger and wrath.

 

This is a reminder to all of us that King Jesus is not to be domesticated.  We need to hold together the ideas that he is both incredibly loving and unbelievably awesome.  It is a balance we so often fail to get right.

 

Lord Jesus, thank you for giving yourself for me on the Cross.  Thank you that I find my refuge in you.  Help me to rejoice in your love without forgetting that you are the King of all the earth.  Amen.

 

David Long

[Thursday's Devotional] - You are my Son

4 – You are my Son

 

We saw yesterday that the Lord has responded to the arrogance of earthly rulers by enthroning his own King, his Anointed One in Zion.  Today, the King speaks to us.

 

I will proclaim the decree of the Lord:

He said to me, “You are my Son;

today I have become your Father.

Ask of me,

and I will make the nations your inheritance,

the ends of the earth your possession.

You will rule them with an iron sceptre;

you will dash them like pieces of pottery.”                  [Psalm 2: 7 – 9, NIV]

 

Verses 6 and 7 are at the heart of this Psalm.  They show us the answer to the rebellion and the abuse of power shown by the kings and others in authority. 

 

That answer is Jesus the Messiah, King Jesus.  The words You are my Son were repeated to Jesus as he was baptised.  [Matthew 3: 17]

 

Jesus has come as King, not just of Jerusalem or Israel, but King over the nations and to the ends of the earth.  Jesus himself picked up on those words in the Great Commission, when he sent his disciples out into the world to make disciples of all nations.

 

And Jesus has come to rule [verse 9] – the Hebrew word means ‘shepherd’.  He has come to rule with an iron sceptre.  The shepherd’s wooden crook was used to guide the sheep and to fight off wild animals; but the King is to have an iron sceptre which speaks of his strong will as well as the final overthrow of the kings’ rebellion.

 

God's judgement on a sinful world is real and imminent; sin and death are now empty, broken forces since the death and resurrection of Jesus; and one day God will bring in his new kingdom of justice, peace and joy.  [Graham Tomlin]

 

Lord, thank you for sending your Son as the Good Shepherd.  Help me to listen to his voice, and to obey his commands.  Amen.

 

David Long

[Wednesday's Devotional] - The Lord responds

3 – The Lord responds

 

How does the Lord respond to the rebellion of the kings and all who exercise power?  Verses 4 – 6 tell us.

 

The One enthroned in heaven laughs;

the Lord scoffs at them.

Then he rebukes them in his anger

and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

“I have installed my King

on Zion, my holy hill.”               [Psalm 2: 4 – 6 NIV]

 

The Lord laughs at those who show such presumption as to stand against him!  This is like a boy with a pea shooter standing up to a tank!  There is no contest. 

 

And yet kings, other people in authority and we ourselves are often guilty of standing up to the Lord.  We want our way.  And we’re going to get it.  All except that, ultimately, he is in charge and in the end we will have to account for our decisions.

 

The Lord’s answer to the world’s rebellion is to replace earthly kings with his King.  When he says I have installed my King [verse 6], the word I is emphatic.  The Lord is saying ‘You may think you are going to do your own thing without any reference to me, but I have already decided that my King, not you, will finally rule your world.’

 

And the Lord’s King is Jesus.  He has come to reign.

 

NT Wright writes,

 

The establishment of God's kingdom means the dethroning of the world's kingdoms, in order to replace them with one whose power is the power of the servant and whose strength is the strength of love. 

 

Lord, please help me to work for the growth of your Kingdom in my personal life and in my public life.  Amen.

 

David Long

[Tuesday's Devotional] - The Powers confront the Lord

2 – The Powers confront the Lord

 

Psalm 2 is a Royal Psalm.  It was used at the coronation of the kings of Israel.  It is frequently quoted in the New Testament because it speaks of the rule of King Jesus, God’s Anointed One in Zion.  It begins abruptly with a question:

 

Why do the nations conspire

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth take their stand

and the rulers gather together

against the Lord

and against his Anointed One.

“Let us break their chains,” they say,

“and throw off their fetters.”                             [Psalm 2: 1 – 3 NIV]

 

The picture here is of kings and rulers in revolt against the Lord and his Anointed One, against Christ.  But there are people other than kings and rulers who exercise great power who could also align themselves against the Lord: CEOs of big corporations, Trades Union leaders and newspaper publishers to name but a few.

 

There are many in our world who would not want the Lord to reign over their area of influence.  There are business leaders for whom Christian ethics would wreck their profit margins; there are journalists, for whom a Christian influence might endanger dubious ways of working; there are political leaders who resist the Christian message because it would harm their vested interests.

 

Many in our world, whether they articulate it or not, want to marginalise the influence of God and stifle his voice.

 

The question asked is ‘Why?’  [Verse 1]  For all of us, there is a desire to be in control, to have power, to have our own way.  But in having our own way, we reject God’s way.

 

N T Wright comments,

 

Most Christians in today's world have not begun to think how calling Jesus ‘Lord’ might affect the real world. 

 

By saying that Jesus is Lord, we deny lordship to all other powers.  We allow him to reign.

 

Lord, show me any areas in my life that are in rebellion against you, and help me to bring all of my life under your control.  Amen.

 

David Long

[Monday's Devotional] - Lord of both personal and public

1 - Lord of both personal and public

 

 

Psalm 2, which we will be looking at this week, along with Psalm 1, serves as an introduction to the Book of Psalms.  While Psalm 1 is focused on the individual, the message of the second Psalm is spoken to kings and people with power.  We might say that Psalm 1 is personal and Psalm 2 is public.

 

Psalm 1 begins with the words,

 

Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked  [Psalm 1: 1, NIV]

 

Here, the Lord speaks to us as individuals about our personal responses to his rule.  The picture of faith in Psalm 1 is all about our personal conduct, the voices we listen to and take notice of during our life and our ultimate destiny. 

 

The picture of faith in Psalm 2 is different.  It begins by addressing the decision makers, the kings of the nations:

 

Why do the nations conspire

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth take their stand

and the rulers gather together

against the Lord

and against his Anointed One.  [Psalm 2: 1. 2, NIV]

 

Some people see the Christian faith as a completely personal matter, having everything to say about how individuals are to behave, but nothing about politics or power. 

 

Other people view faith as being about the big issues like poverty, peace and welfare (“the social gospel”) but saying little about personal salvation and how to lead a good life.

 

The truth from these two Psalms is that the Lord is king over all creation: the personal and the corporate, the private and the public.

 

Lord, please forgive me when I have not lived all of my life under your authority.  Help me to bring my personal choices, my career, my family and my politics under your rule.  Amen.

 

David Long

[Friday's Devotional] - Don't panic when the plan changes

Paul was given the promise that he would preach God’s word in Rome.  However, when he and fellow convicts were on board a ship bound for Rome, they were caught up in a terrible hurricane that lasted two weeks.  As a man of God, Paul had sensed and advised the captain of the ship not to set sail at that point in time as the weather would endanger everybody on board.  Unfortunately, Paul's wisdom was overruled by the officer responsible for the journey.  That led to the trouble with the great storm.

One night, God sent an angel that came and stood by Paul with the message - ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ (Acts 27:24 NIV).  Today God is saying the same thing He has said so many other times in the bible, to us:

"You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26 NIV)
“… do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

Whatever God has promised you - whether healing, protection, safety, salvation, deliverance, provision etc. - will surely be done for you, despite the storms you may be experiencing at present.

As it turned out, the following day the ship that Paul was travelling on got wrecked on the shores of a small island, but nobody lost their life, and just as the Angel had promised Paul. As Paul and other prisoners were gathering firewood to warm themselves, Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake and the people on the island began to think he was really an evil man. They thought, how can one escape such a terrible hurricane and shipwreck and end being bitten up by a poisonous snake on arrival to safety?  But when Paul shook off the snake from his arm and did not swell up and die as they expected, they changed their statement. They thought No!  Paul must be god instead.

 

As it turned out, Paul was used by God to heal all the sick people on the island and to show them a live testimony of God’s power to protect him from a poisonous snake bite. I am sure Paul powerfully preached the gospel and saved many people on the island.

Finally as promised, Paul reached Rome - his destiny- by another ship.

Friend, don’t be discouraged by the negative things going on in your life. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made (Psalm 145: 13 NIV bible).  It doesn’t matter whether “the officer in charge has overruled you or whether you made the mistake”

 

All you need is to repent or forgive those who have wronged you and believe again!

Farai Mutsambiwa

[Thursday's Devotional] - Understanding the times

At the age of 480 years old and for the following 120 years - the time God gave people in Noah’s generation to repent, Noah started preaching the Good News and building an ark to save his family and those who would repent from their sins.  Unfortunately, people would not believe God’s warnings through Noah.

 

In the fullness of time, God commanded Noah to take pairs of all animals and all members of his household on board the ark because in the following 7 days, the Lord was finally going to carry out His warning to destroy all ungodly people of that generation.  Noah obeyed God's commandment and just as promised, the floodgates of heaven and every spring of water was opened by God on the 7th day.

 

We too are looking to God for our salvation and needs.  When we watch the news and see what it happening in the world, we may find ourselves in despair.  We have lots of questions about when things will change for the better.  And as we read our bible, justice and fulfilment of God’s promises seems a far cry.

 

In times like this, we need to pray and listen.  We need to put things into the right perspective for there are some promises for now and others for the future.

 

In the story above had Noah misheard God to say the floods would come anytime sooner than 120 years, he would have become frustrated and given up too soon.

 

In the same vein, if Noah wasn’t fully accustomed with God’s ways and voice, he would not have heard the instruction when the time to get on board the ark had come.

 

This leaves me wondering – how many of us have missed the harvest when it has come?

 

Conversely how many have acted too soon before the harvest is ready?

 

Today before we arrange that vacation, start the project, visit the doctor, etc. why not ask for the gift of discernment of the times and what we need to do, when we need to do it and with whom? Let’s emulate the tribe of Issachar:

 

From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives.  All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.

1 Chronicles 12: 32 [NLT]

 

 

Farai Mutsambiwa

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Victory is in confessing our identity

When John the Baptist was confronted by the Pharisees about his identity here is what he said:

 

This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”

“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” he replied. “Are you the Prophet we are expecting?” “No.” “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?” John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the LORD’s coming!’”

John 1: 19-23 [NLT]

 

I looked up Isaiah 40: 3 which John was quoting from and it’s stated differently and here is what it says:

 

Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness

for the LORD!  Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God!

 

As you can see above, John replaced "it’s the voice of someone shouting" with "I am a voice shouting"

 

He personalised the word He read in Isaiah and gave himself an identity of a prophet operating in the wilderness based on God's word.  We too when confronted by those in positions superior to ours about who we are, should answer quoting who the bible says we are.

 

For example, the first time I saw change in my long-standing battle with a skin condition was when I gave the doctor who had been seeing me for many years without change, my real identity.  When asked how can I help you today, I decided to change my narrative on that day and said "I was healed a long time ago, but the devil has been trying to steal my health. Unfortunately for him, nothing is impossible with God...."

 

I was quoting healing scriptures from Isaiah 53 and what Jesus said of God in Luke 18:27. I then asked the doctor to do what he knows best to do.  A few months later I began to see signs of change!

 

Though I am still battling the devil, I realise that for me to win, I have to keep searching for relevant promises to confess and give myself my God-given identity depending on my healing progress.  I must tell the truth – it’s not easy!  Yes, sometimes I find myself joining those treating me for political correctness, in confessing something on the contrary e.g. "this part of the arm is proving stubborn to treatment"

 

No wonder we often win battles to take over the castle on the hill and never the war! Yes! We know very well that it is written “we were made whole” and that Jesus was able to perform great miracles because He only spoke what the Father told Him to say. Well, I am only human and such is our real trouble in this world! We are all caught in between two people - one who brought sin into this world through his disobedience and the other One who brought us salvation through His obedience and the choice is ours to identify ourselves with Jesus!

 

Farai Mutsambiwa

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Never give up on God's promises

I recently came across a fascinating story of a lonely 9 year old who loved arcade games and had a dream that one day he would own a business of this nature with many people coming to play.  He decided to do something about it.  One summer holiday, he spent his time building an elaborate DIY cardboard arcade in his dad’s used auto parts store.

 

When he had perfected his little entertainment business, his only problem was - there were no customers.  People were not only interested in the boy’s arcade but dad’s down town store was hardly reachable by walking customers.  This went on for some time but the boy would not be discouraged from asking people to come and play.  However, on the last day of summer and by chance, a man came into the store to buy a door handle for his car.  When asked to play, the man took interest in the boy’s arcade and decided to play a game.  He became the first and only customer at that time.

 

As it turned out, this man was a filmmaker.  Long story short, the man later came to see dad and asked if he could produce a short film of the boy which he put online and “received over 1 million views in the first 24 hours, and trended worldwide on twitter”.  The boy suddenly had tens of thousands of people visiting his arcade when the short film went viral!  Something even greater happened – a charitable organisation to find, foster and fund creativity in many children around the world was later established and the boy is a sought-after public speaker.

 

The bible is replete with many stories of people who followed their passion.

 

For example, Abraham “the spiritual father of those who have faith”, (Romans 4:11), had a problem. He wanted a child – an heir after him, but there was no hope because both Abraham and Sarah his wife were old and “Sarah was barren” (Genesis 11:30).

 

During one of his conversations with God, (you can call this prayer time), the Lord told Abraham “Don’t worry, …… a son from your body will be your heir.”

 

The Lord then took him outside and said, “Look at the sky. Count the stars. Can you do it? Count your descendants! You’re going to have a big family, Abram!”

 

By faith, Abraham believed God’s promise and indeed, Isaac - Abraham and Sarah’s only child was born when both parents were a 100 and 91 years old, respectively (Read Genesis 15 and 21 The Message Bible)

 

Has God given you a dream which seems impossible?  You may be expecting a turn-around in your health and family situation, relationships, finances, etc. Friend, do not give up on your dreams.  You never know who God will send your way to help or what He can do with a little mustard seed of faith.

 

You can read about the boy’s story on http://cainesarcade.com/about/ or watch the short video http://cainesarcade.com/

 

Farai Mutsambiwa

[Monday's Devotional] - A prayer that avails much

Despite being a very busy Man, Jesus always cared for people and took time off to attend a wedding party, He had been invited to. Typical of these special events, it sometimes rains when everybody does not want it to. 

 

On this occasion, the most important beverage - wine- ran out. It did not only run out but this happened at the wrong time - just as the party was reaching its crescendo!

 

When Mary, Jesus' mother and a member of the organising team, was approached with this embarrassing problem, she knew where to go.  She went straight to Jesus and said to him, “They have no wine.”  And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.”  His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:3b-5 [ESV]

 

Friends, I want you to focus on Mary's four word "prayer" to Jesus - "They have no wine". Unlike most of us often do in our prayers, she didn’t say anything more or accuse anybody for poor planning or incompetence.  She didn’t try to suggest a solution.  She simply stated the problem and "cast her cares" onto Jesus.  On the way out of the wine storage room and back into the party, she instructed the servants "Do whatever he tells you".

 

Today, God is inviting us to present our needs, problems or anything we can’t handle to Jesus in very simple words - "Lord Jesus, thank you for always answering my prayers. Lord I need ....... e.g. healing"

 

As we pray let’s listen to whatever He tells us - e.g. "Go to the doctors again!"  When we hear His instruction we should just obey without complaining, arguing or doubting.

 

As it turned out in our wonderful story above, Jesus performed His first miracle - water was turned into wine!

 

Friends, it was not just some ordinary wine, but the Holy Spirit took time to record in the Bible for us, that it was the best wine!:

 

When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over.  “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” 
John 2: 9-10 [NLT]

 

 

Farai Mutsambiwa

[Friday's Devotional] - Prayer and Social Justice

Will you acknowledge Christ’s authority over human society

by prayer for the world and its leaders,

by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice?

With the help of God, I will.

 

Did you use your vote yesterday?  Did you exercise your power to help choose those who will govern our nation, be our representatives and uphold our laws?  It is no easy job creating a just society for millions of people of different backgrounds, interests and ages and our politicians need our prayer even if we don’t agree fully with their politics.

 

Paul exhorts us to pray for those in authority:

 

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. “
1 Timothy 2:1-2 [NIV]

 

But as well as praying, we need to be actively seeking peace and justice and standing up for the rights of others and those whose needs society has neglected.

 

So, how well are you living out the promises you made or had made for you at baptism?

 

In the baptism service, the newly baptised respond to the questions with: With the help of God, I will.  Pray for God’s help to live out the faith you profess.

 

Mairi Mowbray

[Thursday's Devotional] - Loving Your Neighbour

Will you seek and serve Christ in all people,

loving your neighbour as yourself?

With the help of God, I will.

 

The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) teaches us that our neighbour is anyone we come into contact with, anyone with a need.  To see someone suffering and to feel compassion is the beginning; to respond to their needs above your own, can be very costly.

So how often do you “walk by on the other side”?  How often are your immediate concerns more urgent than their suffering?  How often do you see someone as beneath your contempt or blame their situation on their bad choices to avoid having to make a loving response to their need?  Seeking Christ in all people is to recognise that everyone is a child of God, in need of compassion and understanding.  As the story shows, is it easy to make excuses for our inaction.

 

Pray that today you will not look away when you see someone in need and that you will have the compassion to respond with God’s love.

 

Mairi Mowbray

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Proclaiming the Good News

Will you proclaim by word and example

the good news of God in Christ?

With the help of God, I will.

 

We can demonstrate the love of Jesus in our lives, by the choices we make; by the way we treat others; by how we speak; by how we care.  Do we personify the qualities of love, joy, peace, kindness, self-control, goodness, gentleness and patience?

 

What is there about your life that would make someone look at you, recognise Jesus in you,  and think, “I want to be like that?”

 

How often do we actually talk to others about Jesus – do we wait too long for an opportunity and then let it pass?  Are we seized with fear?  Do we expect rejection?  Do we think we won’t know what to say?  Can we put our beliefs into words that that other people will find convincing and compelling?

 

Paul recognised the need for prayer in preparation for speaking about Jesus:

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
Ephesians 6:19 [NIV]

 

Pray that your behaviour choices will attract others to Christ and pray for opportunities to speak about him to others.

 

Mairi Mowbray