[Monday's Devotional] - Carved in Stone

Carved in Stone This summer, my family and I went on a fantastic holiday to America, because of great friends the trip was even more eventful than planned.  In the first week we headed out West. Looking back and sorting out the Photo's I was struck by how the images I had taken both reflected a great holiday, but also some of my experiences and emotions when trying to understand God. Take this first picture.  Many of you may recognise it as Mount Rushmore, America's "everlasting" and beyond enormous, dedication to 4 of America's greatest presidents. The structure was the brainchild of Gutzon Borglum and an amazing fact that 90% of the carving was done by dynamite. I say that this is an "everlasting" dedication to 4 dead presidents, but in fact without thousands of dollars and a dedicated workforce, the structure would crumble and break due to weathering.  Man has no hold on nature's advances. Remembering back to when I read this fact in the visitor centre I was struck by a sense of smallness.  God tells us that we don't need great wealth or great deeds to be accepted by Him.  Unless our achievements are truly astonishing history won't remember us and even if they are, it takes a huge amount of dedication and expertise to stop them from crumbling into dust.  God loves us for who we are, right here, right now and expects nothing more than our desire to love him back. Steve Fogo Twitter Website Copyright © 2016 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!

[Friday's Devotional] - How passionate are you?

How passionate are you? I was reading about the encounters of David's three mighty warriors which left me speechless:   "Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.   Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite.  As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword.    The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead.   Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel's troops fled from them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory." 2 Samuel 23: 8-12 [NIV]   How can a single man kill 800 warriors in battle with shield and spear without being wounded or killed himself?  Folks, this is close contact battle!   How is it possible a man can fight, when others have fled for dear life, until his hand freezes onto his sword?  The man was not killed.  Instead, he killed all the Philistines that were against him and his fellow warriors only came back to strip the dead and carry the spoils.   And, how about a man defending a field of lentils when others have retreated and winning a great victory?   The answer lies in verse 12. I believe these guys went into battle knowing that God was with them and that they were under His protection.  They were obviously inspired by their leader David who had killed Goliath the giant with sling and stone while he was only a boy.  The mighty warriors were bold and passionate about their carrier. Although all the warriors must have been well trained and experienced, others fled!   To serve Jesus and people we need passion, boldness and faith that God will give us the breakthrough.   Farai Mutsambiwa   Twitter Website Copyright © 2016 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!

[Thursday's Devotional] - Feeling overlooked?

Feeling overlooked? Throughout the bible it is amazing how God uses people despised by society to bring a blessing to many.   Think of Jesus - the stone the builders rejected which became the corner stone of God's house. The world rejected and crucified Him, yet He is the only way to heaven and our salvation.   Think of David. When Samuel was directed by God to Jesse's house to choose for Him Israel's next king, his first choice was David's elder brothers but, God rejected them all.  As an afterthought, David's father Jesse, mentioned the name of David who was away looking after sheep.  Though he was the youngest and overlooked by people, David was chosen by God as the next king of Israel.   We know how Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers and how God used him to save the same brothers from famine.   Think of Leah (Genesis 29) and how she was married to but not loved by her husband Jacob. Yet, Jesus Christ was of the lineage of Judah, Leah's son.  Moreover, of all twelve tribes of Israel, ten were descendants of Leah's sons.  Only two were from Rachel, Leah's sister who was also married to Jacob and loved more.   If only we could discern and see the bigger picture of what God is trying to achieve in our own lives when we feel undervalued or tempted to undervalue others, we will be amazed at how God is going to use each one of us for His greater purpose.   God uses the despised in order to confound the wisdom of this world.   "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people. He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children"  Psalm 113: 7-9 [NIV]   Farai Mutsambiwa   Twitter Website Copyright © 2016 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!

[Wednesday's Devotional] - His ways are not our ways

His ways are not our ways Joseph had two dreams in which God showed him his destiny i.e. he was going to be a leader and rule over his brothers and parents. When he shared his dreams with his brothers, they were offended and became jealous.  When they got the opportunity, they threw him into a pit to die. However, as they prepared to have lunch, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites travelling to Egypt and decided to sell him off as a slave.  While working for a senior government official in Egypt, the official's wife tried to seduce Joseph and when he refused, she lied and Joseph ended up in prison.   Everything in Joseph's life seemed to point in the wrong direction and contrary to God's vision and promise to him.  Yet, while in prison, he met the king's butler who played a major role in making Joseph the man in charge of the entire Egyptian economy.   "Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way?" Proverbs 20 :24 [NIV]   Friends, do not be discouraged when things do not go your way.  Do not resist God's wind in your sails.  Just trust in Him, since His ways are not our ways.   Farai Mutsambiwa   Twitter Website Copyright © 2016 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!

[Tuesday's Devotional] - God's timing is best

God's timing is best One of the reasons why God has given us His word is to teach us about life.  For many years I have been learning to thank God in every circumstance and when prayers do not get answered in the manner I want.  I also do not want to pretend I have enjoyed God's "No!s" and delays. But with time, I have learnt there is always a reason and purpose, all motivated by God's love and care for us.   In Exodus God tells Moses and the children of Israel, "I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you.  Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land." Exodus 23: 28-30 [NIV]   When I look back at the things I wanted to have and achieve in life - the career I wanted to follow, the wife to marry, the house and place to live and the timing etc, I have a lot to say "Thank You God!" for.  I now see that His perfect plan, strategy and timing has always been the best, though I have not always understood everything at the time.   Today, do not produce Ishmael because you feel impatient to wait for the promised son, Isaac (Genesis 16 and 21).  Remember God is Sovereign and all knowing!   Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land Psalm 37: 34 [HCSB]     Farai Mutsambiwa   Twitter Website Copyright © 2016 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!