[Wednesday's Devotional] - Jesus the Light of the World

Jesus the Light of the World In ancient Israel different brands of olive oil were manufactured by crashing olives three times using a stone press.     Here our guide explains that the first round of olive crushing produces anointing oil.  The residue is crushed for a second time to produce cooking oil and then the third crushing produces oil for lighting lamps in the house and the temple.   This was symbolic of Jesus journey to the cross i.e. His anointing with expensive perfume by a "sinful" woman, His crucifixion on the cross and finally Jesus is the Light of the world.    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] - The Bible is not fiction

The Bible is not fiction Soon, we got on board two coaches headed for the Golan Heights where we were to spend our first night.  This is also where we have viewed the Sea of Galilee.   By the way, next time you read that Jesus went to the sea of Tiberias, know that it is the same sea called by a different name - the Sea of Galilee!   Then, hardly 30 minutes into our journey and unannounced, we had our first surprise experience.   Luke 24 bible has this account:   "That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was."   They came to the edge of the village where they were headed. He acted as if he were going on but they pressed him: "Stay and have supper with us. It's nearly evening; the day is done." So he went in with them. And here is what happened: He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him. And then he disappeared.   Back and forth they talked. "Didn't we feel on fire as he conversed with us on the road, as he opened up the Scriptures for us?" Luke 24: 13-32 [The Message] It is true - the picture you are looking at is where it happened. 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!

[Monday's Devotional] - My blessed trip to the Holy Land

My blessed trip to the Holy Land I am dedicating this week's devotionals to my amazing experiences when I recently joined a group of UK pilgrims to the Holy Land.  While I feel sad that I had very scanty experience or Holy Land information prior to my visit, I had no regrets afterwards.  For that reason, I am going to share with you just enough information to encourage you to pack your bags for a lifetime experience.   I was filled with a sense of awe as we landed at Ben Gurion International Airport, Tel Aviv.  This was the land of miracles, the home of Jesus and where it all happened.  What a privilege and an honour!  There is no better way to express my feelings than the response demonstrated by my African group.  As soon as we had collected our baggage and assembled in one place for briefing by our tour guides, we burst into song.  The women ululated while some men shook rattles.  Some danced and in no time, we were surrounded by a "cloud of witnesses" who were taking video clips, selfies and pictures on their iPhones.  Our spontaneously created song "Ebenezer!" soon caught fire and instantly became international.   We were unashamed to pray and praise the Lord for what He had done.  For most of us who grew up in poverty-stricken villages with limited opportunities, it was unbelievable.  All we knew to do was what our bible teachers and parents had always taught us, i.e. always give your "first fruits" to the Lord.  Be thankful, praise Him and tell the world about His many wonders.   Psalm 107: 1-3 [The Message]    Oh, thank God—he's so good!     His love never runs out.   All of you set free by God, tell the world!       Tell how he freed you from oppression, Then rounded you up from all over the place,     from the four winds, from the seven seas.   Sea of Galilee   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!

[Friday's Devotional] - Jesus

Jesus Now there was a man to follow.  He could do all sorts of wonderful things and people flocked to wherever he was to hear him.  When he spoke people were inspired by his words and by the man himself.  His gang, or mates, or followers – whatever you called them – hung on his every word and obviously adored him I would think.  So who was he really?  And what was he trying to do?   Of course we now know that Jesus was the Son of God.  He was born of a virgin maiden in a small town in the north of what we now know as Israel.  He spent most of his life learning about his real father, God, and why he was here on a small planet, in a small star system, in a vast universe.  As a small child this must have been exciting, but frightening at the same time.  Then as he grew into adulthood and understood more about what God expected of him, it must surely have presented a real challenge.  Life as a human being on earth at that time was no 'walk in the park'.  If you got injured or ill there was no local hospital to call into, and he must have hurt himself at times and known pain and discomfort.  I wonder if he was allowed to use the power he was given to heal himself.  Probably not, and he may have chosen to be as human as possible while he was here anyway. Then he must surely have been concerned about using the power God, his Father, had given him too.  Until his time of ministry anyway.  And at the end that was taken away and he trusted in his Father.   There's no doubt he knew how it all ended long before it happened – and he carried on regardless.  Would any of us be that strong today?  I'm not sure – how about you?  We are left with a slightly easier task.  To let others we come into contact with know about Jesus, and his father – God.  No matter what the time of year, plant a seed, water it, and watch it grow.   He is with you, always.    Jim Finch.   Acknowledging '52 men of the Bible' by Carl Beech for basis of these devotionals.   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] - Hezekiah

Hezekiah This man was a hero.  He has a great obituary: Hezekiah 'did what was right in the eyes of the Lord...Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him...He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following Him; he kept the commandments the Lord had given Moses'.   Not a bad thing to be said about you, is it?  I wonder what they'll say about me. 'Jim Finch... he told silly jokes....'   Whether it was smashing up idols, restoring worship in the temple, praying before taking action or cutting down idols, Hezekiah was your man.  He was the business!  Several times he faced a crisis and in every situation he turned to God first before trying to fix things himself with his own action plans.   The threat they faced at that time came from Assyria.  There was a bit of a cold war going on and Assyria were led by Sennacherib, a bad guy with muscle who wasn't afraid to use it.  He wanted the area called Judah, but Hezekiah was having none of it.  He put first things first.  He didn't ready the troops, or strengthen the walls, or form a Dad's Army of volunteers.  First he got the people right with God.  Not a bad tip.  When the chips are down and your back's to the wall, what do you do?  No!  You don't call 'Ghostbusters'.  Panic then?  Try to think of a plan to fix it?  Or turn to God? Hezekiah turns to God first, and only then looks at sorting things out.  And God guides him all the way.   Unfortunately Hezekiah had a blind spot.  As things went on he only really thought about the now situation and didn't concern himself about what might happen after he was no longer there.  He really shows that he isn't bothered about the next generation.  Now that would not be a good epitaph, would it?   Perhaps we could think about what we could leave for our descendants, whilst making sure that God's plan stays on track with us now.  Talk to Him, and listen.  Then follow your heart. Have a beautiful epitaph, eventually.   Jim Finch   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!