[Friday's Devotional] - Scum

Due to various problems with the sound system during this years’ Good Friday Walk of Witness, I ended up giving a short talk standing on a litter bin!  I suddenly related to Paul’s words in a new way:

 

…we have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world. 1 Corinthians 4:13 [NIV]

 

This is the most unflattering and provocative image that Paul uses of Christian ministry in his writings. For Paul the servant of Jesus takes on the lowest place in the world.  If you’re thinking about Christian service then be prepared for rejection, abuse and suffering – as well as the wonder of following Jesus.

 

Yet why should this surprise us if the one we follow was crucified?  The cross was the place of utter shame. Jesus was stripped naked, verbally abused, in the depths of physical agony, yet was also becoming sin for us.  He became scum, and Paul knows that the world around him frequently regards him in the same way.

 

So often we can chase status, prestige and the good opinion of others. But someone once said the only status that matters is our proximity to Jesus.

 

Reflection: How far am I status-conscious? Do I take my value from Christ’s love for me?

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, today I say yes to living life with you. Help me to empty myself so that I may be used by you. Amen.

 

Hannah Mears

[Thursday's Devotional] - Parent

For many centuries of the Church’s life the predominant understanding of Christian ministry has been that it is male not female.  It is interesting, then, that Paul writing of his role in planting the church in Thessalonica describes his work in evocative male and female parental terms.  He says:

 

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you… You know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you…  1 Thessalonians 2:7b-8a, 11-12a [NIV]

 

In caring for, comforting and encouraging one another we are called to be and become spiritual parents.  I can think of people who have nurtured me in my faith, who have mixed gentleness and sternness at the right moments, who have encouraged me and become spiritual mothers and fathers to me.  I live out the faith which they instilled in me.  And it has been the most wonderful privilege to know that I have spiritual children.

 

Do not doubt the impact which your life can have on other Christians and those who do not yet believe.  Just as we owe so much to those who raised us, so you can be used by God to grow the spiritual lives of others.

 

Reflection: Who are your spiritual parents?  Why did they have this impact on you?  Who around you needs care, comfort, encouragement or urging?

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for those who have instilled faith in me.  By the power of your Holy Spirit help me to influence those around me for good, nurturing souls as a parent nurtures their child. Amen.

 

Hannah Mears

[Wednesday's Devotional] - The Fool

I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me!  I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.  But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.” I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge.  We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.  Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?

…I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting.
2 Corinthians 11: 1-7, 16 [NIV]

If you’ve ever seen King Lear you’ll know the power of the fool.  The fool in art and literature is the outsider, speaking no sense and frequently looked down upon, who in fact carries more truth and wisdom in their folly than all the sophisticated people around them.

Paul tells the Corinthians that he is coming to them as a fool.  He’d rather that they didn’t see him in this way, but he knows that although his message and his lifestyle seem so stupid and weak, it is Jesus’ truth and what he has been called to.

If it’s true that other Christians can think of the decisions we make for Jesus as folly, it is even more true of those who do not yet believe.  Maybe more than any of the other images which Paul uses for Christian service, this articulates what the world thinks of us.  Our message seems an irrelevance to the majority.  How can the gospel we carry ever speak to the sophisticated, the satisfied and the oblivious?

But at the end of the play the audience knows that the fool has spoken the truth.  And amazingly, in spite of our weakness and apparent folly the Gospel is still God’s power and wisdom.  Power and wisdom that has changed our lives and can change the world.

Reflection: In what ways is the message of Jesus foolish to those around me? Am I ever looked upon as a fool because of my faith?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that your message is power and wisdom. May I see this power and wisdom changing lives around me. Amen.

Hannah Mears

[Tuesday's Devotional] - The Ambassador

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, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6: 19-20 [NIV]

 

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 [NIV]

 

In the political world in which Paul found himself, an ambassador was not usually a professional diplomat but someone who was simply prepared to travel in order to represent their government or community.  They would carry a message and express the views of those how had sent them.  They would embody the interests of the sending power and negotiate on its behalf.  Their job was to communicate a message often in foreign territories. The heart of the role was representation.

 

Twice Paul refers to himself as an ambassador.  He is an ambassador ‘for Christ’ in 2 Corinthians 5: 20 and ‘of the gospel,’ in Ephesians 6: 19-20.  After his Damascus experience, Paul spent much time travelling where the gospel was not known and appealing to people to be reconciled to God.  By using the title ‘ambassador,’ Paul is claiming to represent Jesus Christ.  As Paul uses this image he doesn’t draw attention to himself but to the appeal he is commissioned to give.  What is of most importance is the message not the messenger, and the message is not for a select group but for all.

 

Reflection: What is the message that Jesus has entrusted to you?  How is it communicated in your life?  To whom?

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you the Lord of history want to communicate yourself and your message of transforming love through me.  Help me to articulate your good news clearly in my words and deeds today and every day. Amen.

 

Hannah Mears

 

[Monday's Devotional] - The Builder

This week’s reflections are based on the work done by Derek Tidball in his book, Builders and Fools (1999, IVP), on the images and metaphors which Paul uses in his letters for Christian ministry.  As Jesus uses us we may well find that that we begin to embody these same characteristics.

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.  For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.  If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.  If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 1 Corinthians 3.10-18 [NIV]

My next door neighbour has been building a wall around his front garden. Passers by have commented to him about how neat and tidy it looks!  Paul frequently used building imagery to describe his own ministry and the life of the church.  He talks about spiritual gifts being given to ‘build up’ the church.  We are called to use our gifts to strengthen and encourage each other in living for Jesus.  Our life together may not always be neat and tidy, but we are called to work together building on the foundation which is already laid: Jesus Christ.

We are to be a community centred in Christ that he is building, not bricks and mortar.

“You yourselves are God’s temple” 1 Corinthians 3.16 [NIV]

The temple Paul refers to is not a pile of stones!  It is living, dynamic, growing and organic. Edmund Clowney writes, ‘God’s architecture is biological.’

Reflection: Is my heart orientated towards the building up of the church or do I just see it as a place to meet my needs?

Prayer: Lord, please build me up in your love so that I can build up others for the sake of your kingdom. Help me not to lean on my own strength today but on you – my foundation. Amen.

Hannah Mears

[Friday's Devotional] - Remaining in Jesus

“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” John 15: 4 [NIV]

If you have time, read the full passage:  John 15. 1-8

However our week is going, this passage reminds us of the importance of remaining

in Jesus.  Jesus explains that the vine gives the branch energy and nourishment - everything it needs to grow and produce fruit.  Likewise, Jesus says, we are to remain in him and allow him to give us all we need to live for him.

It is when we stay close to Jesus, depending on him in a close relationship that our lives will be full of God’s goodness.  Our lives will produce good things for God’s kingdom as we remain in Jesus and we will grow to become more like him.  On the other hand, Jesus also tells us that if a branch is not attached to the vine it does not produce anything that is of any value to God and it dies.  Let’s ensure this week that we are not running on empty but remaining close to Jesus.  Let’s receive from Jesus all that we need to live for him, for without him, we can do nothing.

Reflection: Am I remaining in Jesus or am I running on empty?  Whose strength am I relying on this week?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, today I say yes to living life with you.  I come to you today and ask that you would give me all the resources, strength and energy I need to live for you so that my life might produce good things for your kingdom.  Amen.

Hannah Mears

[Thursday's Devotional] - Feeling small?

“It is I, do not be afraid.” John 6:20 [NIV]

If you have time, read the full passage: John 6:16-21

Right now there are many people in our country fearful about the damage caused by the recent storms and floods. Suddenly they have new challenges to face, life feels very testing and in the midst of uncertainty they feel vulnerable and small.  Whether we are affected by the wind and rain or the storms of life, all of us have moments of feeling small and anxious.

The disciples in our Bible passage probably felt small as they sat in that boat, and who can blame them?  It was dark and a strong wind was blowing so the waters became rough.  They rowed three or four miles so we can guess they were also feeling rather weary.  The disciples saw Jesus walking on the water and were afraid.  But Jesus intervened and spoke into their panic: “It is I, do not be afraid.”  Can we hear these words of Jesus being spoken to us today? What are the situations where you need to remember that Jesus is near? What fears or burdens do you need to give him?

What interests me about this passage is that it is after hearing the words of Jesus, the disciples were willing to take him in their boat. They needed to know first that it was him they were seeing and on being assured of his presence they let him in.  When they were willing to take him in, Jesus could bring change to their situation and immediately they reached the shore.

Reflection: Can I catch myself today in moments when I feel small and vulnerable and remember the words of Jesus, ‘it is I, do not be afraid.’

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray today for those in our country who have been affected by the recent weather. We pray that they would know you intervention and peace. Please help me in moments when I feel small to know your presence and peace. Give me a heart that is willing to take you into the challenges I face as the disciples were willing to take you into their boat. Amen.

Hannah Mears

[Wednesday's Devotional] - A little offering

“Here is a boy with five small barely loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:9 [NIV]  

If you have time, read the full passage: John 6: 1-15

The crowd needed food, they were hungry.  Stood before Jesus was a boy with a little offering: 5 little barley loaves and 2 small fish!  The disciple Andrew said the obvious (v. 9) ‘but how far will they go among so many?’  The boy didn’t try to control what happened with his lunch; he simply offered it to Jesus.  This boy could not have imagined that his little offering could be used by Jesus to feed the hungry crowd. Jesus multiplied his offering so that there was even food left over.

I find this passage one of real encouragement because it reminds me that like the boy, we can come to Jesus as children who trust Him.  Do we know that whatever we are willing to offer to Jesus can be used by him, no matter how small we may consider our offering?  Jesus can transform what we give and multiply it, making it into something beautiful which blesses the lives of those around us.

We may feel inadequate at times, others may doubt our offering, but all it takes from us is a willing heart to offer what we can to Jesus: our time, resources, a listening ear, a helping hand, a particular talent, our compassion, a smile, a word of encouragement, so that Jesus can take and transform what we have to offer, beyond our imaginations.

Reflection: Are we ready to offer what we have to Jesus, to let go of control and trust him?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please show me what I have to offer you.  I yield control of that area to you. Use it as you will, that others may know your love.

Hannah Mears

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Disciple-making disciples!

“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.”
John 1: 41-42 [NIV]

If you have time, read the full passage: John 1: 35-42

One thing I have learnt is that God uses us in the situations we find ourselves in.  We might be given opportunities to share our faith in the workplace, in the supermarket or at the school gate.  I know an elderly lady who gives space to listen to people and then point them to Jesus as she walks her dog.  She is often surprised by the opportunities God gives her as she walks across the park with her four-legged friend! What I love about this lady is that she is open to the opportunities God gives her and is willing to share the good news of Jesus.

In our Bible passage, we read that Andrew is definitely open to sharing the good news of Jesus!  I love the excitement he shows and the sense of urgency portrayed. Straight away Andrew finds his brother and shares the good news: ‘We have found Jesus!’  Just like Andrew we are called to point others to Jesus, sharing what we ourselves have found. It’s not just the work of a few that are called ‘evangelists’ – we all have a role to play.  Who are the people you already have a connection with?

Where are your God-given opportunities?

Reflection: Am I praying for opportunities to point to Jesus and share my faith?  Do I see this as important?  What proportion of my week is spent with people who do not already follow Jesus?

Prayer: Please give me opportunities today to point to Jesus, eyes to see them, courage to take them and the wisdom to know what to say.  Amen.

Hannah Mears

[Monday's Devotional] - Would the real evangelist please stand up?

“The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1: 14 [NIV]

If you have time take a look at the whole passage: John 1: 1-18

The prologue of John is a beautiful description of how God works in the world, drawing those he has created back to himself.   God desires that all might believe (v.7) and he longs to be known by his people (v. 18).  That is why God ‘became flesh’ – he became flesh, skin and bones through the person of Jesus and dwelt among his people (v. 14).  We didn’t come to him – he came to us.

So often in conversations I have with people about their journey to the Christian faith, I am amazed to see how God has been at work in their lives long before they put their trust in Jesus.  God is the real evangelist.  This is a great reminder that God is already at work in the world around us seeking to draw people back to him.  God is the real evangelist: we are simply called to join in with what he’s already doing.

Reflection: How was God at work in my life before I came to believe?  How might he be at work in those around me?

Prayer: Give thanks to God for his work in your own life.  Ask God to reveal himself afresh to you today.

Hannah Mears