[Friday's Devotional] - Spontaneous love

“Love is not premeditated– it is spontaneous; that is, it bursts forth in extraordinary ways”, says Oswald Chambers in his book My Utmost for His Highest.

 

A couple of years ago, I was looking out of the window at the back of our house, and a wheel came off a car as it was travelling along. It was bizarre – the car ground to a halt as it skidded along on the brake drum, and the wheel continued rolling along the road. It was an odd sight - I have never seen it before or since, but it was also odd that I happened to be looking out of the window at that precise moment. It was like my cue to do something.

 

Unfortunately I’m not that good at being spontaneous. I didn’t jump up and run out to help the guy. To be honest, it wasn’t exactly on my doorstep, as I don’t have access to the road from the back of my house. My mind told me that someone else would be there by the time I had walked round, but nevertheless I did feel later on that I should have done something, because I had witnessed it.

 

So, I sometimes feel more like the Levite or the priest than the Good Samaritan in our passage this week. I want to be more spontaneous, but often there is something holding me back.

 

So as we close this week, maybe reflect on the Good Samaritan’s response. It was one quickly made, not over analysing, and made sacrificially. He let his love burst forth in an extraordinary way. Let’s pray that we can let God in to our lives so that we may do the same.

 

Jon Seaton

[Thursday's Devotional] - Taking risks and finding needs

 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”  Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37 [NIV]

 

It is a beautiful thing to see love in action. It is hard not to cry at some of the Children In Need films of the plight of people in poor countries, and how they have been helped.

 

If instead we just heard someone saying how important it was that we helped these people, without any story or video, it would not have nearly the same impact.

 

Similarly, by painting the picture of the man attacked by robbers in the Good Samaritan story (see yesterday for text), Jesus moves the discussion about love and being a neighbour from the head to the heart.  He moves it from the expert’s comfort zone of talking about legal theory, to an example of love in action.

 

We may often hear that love is a doing word, and Jesus finishes his encounter with the Expert in the Law with the instruction to “go and do likewise”. I think it is difficult to “do” though if your heart is not engaged.

 

In our country, we are so privileged that we don’t often see such extreme need, yet needs exist in different forms, such as loneliness or relationship breakdown.  If today you feel that your heart is not stirred to act, it may be a case of taking a similarly risky path as the one from Jerusalem to Jericho, where you will more likely see others need for yourself.

 

Jon Seaton

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Neighbourly love

But [the expert] wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”

 

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
Luke 10:30-35 [NIV]

 

Some weeks ago, the Pope said Donald Trump was not a Christian, because he said he wants to build a wall across the border of the USA and Mexico. The Pope said a Christian would be building bridges, not walls.

 

In the story of the Good Samaritan, two religious people are featured, a Levite and a priest. If they helped the wounded man, they would be risking defilement especially if he was actually dead.  If the priest is defiled, he cannot collect, distribute and eat tithes. It could take him two weeks to get ritually clean again, so helping would be a very costly action.

 

As well as saying who a neighbour is, Jesus seems to be pointing out that it is impossible to keep the law. It is impossible for the religious people to stay ritually clean, whilst keeping the law of loving your neighbour. Maybe the expert who asked the question wanted an easier answer. Maybe he wanted a neighbour to be a family member, or a close friend, and thus feel he was OK.

 

Whether or not Donald Trump is a Christian, Jesus’ definition of loving your neighbour is a costly one, and seems to be at odds with Donald Trump’s comments. However, where are your limits of doing what is reasonable for your neighbour? What is your response if you can’t live up to Jesus’ standards?

 

Know that God loves you just the same, whatever your response, but that neighbourly love is part of being a follower of Christ.

 

Jon Seaton

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Obeying the Law

[The expert] answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
Luke 10:27-28 [NIV]

 

Jesus knew the answer to the expert’s question “how to inherit eternal life”, but by getting him to answer, he is able to see where the expert’s thinking is. And it all seems very sound, but Jesus approval of the expert’s answer is qualified by the word “do”, and therein lies the problem.

 

The problem comes with obeying the law. Although I love God, I can’t say it is always with my whole being.  So, if I was answering the expert’s question, I would probably point to John 3:16, and say that inheriting eternal life comes through believing Jesus has paid the price for sin.

 

Why didn’t Jesus answer in a similar way, revealing the full truth about himself?  I think he knew that this answer wouldn’t be accepted at that point in time, because it was too radical, especially in response to a testing question from the expert in the law. Instead, I think Jesus chooses to subtly point out the flaw in the expert’s “correct” thinking, showing him that he cannot keep the law, and this is highlighted in the story to come (you’ll have to wait until tomorrow, but I’m sure you know it).

 

Lord, I want to love you with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, but I know I am going to fail. Thank you Jesus that you forgive my failure, through your death and resurrection, and give me an opportunity to try again. Amen

Jon Seaton

[Monday's Devotional] - Questions, questions

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” Luke 10:25-26 [NIV]

I thought I would take The Good Samaritan as the passage to look at this week.

It is probably one of the most overused texts in Sunday schools and school assemblies, because it appeals to that part of our human nature that aspires to do good, as reflected in the many charity fundraisers like Sports Relief or Children In Need. It cuts across cultural and class divides, and has a lot to teach us in that regard.

Note that it starts off with a question from an expert in the Law of Moses, someone who would be called upon in legal cases. He intended to “test” Jesus, maybe to discredit him up or make himself look good.

 

The Jewish leadership were probably concerned about Jesus’ teachings on the Law.

Jesus had to cleverly avoid this potential trip-up whilst revealing the truth. How would you have answered this question? I think I would feel trapped coming up against such an expert.

 

Jesus chooses not to answer the question immediately, but rather throws another question back at the expert, which opens up the discussion.

 

It is easy to get annoyed when you know people’s motives aren’t completely well-intentioned, but a question can help open the conversation up, rather than feeling pinned into a corner.

 

Thank you Lord for questions. Help us to be wise in our responses, knowing how to open conversations up, rather than always giving answers that close them down. Help us not to feel trapped by people’s questions, but just to be ourselves in replying. Help us to inspire others to think of you. Amen

 

Jon Seaton

[Friday's Devotional] - Obsession

Anderson is another minor character in Sherlock, who works for the police as one of Lestrade's investigative team. Initially he is rather hostile to Sherlock, but after his apparent suicide, Anderson and others set up a club coming up with theory that Sherlock is actually alive and has faked his own death. This becomes an obsession.

 

Anderson turns out to be right about Sherlock, although his theory about how he faked his death was incorrect. Moreover, he has missed the point of why Sherlock did what he did, which was to escape from everyday life, infiltrate Moriarty's crime network and dismantle it.

 

It is easy to become obsessed with something or someone. Often these fascinations are rather peculiar, as shown by a recent publication called Dull Men of Great Britain. The book resume says “Neil collects bricks, Kevin is a roundabout enthusiast, John runs the Apostrophe Protection Society and Keith’s actual job is watching paint dry. They are members of the Dull Men’s Club and are passionate about the everyday, unglamorous things in life”.

 

I kind of relate to that. I have had interests in collecting stamps, making model aircraft, following swimming and spotting butterflies to name but a few of my interests that don't exactly have mass appeal.

 

Are you obsessed with something trivial? I think it is great to have a hobby, even if it is slightly unusual, but often that is not an end in itself. Maybe we are missing the point; we have an opportunity to bless others, and help bring in God's Kingdom through our interests. I think that is the challenge for me.

 

Jon Seaton

[Thursday's Devotional] - Truth

Series two of Sherlock reaches its climax in the episode “The Reichenbach Fall”. Moriarty refers to Sherlock as “the final problem” and sets out to destroy him. He carries out three very public robberies, including attempted theft of the crown jewels, and pretends to have a secret computer code to unlock vaults (he had really just coerced security guards into opening them). He seems happy to be tried, with Sherlock as a witness for the prosecution, and then escapes conviction by getting to the jury.

 

With Moriarty now a free man, Sherlock desperately tries to find this security code software that he believes Moriarty possesses. Moriarty's plan eventually becomes clear. He pretends to be an out of work actor, moves in with a journalist, and convinces her that he was working for Sherlock. He says that Sherlock came up with the idea for the thefts, in order to glorify himself by solving the crimes, and that Moriarty was merely employed by Sherlock to play the thief. The journalist publishes Moriarty's lies, the public buy it, and Sherlock is discredited.

 

Moriarty and Sherlock meet on the roof of St Bart's hospital, where Moriarty reveals he had merely lured Sherlock into this with the fabricated computer code. He suggests that Sherlock, now loathed by the public, only has the option of committing suicide by jumping off the building, which he appears to do.

 

Through lies and deception, Moriarty appears to have won. John Watson is confused but grieves his friend and hero.

 

It is so easy to buy into a lie. An idea planted in your brain, even if false, takes root.

 

It must have been difficult for Jesus' disciples, seeing their leader discredited and killed. It is a challenging question to ask whether we would have been any stronger than Peter who denied even knowing Jesus after he had been arrested.

 

We are called to be people of the truth, which is not easy if it involves a public stand against the tide of opinion or a forceful individual. Maybe take a bit of extra time to assess the stories you hear today.

 

Jon Seaton

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Humility

Inspector Lestrade is a minor character in Sherlock. Although he holds an important position in the Police force, he is normally calling on Sherlock to solve the most difficult crimes. He has to admit he can't do it with Police resources.

 

Some of Lestrade's staff are not so humble, being suspicious of Sherlock's forensic abilities and character, they do not welcome his presence. Sherlock does not help matters, often coming over as rather arrogant, and belittling them with his comments.

 

Humility can be tough, especially when we have to deal with difficult people, or admitting we need help.

 

There are many quotes of Abraham Lincoln showing his humility despite holding the most powerful office in the world. He once said “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.”

 

Maybe it is only as we realise that we are all small in relation to God, that we can be humble and have servant hearts. Maybe it is only then we can embrace our calling, be it big or small, and live in proper relationship with those around us.

 

Philippians 2:5-8 says this:

“Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion” [The Message]

Jon Seaton

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Fulfilment

Sherlock is a maverick “consulting detective” whose razor sharp mind and seemingly impossible forensic abilities enable him to unlock the most complex crimes. His arch enemy, James Moriarty, is similarly gifted, but uses his genius as a “consulting criminal”, to aid criminals and manipulate situations for his own ends.

 

Although Sherlock works “on the side of the angels”, he sometimes uses detective work for his own entertainment, and discards cases that don't interest him. Similarly, Moriarty sees trying to baffle Sherlock as a game, and starts basing his crimes around trying to outwit him. He doesn't care about people he hurts or even kills in the process.

 

Sometimes our sin is Moriarty-like, ie it is obvious, like theft or hurting others with uncaring words. However, often it is more Sherlock-like, more hidden. Often our motives for doing things are mixed. Maybe we offer to do the shopping so we can choose something for ourselves!

 

Our life in Christ doesn't have to be so complicated. It doesn't need to be a tension between our selfish desires and what we think we ought to do. If we seek to do what seems most important, and do that believing it is God's best for us, I think there is more peace to be found there than either engineering situations for our selfish desires, or merely acting out of a sense of duty.

 

I guess it is about trusting God for our fulfilment. Matthew 6:33 says:

 

“What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” [The Message].

 

Jon Seaton

[Monday's Devotional] - Purpose

I am a fan of the BBC drama “Sherlock”, which is a modern day detective series based on the Conan-Doyle original stories. I have just re-watched the three series, so thought I would use them as a basis of my devotionals this week.

 

Series one starts with Dr John Watson, discharged from the Army and recovering from a leg injury sustained whilst on service in Afghanistan. He is in a depressed state, which the viewer is led to believe is something like post traumatic stress, and possibly causing a limp he still has from his leg injury.

 

John bumps into an old friend from St Bart's hospital where he once worked. The friend takes him to meet Sherlock, as John is looking for accommodation, and Sherlock for a flatmate. John's meeting with Sherlock is odd, as Sherlock performs an instantaneous forensic analysis of John from which he can tell many facts about his life, which appears miraculous.

 

John moves in to Sherlock's flat at 221B Baker St, and gets involved his life as a “Consulting Detective”. He is enthralled by Sherlock's genius and the excitement of the investigations. Amazingly his limp disappears, and it is apparent that this, and his depression, was not post-traumatic stress, but rather his withdrawal from an exciting Army life. He now had new purpose working for Sherlock.

 

Everyone needs a purpose to live for, and those offered by the world are not necessarily good.  Jesus, on the other hand, offers “Life in all its fullness” John 10:10 NIV and a “yoke that is easy” Matthew 11:30.

 

Where are you in your encounter with Jesus? Are you aware of your need as you come to him? Do you need his healing or adventure? Do you need to be reminded that he sees into your issues?

 

Maybe you are not particularly needy, but know someone who is. Can you think of a way to show them Jesus?

 

Jon Seaton

[Friday's Devotional] - The Power of Words

Jesus sets out his mission in Luke 4:18-19, when he reads from the scroll in the temple:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” [NIV]

 

We can understand that the “good news” was not just addressing the needs of the physically poor and oppressed, but all of us.  We are all spiritually poor, and can “see” and know “freedom” as we understand who Jesus is.  However, need is obviously seen more acutely by those in physical or emotional distress.

 

Many charities have a model of sending workers out to work with local people in the developing world, so that projects would be more appropriate, and that there would also be a greater sense of ownership by those receiving the aid.  However, often the solutions to problems are still coming from the charity workers.  One charity I have heard of, GHNI, use a different approach of encouraging local people to come up with their own solutions.  Apparently this is like a light going on for many of them, as they realise that they have the potential to improve things themselves. Their solutions are often simple and effective, being easily maintained and valued by the local community.  The power for them to change was just what was said to them.

 

It is interesting that although Jesus acted in the power of the Spirit throughout his ministry, the main way he was going to empower others was through his words.  In John’s gospel, Jesus emphasises this point saying “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” John 6:63 [NIV].

 

When I think of the Holy Spirit, the power of words is not what first comes to mind, but rather healings, prophesies, miracles etc, and I’m sure these really help reinforce the message.  But perhaps we underestimate the power of words though, both ours and especially Jesus’s.

 

Today, consider the power of Jesus’ words, and of your words to others. How are you going to use them?

 

Jon Seaton

[Thursday's Devotional] - Empowered by a Miracle

When he had finished speaking, [Jesus] said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Luke 5:4-6[NIV]

 

How would you feel if you were struggling along in your twenty year-or-so long career, then an inexperienced newcomer turns up and shows you how it is done?  I would not find it very encouraging!  It could have been deflating for Simon Peter when he saw Jesus perform his miracle, if he hadn't already known he was someone special.  He shows his respect for Jesus by obeying his request to do something which probably defied his fishing experience.  Yet “putting out into deeper water and letting down his nets for a catch” enables him to see a miracle, and I am sure his fishing experience lets him appreciate it for what it is.

 

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” Luke 5:8.

 

I am sure Jesus had many purposes in performing miracles.  They all point to his divinity, but there also seems to be another point in encouraging and directing the witnesses and bringing in the Kingdom of God.  The effect on Simon Peter is profound – it convicts him of his sin, and re-directs his life.

 

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”  So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:10-11.

 

This leaves me wondering how I would react to a miraculous situation.  Would I be prepared to humble myself first as Simon did, and do what Jesus was asking?  Would I be able to appreciate the miracle for what it was?  Would I just want the private faith booster or even only see it as entertainment?  Would I be able to see God's Kingdom purpose in what was going on?  Would it change my life?

 

Maybe we will see a miracle one day, but if not, we haven't missed out on the main point.  We can have the empowerment of recognising Jesus for who he is, and knowing his Kingdom purposes in our lives without seeing a miracle.  But, should he want to surprise us or re-direct our lives in this way, I hope I am ready and aware to appreciate a miracle for what it is.

 

Jon Seaton

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Empowered to enter and exit the wilderness

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.  He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. Luke 4:1-2 [NIV]

 

It is remarkable that the first thing the Spirit led Jesus to after his baptism, was to go to a desolate place where he would be tempted, suffer discomfort and apparently achieve none of his ministry objectives.  Can this be right?  Well yes, the scripture is clear.

 

Maybe this was training for his ministry ahead, which would certainly be tough as he faced the Pharisees questions and would ultimately be led away to be executed.  Maybe it was better to face the devil's challenge now than half way through his ministry.  Maybe it was Jesus choosing to put himself in the place of temptation that we all face, so that he could identify better with our human condition.

 

Whatever the reason for the Spirit's leading, we read that despite these trials, Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit (see Luke 4:14).  Jesus’ victory over temptation was not one that he returned from empty, as we might expect to, but full of power.

 

This leads me to wonder whether we have the right attitude to temptation.  We often speak of praying for protection from the enemy, maybe conscious of the draining battle.  Yet, I wonder if we should rather be praying for the armour of God?  Are we prepared to do battle, or do we just want to be removed from it?  It is maybe only as we engage in the fight, we know the empowerment of God with us and have our wills changed to be like his.

 

Remembering the “Sword of the Spirit which is the word of God”, (Ephesians 6:17), here are three Scriptures that I find helpful in the fight:

 

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39.

 

Jon Seaton

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Empowered as we say "Yes"

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.  And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22 [NIV].

 

As Jesus began his ministry, he was baptized by John. It was like his commissioning, his approval from his father that he was acting with his blessing.

 

When we start something, we don't have such visible signs as the Holy Spirit descending in bodily form like a dove, but we can know that the father loves us deeply, and is well pleased with us.  If we really believe it, this assurance is all we need.

 

A few years ago, I started an Imagineering club at my son's school.  This is an Engineering club for Junior school children, where we make telescopes, radios, gliders etc from kits, with the aim of learning something and having fun.  Until this point in my life, most things I did were prompted by others, maybe helping with something at church, or a calculation at work.  I didn't have anyone asking me to do this; I was just aware of what a good organisation Imagineering is, how much I would have enjoyed it when I was young, an opportunity to run after-school clubs at my son's school.  However, there were some problems: the club would have to start at 3:30pm, so I would have to leave work early, before core hours finished.  Also one year’s worth of kits for twelve children would have to be purchased, plus a toolkit at a total cost of £1000.  I would also need some help.  Should I just give up any thought of starting this?

 

I went to my manager at work and he supported my idea, and requested approval for my weekly early departure.  This was granted, and also a request for the £1000 funding.  I mentioned the idea to a colleague at work, whose wife worked at the school, and he happily agreed to help run the club.  I happened to mention it to a new lady at church who I hadn't spoken to before. “Oh, my husband is a retired Engineer, he might be interested in helping you!”, she said, and he was.  After the headmaster had agreed the club was soon up and running.

 

Looking back, it was amazing how all this came together.  All I really had to do was give this my “Yes, I'll do that.”  Although it wasn't a “Christian” venture, I believe I was using my abilities for a good cause and in response to internal prompting, and God blessed my Yes.

 

In Baptism we give God our Yes, just as Jesus did at the start of his ministry.  Although that is a one-off decision, to some extent it is ongoing as opportunities can either be faced in His name or not.  What challenges are you facing today?  It may well be something to say “no” to, especially if you feel you “ought” to do it and are acting out of guilt.  But, if you think it is something that God is calling you to, it will be for your good.  Remember that he loves you, is well pleased with you and is cheering you on.

 

Hear our Yeses, Lord, and bless our service. Thank you that you love us and are “well pleased” with us. Amen

 

Jon Seaton

[Monday's Devotional] - Empowerment

This week I want to take a look at empowerment in Jesus’ life through the early chapters of Luke’s Gospel.

 

How are you empowered to do something?  Maybe a strong calling to do something, encouraging words or pictures, a worthwhile challenge, an inspiring role-model or the love of your friends and family.  Jesus’ empowerment, as we will see, seems to involve the Holy Spirit – that is not to say He is not in those things I have just mentioned; but there is also the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit.

 

John the Baptist was aware that the Holy Spirit would come through Jesus:

 

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.  John answered them all, “I baptise you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:15 [NIV]

 

Although the peoples’ expectation was slightly misplaced, thinking John was possibly the Messiah, they were rewarded with the wonderful promise that [Jesus] would baptise them with the Holy Spirit.  Although those of us who know Jesus have that deposit of the Spirit, I wonder if we lack the expectation that goes with it.  I know I do.

 

Here is a poem / prayer by Russ Parker:

 

Wild spirit of the living God, make a dreamer out of me.

Step into my sleep and call me to new adventures on the tides of your turning grace.

Let my night times be changed and charged with the dawning of new insights.

Let my resting in the dark leading to dancing in the morning of new revelations of the depths and layers of your care.

For the whole of me, sleeping and awake.

Let the ending of the day lead to glimpses of one like the son of man, whose face is like the shining sun in all its brilliance.

 

Jon Seaton

[Friday's Devotional] - The Lord's Prayer

Often when I pray the Lord’s prayer, I try and put it into my own words.  I find by doing that, it becomes more meaningful – words that are repeated too often can start to wash over you and lose their impact.

 

So here is my attempt – why not try it yourself?

 

Father God, thank you that you love me more than I will ever know.

You alone are God – help me to honour you above all things.

May your kingly reign come about in my life, in my family, in our church, in my work, my town, this nation and the whole earth.

May your heart become my heart, your concerns my concerns.  Help me to be obedient to what you call me to do.

Thank you for all your provision: for those who love me, for the beauty in nature around me and for my food and shelter. Help me to be nourished not only by them, but by your word that is Spirit and Life.

Thank you that I can walk through today knowing that I am forgiven by Jesus’ sacrifice for me.

Help me not to harbour grudges or bitterness against anyone.

May I be aware of you presence beside me through today. Give me wisdom to make good decisions and avoid ways that are harmful and not in your purposes.

All things are yours Lord. May I use what you give me to your glory.

Amen.

 

Jon Seaton

[Thursday's Devotional] - Grumpy Old Men

Then John’s disciples came and asked him, ‘How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?’

Jesus answered, ‘How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

‘No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out, and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.’ Matthew 9:14-17 [NIV]

 

I thought I should include a passage on fasting this week, as it is Lent.

 

If, like me, you are not fasting or giving something up for Lent, you’re in good company – Jesus’s disciples didn’t fast either.  However when the passage above was written, fasting would be a common practice, whereas it is not so much in today’s Christian practice.

 

As I get older, I notice I have got a bit grumpier.  People get dropped off my Christmas card list, people get told my aches and pains.  Although “Grumpy Old Men” is a TV comedy show, its observational humour of older people’s traits rings true.  However, I do not want to become like that!

 

In the passage, I think the wine refers to the good news of the kingdom and new wineskins are new followers.  The Pharisees are like the old wineskins, the grumpy old men going through a fast merely as a ritual and unable to take on the Gospel.

 

My desire this Lent is to go deeper in my Faith.  A challenge for me is not to become a grumpy old man like a Pharisee stuck in his ways.  I want to be like a new wineskin, able to adapt to new things and “living life in its fullness” (John 10:10).

 

Ironically, fasting is quite a fresh idea now, and one I should maybe re-visit.  What practices could you adopt that would keep you like a new wineskin?

 

Jon Seaton

[Wednesday's Devotional] - Talents

Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.  So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.  After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them…..

 

[after those who been given 5 and 2 bags of gold had been commended, the master’s focus turns to the one who had been given one bag..]

 

‘Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. “Master,” he said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.  So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.” ‘His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

Matthew 25:14-19, 26-27 [NIV]

 

I remember hearing this parable as a child, maybe aged 9, and feeling quite indignant.  I had money in my money box, just like the man who buried it in the ground, and my parents encouraged me to save it.  I couldn’t see what was wrong. Although the meaning of the story was lost on me at that age, I think my reaction was the same as the one Jesus was trying to create in his adult hearers - to challenge normal behaviour with a shocking story.

 

Of course the story is not mainly about how we invest our money, but rather how we invest ourselves. Do we react out of fear or laziness, trying to preserve our lifestyle? Is life a damage limitation exercise?

 

The implication of the story is that investing yourself is a difficult business, as the servant comments that his master “harvests where he hasn’t sown”.  It could all go wrong, but Jesus says it is imperative that we take the risk and go and do something with what we are given.

 

Have you taken stock of your talents recently? How are you spending them?

 

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it”. Matthew 16:25 [NIV]

 

Jon Seaton

[Tuesday's Devotional] - Paralysis by Analysis

We have been booking a holiday recently, and all the campsites are rated out of 10 from survey results.  I don’t just have the brochure to inform my choice, I have people’s personal reviews on the internet, Google Street View of the surrounding area, Tripadvisor ratings… the whole process took us hours of research, but because the data was there, we felt we had to use it to come to the best decision. It was really exhausting.

 

In this age of research, surveys and digital information, it is easy to approach all aspects of life through your computer, including Bible study.  It is easier now to be an amateur theologian, with online commentaries, blogs, etc.  Some intellectual rigour is certainly helpful to gain insight and have a sound worldview, but it can end up as quite an exhausting experience as you try and assess different opinions on the meaning of a passage.

 

I think Biblical truth mainly comes to us as revelation through obedience rather than by analysis.  The Pharisees had a thorough knowledge of Scripture, yet often missed the point.  They weighed people down with rules rather than liberating them to live.

 

Oswald Chambers comments “We read some things in the Bible three hundred and sixty-five times and they mean nothing to us, then all of a sudden we see what God means, because in some particular we have obeyed God, and instantly His nature is opened up”.

 

Therefore, I want to retain the Bible as the life building Word of God spoken into my life, and not merely an exhausting assessment of arguments for and against certain points of view.  I want to treasure it and have it there for my benefit.

 

I hope on our holiday our research will prove to be worthwhile.  I hope the Google street view image in my mind will be re-inforced by the true image.  In the same way, I hope I can be obedient to Jesus’ commands, and experience the truth of Scripture more in my life.

 

Jon Seaton

[Monday's Devotional] - A refreshing cup of tea

“That hits the spot” and such phrases have gone into the English language to express the refreshment that comes from drinking tea. (If you’re not a tea drinker you’ll have to imagine your favourite thirst quenching drink for the purposes of this devotional!).  There is also the rest that can accompany your cuppa – maybe a mid-morning break from work, and an opportunity to chat. The emphasis is on what we feel – our body demanding some liquid and a rest, and that need being satisfied along with the pleasure of the taste.

 

Of course, we are normally only conscious of our desire for a drink, rather than the essential, life sustaining properties.  If we kept ignoring these demands, then you can only survive for about a week without water, and it’s a lot less than that in the heat.

 

It is interesting that Jesus uses a drink as one of the symbols to remember him by at the Last Supper. He also uses the analogy of the thirst quenching drink with the woman at the well, saying that:

 

“…whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life”. John 4:14[NIV]

 

So, maybe as you have a cup of tea today and are conscious of your need for a drink, use it as a reminder to bring your needs to God.  Or maybe after you chat to colleagues or friends, you could talk to God.  But remember that just as it is essential for your body to stay hydrated, the really important thing to stay alive spiritually is remembering Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

 

“Do this as often as you drink it” Jesus said at the Last Supper. Maybe remember his sacrifice for you over a cuppa today.

 

Jon Seaton