 |
|
 |
30th April 2009
"In your anger do not sin." - Ephesians 4:26
Paul is quoting from Psalm 4:4, where David is expressing his grief over the Israelites turning God's glory to shame and going after false Gods. It is the same frustration we feel today sometimes when we view the state of the world. David seems to be praying on behalf of all who share his feelings.
When God replies in verse four it is a warning not to let that frustration turn to sin. Instead we should search our own hearts and be still. David explains that we're to stop worrying so much about other people's sins and focus on our own, so he advises us to offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put our trust in the Lord (5).
In other words we should make our own peace with God and trust Him to deal with those who've aroused our anger. Verse 7 implies that in obeying, David was given greater joy than those others experience even after a bountiful harvest, and he was then able to sleep in peace, his anger gone.
It's natural to feel anger over the flagrant violation of God's laws in the world, but we should not let this lead us into doing anything sinful. One aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Another reaction is not to vent our anger right away but to store it up and it comes out later. We need to leave these things to God and do our best to live righteous lives ourselves.
Thank you God for your reminder in Philippians 4:6-7, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Help me to bring all the things I get angry about to You. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
29th April 2009
"Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled." - Joshua 21:45
This is such a comforting verse. Since God is an unchanging God and He kept all His promises to the house of Israel, then it follows that He is going to keep all His promises. There are so many promises made to believers in the Bible.
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." is a promise in Deut. 31:6 and this promise is given to Christians via Hebrews 13:3. It comes after a reminder that we should be content with what we have and to flee from the love of money. Having God is more important than money, but with all the news on the state of the economy, we tend to worry and fret about it, instead we should (without being complacent) simply trust God who is there for us.
It is interesting that this promise in Joshua 21, comes after we have read many stories of the people of Israel rebelling and murmuring against Moses, and 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Israel seemed to be throwing away their covenant with God by their idolatrous ways. Even after God gave them the land of Canaan, they went back to idols. So it's after they seemingly did all they could to mess it up that we read these astounding words at the end of Joshua’s life:
So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.
I thank God for this truth especially when I think of the many times I have messed up my covenant with God. I stray away from the truth in His word too many times and do not love Him all the time with all my heart and mind and soul and strength.
God keeps His promises, even though we do not keep ours. He is always there to pick us up when we come in repentance to Him. Sometimes we do not see God's promises fulfilled right away, we have to wait for them. God's promise to Abraham of being a nation that inherited the promised land of Canaan took hundreds of years to be fulfilled.
Thank you for your promise Lord in Philippians 4:19 that You will meet all my needs according to Your glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Help me to stand firm on Your promises. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
28th April 2009
"Throw off anything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." - Hebrews 12:1
What are the things that hinder us spiritually? They can be desires to do things that are not in accordance to God's will. They can be wrong reactions to the way in which we have been treated, for example thoughts of revenge after feeling betrayed a friend or attacked by an enemy.
Jesus reminds us that our natural thoughts and desires to fight back and demand our rights are not his way of doing things. Jesus asks me to "turn the other cheek," and to "go the extra mile," and to "bless those who curse me" (Matthew 5:38-48).
In situations like this I sometimes will want to argue that I should and need to fight for myself. After all I am sure there are times when we need to make a stand, but making a stand is for Jesus, not to let my ego take over and hang on to a situation so I can try to deal with it through my own human and limited means.
Trusting the Lord's wisdom means that I should not try and control the situation, simply obey God and get on with loving others whatever my natural self my want to do.
Lord God, help me to throw off everything that hinders me, whether it be sin, like laziness or not praying enough, or my wrong reactions to other people. Strengthen me so that I will be able to run the Christian race with perseverence. Amen
Back to April Calendar
27th April 2009
"Isaiah 25"
The prophet turns to praise when he realises that Israel's enemies are laid low. He lifts up God's name as He reigns over Israel and all the nations
Throughout the centuries Israel was in need of refuge as it was caught up in the rivalry of the superpowers of the time. Powers like Egypt, Mesopotamia, Assyria and Babylon were all wanting to control the trade routes of which Israel was a part.
When Israel played a political game of alliances, then she was swallowed up om the defeat of the weaker side. Abandoning faith in God led to ruin. Later defeat will be turned to victory though and lead to rejoicing.
Even today our lives are lived in the shadow of conflict and challenges, and through it all we need to keep God's end in mind. As we think about what God will do and think about the end times, then this should always affect our personal morality and behaviour in both the political and social areas of our lives.
Lord God, help me to keep you in the centre of my life, making decisions based on what would please You and bring You glory and not on what seems expedient in the social and political atmosphere of the day. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
26th April 2009
"Psalm 77"
It seems that this is one of the days that the psalmist cried out to God and yet did not feel that God heard him. He was in distress and did not see a way out of it. He did the right thing, we should always pray, but when in distress we need to pray more, for only GOd can solve the deepest problems.
He seems to be totally engaged in this prayer, his hands his spirit and his soul are all calling out to God. He feels like God has rejected him, even though he knows from Exodus 34:6 that God is a compassionate and gracious God who is slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness, he is beginning to have doubts.
It reminds me of the sleepless nights I have when something is disturbing me or has disturbed me, or of when I have been thinking about something deeply or perhaps have done something I am feeling guilty over and know I have to do something about even though I do not really want to.
By verse 10 though there is a change of mood. He remembers what God has done in the history of his people and all the great things that God has done.
Lord God, help me to learn from Asaph and to be open and frank with you about what I am feeling even about my doubts and worries. Help me to look back at what You have done in the past and take comfort in that You are a God who does not change; what You did in the past You can do today if necessary. Thank you for your promise never to forsake or leave me. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
25th April 2009
"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." - Exodus 20:7
Why is it that God's name is so important. Sometimes we get a bit peaved or upset when people mess with our name or mispronounce it, but it is no big deal. In fact with the nicknames we get and for me the Chinese names and nicknames I get then I have a host of names to answer by.
We do not have to read much of the Bible to see that for God, names are important, they have significance. In Genesis we see that Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel. Each change marked a statement from God about that individual’s character and his or her place in His plan. It wasn’t about God giving a nickname, it was about God assigning identity and worth to these individuals through the meaning of their name.
God's names are key to us understanding His nature and attributes. They show us just what kind of God He is. “Jehovah-Jireh,” means that He is the God who will provide. “El-Shaddai” means that He is completely sufficient. Apparently there are 210 different names of God throughout Scripture, so this shows just how incredibly rich is his character and nature.
Going to church from young, (at first to the Church of England) I have always been aware of the awe and respect we should give to God's name, so it distresses me to here the phrase, "Oh, my God!" so often when it is not used in prayer but as an exclamation of surprise, shock or just simply for emphasis. God is holy, pure, righteous and just, and does not tale kindly to his name being misused.
Thank you God for the richness of your character. Help me to appreciate you in all your different characteristics. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
24th April 2009
"Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:24
When we became Christians, we knew that we were lost in sin, a slave to sin and needed Jesus to save us. When we turned to Him in repentance, by His Spirit, He moved in. We weren't just given a passport to Heaven, we received there and then the Holy Spirit. We received the gift of the indwelling Spirit, and He intends to put our lives under God's new management. He wants to make changes in us, and looks for us to be cooperative partners, knowing that life under His control is far better than life under our own.
When we cooperate, then our lives take on a different form. We care for others, we remain faithful to our wives or husbands, we live healthier and more productive lives. When we do not cooperate, we become miserable, because we know we are grieving God.
There always comes some time in our lives when we are confronted with a big challenge. It usually is with something that we know we want to do but also feel uncomfortable with it as we are sure that it is not what God wants us to do. One man I heard about, who was in for promotion in a good paying job, but it involved indirectly selling porngraphy to his clients via the internet. He decided eventually to quit his job, even though there was no other job on the horizon.
Sometimes being under God's control can mean making costly choices.
Lord God, help me to cooperate with your Spirit, even when it means giving up something I do not want to or when it means making some costly sacrifice. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
23rd April 2009
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" - Philippians 3:20
What a great verse! Over and over again in Scripture we are reminded that, although this world is our temporary home, we're not to get too comfortable here. Our true home is in heaven where our citizenship resides. You may be hassled at work, with friends, or on a trip to another country, but when you get home, Jesus guarantees no hassle at the border!
In Paul's day, citizenship was a big deal. There were so many privileges linked with being a Roman citizen. Land ownership, access to the judicial system, and protection from certain punishments all depended on your status as a citizen. Paul was a Roman citizen, and occasionally took the advantages he gained from this to advance Christ's kingdom, but he didn't depend on them. He knew his citizenship in heaven was far more valuable so he says, "Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ" (Philippians 3:7). He knew that his new status as a citizen of heaven carried far greater joys and privileges!
How often we forget the privileges we have as a citizen of heaven! We did not even earn this citizenship, we were given it as a gift from God when we repented and put our trust in Christ
Dear God, help me always to be in remberance of what you have done for me in making me a citizen of heaven. may I be a good representative for you in all I do, Amen.
Back to April Calendar
22nd April 2009
"He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!'" - Revelation 21:5
As you get older, you appreciate this verse more and more. We find that the older we get the more physical problems we have and we cannot do as many things so easily as we could when we were young. Different people have different problems, for me it is more my stomach that has reacted to stress and old age.
But the good news is there is coming a day when God will make all things new. All those who have their trust in Him will be given new bodies, and these bodies will not age and degenerate with time, because they are built for eternity like God is.
We still tend to hold onto this decaying world and the things that are in it while we are here, but we soon get to realise that even our most durable possessions decay and are not worth so much. Even if they actually increase in value, they are not something that we can take with us when we die and eventually science tells us, that if God does not come back before that time, then the sun will consume everything anyway.
Thank you God, that you are in the business of making things new. I look forward to the day when you make me anew. Thank you for what you have already started to do in my life, help me to prepare for the new life even while still here on earth. Come Lord Jesus come. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
21st April 2009
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:2
At the weekend, Eleanor Mills, writing in The Times described an occasion where a whole bus full of people failed to intervene to stop a violent offender. As one passenger got off the bus, he was violently assaulted by another who punched him in the head, kicked him to the ground, and then calmly got back on the bus and resumed his journey.
Are we becoming an indifferent culture, where there is a lack of kindness being shown to others. I wonder what I would have done in that situation? in her article she wrote:
I don’t think that bus was full of cowards. We were just realists. We read the papers, we know the story about the man who got stabbed on a bus for asking a young guy to stop throwing chips at his girlfriend. The reality of the level of violence among a particular subsection of society is such that sometimes it’s just not safe to intervene any more. I didn’t want to be a hero if death could be the consequence. I just wanted to get home from a day out with my daughter with both of us in one piece. Like everyone else on that bus.
If we are followers of Jesus then kindness is what we should be dealing out to people everyday. How do we do it in the kind of society when others are doing such violent acts? Kindness is part of the fruit of the Spirit, so it is expected of us. Okay that was an extreme situtation, but we are expected to act kindly all the time.
Lord, help me to do to others as I would have them do to me as you taught us in Matthew 7:12. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
20th April 2009
"Isaiah 24"
In verses 1-13 there is this picture of total ruin. Then in verse 14 to 16 there is an acclamation of praise that God has at last intervened even though it is cataclysmic! In line with this we see that the prophet is downcast at the scale of the destruction in the following verses.
But this kind of contrast is to be expected in apocalyptic literature like this, judgement, redemption, darkness and light are to be expected. It is not easy to see always what is being expressed. What is relevant for the present, the future and the time of the prophecy? We have here Isaiah linking the judgements that will come on Judah and Jerusalem with the wider world-wide judgement on all creation.
What we see is that though all creation will be judged, eventually righteousness will be restored and God's kingdom will be established.
As we look around us at the sufferings of the world. The global food shortage, the wars and injustice, we remember that the whole world is groaning as it waits for the unveiling of the kingdom of God.
Lord God, as we look around at the situation in this world, help us not to despair, but to keep out eyes fixed on you and look forward to when you will come again. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
19th April 2009
"Isaiah 23"
Now the prophecy turns to Tyre, a port in Lebanon, which was a centre for trade and exploration and brought the city fame and wealth. At the same time it brought the town a vision of grandeur. Isaiah points out that it too will be overturned by the Lord.
In Isaiah 13-23, he started his oracles with Babylon, known as the greatest land power and finished with Tyre, the greatest sea power. God is Lord over both land and sea.
In verse 14, we can imagine ships sailing from Tarshish in the western Mediterranean arriving with their goods to Tyre and finding the fortress city destroyed. God will humble the arrogant Tyre and remove its glory, through the Babylonians and Chaldeans (who in turn will be overthrown).
In verses 15-18, we see that despite judging and punishing Tyre, there will come a time later when she will be restored, but the wealth she produces, no matter by what means, will go to the Lord's service.
Lord God, You bring consequences down on us when we sin against You, but You also restore the penitent. Should I fall at any time, forgive me and restore me as you promise when I turn to You. Thank You that You care; care so much to pay the punishment for my sin through Christ's death.
Back to April Calendar
18th April 2009
"The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil . . . . It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." - James 3:6
James often warns about the dangers of the tongue, and here shows just how damaging a few small words can be, it can start off a fire that corrupts so many things.
We all know the picture of a little flame that grows into a large one. I remember once when a few kids and I got hold of some matches and decided to make a small fire, but this was in an area where there was a lot of dry grass, before long a gust of wind came and soon the whole place is a raging fire. We eventually put it out at a natural barrier caused by a path, but it was worrying for a while.
Jumping to conclusions and saying something, or being overcritical, or sensitive can lead us to say things that should not be said and lead to a host of problems.
Lord God, help me to guard my tongue today, so that I wil say nothing that will be other than words that will build others up. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
17th April 2009
"And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6.
It is wonderful to know that Jesus is there for us in so many different ways and this list of names for Jesus just emphasise the great attributes that he has.
When describing him as God, Isaiah points out that he is Mighty God. He is infinitely strong and eternally mighty; able to do anything that needs to be done. In the original language this name meant something far more specific. It's the name El-Gibhor, the warrior God, the hero who will always prevail.
In the song of Moses (Exodus 15), the Israelites have just seen God at war. He has brought a series of 10 miraculous plagues against Pharaoh — plagues that each, by the way, discredited a specific “god” of the Egyptians. To the Egyptians who worshiped a frog god, the warrior God brought hordes of frogs. Because the Egyptians worshipped the Nile, the warrior God turned it to blood. And now Moses and the people are singing because this warrior God, El-Gibhor, has allowed His people to cross the Red Sea on dry land before pouring the waters over the pursuing Egyptian army.
In Hebrews 12:2 where Jesus is described as the author and perfector of our faith, the word there has a similar meaning - he is the champion of our faith. It is wonderful that this champion humbled himself and came down to earth and lived among us to bring us to God, even though he was so great.
Lord Jesus, Mighty God, thank you that you are a hero for me and to me, to help me in all my struggles while I am still here on earth. Thank you too, that you have come in the form of your Spirit to be a Comforter to me each and every day. Mighty GOd, strenghten me with your right arm. Amen
Back to April Calendar
16th April 2009
"So then, the law is holy… righteous and good." - Romans 7:12
It is because the law is holy righteous and good, that we cannot keep to its standards. We all like to rule our own lives and do what we feel is best. If most of us were ready to admit it, then we would have to say that when left to our own way of doing things we very soon get ourselves into trouble.
We know instinctively that the law is good even if we do not always want to live by it. To keep us from the self-destruction of bitterness, God has given us a rule about forgiving and loving our enemies. To keep us safe from the treachery of dishonesty and deceit, He has told us not to lie and to live instead for what is true. All of God's rules are really for our good. Even the Ten Commandments, written so long ago. Life works better when we don't lie to each other, steal from each other, or take each other's life. We are all better off when we don't covet each other's property, sleep with each other's wives, or gossip and bear false witness against our neighbour(s).
God knows what is best for us, because He made us, so even when we do not understand why God made certain laws, we should keep them, because they are best for us.
Lord God, help me to be obedient to Your law, even though they are some I do not understand or perhaps do not like. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
15th April 2009
"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it." - Genesis 3:6
Satan was the one who put doubts int Eve's mind about what God had told her and so she was tempted to eat fruit that was forbidden, and not long after she ate it and sinned, encouraging her husband to do the same at the same time.
Satan loves to spoil our relationship with God, and still knows which temptations are going to hit our weak spots and so we find that we are tempted and then dwellon the temptation for a while and that is when we are likely to sin.
Human nature seems to be inherently rebellious. Give us a law and we will see it as a challenge to break it. When we fall we feel shame, regret or guilt or a mixture of all of them. But the good news is that Jesus forgives our lawbreaking and gives us the Holy Spirit. He imparts a new desire and ability so that our greatest pleasure becomes bringing pleasure to God.
Lord God, thank you that you do give us a way out, each time we are tempted. Help me to make use of the power of Your indwelling Spirit to overcome each temptation when it arrives. Amen
Back to April Calendar
14th April 2009
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" - 1 Corinthians 3:16
We are God's temple and so need to keep it pure and Holy, for His Spirit dwells in us. But how often do I actually remember this truth on a daily basis?
When we look at the Old Testament tabernacle we get a picture of how holy we should be. When we Look in Exodus and Leviticus we see the lengths to which God's people went to make the tabernacle a special place for a Holy God to dwell in. The taberenacle had to be built in a special way with special materials. God's people obeyed and so the glory of the Lord filled the taberancle.
When Paul talks about God dwelling in us in 1 Corinthians 6:19, it's in the context of moral purity. Peter recognized this when he urged the early Christians: "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do."
Heavenly Father, help me to be conscious of Your presence with me and in me each and every day, so that I will keep your temple holy and not let my guard down. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
13th April 2009
"Isaiah 22"
The people of Jerusalem are rejoicing it seems after the deliverance fron the threat of Sennacherib. But they still had slain people in a sense, as they most probably died in famine, perhaps due to a seige. And verse 3 tells us that they still had faithless leaders, so there was not really very much to celebrate.
The people had concentrated on defences, which was natural, but they overlooked asking the question about why God was bringing an army against them. Verses 12 & 13 tellus that God would have them mourn, but instead they were celebrating and being reckless.
Isaiah shifts his attention to Shebna and Eliakim, who had different attitudes to God. As a typical courtier, Shebna uses his senior position to make public display of his wealth and power, he will forfeit his position. Eliakim will replace Shebna as a good and wise leader, but why then if he is a secure peg, will the peg shear and give way at a later date? We do not seem to be given the answer. Is it because too much is expected of him?
Lord, God, keep me standing firm and help me not to fall; keep me from complacency and from misplaced expectations. Amen
Back to April Calendar
12th April 2009
"Isaiah 20 & 21"
I really feel sorry for Isaiah in chapter 20, everyone must have thought he was crazy, walking around naked for three years. Even if perhaps he had a loincloth for decency, this would not have done his reputation a lot of good, until perhaps his "acted out" prophecy came to be proved true. Serving God can sometimes be quite costly. I wonder what I would have thought of Isaiah if I were a Jew at that time, if I were in Isaiah's shoes as a prophet, would I have been willing to serve God in this way, just to try and win people away from putting their trust in the wrong sources?
In chapter 21, is a vision of the fall of Babylon, in a different tone from the one in 13:1-14:23. In this prophecy we see the effect ithas on Isaiah himself. He is not gleeful over the downfall of this nation getting their come-uppance. He envisages a messenger bringing the news of the overthrow of the Babylonians at a time when they thought Babylon might help them against Assyria. In verse 11 and 12 a mysterious voice calls out to Isaiah asking him if he sees the end to the night (presumably the darkness of the age they were living in). Isaiah responds that morning is coming, but so is a further night.
Whether there is darkness or light, we need to keep our faith in God, for only he can help us in both situations.
Lord God, whether my life is comfortable and successful or uncomfortable and difficult, help me to keep my eyes fixed on you. Lord even when it is uncomfortable serving you, as it ws for Isaiah, help me stil to be willing to serve you as best I can. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
11th April 2009
"I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." - Philippians 3:8
Knowing Christ to Paul was the most valuable thing in life. He considered everything else of less value than knowing Jesus. Paul had his sense of values right. I wonder about me, do I have the correct perspective on the value of the various things in my life, or do I put some less valuable things ahead of the more valuable, or ahead of the most valuable; knowing Christ.
Paul looked at his life and all the things that he achieved and decided that none of them were worth anything when he compared them to the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus as Lord.
So why go chasing after material things of the world when the greatest treasure is right there for us? We have been given this treasure freely, a treasure that is eternal - we did not do anything to deserve it. All other treasures, if put next to knowing Christ, are worth nothing at all.
In Matthew 6:21 Jesus said, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Lord Jesus, Paul has made it clear all things that I considered pofitable and great, in my life before I came to Your love for me, are nothing compared to what we can gain in You. Help me therefore to treasure You everyday. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
10th April 2009
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." - Ephesians 1:3-4
Whenever I think of this verse, I always wonder just why God chose me, or anyone for that matter. But like Paul I praise God the Father for the fact. As we look down history, we can see if God had not called certain people then history would be so different. The changes that their lives made affected generations down the centuries.
There are so many benefits of being chosen by God in Ephesians 1. He chose us to be holy, to be his sons through Jesus Christ, we have redemption through Christ's blood, we have forgiveness of sins, and we have the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
He made known to us the mystery of his will. In him we were also chosen, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. We are included in Christ when we heard the the gospel of our salvation. Having believed, we have been marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, and this Holy Spirit is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.
We have so much to praise God for. God chose us so that we can be part of his plans, that is so wonderful.
Father God, help me to in accordance with your will at all times, because You have done so much for me. Amen
Back to April Calendar
9th April 2009
"To him who overcomes . . . I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it" - Revelation 2:17
Names are interesting. When we are born we are all given a name by our parents, that usually is the one that we are called for several years, but if not before, then at school a lot of us acquire nicknames too, sometimes being called one name in one situation among certain people and another in another situation.
In my time I have had several nicknames. Perhaps the most number of different names I had was in Taiwan, where I would have my English name for English speaking friends, a Mandarin name for my Chinese friends, and a Chinese nickname, that changed depending on where we lived.
Some couples even have names that they use only for each other and it is exclusive to them. It is a special name for a special person.
In this passage we are told about a special name written on a white stone that is given to him who overcomes, (in the context it is those who particularly overcomes the sins of idolatry and immorality). I have read somewhere that white stones were given to victors in athletic events and that sometimes the victors were given white stones with the name of the event or the winner of the event inscribed on the stone. Jo Stowell says in his notes on this verse "In those days, an invitation to a special, exclusive event would arrive in the form of a white piece of marble with your name engraved on it. On the day of the gala event, you would present that piece of marble at the door as your means of access to the celebration. So Jesus is actually saying, “The day is coming when I’m going to give you a new name, known only to you and me, engraved on a white piece of stone as your entry and invitation into eternity.”
Lord God, continue to work in my life that I might overcome all the distractions and temptations that would stop me being a good witness and disciple of Yours. May I run the race set before me well and so be numbered among the overcomers and more than conquerors. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
8th April 2009
"Instead, they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." - Hebrews 11:16
Hebrews 11 has a long list of people of faith. Some of them we think of as great men, some are very ordinary, and some of the ones we consider great, when we examine their lives had some serious faults.
But what these people all had in common was they looked forward to the better country, the heavenly one. In one way or other this vision, this object of their faith is mentioned throughout Hebrews 11, verse 35 and 40 have similar objectives.
This longing for the heavenly country or heavenly city, should therefore influence the way we live, just as it did these heroes of faith. When we are tempted to let life's circumstances lead us into actions that are not godly, then we should remember where we are going, and that God is not ashamed to be called our God, and so live in a way that will honour Him and not disgrace Him.
Our citizenship is in heaven, so we do not want to let anyone or anything hinder us on our journey home.
Lord God, Help me to keep a heavenly perspective of life each day, knowing that you have called me to journey toward you. One day you will show me the last part of the journey, until then, give me strength to walk today's part of the journey, in Jesus'name. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
7th April 2009
"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Paul prays for us to be sanctified more perfectly, because he knows that even the best of us are only part of the way there while we live in this world. So in that case I should pray for those who are close to me that they to might press toward complete holiness.
Sanctification is the process of becoming holy. "Be holy" is a command from God, and we have already been sanctified in one sense because God has set us apart by giuving us the Holy Spirit. On the other hand we have to work with the Holy Spirit so that we will be holy. When we work against the Spirit that is within us, then we hinder the process of being sanctified.
The Spirit speaks to us via the Bible, so that is a way to be sanctified, by taking heed of what we read in the Bible and then doing the good works that God has prepared for us to do.
Someone has said, "Sanctification is one of the most challenging aspects of the Christian walk. Our natural tendency is to embrace sin, yet God in His divine wisdom has chosen to give us the responsibility of working out our own sanctification. "Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work," says 2 Timothy 2:21.
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify me completely; and may my whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" Amen.
Back to April Calendar
6th April 2009
Isaiah 19
Egypt is now the focus of prophecy. Divine judgment comes upon the country. First there is disintegration and internal conflict. The religious practices turn out to be futile. By verse four they are under the power of a foreign force. Then the waters of the NIle fail them. The country is in confusion, because of God's judgment upon them.
In verses 16-17 we see more about the judgment that is upon them and then some of their cities show allegiance to the LORD. There will even be a place of worship to the LORD in Egypt and at this point then God will deliver them. They will realise that God strikes with a purpose to deliver and heal them.
Eventually Egypt and Assyria will share in the blessing of Israel. We sho trust in God can sometimes lose hope when things go wrong, but history shows that ll obstacles can be removed or overcome. The divisions between peoples can be transformed by a new identity in Christ, how much responsibility does God want me to have in promoting this?
Lord GOd, help me to know just what you would have me do to break down barriers between people and when I should do it, in Jesus name, Amen
Back to April Calendar
5th April 2009
Isaiah 17&18
These chapters are concerned with the protection of Zion by God from Damascus or the Northern part of Israel, or Ethiopia. God's commitment to Zion is sure, whatever is happening around the nations. Those who genuinely look to God can trust in his protection.
Verses 1-3 are a prophecy about Damascus. which then moves on to a prophecy about Ephraim, the northern Kingsom of Israel. Israel once allied with Damascus to attack in vain the southern kingdom, Judah. Both will lose their power. The image is of one of harvesting. Israel's faithfulness will lead to a harvest of disappointment and anguish.
Next comes a vision of peoples gathering like a threatening storm, but this terror disappears. Then in chapter 18 the prophecy is about Egypt, who are also powerful and aggressive. But the Lord will cut them down as a harvester cuts the harvest. Instead of aggression there will be a respectful offering.
Lord God, help me too to put my confidence in you and Your protection. May I not be complacent about your protection, but have an active trust in You and live in fatihful obedience. Amen.
Back to April Calendar
4th April 2009
"A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly." - Proverbs 14:29
Patience is one of the qualities of the fruit of the spirit. As such all of us should be nurturing this quality, but all of us have things in our lives that get on our nerves and try our patience. It may be someone's habit of doing something that irritates us, or maybe something that they do not do, like clearing up after themselves.
What is patience? It is saying "No" to our "gut reaction" to do the first thing that comes to mind. Your gut reaction maybe to give in but patience says, "Why don’t you give it a few days and pray about it." or "Think about how this will affect your future and your family." Patience gives you the space you need to make better decisions. An impulsive "I'm heading to the shop to buy a new computer right now!" may need patience to slow you down long enough to ask yourself, "What's wrong with the computer I have now, or could it be upgraded much cheaper? Patience is the thing that asks "Is there anything better that God would want me to do with the money?"
Help me Lord to be patient, both with myself and with others. Amen
Back to April Calendar
3rd April 2009
"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." - Matthew 16:18
The first part of this verse is quite controversial as the Roman Catholic Church uses it to claim Papal primacy. They claim that Peter (petros) (and the bishopric of Rome by succession from Peter) is the 'rock' (petra) upon which Christ is building his Church. Petros (masculine - so appropriate for Peter) means small stone or pebble. Petra (feminine - is only used for CHrist) and means great rock. This alos fails to take into account the Peter asserts that Christ is the rock or stone on which the church is built. In 1 Peter 2:2-8 Peter makes this clear.
‘Gates of hades’ (pulai hadou) is a semitic idiom for death or proximity to death: cf. Job 38:17; Ps. 9:13. When Jesus says that the ‘gates of hades will not overcome the church’, his point is not that the church must be always on the defensive. What he is saying is that as the disciples undertake a mission that will bring them into conflict with hostile political and spiritual forces, that will put their lives at risk, they can be reassured that nothing, not even death, will ultimately overcome the community that is based on the confession of Jesus as the Christ.
The statement is important, therefore, precisely because the church must put itself at risk by going out into the world. This is what Jesus goes on to talk about: he himself would suffer, be killed, and be raised from the dead; but anyone who chose to follow him would also have to take up his cross, lose his life, and be glorified with the Son of man (16:21-28).
Lord God, help me not to be afraid of standing up for you, because death cannot separate me from your love, neither will it stop your kingdom being built, Hallelujah, amen.
Back to April Calendar
2nd April 2009
"A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret" - Proverbs 11:13
Here is another area of wisdom and foolishness addressed in Psalms. I think that often gossip is a type of pride. We like to think that we are better than others and gossip, which tends to put others down, makes us look or feel better, because (of course) we would never do something stupid like this ourselves! One dictionary defines this as "to engage in or communicate idle, indiscreet talk." It is idle chatter that can injure another's integrity and reputation.
Gossip is a way of promoting ourselves, because having the latest news means about someone makes us the center of attention; all ears are tuned in to what we are saying. Perhaps we do it because it gives a sense of power too. It makes us feel less of a failure when someone does something that pulls them down.
Sometimes gossip is simply vindictive. We do not like someone, so we spread anything that pulls themn down, maybe even make something up that seems plausible, so that they are put in a bad light.
Gossipping is dangerous to the gossip as well as the one being gossipped about. If I know someone that I suspect to be a gossip, then I am never sure just what I am safe telling them. If I hear them gossipping about others, then I begin to wonder what they are saying about me when I am not there.
Lord, help me to keep by my principle of keeping confidences, however tempting it may be to spread news about someone's failure, or slip-up. Give me wisdom to know what to say and when to say it to those around me, so that I might build people up rather than pull them down. In Jesus'name, amen.
Back to April Calendar
1st April 2009
"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'" - Psalm 14:1.
Today is April Fool's Day. I do not know how many countries celebrate this, but the idea is that you can play tricks on people until midday and if they fall for your trick, you call them an April Fool. The thing is, no-one like to be thought of a fool or foolish. We like to think that we are quite smart and not easily duped. But if we ever compared ourselves to God, which few of us would do, we realise that we are not so smart after all.
Joe Stowell notes that the Bible calls us fool if we:
The Bible verse today says that the ultimate foolishness is to say in our hearts that there is no God. This is important, because there are people who will acknowledge with their mouths that there is a God, but deny it in their lives. This is because it is not something they really believe in. I wonder how often I have failed to be wise according to the list above. It is so easy to think that we are right, even when we are way off mark. The only way to make sure we are wise and not foolish is to check ourselves constantly against God's wise words, the Bible.
Help me Lord to do this regularly and so live a life of marked by wisdom and not by foolishness.
|
