Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This reflection by Chris Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 22/Oct/2023]

When you walk into HBC the overwhelming emotion is love.

I remember an old song by the Beatles, “All you need is love”. This is so true. This love is so needed in the church but even more so in our community.

• What about the road where we live, and even more so the estate on which our church is built, Court Lodge Estate.
• How about smiling at the drug addict who needs prayer to free him from his disturbed childhood and abusive parents.
• How about chatting to the lonely lady who is desperate to be greeted warmly and needs friendship.
• What about the single parent who wants to share the stress of what her children are up to at school.

 
All the above need love, prayer and especially to know Jesus is real in our day and in our time. How can we be Jesus in our community, how do we get the message across?

We need to be where the people are, coming alongside them, to be where they are. Litter picking is one of the ways to come alongside. Only 2 or 3 people come and join in, we can prayer walk the area, just chatting to the people we bump into in the process. People and families are in desperate need financially and desperate for friendship. What about introducing them to the food bank or bringing them to colour wheel or to the toddler group?

There are so many ways, but it won’t happen by just sitting in church on Sunday. Bringing Jesus into the community is like the sun shining after a dull grey day, He warms our hearts. Jesus gives us courage to shine where there is hurt and despondency. Traditional evangelism and leaflet dropping through letter boxes is one way but doesn’t bring much fruit, I know – I’ve tried it, but do people know we are there for them?

They will know we are Christians by our love. Create in me a clean heart Oh God and renew a right spirit within me.

Every blessing, Chris Ginter

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Resources:

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections
.
Link to Index of Bible Passages
 
Last week’s reflection: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem! by Martin Shorey
 

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during October 2023]

A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3 v8 [NIVUK]

It would surely be difficult to write a meaningful reflection this week without referring to recent events in the Middle East. The outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas took many people by surprise, not least the Israeli security forces who were, reportedly, enjoying the national holiday rather more than they should have been.

Many people have been asking, “Is this the beginning of the end times?” One surprising aspect of this is the number of people who have some concept of an ‘End Times’ although they may have no idea of what it might involve. How do those who have no familiarity with the Biblical passages about the end times even conceive of such a possibility?

In response to this question, social media is awash with prophets, preachers and speculators trying to argue one way or the other. Are their assertions convincing? Do we endorse those who agree with our own thoughts and dismiss those who have other ideas?

Do we have reason to be fearful about the future? For most of us, the wars in the Middle East and eastern Europe are at what seems to be a safe distance. Yet we have already seen how these conflicts can invoke reactions on a global scale and even on our own streets there are those who want to take action supporting one side or another. Remember the words that Jesus spoke:

When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away. Luke 21 v9 [NIVUK]

Do these words mean imply that there is worse to come? Certainly when we read the visionary writings such as those of Daniel and John we have good reason to think so. How can we keep from being fearful? The prophet Isaiah, who saw his own share of trouble during his lifetime, wrote these words:

You, Lord, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you. Isaiah 26 v3 [GNT]

In our opening verse the writer of Ecclesiastes suggested that there is an appropriate time to hate and to go to war. By contrast, a New Testament writer argues otherwise:

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3 v17-18 [NLT]

Give peace in our time, O Lord.^[1]

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Resources:
[1] Morning Prayer from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections

Link to Index of Bible Passages

Last week’s reflection: Batting for Christ
 

[This reflection by Martin Shorey was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 15/Oct/2023]

As I reflect on the escalating violence in the Middle East, I am struck by the complexity of the situation. Both sides have a long history of violence and intimidation, and it seems as though there is little chance of de-escalation or reconciliation. It can be easy to take sides and simplify the situation down to sound bites or twisted interpretations of religious texts, an urge we must resist.

Instead, let us turn to the simple yet challenging command of Jesus to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. While this may seem almost impossible in the midst of such pain and suffering, we who watch this tragedy unfold from a distance are perhaps better placed to pray for those whose lives are being affected by such brutality. We can pray that the violence will cease, that justice will be done, and that peace will be restored.

Let us also remember the Jesus followers who are living and ministering in the midst of the hate and violence. They are living examples of love and peace in a region that is engulfed in hostility. We stand in solidarity with them and pray for their continued safety and success in spreading God’s love and peace.

Psalm 122:

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls
and security within your towers!
8 For my brothers and companions’ sake
I will say, “Peace be within you!”

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Resources:

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections
.
Link to Index of Bible Passages
 
Last week’s reflection: I Am Secure In Your Plans by Michael Goble
 

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during October 2023]

How was your week? Did you achieve what you wanted to or was it as futile and meaningless as the writer of Ecclesiastes anticipated? That repetitive cycle of doing today pretty-much what you did yesterday and will probably do again tomorrow resembles a hamster expending a lot of effort yet making very little progress or, as Noel Harrison sang in 1968, “like a circle in a spiral, or a wheel within a wheel, ever spinning, never ending, on an ever-spinning reel”.

Solomon, the presumed author of the book of of Ecclesiastes^[1], wrote something similar:

Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2 v11 [NIVUK]

Is there a way to make sense of it all?

Charles Studd was a well-known English cricketer in the 1880s. He played for England in the test match against Australia when the title of ‘The Ashes’ was first used. Despite the success of his career he said “I know that cricket would not last, and honour would not last, and nothing in this world would last, but it was worthwhile living for the world to come”.

He subsequently decided to spend the rest of his life in the service of God. He became a missionary in China, then later in India and areas of eastern Africa. Amongst his writings was a poem with the title and refrain:

Only one life ’twill soon be past.
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

What does this mean in practice? We are not all called to move to foreign parts or compose writings that will influence future generations but there is a work for Jesus ready at your hand^[2]. Maybe our work for Jesus is more local and more immediate. Maybe a cup of water given in the Lord’s name is all that is needed at a particular moment, maybe a donation to the Food Bank and other charitable organisation is appropriate.

But are not these simply good works that anyone can do? Did not Solomon assert that even good works are, essentially, short-term and meaningless? A later writer argued differently:

How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds. James 2 v18 [NLT]

Working for Jesus provides the motivation and meaning that eluded Solomon. A simple prayer can bring purpose to our lives:

Give me a faithful heart, like unto Thee,
That each departing day henceforth may see
Some work of love begun, some deed of kindness done,
Some wand’rer sought and won, something for Thee.
– Sylvanus Dryden Phelps (1862)

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Resources:
[1] See last week’s discussion about the authorship of Ecclesiastes, link below.
[2] Elsie Duncan Yale (1912)

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections

Link to Index of Bible Passages

Last week’s reflection: Who’s the Wise Guy?
 

[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 08/Oct/2023]

Having been away for a week, Barbara and I found it uplifting to be back for last Sunday’s service. Martin’s sermon was thought provoking, and the music and worship songs led by Dazz were uplifting. I could quote the truth from all of the songs but in “The Rock” the words we sang “Jesus You hold the world in your hands …. I am secure in Your plans …” were especially encouraging.

When I was approaching 50 the bank I worked for was putting pressure on staff to take “voluntary” redundancy. This has continued until this day, therefore all four banks in the town where we live have closed. At that time I went to an evening service for some reason at a local church near Edenbridge I didn’t normally go to. I was naturally worried that in the near future I was going to lose my job but I found that evening a wonderful promise from God for the future.

The minister gave a message that God controlled the present and the future for all Christians and individual churches. He ended by saying, “I was taught at Baptist theological college to have three points in a sermon, but I have given you nine points. However, God will have underlined one point for you.” I glanced down at the notes I had taken, and there God had led me to underline these words. “Don’t be afraid, I’ve got your future all sorted out.”

At the age of 49 the call came to me from the bank for an interview and suggested it was time for me to leave, but I refused. Instead, I suggested that I left when I was 50 and took early retirement, which they said was impossible. However, several weeks later they gave me a job for a year followed by a redundancy package and an early retirement pension!

After working for a charity for over a year the bank asked me to come back on a three day a week contract, and that, together with my pension, took my income back to what it was before my retirement. This went on until I was nearly 60. I liked it when I went home on a Wednesday and my colleagues used to wish me a good weekend.

Isn’t it thrilling when God keeps his promises in such an amazing way?

There are times when all of us face worries and challenges about the future, especially in such challenging times as today. But we can have faith in our heavenly Father that He will meet all of our needs with our finances, circumstances and health.

God has certainly been true to His plans for me and will be to you also.
My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
— and the best of His plans are yet to come —
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 v5-6 [NLT]

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Resources:

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections
.
Link to Index of Bible Passages
 
Last week’s reflection: Following Jesus by Dazz Jones
 

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during October 2023]

In preparation for this month’s preaching series I have read through the book of Ecclesiastes. What a waste of time and effort!

Of course, I am not suggesting that reading the book was a futile exercise; rather, that wasted ambition, wasted effort and wasted time are the central themes of a large proportion of its content. So what can we learn from studying this book, when so much of it we already know from our own personal experiences? That is the challenge for our preachers this month.

In the Orthodox and Protestant traditions the book is classified as ‘Poetry’; the Catholic tradition classifies it as ‘Wisdom’. The source of its content is subject to some debate but it is commonly ascribed to King Solomon around 937BC. Some scholars have argued against this on the basis that the text contains idioms and figures of speech that were not common in Solomon’s day; others have countered with the possibility that the text was updated by Hezekiah, in around 710BC. Another suggestion is that the author was king Josiah in around 620BC but he was king of only Judah, after Israel ceased to be one nation.

Despite the controversy, two verses in the opening chapter of the book are very convincing:

The words of the Teacher, son of David, king of Jerusalem
I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. Ecclesiastes 1 v1, 12 [NIVUK]

It is interesting to compare the experiences of Solomon with those of Job. God allowed Job to be tested by the removal of his earthly possessions; he tested Solomon by giving him an abundance of worldly wealth. Job retained his faith in God during his adversity, Solomon lost his devotion to God through his prosperity.

Probably the best-known section in Ecclesiastes is the passage about times; a series of couplets beginning with:

To everything there is a season,
and a time for every purpose under heaven Ecclesiastes 3 v1 [BSB]

What does this passage teach us about timing? There is a time when a certain action may be appropriate and there is a time when that action might not be appropriate. How do we decide? The Teacher does not have a satisfactory answer to that question but Job offers a suggestion:

Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? Job 12 v12 [NIVUK]

Job recognised that there is a treasury of accumulated wisdom acquired through the experiences of those who have faced similar situations before us. In our own search for wisdom we should not neglect this resource. An elder in the early church took this suggestion to a higher level:

But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. James 1 v5 [GNT]

There is a time to pray, is there ever a time to refrain from praying?

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Resources:
[1]

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections

Link to Index of Bible Passages

Last week’s reflection: A Reflection on Reflection