Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This reflection by Dazz Jones was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 19/Nov/2023]

The journey of faith is compared to a race in the Bible, this is to highlight the importance of endurance and staying on course, being focussed. “A huge cloud of witnesses is all around us. So let us throw off everything that stands in our way. Let us throw off any sin that holds on to us so tightly. And let us keep on running the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1, NIRV). This verse encourages Jesus’ followers to shrug off the burdens of sin or distraction so we can focus on the path ahead of us, which Jesus trod.

In my experience, the best and worst thing about running is how quickly it can stop being hard if you just … stop. The furthest I’ve ever run is 10 kilometres and that took me over an hour … which is a lot of running (at least as far as I’m concerned!). Whenever I run, the little voice in my head, the temptation that is always there is to just stop … to just to ‘walk for a bit’. Sometimes that’s probably a good idea, injury is not fun for anyone. Yet what I have found rewarding about running is that when I don’t listen to that voice, when I persevere and keep going despite that temptation to stop (and make the pain end!) is a great sense of achievement and pride; a growing sense of identity as someone who can overcome. When that is my goal, to be someone who overcomes that small voice telling me to give up and walk, it helps me keep focus on continuing to run and run.

The link to our faith is that we need to remember what the goal is. Distractions are things that draw are focus away from that goal. We could argue that the opposite of ‘dis-traction’ is traction, (that logic seems to follow?) which includes things that help us keep a grip on our path to push on to our destination. A few of these could be:

Teamwork: Running with others makes training much more enjoyable, stick at church and spend time with uplifting Christian friends.

Goal-focus: The ‘Instagram feed’ or comparison to our family and friends might make us feel like we’re ‘off course’ or create a sense that we’re ‘falling short’ in life. What is the goal of your Christian life? Sit with that question for a while to refocus yourself.

Discipline: We all hate this one. There is no denying that regular, consistent effort will produce results. We are what we continually do, Aristotle said, and history shows that to be true. Despite how we feel, sometimes we have to put in the time and force focus.

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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: Where is the Prince of Peace? by Michael Goble
 

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

As a general rule we tend to prefer those situations or products with which we are familiar. We tend to shop in those stores where we know the layout of the shelves, at a restaurant we often chose menu items that we recognise and we even like to listen to sermons when we have some idea of what the preacher is on about. When we do explore new places we are reassured by having an established place to which we can return.

Relatively few of us have had the experience of being deprived of access to the place that we call home. On those occasions when it has happened to me I was consoled by the knowledge that the problem was only temporary. Consider then the plight of those who have been permanently deprived of their homes and have nowhere to go.

Images of those who are homeless, refugees from war zones, victims of flood or famine, all appear on our tv screens with disturbing frequency. Nor are they situations that occur at a safe distance – somewhere ‘over there’. There are people who are facing these problems in our midst, here and now.

In the global context, this is nothing new. We recall how Jacob left home to avoid a hostile domestic situation, how the residents of Jerusalem were forced into exile in Babylon, and even how the young Jesus became a refugee fleeing to Egypt. They did not know what awaited them but staying-put was not an option for them.

In Genesis we read:

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.” Genesis 12 v1 [NLT]

Abram may not have known where he was going but he had confidence in the one who was organising the journey. To what extent are we willing to trust the one who is overseeing our journey through life?

Abram was a wealthy man, he had servants and livestock so he had the resources to be able to settle comfortably wherever God would lead him. Yet he was not content; the one thing that he desired the most was missing – an acceptable heir.

We sing the words “All I have needed thy hand has provided”^[1] but do we believe it? Are there times when we wonder whether ‘all’ actually means all? Perhaps we think that something is missing, something that would make life more complete, something that God is holding back.

The antidote to those thoughts is to remember those fellow-travellers whose lifetime of memories, achievements and ambitions have been reduced into one item of hand luggage. For all of us the future is unknown. We plan and build, only to have it snatched away. Heed the words of Jesus:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where bombs and bullets destroy, and where bailiffs break in and steal. … For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6 v19, 21

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Resources:
[1]: ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’, Thomas Chisholm, 1923

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 Stranger No More
 

[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 12/Nov/2023]

Today we reflect on the horrors of war and remember those who gave their lives to give us freedom. The poppies that we wear are a reminder of those that grew around the battlefields in the First World War early in the last century. That war was described as the war to end all wars. Sadly that was never fulfilled as since that time there have been many wars both large and small, culminating in the two present horrendous wars that we see today.

Jesus told us that prior to His return there would be wars and rumours of wars (Matt. 24 v6) before the end of the age in which we are living. But the last war that is destined for this present age is not the one that is going on now in southern Israel, but is told in Zechariah 14 v2 in which Israel will be surrounded by enemy armies and on the brink of defeat.

I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses will be ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. Zechariah 14 v2-4a

Israel is rescued by the Jewish Messiah, that is the Lord Jesus Christ, our God and Saviour. At that time the Jewish people will turn to believe in Jesus as their Saviour. “They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a first born son.”^[1]

And then the amazing happens:

All Israel will be saved, as it is written: The deliverer will come from Zion: he will turn godlessness away from Jacob (Israel). And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins. (Romans 11:26,27)

Extraordinary events will happen and then, “The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.”^[2] Jesus will reign over Israel and all the world.

It is right that we should strive to bring peace to this world but in the end it is Jesus, the Prince of Peace, who will bring an end to war.

He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plough shares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” Isaiah 2 v4-5

That day is coming. Let’s pray for the return of Jesus and the end to war.

Praise you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

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Resources:
[1]: Zechariah 12 v10
[2]: Zechariah 14 v 9

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: Good Morning? by David Makanjuola
 

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

One of my favourite online musicians at present is Geoffrey Reeves who lives in Portsmouth, England. He is a skilled player of the electric guitar, in a manner that will cause many of those of a certain age to be reminded of the band ‘The Shadows’. In his repertoire, presented on his YouTube channel ‘Geoffers47’, he plays a variety of once-popular songs, including ‘Wayfaring Stranger’ and ‘Like Strangers’.

Wayfaring Stranger is often associated with the spiritual songs of the southern states of the USA and, as with so many such songs, it reflects the difficulties of the present life whilst looking forward to a better one to come.

I’m just a poor wayfaring stranger
while journeying through this land of woe
But there’s no sickness, toil or danger
In that bright world to which I go

The popular English lyrics have a number of variations and the original writers are unknown but some sources suggest that the words were derived from a German song dating from 1666 which itself is said to have been inspired by words in the book of Psalms:

For I am a stranger with You, A sojourner, as all my fathers were. Psalm 39 v12 [NKJV]
I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. Psalm 119 v19 [NIVUK]

In 1960 the Everly Brothers released a song called ‘Like Strangers’ which bemoans a love gone cold, a growing distance between former lovers. Jesus spoke about love growing cold:

And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24 v12 [NIVUK]
But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. Revelation 2 v4 [BSB]

In 1961 the clarinettist Acker Bilk wrote a melody which became known as ‘Stranger on the Shore’. Lyrics subsequently added to the song describe the sadness of someone left behind as their lover sailed away. In the closing chapter of the gospel by John we see that the disciples of Jesus had a similar feeling, their leader had gone away and they felt bereft. Then John describes an encounter with a stranger on the shore during which the disciples realised that their beloved master had returned.

In 1890 Alexander Borodin composed an opera, ‘Prince Igor’, which featured a number of traditional dances, including the tune which subsequently earned fame as ‘Stranger in Paradise’. In the song the singer seeks confirmation that his search for love is finally satisfied. Jesus spoke about Paradise; he assured a dying thief of his place there and later, after rebuking the church in Ephesus for allowing their love to grow cold, he explained how they too could obtain a place in paradise.^[1]

Do you feel like a poor wandering stranger? Do you feel estranged and distant? The stranger on the shore offers a positive alternative. With his help, you can look forward to being welcomed in paradise, not as a stranger but as a home-coming family member.

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References:
[1] Luke 23 v43, Revelation 2 v7.

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: Saints Alive!
 

[This reflection by David Makanjuola was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 05/Nov/2023]

Have you ever encountered people who remind you of Victor Meldrew, the TV character who managed to be the ‘poster boy’ for grumpiness? People to whom who if you said “Good Morning”, would probably reply “what’s so good about it?”

Perhaps we should take that not as a rude reply, but rather, as a challenge to us to be able to tell them why it is a good morning. Are there things you can think of as you start the day which help you realise that it is indeed a good one?

In the book of Psalms, we are told that “This is the day that the Lord has made – we will rejoice and be glad in it”.^[1] There will definitely be days when you do not feel able to do this however. Things happening in the world around us, or things happening in our personal lives at that particular time may make our truthful greeting not “Good morning”, but rather, “not such a good morning is it?”.

More often than not though, even on the not so good days, there are still things to be thankful for. I was driving to work early one morning and the full moon was still bright in the sky, a wonderful sight to behold. Soon, it was covered by clouds, and then shortly after, the clouds swept past and the moon was there to see again. It struck me that the moon had still been there, even when it was obscured by the clouds. We need to remember that the afflictions we have are temporary. God’s grace and his blessings are there, even though our circumstances might temporarily make it seem as if they aren’t.

There is a lovely story in the Bible about the prophet Elisha and his servant. They are surrounded by a hostile army and Elisha’s servant is scared and is in despair. The passage, in 2 Kings 6: 13-17, says:

Early the next morning in Dothan, when Elisha’s servant went outside, he saw troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. He and Elisha were completely surrounded by enemy forces intent on killing them. The servant flew into a state of panic and cried out to Elisha, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

When we realise that God’s blessings in our lives are more than the troubles and strife that we face, we will indeed be able to say “Good morning”, and also be able to tell people why.

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Resources:
[1]: Psalm 118 v24 [NKJV]

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: The Church In The Way? by Dennis Ginter
 

[This reflection by Dennis Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 29/Oct/2023]

Some of us have been thinking seriously about discipleship – the process of becoming much closer followers of Jesus.

My first key realisation was that Jesus is not here in person to do the discipling. So all the churches I’ve been part of use some kind of ‘discipling course’ – usually followed in small groups. These courses were more information than transformation, if I’m honest. Rarely were we letting Jesus lead us! We were sharing, but not at a deep, raw level.

Something was missing. No, SOMEONE was missing! I see now that Jesus CAN do the discipling – in disguise. Although bodily He is now with the Father in another realm, He is with us here in the form of the Holy Spirit. And we need to do all we can to let HIM shape us individually and corporately into deeply loved and loving copies of Jesus!

In my twenties and early thirties, I was a member of a church in Winnipeg called ‘The Church of the Way’. Our pastor, John White, often observed (only partially joking) that we were too often acting like a church IN the way!

I firmly believe that if we are hoping to become close, effective followers of Jesus, we need to do all we can to get OUT of the way and let Him shape us! That is already happening in our small group. We are more and more honest with each other in our struggles to get rid of personal faults and, like a true family, allowing our Father to have His way with us. And, the Holy Spirit, with the amazing ability to do more than Jesus ever could while in the flesh, is discipling us! And it’s wonderful!!

Blessings,
Dennis

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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: The Greatest Of All, Is Love by Chris Ginter