Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This reflection by Dennis Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 16/Apr/2023]

That sounds like an invitation to sit down for a discussion, doesn’t it? As I actually read the first chapter of Isaiah, I realise that it’s not a discussion, not a calm conversation! God is weeping in desperation – His people are far from Him, deep in sin and refusing to listen to His pleas to repent.

What upsets Him most is their persistence in performing religious rituals, thinking that their sacrifices will make things right with HIM. He threatens the direst consequences if they don’t stop! And, if we’re not careful, if we don’t ‘reason’ with Him, we’ll find ourselves either excusing our sins or – in despair – giving up on ever being able to make up to Him for the way we’ve been living. AND THAT IS EXACTLY ISAIAH’S POINT!

Our sin is far too deep, the stain is indelible – we can do nothing about it. And that’s what Jesus’s death and resurrection are all about! We’ve heard all about it many times, haven’t we? How HIS sacrifice has cleansed us. What has struck me this year is the realisation that I’ll never be able to understand what that really means! God’s invitation to me to ‘reason’ with Him is staggering! He’s asking me to accept that HE has made me as ‘white as snow’! There’s absolutely nothing I can do to make myself worthy of being His son. HALLELUJAH!!

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Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
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[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during April 2023]

Last week we considered the effects of losing contact with our digital world, how we can feel bereft without access to those online links that have become so central to our modern lifestyles. This week the situation was dramatically worse – we had no physical access to the outside world. A two-day blizzard had, quite literally, closed every road in the county; outside of the towns no traffic could move and those who were planning to travel had to stay where they were.

A few generations ago, people of a Godly nature would often add “DV” when formulating their plans. For those whose Latin is dustier than mine, this expression stands for ‘Deo volente’ or, in English, ‘God willing’. This was an intrinsic acknowledgement that whatever plans were being made, they were subject to God’s will. This recognition of God’s sovereignty seems to have fallen out of practice in modern times. We make our plans and, maybe, invite God to tag along. Sometimes he does do as he is told but we should not be surprised when our ways start to diverge or our plans are blocked.

There is a much-quoted verse recorded in the prophecy of Jeremiah:

‘For I know the plans that I have for you’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope’ Jeremiah 29 v11 [NASB]

In the first instance those words were addressed to the Israelite exiles in Babylon, promising an eventual return to their country, but in the longer term they can also refer to God’s plan of salvation.

Those who follow the western ecclesiastical calendar have just celebrated Easter, those who prefer the eastern ecclesiastical calendar will do so next weekend. Is it appropriate to celebrate someone’s death? We usually mark someone’s death by celebrating what they achieved during their life. However, there are no doubt many people who could celebrate if some of the world’s baddies were bumped off. The apostle Paul tells us that Jesus Christ was made sin for us;^[1] John too reminds us that he carried all the sins of the world to the Cross.^[2] Does that make him the world’s worst baddie in terms of punishment received?

Christ was dead – certified dead. His body was in the tomb and those who had applauded him so recently were now off the streets. Did those who wanted to do away with him celebrate? Did Caiaphas break open a few caskets? I suspect that the response was a bit more subdued in Pilate’s household.^[3]

The disciples had locked themselves away. This Jesus, who had been such a central part of the lives, had now gone. They had had high hopes for this man, even that he could be the one to redeem Israel,^[4] but these hopes were dashed; they had forgotten the promise of a resurrection.

Image how they felt when he, fully alive, invited them to a beach-barbecue a few days later. That encounter changed their lives, and they changed the world. Christ’s death, undoubtedly real, was followed by his resurrection and the implications of that are eternal.

But for you, is that event just history, his-story, or is it truly a reason for celebration?

Resources:
[1] 2 Corinthians 5 v21
[2] 1 John 2 v2
[3] Matthew 27 v19
[4] Luke 24 v21

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.

[This reflection by Chris Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 09/Apr/2023]

All kinds of everything reminds me of you.
Do you remember that song by Dana? She sings about every aspect of life rejoicing in it all. Philippians chapter 4:4 says, “rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice”. Be anxious for nothing but in everything let your requests be made known unto God.

When everything around us seems to be collapsing we have a choice to make, we can either go on a downward spiral or, we can believe we are seated in Heavenly Places in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2 v 6. For by grace we have been saved through faith.

Just as a small child looks forward to the Easter Bunny coming to bring special treats at Easter, so we look forward to rejoicing again this Easter time to remember what Jesus did on the cross, and how much this affects every single aspect of our daily lives.

Let us remember what Paul says, let us do all things without complaining. So let us rejoice together this Easter day, forgetting what’s behind us, reaching forward to those things which are ahead.

Hebrews Chapter 12 v 2 – Let us look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

Happy Easter all, let us be ready to give a word of hope in season to those who are weary.

Every blessing, Chris Ginter

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.

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

Every now and then something happens to disturb our carefully balanced daily routines. A change in the arrangement of the shelves in our local supermarket means we cannot find the wasabi-flavoured crisps; new tv schedules mean that it is not so convenient to watch our favourite shows; the neighbour’s chicken keeps singing ‘Happy Birthday’ at the crack of dawn.

Are these minor irritations? Maybe, but they can set up a frame of mind that affects how we react to other events during the day. Unexpected visitors – do you see them as bring pleasure when they arrive or do you looking forward to the delight of their departure? Are you critical of someone for something that was not their fault? Is the milk of human kindness slowly turning into curds and whey? Just image what Colonel Sanders could do with that raucous chicken!

This line of thought was triggered by a gust of wind that blew over a power line which feeds the transformer that runs my local internet hub. Was an earlier writer bemoaning the loss of his web connection when he wrote, “What is life if thou art dead?” I suspect not but I cannot research the actual quotation because the internet is down.

In a corner of a much-neglected shelf I have some books – do you remember books? They are made of sheets of paper bound into a protective cover that has a particular affinity for collecting dust. Apparently they used to be a way of conveying information. They don’t need an internet connection or a battery, just a bit of solar power is enough to read them by.

There are books in the Bible. In the one written by Mark we read of what are possibly the two most famous chickens in history – one that crowed and one that swore.^[1] The latter went on to write a couple of books himself. They are addressed to us as believers and contain words that will be familiar to HBC members:

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2 v5 [NIVUK]

Do you recognise that you are an integral member of God’s church, supported by those around you and supporting them in turn. Collectively and individually we are building a relationship with God, how is the building work going?

There are also books in heaven. John the visionary wrote about them.

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. Revelation 20 v12 [NKJV]

Are you happy with what is being written about you?

Resources:
[1] Mark 14 v71-72

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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.

[This reflection by Dazz Jones was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 02/Apr/2023]

Palm Sunday, the triumphal entry. Jesus was arriving in Jerusalem and the people went mad. They threw a party and laid out the “coat carpet” for him.

Though it is a relatively humble entrance, I get the impression from the Bible that the welcome was extraordinary and vibrant! The people seemed desperate to let Jesus know they were excited to see Him arrive in their town. They threw the clothes off their backs and pulled down branches from trees almost out of necessity so that they might not let the moment pass without paying tribute to their king and Saviour.

But not everyone was excited to see him, so I don’t think everyone was there to welcome him. Which begs the question, who were these people? Doubtless, there were the notably absent ‘Jesus haters’, the high priests and schemers who would later plot to have Jesus executed. Yet, were there also perhaps, some who were simply a little sceptical or perhaps some who were just a bit nervous to associate themselves so openly with Jesus just yet, until they’d seen him in action?

The next question I ask myself is then … would I have shown up? Would I have grabbed what I could and thrown it all out in the street to scream and shout and get excited? Or would I have watched from a distance and consulted with others first?

If Jesus came to Horley, would you go to the welcome party? Would you get involved and throw your coat on the ground and wave palm (or maybe oak tree) branches? Or would you keep your head down and check in with those who went afterwards about whether he seemed like ‘the real deal’?

It’s not a fair comparison really, because if we’ve read the Bible we know Jesus rose again and went to heaven to be with God; so if “Jesus” came visiting Horley we’d have good reason to be sceptical. The question is though, how willing would we be to be very publicly associated with Jesus, would we be willing to literally parade out in the streets for our friends and neighbours to see?

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.

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

Do you attach any significance to first days? Philatelists certainly do; stamp collectors place a premium on envelopes carrying postmarks issued on the first day on which a set of new stamps is put into circulation. The world’s first self-adhesive pre-payment postage stamp was issued in Britain in 1840; unused examples of this stamp can be extremely valuable.^[1]

Can you remember your first day at school? At some point in the middle of the previous century I was led by the hand into a strange building and then left to the mercies of a group of children similarly abandoned. Fortunately there was an adult present who prevented the situation developing into a mixture of ‘Animal Farm’ and ‘Lord of the Flies’. Significantly, I can still remember the name of that teacher some 6+ decades later.

How about your first day at a new school, where you are the new kid and everyone else is well established. Did anyone bother to tell you the rules, the routine or even which room you should be in? It can be a very confusing and lonely experience. Do we recognise that first-time visitors to our church might have similar feelings?

For Noah it was the first day in a new world, all clean and freshly washed. After 40 days of listening to the rhythm of the falling rain and another 3 months of mucking out his floating menagerie, all Noah wanted was to feel something solid under his feet. Instead he received a solid promise from God and then the whole cycle of night following day and season following season started over again.^[2]

Inevitably we are led into consideration of the first day of the week, but which day is it? In the Americas many people consider Sunday to be the first day of the week but in Europe and the antipodes Monday is more common. Leaving aside those communities who start their week on Saturday, the rest of the world is well balanced between Sunday and Monday.^[3]

In the times of the Old Testament Israelites the days were generally known numerically: Day1, Day2, etc. By contrast many of the surrounding nations named the days after various gods or celestial entities. From the Babylonians, through the Greeks and then the Romans this system persisted and, with localisation of the names, eventually we received those names that we use today.

Given the idolatrous origin of the day-names it is not surprising that the New Testament writers avoided using them. Instead, there are numerous references to ‘the first day of the week’ and, with Easter approaching, we will doubtless be reminded of the historical events of one particular first day.

Luke the historian records a cautionary event that occurred on the first day of a week. A young man who was listening to the apostle Paul preaching fell asleep and fell to his death out of a window. He was brought back to life but the incident reminds preachers and listeners alike that long sermons can be an effective cure for insomnia.^[4]

Resources:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_Black
[2] Genesis 8 v22
[3] https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/days/first-day-of-the-week.html
[4] Acts 20 v7-12

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.