Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during June 2022]

It is perhaps appropriate in this season of Jubilee that we take another look at the original concept of jubilee and whether that is still relevant.

By its original definition, a jubilee is a 50-year occurrence, although there are now other variants such as those for 60, 75, and 100 years. Jubilees are events of national or international significance and are marked accordingly. In the UK, two previous monarchs have celebrated golden jubilees; George III in 1809 and Victoria in 1887.

The concept of jubilee was given to the Israelite nation as a festival to be celebrated once they were settled in the Promised Land. It was intended as an opportunity for the land and the people to rest and re-establish the balance between the social, environmental and economic aspects of national life.

The 25^th chapter of the book of Leviticus sets out in some detail the instructions on how each jubilee year was to be celebrated. The principal expectations were:

• Debts are to be cancelled;
• Items held in lien for a debt are to be returned;
• Leased land and certain other property is to be returned to its owner;
• The land is to be left untended;
• Slaves are to be released.

It is said that the economic impact of observing the jubilee provisions in their entirety meant that it was never actually celebrated as intended.

Hidden amongst this list of instructions is a promise that God will provide for those who obey his commands^[1].

For us, in socio-economic circumstances that are very different from those when the concept of jubilee was instigated, are there any aspects of this understanding of jubilee that can be carried forward in our Christian lives? Certainly, we cannot expect a friendly letter from the bank manager or to be offered a 12-month holiday but we can count on that same promise that God will provide for our needs.

In his sermon on sacrificial giving recently, Martin repeated an assertion that ‘if you give away … then you have less’. Arithmetically, and in the eyes of secular accountants, this is true, but God uses a different accounting system. He is not in debt to anyone but will always provide some form of compensation for our sacrifices. Christopher Wordsworth (1807 – 1885) put it this way:

We lose what on ourselves we spend,
We have as treasure without end.
Whatever, Lord, to Thee we lend,
Who givest all

We know about laying up treasure in heaven but have you ever thought of contentment with less as a blessing from God? Or smaller than expected bills? Or finding some forgotten tins at the back of the larder? God’s blessings can come in some unexpected ways but the most unexpected one is the offer to cancel our sin through the sacrifice of his son.

We may not be able to celebrate jubilee in its original sense but, by our actions as Christians, we can demonstrate the same concern for our society and our land.

[1] Leviticus 25 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 was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 05/Jun/2022]

Some years ago, long before Partygate, a new manager where I worked invited the staff to his home for a social gathering. The problem was that it was straight after work and he opened some bottles of wine, but he didn’t provide any food, not even any nibbles. As this was in the days before breathalysers, he kept coming round topping up our glasses. As you can guess, with our empty stomachs, the wine went to our heads and we were chatting away merrily.

But one poor teenaged girl wasn’t used to drinking wine and as her voice got louder she somehow started talking about death. The whole room went quiet as everyone stopped talking except for her, and she ended up saying, “I’m absolutely terrified of dying.” Someone quickly changed the subject and we got back to our conversations. Needless to say, at the next social gathering the manager gave us a sumptuous buffet meal with the wine.

It may be surprising that we who are firm believers in Jesus to give us new everlasting life by His own death, are also not very happy about dying, and perhaps fearful too. When God first created human beings, he created us to live and not to die (Gen 2:7-9 & 16-17). But it was our own choice of doing what we wanted instead of following His will that brought about our death throughout history (Gen 3).

Perhaps the feeling that originally we were born to live and not to die makes us worried about dying. In a very basic way also, we have a fear of dying in order to protect us, otherwise we may walk in front of a bus and not be concerned that it would end our lives. Not only that we are fearful of the unknown and no one we know has died and come back to life and tell us what happens. Except one person – that is Jesus.

Jesus made it very clear, even before His death and coming back to life, that He came to give us new life instead of death. He even told us not to worry.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also on me. In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you. And when I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
(John 14:2-3)

Let’s be like Paul who was torn between living and dying. Not because he was worried about death, but as he said, “

For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity]…..But I am hard pressed between the two. My yearning desire is to depart (to be free of this world, to set forth) and be with Christ, for that is far, far better.”
(Phil 1:21-23 Amp)

He also said, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Cor 2:9 NIV)

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 May 2022]

What is this life if, full of care, We have not time to stand and stare?

These words, written by Welsh poet WH Davies (1871-1940) have been quoted and misquoted many times in defence of a more sedate lifestyle. The argument is that a little bit of a diversion is actually beneficial, potentially relieving some of the stress endemic in a western urban lifestyle.

Imagine if Abraham had picked up his knife and said “let’s get this over with” instead of taking the time to look into the thicket and thereby save his son. Or Moses saying “these sheep are so stupid that I cannot take my eyes off them” instead of taking the time to investigate the burning bush, which led to him saving a nation. What life-changing opportunities are you missing simply because you are too busy to stand and stare awhile?

In much of our commercial world, time has a value, a pause has a price. Many professional specialists are obliged to record the amount of time spent for each client, and charge them accordingly. Even by being late for an appointment you are depriving someone else of something that is of value to them.

By contrast there are those who do not recognise the value of time in the same way; in its extreme, procrastination is ok, tomorrow will do. No doubt we have all encountered this type of attitude; it is especially annoying when we are waiting for something to get done. Often we feel that our valuable time is being wasted.

The sun and the moon that form the basis of our time keeping were created during the fourth phase of creation^[1] but God has a different concept of time. For him a day is as a thousand (earth) years, a thousand years are as a day^[2]. God created time, he controls time and he is always on time.

What are the spiritual implications of this time management dichotomy?

It is possible to be so engrossed in church activities that our other obligations do not get the attention they deserve, and we become a poor witness in the sight of those around us. It is also possible that our need to be involved is denying other people the opportunity to develop their own talents.

Conversely, it is possible to feel so secure in our faith that we feel it no longer needs cultivation. The Lord has other hands to do his work, other feet to run for him. Moses tried “Lord, send someone else” and we are told that God was displeased with his response.

Elijah was treated to a display of the wonders of nature but it was in the subsequent pause that God spoke to him. The psalmist was writing in advance of that event but he knew the same sentiment: “Be still and know that I am God”^[3]. In 1920 Emily Crawford expanded on the same thought with these familiar words:

Speak Lord in the stillness, whilst we wait on thee;
Hushed our hearts to listen in expectancy.

So, for us, what is the value of a pause? Are we willing to wait and listen for that still small voice? Let us redraft the poet’s words:

What is this life if, every day, we have not time to pause and pray?

[1] Genesis 1 v14
[2] 2 Peter 3 v8
[3] Psalm 46 v10

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 was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 29/May/2022]

In April I was able to attend Spring Harvest (SH) at Minehead. For those of you who are not familiar with this annual event it’s for people of all ages and church backgrounds (or none), and features bible teaching, seminars and spirit filled worship. I would encourage you to go if you ever have the opportunity. It has never failed to challenge, encourage and inspire me.

The SH theme this year was ‘Restore, Renew and Rebuild’, guided by Rev Cris Rogers. This involved looking at the restoration story of Nehemiah in the Old Testament, and also exploring the challenge that Jesus gives the people of God to create a more hopeful, faith-filled future in our post pandemic world.

A few thoughts from one of the day’s teaching, looking at Nehemiah chapter 2, struck a cord with me so I share these as an encouragement for us as a fellowship.
* Keep doing what you are doing i.e. do what is right in front of you. Worship and serve God just where you are. It’s not always necessary to ‘go’ – just be who you are, where you are.
* do what you are doing with integrity. Rest assured the Holy Spirit is with us to guide and strengthen us.
* do it knowing that God is with you and His gracious hand is upon you (Nehemiah 2:18)
* do it with prayer. Never stop praying … incredible things happen when we pray.

The other thing that really hit home was when one speaker, exploring the subject of ‘renew’ suggested that we (yes, you and me) might actually be part of the solution to the things we pray about.

How often do I look for an answer ‘out there’, maybe for someone else to do something, when the solution might be nearer to home? I found that thought really encouraging, and now feel challenged to look differently at issues and people in my life that concern me. How can I, how can you, make a difference? We might not be or have the whole answer, but we might need to recognise our part in it, however ill equipped we may feel.

It might not be about doing something, although it could be exactly that – there’s plenty that needs doing! But equally it might be that we need to be more Christ like in a particular situation, as we try our best to be His “little anointed ones”.

Of course, and thank God, we never need do anything in our own strength, and we would be wise not to try! God will provide us with what we need when we step out in faith.

So what’s stirring your heart at this time? What are you praying about?

.

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 May 2022]

Can we, as Christians, be accused of having ulterior motives? The question arose as a result of interacting with various groups of people endeavouring to help refugees from Ukraine.

Most people, of course, are motivated by genuine humanitarian concern, without any expectation of compensation or reward. Within that group are those who would acknowledge some religious motivation, Christian or otherwise, as well as those who would not claim any such affiliation. At the other extreme are those whose motivation is to exploit the situation, seeking public acclaim, aiming to make a profit or hoping to manipulate people in difficult circumstances.

Various passages in the law given via Moses show that God forbids the exploitation of the poor because of their need^[1]. The prophet Amos issued a dire warning against those who were taking advantage of the needy. At the time of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem Nehemiah discovered that wealthy citizens were exploiting their countrymen by lending at usurious rates of interest, something which is distressingly familiar today.

In 1770 the French writer Voltaire wrote that “God is always on the side of the big battalions”. By contrast, many references in the Psalms and Proverbs show that God is on the side of the poor and needy; those with dubious motives will incur his displeasure.

Paul wrote to the church in Corinth to warn them that when Christ returns he will disclose the motives of men’s hearts^[2]. Are you ready for a full disclosure? Will your motives withstand interrogation?

Certainly as Christians we do have a superior motive, in fact two.

The often-quoted passage in Matthew^[3] describes the consequences of helping or not helping those who are hungry or in need. Jesus said that those actions, or inactions, are in effect as if they were directed towards him. These activities are not a way of earning enough credits to get into heaven – we have already been credited with righteousness – but they are a way of demonstrating our gratitude.

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5 v16 [NIVUK]

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6 v10 [NIVUK]

Our second motive is that we want those whom we are helping to come to faith in Jesus too. This is indeed a noble motive but runs the risk of being misunderstood. Are our congregations judged by their quantity rather than their quality? Are we aiming to increase our standing in some form of ‘conversions league’? We are called to be fishers of men; do we nurture the ‘newly-netted’ or immediately cast the net out to catch another?

We would do well to remember that when Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment he replied with not just one, but two. The second was to love our neighbour as ourselves. Taking that command seriously should remove any doubts about our motivations.

[1] eg Exodus 22 v25, Deuteronomy 15 v7
[2] 1 Corinthians 4 v5
[3] Matthew 25 v31-46

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 was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 15/May/2022]

Last weekend we had a birthday party for three people in my family who had special birthdays – we were celebrating a 90th, a 70th and a 60th!! It was such a special time – gorgeous weather, delicious food, birthday balloons and live music. But what made it really special was that, due to Covid, it was the first time in nearly three years, we as a family, were all together again. It had been so long since we were able to share hugs, love and laughter, and the memories of the wonderful time it was, will stay in our hearts always.

The next day was a Sunday, and as I got ready for church, I felt a happy sense of anticipation at seeing everyone at church. When I arrived, there was a real buzz about the place, as we all chatted over coffee (I love that we have coffee before church as well as after, because it seems to relax us all, and adds something special to the whole experience).

The birthday party was special because we are family – there is a common bond through our history and our blood-ties. When we gather as church, we too have a shared history as we look back over many years of doing church together. And we share blood-ties through our faith in Jesus, and the blood he shed in order for us to be part of his family.

I feel so blessed to have deep relationships within my church family, and I sense that God is calling us to go deeper still, both with him and with each other. I want that, because it’s only through deep relationship with each other, that we will care and be cared for, and learn from each other as we grow in faith and our shared love.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Matthew 22:37-40

We are family in every sense of the word, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour, Lord, Father and friend. The world will know we are his disciples by our love for one another^[1].

[1] John 13-34-35

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.