Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

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

What are we to make of 25th January? It seems to be one of those days in the middle of a bland month with nothing much to recommend it. All the new-year resolutions have gone out of the window, the bills incurred last month are now flocking in and, to make matters worse, there is no anticipation of imminent holidays to alleviate the weather. Certainly, if you have a birthday or anniversary, or some other event, then congratulations or commiserations are appropriate, but otherwise it can be a dull day.

For me, the 25th January represents the anniversary of my first day of paid employment, 51 years ago. It was a wintry day in south Wales, standing on the edge of Barry docks, measuring up the site of a new office for an Antarctic research team. Alongside was one of their ice breakers and the wind felt as if it had come directly from the south Atlantic glaciers. I cannot say that I suddenly developed nostalgic memories of school but certainly the prospect of 40 years holding the zero-end of a tape measure did not seem very inviting either.

When we are faced with sudden cultural shock or lifestyle changes we can have a variety of reactions. The Israelites fleeing Egypt decided that life there had not been so bad and tried to return. In Babylon the Israelite exiles were told to settle down and make the most of it. After the shock of Christ’s death Peter went back to what he had been doing before but it was no longer successful. By contrast, Paul wholeheartedly adopted his new circumstances after his encounter on the Damascus road.

Sometimes, trying to get back to the way we were is the correct course of action; on other occasions, the better option is to learn the lessons, file the memories and move on with our lives.

Can you recall when you first met Jesus Christ? For some of us he is a person that we have known about all our lives; we cannot recall many details of the transition from ‘knowing about’ to ‘trusting in’ but we are confident that our relationship is secure. Others of us will have been introduced to him through a faithful intermediary and our relationship has grown from that. Others will have had their own ‘Damascus road’ experience, resulting in an abrupt but effective start to their new relationship.

For those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ there is more to this relationship than a ticket to heaven; eternal life has already started. Our confidence is reinforced by the words of Jesus as recorded in John 3 v16. It is important that you allow this life to grow, to cultivate it. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to achieve the fullness of God’s plan for you.

There is, of course, another group: those who have yet to start a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus has some words for them too:

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
[John 3 v18 NIVUK]

When will you get the message?

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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 January 2022]

Do our friendships and alliances help or hinder our relationship with God?

The Old Testament books of Kings and Chronicles relate the story of Jehoshaphat, who reigned as the king of the nation of Judah during the period 870-849BC. According to the record, he was one of the ‘good’ kings, so much so that God used his example as a yard-stick when assessing some of his successors.

Jehoshaphat was raised by God-fearing parents; those of us who have received a similar blessing should be thankful. Jehoshaphat’s loyalty to ‘the God of his fathers’ did not shield him from the threat of war and disaster but he knew who to turn to when he had to face them.

Here are three ‘postcards’ from places in Jehoshaphat’s story:

Ramoth Gilead was one of the cities of refuge established in Israel but it was occupied by Aram. Ahab, the king of Israel, invited Jehoshaphat to join him in a campaign to recover the city. Jehoshaphat was wary and requested that they seek God’s guidance but Ahab consulted only those prophets who gave him the answers he wanted. Nevertheless, Jehoshaphat went along with the plan and barely escaped with his life.

Are you feeling under pressure to conform to family or business expectations, but you are uncomfortable about them? Maybe you see an opportunity to bring some salt and light into a situation but there is also the danger that your salt will be trodden underfoot.

En-gedi was an oasis on the shores of the Dead Sea. David had hidden in the caves of that region and successfully evaded the army of Saul that was seeking him. Jehoshaphat faced an invading force there. He was wary of his own army’s ability to repel the invasion so he declared a national period of prayer, calling on help from God. The outcome was that the various factions of the invading force turned on themselves and it was left for Jehoshaphat’s army to glean the loot.

Why is it that very few modern leaders are willing to call their nation to prayer? To what extent can our prayers mitigate this shortcoming?

Ezion-Geber was a port at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqabar; it had a history of ship-building. Solomon’s fleet of trading ships had brought the nation great wealth but when Jehoshaphat tried to emulate his predecessor his ships were wrecked there. Jehoshaphat had been wary about the venture and refused to allow his own sailors to man the ships.

The Biblical record tells us that the vessels were wrecked because Jehoshaphat had chosen a godless business partner. The outcome of Jehoshaphat’s venture also demonstrates that God’s plan for someone else may not be God’s plan for you.

So, to return to our question: Do our friendships and alliances help or hinder our relationship with God?
Do they bring us the peril of Ramoth Gilead, the victory of En-gedi or the disappointment of Ezion-Geber? Are you wary about the effects that your alliances can have on your relationship with God? Jehoshaphat sought guidance from God (even if he did not always accept the answer); you can seek guidance from God too.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. [James 1 v5 NIVUK]

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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, 16/January/2022]

‘We Don’t Talk About Money, Politics … Or Religion’

That was years ago. Now we seem to talk about little else! And the “…” especially. Those of us who grew up in the 50’s can remember that ‘sex’ was either a subject of smutty jokes or religious restrictions. Today, if the media are anything to go by, we seem to be ‘liberated’ from any shame at all concerning sex. But are we really enjoying the freedom Jesus wants us to have?

Now we’ve recently learned that sex and sexuality will be the teaching topic for the month of February. It’s about time! We don’t know which aspects of the subject will be dealt with, but the possibility that our shame-based silence on such matters will disappear is very hopeful!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Holy Spirit were to so transform our minds and hearts that we’d find ourselves ‘dropping our stones’ of judgment of others (listen to Neil’s talk, 09.01.22), and find true freedom personally from all sorts of addictive behaviour having to do with sex?

Let’s pray and trust that those February teachings will have more power than we’ve ever thought possible. We can become bright lights in the permissive but confused culture in which we live!

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 January 2022]

It was the first Sunday of the new year and, not surprisingly, there was mention during the online service of ‘New Year’ resolutions. Several people mentioned wanting to resolve to read the Bible more often or more diligently. That sounds simple enough; the Bible is readily available and we often speak of it containing much that is worth studying. But, as several people commented, the resolution itself may sound simple but it proves to be very difficult in practice. Even those of us who do read a portion every day often have difficulty recalling its message shortly afterwards.

Why is regular Bible reading such a challenge? Amidst all the excuses quoting time pressures and other constraints there is one reason that stands above the others. Reading the Bible diligently is an act of rebellion – it is spiritual warfare.

Historians can read the Bible for its accounts of the rise and fall of empires, poets can read it for the beauty of its language, counsellors for advice on inter-personal relationships, sages for its words of wisdom. How many of them recognise it as the word of God?

Arthur Pink was an English-born pastor who led congregations in the Australia and the USA. He grew up in a Christian home but he did not come to share his parents’ faith until he was in his early-20s. In later years he turned to writing Christian materials, in both magazine and book format. It was perhaps because God gave him the opportunity to experience the world of the unsaved that he later wrote so forcibly in defence of the Bible. Initially, his writing did not achieve a large readership but after his death his work became much more widely appreciated. He joins the ranks of God’s messengers who did not profit from being a prophet, but perhaps this is one way in which God maintains the humility of his servants.

One of Pink’s best-known books is a defence of the authenticity of the Bible entitled ‘The Divine Inspiration of the Bible’, published in 1917. In this book he argues at length and with numerous examples that the Bible can only have been written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This, of course, is one of the essentials of the Christian faith. Without this belief, the Bible becomes nothing more than an historical record, even a less-favoured one amongst a library of contemporary writings.

So, we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God – how should we avoid reading it becoming a chore? Perhaps, as with most chores, a positive approach beats the perils of procrastination. You may find these suggestions helpful:

• Plead before you read: The Holy Spirit inspired the writing of the Bible; ask him to inspire your reading of it.
• Listen up: If circumstances allow, read aloud. It helps to discipline your reading and you may be surprised by what you hear.
• Grab a take-away: Identify some thought or phrase that you can carry with you throughout the day.

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God … you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God.
1 Thessalonians 2 v13 [NIVUK]

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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, 08/January/2022]

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith^[1]

Recently I saw a beautiful bride on the television screen which reduced me to tears, it occurred to me this is how Jesus sees His Church, a bride without spot or wrinkle. Ephesians Chapter 5 v 25 to 27 says that’s how Jesus loves us because of His shed blood on Calvary’s cross, He made us free from sin, pure and holy.

Jesus is asking us to go deeper with Him to enter into fellowship with Him, it is such a privilege. Psalm 24 asks us to lift up our heads and look at Him that He may come into us and we can fellowship with Him, then He will help us fight our battles, for He is strong and mighty.

How would it be if Jesus was outside our church and trying to get in. Every time He tried to enter, the door closed in His face and He never got to come in. Later we learnt that He’d been standing outside and the King of Glory couldn’t get near us.

It’s the same with our lives, we are so busy doing our own thing and Jesus is saying, “let me in”. Revelation 3 v20 says: He wants to share every moment, every occasion and activity. Even the most trickiest of problems, like the small metal puzzles in the Christmas crackers, just one turn and it’s solved.

God has the answer, ask Him for the solution. He knows the way through the wilderness, all we have to do is follow. Then we will have deep communion with our Saviour, loving Him and He loving us. We will then be radiant just like that beautiful bride, ready for a life of expectancy and hope.

Every blessing,

[1] Hebrews 12 v2

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.

Chris Ginter
January 2022

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

Another night of revelry, another hangover, another change of the calendar, another tranche of short-lived resolutions, another covid variant, another round of restrictions, another series of rebellions against restrictions. Day follows night, night follows day; the earth keeps turning “like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel, never ending or beginning on an ever spinning reel”[1]

Do you ever wonder about the point of it all? The writer of Ecclesiastes had a similar thought:

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]

We often think of the new year as offering the chance for a new start but it is a start from where we’re at. Our new start has to be built on the foundation of what has gone before and that can be discouraging. Maybe it is easier to let life roll just as before.

The word ‘revolution’ comes from the same root as revolve; to turn round or rotate. We think of the hands of a clock rotating at 2, 24 or 1,440 revolutions per day, or a car engine rotating at several thousand revolutions per minute. The latter reminds us of the three phases of the industrial revolution: mechanisation, mass-production, and then the expansion of digital technology. Those who can’t keep up are at risk of being sidelined and abandoned.

Revolutions are not solely mechanical; the word can also refer to a significant social or political change. Perhaps one of the most infamous was the French revolution of 1787 during which some 16,600 people were killed. The eventual outcome was a more equitable society in France. The consequences of the English revolution of 1688 included changes to the status of the monarchy and tolerance for certain religious non-conformists.

What about a spiritual revolution? It is said that the early Christians turned the world upside down; some might argue that the world needs to see that impact repeated. What would such a revolution require? Certainly, a closer walk with God, more diligence in reading the Bible, more enthusiasm in prayer, closer relationships in God’s family. Maybe those are the resolutions that we should ask God to help us with this year.

If sustained, such resolutions could indeed lead to a spiritual revolution. It will require determination, discomfort and potential sacrifice, and its full benefits may not be seen in our lifetime. Are you willing to be part of the new revolution?

[1]: The Windmills of your Mind, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, 1968.

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.