Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during August 2021]

Recently I had occasion to drive through a provincial city on a Sunday morning. The cathedral bells were tolling and a good many of the faithful were gathering to join in worship. Having purchased small candles for about 20p and wearing masks, they took their turn to enter the cathedral. Worship in the Eastern Orthodox denominations centres around the priests acting as intermediaries between the worshippers and God, and the veneration of the saints of bygone years.

Orthodox churches are decorated completely internally with images of saints whilst monasteries extend this to the outside as well. Many of these icons are themselves of considerable age and, at a time of widespread illiteracy, they were intended to remind the faithful of Bible stories and the exploits of the saints and also, often very graphically, of the fate awaiting the unbeliever.

Immediately opposite the cathedral was another large building, a store bearing a name also well-known in the UK. It too had its masked devotees and even a kind of liturgy. A small donation (equivalent to 10p) releases a small cart with which the visitor can move through the aisles, pausing to consider the items on display. In this scenario, the items can be handled and visitors are encouraged to place them into the cart. Like in the cathedral across the road, a payment is expected when the visitor is ready to leave. As this store also promotes personal hygiene products, the juxtaposition of these two buildings confirms that cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness.

Of course, as non-conformists claiming direct access to God under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we do not have any liturgy. But wait! We have a largely predictable form of service, we have three-point sermons, we sit down to pray and stand up to sing, we even have a dress code (albeit somewhat informal). We conduct our communion services in a way that might seem strange to visitors more used to receiving the elements from a priest at an altar rail. We have standardised formats for dedications, baptisms, marriages and funerals. Is this not all a form of liturgy? Might it be confusing to a visitor? How can we ensure that the visitor is not left uncomfortable with their unfamiliarity?

✞

In the book of Revelation, the apostle John gives us several glimpses of the liturgy of heaven:

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice [Revelation 7 v9 NIVUK]

That addresses the question of sit or stand, clarifies the dress code and replaces candles with palm fronds. We will no longer need icons of the saints when we can see them in person amongst that great multitude. Rather more important is the declaration of worship, and the angels’ response:

‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’
Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!’
[Revelation 7 v10, 12 NIVUK]

Are you ready to echo that great ‘Amen!’?

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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, 01/August/2021]

On our walks around Horley together Sue G and I have developed the habit of shouting “echo” out loud whenever we pass under any bridges. There is one particular rail bridge in Horley that is guaranteed to give a fabulous echo and we never fail to shout “echo” & laugh about it together even if other people are within hearing distance.

The other day I was walking home from work and was due to pass under the now familiar bridge. I was aware of a dog walker behind me and I realised he’d be walking under the bridge at the same time as me. I so wanted to shout “echo” in keeping with my usual boldness when with Sue, but I couldn’t bring myself to do so. It was no big deal really but I felt cowardly once I’d walked through quietly, as I realised my reticence was totally due to feeling embarrassed & silly. My courage failed me. I told Sue who chastised me and asked what was the worst that could have happened if I’d shouted “echo” when someone was listening.

It struck me that I can sometimes be like that when talking about my faith. I find it difficult to tell others about Jesus and can lose my boldness when I’m not with other Christians. This is especially true with friends and family who do not believe in Him. I am concerned I won’t represent Him well enough and will make a mess of explaining my love for and faith in Him. However the Bible gives direction for pilgrims like me who are hesitant & sometimes lack confidence.

In Luke’s gospel we are challenged to fear God above all, but also reassured of the help of the Holy Spirit (12:12). Elsewhere Peter (1 Peter 3:15) talks about speaking the gospel with ‘gentleness and respect’ so I needn’t be concerned that it’s about winning an argument. And the apostle Paul calls for conversations ‘full of grace’ (Colossians 4:6). We need to not only speak about our faith but to act it out daily with love and compassion. Our actions will say as much, if not more than our words, perhaps particularly when we’re around those who know us really well but who don’t yet know Jesus or want to know Him. He just wants us to love them and keep on loving them like He does, even when they still seem indifferent to Him.

I want to be brave and I am prepared to be vulnerable for Christ if that is what’s required. What about you? I am reminded that we cannot do anything in our own strength but we can totally trust in Jesus and will find courage in the power & counsel of the Holy Spirit. God also blesses us with fellow pilgrims to support and encourage us on our journey. We won’t always get things right and we may even mess it up. But He is pleased that we desire to please Him. He calls us to try and He will always love us.

And yes, we might sometimes feel scared or silly but what’s the worse that can happen?

‘May His presence go before you
And behind you and beside you
All around you. He is with you
In the morning, in the evening
In your coming, and your going
In your weeping and rejoicing
He is for you’
From ‘The Blessing’ by Cody Carnes & Kari Jobe

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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 August 2021]

In those denominations that follow a relevant liturgy, 03 August is one of the dates set aside in honour of Lydia of Thyatira, whose story is recounted in Acts 16. In what might be a shock to our western-orientated Christianity, it appears that Europe’s first convert could well have been a female economic migrant of Asian origin.

Lydia is described as a dealer in purple cloth. From ancient times, purple cloth and purple robes have been a symbol of nobility, affluence and honour, and the material has been priced accordingly. Mordecai and Daniel received purple robes in recognition of their special service to their respective kings.

Even before that, God had chosen purple as one of the principal colours to be used in the adornment of the Tabernacle and the Temple, and in the vestments of the priests. We might wonder how an itinerant people wandering in the desert would acquire such material, especially in the quantities implied by the instructions in the later chapters of Exodus. We are not told but, as in the case of Nehemiah, God provides the material and the personnel necessary for the completion of his plans.

However, we are told the names of those who led the skilled work involved: Oholiab son of Ahisamak in the case of the tabernacle and Huram-Abi in the case of Solomon’s temple. Designers, engravers, embroiderers, workers in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood; all had a part to play in the glory of God. The words of the apostle Paul should encourage us all, whatever our particular skill set:

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. [1 Corinthians 12; 4-6 NIVUK]

We recall that whilst the soldiers were mocking Jesus during his trial before Pilate they placed a purple robe upon him. Is it possible that Lydia, as a dealer in purple cloth, might have actually supplied the material to the Roman garrison? Sheer speculation, of course, but a reminder that even honourable activities can be distorted by those with evil intentions.

Lydia had no control over how her cloth was used, but she could decide how to use the wealth that it brought her. She made her house and the services of her household available to the apostles as a local base until they continued their travels. Like those earlier artisans, Lydia’s service to God has brought her immortality. We cannot get our names recorded in the Bible; most of what we do will pass away shortly after we do. But we can take note of the message that was addressed to the church in Thyatira and endeavour to be worthy of a similar appraisal.

I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. [Revelation 2; 19 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 is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during July 2021]

Why do we have names?
To answer that, try referring to someone you know without using their name. Some references are straight-forward – you might mention ‘the guy who starts the church service each week’ and most members of the congregation would know who you mean. However, how would you refer to a specific member of the congregation without using their name? You can image the confusion arising from ‘the man with the bad back wants a large-print Bible’.

We all have a name but names might not be unique so we resort to using alpha-numeric codes instead. Whether we are dealing with the bank, the health services or the tax office we all need to be able to quote an appropriate number. In some countries the ability to be able to quote your personal identity code on demand is an everyday experience. To some people this is an ominous portent of things to come; in the 1960s TV series ‘The Prisoner’ the character played by Patrick McGoohan rebelled against the system, declaring “I am not a number; I am a free man!!!”

Names can be misleading. The great green greasy Limpopo is no more green than the Danube is blue and I cannot recall the Red Sea actually being that colour. There was even a report recently of a politician arguing that because Greenland is so called it must once have been tropical.

Names can be descriptive. Mention the Great Barrier Reef or the Snowy Mountains and most people will have a fair idea of what to expect. We expect people with certain names to have particular characteristics; this is often based on previous experiences of other people with that name. So what does a person expect when someone calls themselves a Christian? Are you, as a Christian, reinforcing or diverging from that expectation?

Many ventures have been undertaken in the name of Christ, including some that we might think Christ would never have put his name to. How can we be sure that what we do is bringing honour to his name? In 1749 Charley Wesley wrote a hymn that offers some advice:

Forth in your name, O Lord, I go, my daily labour to pursue,
you only, Lord, resolved to know in all I think or speak or do.

Help me to bear your easy yoke, in ev’ry moment watch and pray,
and still to things eternal look and hasten to that glorious day.

It is a prayer, addressed to the Lord, committing to him our activities of the day and promising to focus on him in all our thoughts and words. Then it asks for help as we work for him, being alert and praying constantly, always aware of his coming kingdom and eagerly anticipating its eventual arrival.

Is that your prayer too?

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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, 25/July/2021]

We live in a very uncertain world and, if the past year or so has taught us anything, it’s that we never know what is around the corner! Did we ever envisage living through a pandemic? I know I didn’t – of that I am certain!

We have learned not to expect anything to necessarily go to plan, and the expression “Covid-permitting” has become part of our daily language. Is anything guaranteed anymore?!! Will things ever be like they used to be? Will we go back into lockdown, see our families this Christmas, go on that holiday? Questions, questions, questions –
UNCERTAINTY! And this in turn can lead on to fear, anxiety, panic, worry!

I stumbled across this devotional recently, which reminded me of the foundation on which I stand as a child of Jesus…

“The secret to true rest isn’t our activity – or lack of it – but our soul’s anchor. When we choose to relax and let go of all our worries, our faith anchors us to the goodness and sovereignty of God. He’s in charge, not us. The secret to rest is anchoring yourself to a foundation that never moves. Our lives change constantly, but God’s power, love, and sovereignty never change. He is the same now and forever. So today you can rest easy.” (Graig Groeschel).*

Does this mean I will no longer have uncertainties or will always know what the future holds? No, of course not. But I do know the One who holds all those uncertainties and my worries in His hands. He is with me always, He is in control, I can trust Him, He sees, He knows, He cares, He loves, He leads, He teaches, He was, He is, He will be. “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” – as long as those words are always on my lips, my hand is in His, and my eyes look to Him, I can have certainty and peace.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
(Psalm 20:7)

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19)
SO….
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

*Faith Scribbles (Instagram).

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 July 2021]

For those of mature years the question no doubt invokes memories of a certain programme for children broadcast on BBC Radio between 1950 and 1982. The catch-phase became so well-known that it was often copied or parodied in later productions as diverse as the Doctor Who series, various pop songs and even in a PlayStation game. Irrespective of your era or genre, are you sitting comfortably?

What image does comfort invoke? Were you one of those who listened with mother in a way that modern society no longer deems necessary? Perhaps you prefer the idea of cotton sheets on a freshly made bed or settling into a recliner chair beside a log fire on a winter evening. How about the experience of escaping from a car crash and resting on a stretcher in an ambulance, surrounded by caring hands? Comfort is not necessarily luxurious, it can also be simple relief from pain and anxiety.

Should you be sitting comfortably?
We have seen images of devastating flooding in western Europe, in parts of eastern Europe, in India, in Arizona; huge fires in Oregon and California, volcanic eruptions in Italy; rioting, social unrest and civil war in too many places to list. We may think ourselves at a comfortable distance from such events but is complacency justified?

We are not all rich, we do not have the resources to tackle these global problems but we all can have an influence locally. In chapter 16 of his gospel, Luke recorded a parable in which a rich man was reclining in comfort and had no concern for those in need. A poor man begging at his gate suffered a life of misery. It would have been no great sacrifice on the rich man’s part for them both to be comfortable, and the outcome of the story would have been so different.

Will you be sitting comfortably?
In last Sunday’s reflection, David told us about three travellers sitting comfortably on a train. He went on to explain how, for each of them, the comfort of the journey was more important than the destination.

To misquote William Shakespeare, ‘All the world’s a platform and all the men and women merely travellers’. We are travellers in life but we are not simply passengers along for the ride; we have a choice about our eventual destination. We can sit back and see where circumstances take us or we can make the decision to follow the route that God has planned for us.

A few centuries after Shakespeare, songwriters Gerry Goffin and Michael Masser wrote a popular song with the refrain:

Do you know where you’re going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you
Where are you going to?
Do you know?

Are you comfortable with a mystery tour or do you prefer to have some confirmation of where you are going?

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus
[Ephesians 2:6 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.