[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2024]
Picture the scene – you are calming playing your favourite musical instrument to an appreciative audience when suddenly a spear embeds itself in the wall beside you. Clearly, someone does not like your choice of music and a hasty change to the evening’s programme is in order. (more…)
[This reflection by Chris Ginter was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 23/Jun/2024]
Do you ever remember going to a favourite place when you were a child and when you had left there you couldn’t wait to go back again? I used to love going to my granny and grandad’s house in Cheshire. The thing about it was that you were always accepted, you could do just what you wanted. You were always loved, you could sing, talk as much as you liked you were always hugged and you could eat as much as you wanted. (more…)
[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during June 2024]
“Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you”
But my words, like silent raindrops, fell
And echoed in the well of silence [1]
[A devotional reflection originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during May 2024]
On several occasions I considered writing about procrastination but I never got around to it; there always seemed to be something more important or more interesting to write about first. My old headmaster was fond of quoting an old proverb “Procrastination is the thief of time”[1] but is procrastination as bad as he suggested? After all, there are benefits in taking time to think things through before we act, and there is always the chance that a change in circumstances will render our course of action unnecessary. (more…)
[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during March 2024]
Why do bad things happen to good people?
This question was prompted by the news that two former members of HBC, both of whom played significant roles in the life of the church in times past, are now facing serious health issues. In this week’s ‘Yours’ Chris alludes to a similar circumstance. The question is not new, it is one that has been asked by many people over a long period of time. Solomon contributed to the debate with his assertion:
There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. Ecclesiastes 8 v14 [NIVUK]
In attempting to answer this question, it might be easier to address the parallel question first. Why do good things happen to bad people? Why is so much ‘good luck’ being wasted on those that do not deserve it? Why are we having to struggle when ‘sinners’ seem to have an easy life?
Job had some similar questions: “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?” “Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment? Why must those who know him look in vain for such days?”[1]
In his sermon on the mount, Jesus spoke about God the Father, saying: “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”[2] But this description of God’s impartiality does not answer the “Why?”
The apostle Paul offered an answer: “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance”.[3] But does it? We take God’s blessings for granted so often that he has to try another approach. That brings us back to the original question.
Are there times when you feel tempted to ask “Lord, whose side are you on?”. Certainly king Hezekiah must have felt like that as he saw the army of Sennacherib king of Assyria advancing on Jerusalem, He had already unsuccessfully tried appeasement so he resorted to more desperate measures. He went to the Temple and appealed for God’s help. Surely he should have done that first; certainly it is an example that we should follow more often.
Can we echo the Psalmist’s words?
It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119 v71-72 [ESVUK]
Does that suggest an answer for us? Could it be that the adversities that we experience are intended to bring us closer to God?
Chris concluded her thoughts with some other well-known words from Paul. It is appropriate to repeat them here:
We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan Romans 8 v28 [NLV]
References:
[1] Job 21 v7, Job 24 v1
[2] Matthew 5 v45
[3] Romans 2 v4
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[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during March 2024]
On a recent visit to a grocery shop I saw a dog lying adjacent to the doorway. He was not aggressive and was no doubt tired after spending the night conversing with his neighbours. As each person entered the shop he raised his head and opened his eyes with an expression that seemed to say “Please, let a lying dog sleep”.
There may well have been people were deterred from entering the shop because the dog was there. They did not know his character but they had heard that some dogs are far from welcoming. There may well be people who are wary of coming to church because they are unsure of the welcome that they might receive.
Last week, in Birmingham, the Kennel Club held its annual dog show with some 18,000 canine competitors. The dogs were judged by a number of criteria including appearance, ability and achievement. The Bible does not have much to say about dogs and much of what it does say is not complimentary. However, if your community of faith were to be compared with one of those classes of dog, how would it compare?
Guard dogs are large and impressive, their primary purpose is to protect those who have been accepted as insiders and keep outsiders at bay. They may have a savage appearance and a loud bark but once you have gained their acceptance they can be loyal. Does you welcome people or do they feel safer at a distance.
Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; Psalm 22 v16 [NIVUK]
Hunting dogs range from those used for running down foxes and hares to those used for searching for truffles in French forests. They are always looking for something to their advantage and are liable to cause collateral damage whilst pursuing their target. How do you treat those who get in the way of your objectives?
My enemies would hound me all day, for there are many who fight against me, O Most High. Psalm 56 v2 [NKJV]
Lap-dogs spend their time in idle comfort. They are jealous of their privileged status and do not take kindly to anyone attempting to disturb them. One of the churches in Revelation was rebuked for having the characteristics of a lap-dog. Are you sitting comfortably?
You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” Revelation 3 v17a [NIVUK]
Working dogs are prepared to use their skills to help others. Their deportment and training mean that they can be relied upon in times of trouble. Gideon used a comparison with dogs when selecting his soldiers to rout the army of Midian.[1] Job spoke about his sheep dogs, considering them to be more worthy of respect than some of the people around him.[2] Jesus described how even dogs can share the blessings intended for others.[3] Do you have a reputation for being helpful and sharing?
At the end of the show the judges’ verdicts were announced and the rewards distributed. As with dogs, some churches can become good companions for life; others can surely only be loved by their devotees. What would be your Judge’s verdict?
References:
[1] Judges 7 v6 [NIVUK]
[2] Job 30 v1 [NIVUK]
[3] Mark 7 v27-28 [NIVUK]
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