Posts Tagged: ‘Matthew’

Why?

[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.

~~~~~~~~~
HBC logo Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections

Link to Index of Bible Passages

Last week’s reflection: Let Lying Dogs Sleep
 

: 87
Contributor: Steve Humphreys
Read full article ~ Leave a comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Tuesday Challenge ~ Tags: , , , ,

Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?

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

Well, as it happens, today it is mine. One wintry December day sometime in the middle of the previous century the ambient noise level of a north London suburb was suddenly raised by several decibels. Actually I am speculating there as I have no memory of the event myself but I understand that it is normal for a new baby to announce his arrival. (more…)

: 114
Contributor: Steve Humphreys
Read full article ~ 2 Comments

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Christmas Contemplations, Tuesday Challenge ~ Tags: , ,

Advent or Advert?

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

In the more-established western denominations of the Church the period of approximately four weeks prior to Christmas is called ‘Advent’. Essentially, Advent means ‘coming’ and it is a time during which the Church’s adherents are encouraged to think about the coming of Jesus into the world. Many Churches organise special events, such as carol services, during this season. (more…)

: 121
Contributor: Steve Humphreys
Read full article ~ 1 Comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Christmas Contemplations, Tuesday Challenge ~ Tags: , ,

A Christmas Journey

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

The story is told of a young suitor and his fiancee who set off on a boat, taking with them some food, some cash and an additional financial contingency. Although they seemed to be an unlikely couple they enjoyed their evenings, singing romantic songs under the starlight. On the 366th day of their voyage they came to a country known for its exotic trees, where they purchased a ring and were married by a local dignitary.

At one point in the evolution of the British education system students were encouraged to contrast and compare two texts. The object of the exercise was to encourage the students to pay close attention to what was said, both similarly and differently, what was not said but implied and what assumptions could be made from what went without saying.

For our second travelling couple it would be seasonal to look at Mary and Joseph at the time of the birth of Jesus. The Biblical story is derived from the accounts provided by Matthew and Luke[1] but it has been embellished by two centuries of assumptions, conjectures and exploitation.

Were they an unlikely couple? Some traditions suggest that Joseph was somewhat older than Mary but both then and today such age differences are common. What was unusual in those days was that he accepted Mary’s account of her pregnancy and was willing to continue with the relationship despite the inevitable gossip and scandal.

They too did a lot of travelling, first from Nazareth to Bethlehem, then to Egypt and finally returning to Nazareth. Nazareth to Bethlehem is a distance of some 80 miles and would take 4 days if one could maintain a typical walking pace for 8 hours each day.

Once again, tradition can influence our thoughts. Did Mary ride a donkey whilst Joseph walked? The Bible gives us no details – is that because we do not need to know or is it an example of something that goes without saying? The original readers would have been familiar with the means of travel in those days so no further details were necessary. Of one thing we can be fairly certain – they did not go by boat.

It seems likely that the journey into Egypt would have been not less than 300 miles and the return to Nazareth would be somewhat longer. They now had the Wise Men’s gifts as a financial contingency, to ease the rigours of the journey and to sustain them during their sojourn in Egypt, a period of, probably, a little over one year. Once back in Nazareth, the travelling did not cease; every year the family went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. Again, not an easy or cheap journey but Luke tells us that such journeys were undertaken in the company of friends and relatives; perhaps it was the same with the original summons for the census.

In case you didn’t recognise it, the first story is a retelling of “The Owl and the Pussy-cat”, a nonsense poem by Edward Lear. By contrast the Biblical account is far from being nonsense; it is the prelude to God’s means of salvation for those who believe. So, as you hear once again these familiar passages, don’t be distracted by the details of the journey but concentrate on the destination.

[1] Matthew 2 v13-15, v19-20, Luke 2 v4-5, v41-44.

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.

~~~~~~~~~
HBC logo Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections

Link to Index of Bible Passages

 

: 101
Contributor: Steve Humphreys
Read full article ~ Leave a comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Christmas Contemplations, Tuesday Challenge ~ Tags: ,

The Light Burden

[Transcript of “A 5 minute cuppa” published by Horley Baptist Church on YouTube[1], May 2021]
Sandy

Hi everyone, welcome to ‘a five minute cuppa’. This is the place that you can come any time of day, just for five minutes, to relax, put your feet up, have a cuppa and listen to a few words to help you grow in your relationship with God.

I wonder what kind of worrier you are. Do you have anxieties about all kinds of little things or are you the kind of person that saves your worries for real calamities? You might even be the kind of person that has to think about a worst possible scenario every day in case it happens, just to make sure you’re ready for it.

Worrying seems to be part of the human condition, we all do it. The habit of worrying can take over our thought patterns, sap us of energy and stop us enjoying our life. We all know worrying isn’t good for our mental or physical health so how can our God relationship help us to live closer to the way our father originally planned?

You’re probably all familiar with these words of Jesus from Matthew’s gospel: “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me and you will find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden light.”

My favourite account of these words comes from the Message version of the Bible and they bring home to me even more God’s desire for us to live free from our own deep concerns and worries. “Are you tired, worn out? Come to me, get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me, watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you, keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

What truly amazing words! That whatever paws at us and perturbs us in our day, whoever needs our attention, whatever difficult decisions we need to understand or make, whatever questions we cannot answer, these things can weigh lightly on us in a way that keeps our spirit settled and secure, and with the confidence that comes from knowing that God has everything in hand.

In recent years as I have taken on great responsibility for the lives and well-being of others. In my work life and home life I’ve needed to learn how to give up the things that so easily weigh me down and take up that light burden instead. I’ve found that the key to doing something differently is to always transform or change the way that I think first. Simply put, just get those words into my mind so that they are just as prominent as the way I breathe. Thank you, God, that I can come to you when I’m worn out, I can walk with you and you’ll show me the way to do it. You won’t lay anything ill-fitting on me, you will help me to live freely and lightly.

Once the words are in my mind, I ask for them to move to my heart so that I have a full understanding of what they mean so I can really live them out. I remember vividly God reminding me that he never slumbers or sleeps but he is always able to work on the things that are concerning me when I’m tired or unwell or asleep, and the outcome doesn’t depend solely on my efforts. God invites me to be a co-worker in what he’s doing and I can definitely play a part but he is the centre point, the kingpin, not me.

Once this head realization moved to my inner being I found I was able to still care deeply about situations and people but in a way that didn’t become heavy and burdensome. The habit of worrying was displaced by the habit of giving up the burdens to God and trusting him to keep working on them even when I no longer could.

Do you need to discover how to walk with a light burden? It’s absolutely for us all; just ask if you can keep him company. He’ll never say no to that.

.
[1] YouTube link: The Light Burden
Bible references: Matthew 11 v28-30
 

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.

~~~~~~~~~
HBC logo Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Have another cuppa

Jump to Index of Bible Passages
.

 

: 79
Contributor: Sandy Turner
Read full article ~ Leave a comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Five Minutes ~ Tags:

Surprising Relationships

[Transcript of “A 5 minute cuppa” published by Horley Baptist Church on YouTube[1], May 2021]
Sandy

Hi everyone, welcome to ‘a five minute cuppa’. This is the place that you can come any time of day, just for five minutes, to relax, put your feet up, have a cuppa and listen to a few words to help you grow in your relationship with God.

Over the last couple of weeks we have been thinking about how God prompts us to pray for people that are on his heart and we have been practising blessing others and doing them good by speaking through the acronym ‘b l e s s‘ bless – asking for God to do people good in their body, in their labour, their emotions, their social and spiritual relationships.

Today we’re going to think about how we can pray for people and have a good attitude towards them if for some reason we don’t naturally get along or if the relationship isn’t at all easy. It could be a work colleague, a family member, a political figure or well-known personality. It might even be someone that we once got on with well but the relationship or friendship has broken down or failed. I’m sure we can all think of people that we struggle with. Is it possible to pray for these people in the way we do for those that are naturally on our hearts?

I suppose we could just ignore these people in situations – at least we’re not purposefully hurting them. It seems to me though that this isn’t an option for a follower of Jesus. Those famous words of Jesus ring in my ears: “Love your enemies and pray for those that do you harm”.

Is that even possible, humanly speaking? When we look at the world around us both near and far it doesn’t look at all possible. But I believe that when we choose to ask God to come in and help rather than taking the easier option of ignoring or giving into bad thoughts, he does come alongside and show us surprising possibilities that were not at all on our radar. When I am in this situation struggling with the relationship there are two questions I dare to ask God that he always seems to answer.

First, I ask him to show me how he sees the person, not in their failed state but how God created their inner person before life did harm to them. In other words, I’m asking God “Why do you like this person, what is so amazing about them?”

Then I ask him to show me what has happened to them to make them the way they are, the things that have formed the negative characteristics that may cause problems both for the person and for those around them.

The result of this is always the same: God softens my heart towards them. I often find I can be with them happily or I can be in the same place and not be affected by the feelings associated with that person previously. Over time I find that rather than choosing to ignore the difficulties I can acknowledge them and pray and bless the person, honestly wanting the best for them. God is full of surprises; he can and does make important relationships happen when we least expect it. He can even rebuild relationships that we think are irretrievably broken.

God is all about making damaged relationships whole. After all, that is the main message of the cross on which our faith firmly stands.

.
[1] YouTube link: Surprising Relationships
Bible references: Matthew 5 v44
 

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.

~~~~~~~~~
HBC logo Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Have another cuppa

Jump to Index of Bible Passages
.

 

: 61
Contributor: Sandy Turner
Read full article ~ Leave a comment

Click on a category or tag to view corresponding reflections ...
Categories: Five Minutes ~ Tags:
« Older Reflections

Newer Reflections »