Each year we gather as a church to gear up for the holidays by having a special night where we spend time together, all while decorating the church in beautiful Christmas decorations. This is the perfect opportunity to get the whole family together! Join us on Saturday, November 30th at 9:30AM as we decorate the church just in time for the holidays. We hope to see you there! Lunch will be provided.

Join us on Sunday, November 24th as we have our yearly thanksgiving family meal right here at SOZO Loveland, directly after service! This is the perfect opportunity for you to invite friends and family to experience what it means to be a church family. We will also be taking time during service to dive into all of the things we are thankful for that occurred in 2024. We do ask that you contribute by bringing an item(s) to the meal! You can sign up for an item(s) in the lobby. before or after service.

Join us this Sunday, June 16th for an exciting Father's Day service. We will have a powerful time of worship, a relevant message from Pastor Steve Peele, we will be playing our annual #DadJokes game, and a special gift for all of those incredible dads out there! This Sunday wouldn’t be the same without you.

We will also be having a special father’s day cook out after service so be sure to stick around! We do ask that you bring an item or two of your choosing and we will supply the rest.

Join us for an incredible Mother’s Day Sunday service right here at SOZO Loveland! You can expect tons of surprises for all of the incredible mother’s and mom like figures that we are blessed to have a part of our church community.

Join us on Sunday, April 9th for our main Easter Sunday experience. We'd love to see you as we dive deep into the importance of this day! SOZO Worship will be leading us in a powerful Praise & Worship set, and Pastor Steve will be delivering an incredibly powerful and relevant message. We will be brewing. fresh coffee from our brand new coffee bar in the lobby before and after service as well as refreshments and a family photo booth for you to enjoy after service! Bringing Little Ones? Our secure Kids Check-In process begins at 10:15AM at our Check-In Window!

SUNDAY RUNDOWN

9:00AM - Bible Study

10:00AM - Free Coffee & Fellowship

10:30AM - Praise & Worship

11:30AM - Message

In order to practice a proper Sabbath as God has called us to in each season of our lives, we will NOT be having in person services on Sunday, December 31st but will be online only!

Rest and reflect with us on the past year. Tune into Church At Home for a year in review as we look back on God's faithfulness in 2023, and look forward to God's vision for 2024!

Sunday, December 31st
10:30AM - Online Only

*No in-person services Sunday, December 31st. Services will resume Sunday, January 7th.

Not only will this give us time to truly stop and listen to what God has for us, but will allow us to use this time to spend much needed time to recharging, and refocusing as well as spending time with friends and family. The end of a year, and the beginning of a new one can always feel like a hectic time, so we encourage you to use this opportunity to slow down, listen to God, and recharge!

Mark 2:27-28 Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath."So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

Exodus 20:9-10 "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.

Join us on December 17th for our annual Heart for the House, year end giving Sunday!

Read more about the importance of this Sunday, HERE

Take your next step by getting baptized! On April 23rd, we will be holding a baptism celebration during service. To sign up, click HERE. To learn more about baptism, check out 5 commonly asked questions below or email contact@sozoloveland.com

1. What is baptism?

Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It’s a public declaration of how Jesus changed your life. Being baptized shows others that you’ve decided to follow Jesus, and allows them to celebrate this decision with you (Acts 16:31-34).

Baptism doesn’t save a person; it’s a symbol and celebration of salvation (1 Peter 3:21). The power that brought Jesus back to life is the same power Jesus uses to change our lives – and that’s worth getting excited about!

2. Why should I be baptized?

Why does baptism matter? Jesus instructs us to be baptized and set the example by being baptized (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 1:9).

Obedience to Jesus shows we believe and follow Him. (1 John 2:3). Because Jesus went public about His love for us, we can go public about our love for Him. Being baptized shows that we turn away from a life of sin toward Jesus, the only one who can change us (Acts 2:38-41).

3. When’s the best time to be baptized?

For everyone who decides to follow Jesus, baptism is the next step. Anyone who commits his or her life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12).

4. Do you baptize children?

As parents, we can help point our children to Jesus, but they are the ones to decide if they will commit their lives to Him (Romans 10:9).

Any instance of baptism follows a person’s decision to trust Jesus for his or her salvation and commitment to follow Him (Acts 10:47-48). At SOZO Loveland Church, we wait until children are old enough to express their own decision to follow Jesus and understand the meaning of baptism.

If your child has already asked Jesus into his life, explain what baptism is and what it means. Facilitate the conversation, but don’t dominate it. Read more tips for talking to your kids about baptism.

5. What’s the difference between immersing, sprinkling and other ways of baptizing?

Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The original word for baptism most often referred to being immersed or submerged in water. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water and rising out of it (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10).

Submersion in the water symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Being submersed underwater represents our death to sin and old way of life, and being raised out of the water is a picture of how Jesus raised us and gave us a fresh start in life (Romans 6:3-5).

This culture is designed to take you down. Credit cards, car loans, student loans . . . they’ll keep you paying way too much money for way too long. But there’s one way out of the mess of debt, and it starts right here with you. You can change your future today by joining my Financial Peace University class at SOZO Loveland Church. You’ll learn to pay off debt fast, save more money, and build lasting wealth. Class starts on Thursday, April 20, 2023, so sign up today at the link below!

We would like to invite you to our SOZO YTH Sunday Takeover, led by our brand new SOZO YTH pastors Jeff & Tia Arnold!

This Sunday, February 19th the passionate youth of SOZO will be leading us in worship and assisting our Media leaders.

We hope to see you at our Sunday morning service that starts at 10:30am

How to Begin and End

One young woman asked me the following questions:  ‘What will it be like in heaven?   What will our heavenly bodies look like?  Will we be able to fly?  Will we be sexless?  Will we be able to see the Garden of Eden?  Will we recognize family and friends?   What sort of friendships will we have?’  The Bible does not give the answers to all our questions.  I have a book on my bookshelf entitled, *50 Remarkable events pointing to THE END*.  Written in 1997, it predicted that ‘Jesus could return by AD 2000’.  This is one of many attempts to predict the timing of ‘The End’ that have turned out to be false.  That is why Tony Campolo wisely says he wants to be ‘on the welcoming committee’ rather than the ‘planning committee’!  We are *not* told *when* the end will come, but we *are* told about the *how* and the *who*.  The key is the *who*.  Jesus says, ‘I am…*the Beginning* and *the End*’ (Revelation 22:13).  Of course, ‘the End’ and the ;Beginning’ appear very different.  However, there can be significant similarities to both the beginning and the end.

Psalm 150:1-6

Begin and end with worship

In the end, God’s ‘servants will offer God service – worshipping, they’ll look on his face, their foreheads mirroring God’ (Revelation 22:3, MSG). Our response to seeing God face to face will be eternal worship.

The book of Psalms ends with ‘Hallelujah’, translated here ‘Praise the Lord’ (Psalm 150:6b). Psalm 150 itself begins and ends with ‘Hallelujah’ (‘Praise the Lord’, vv.1,6). All of us are called to worship: ‘Let every living, breathing creature praise God!’ (v.6, MSG).

1. Worship everywhere

The worship of God should fill the universe: ‘Praise God in his holy house of worship, praise him under the open skies’ (v.1b, MSG).

1. Worship him for everything

Praise God for who he is (‘his surpassing greatness’) and what he has done (‘his acts of power’, v.2).

1. Worship in every way

Praise God with everything you have, including every type of music and dancing (vv.3–5).

Prayer:  Lord, I praise you for your surpassing greatness and your acts of power. I worship you as the creator of the entire universe, yet you love me personally.

Revelation 22:1-21

Begin and end with Jesus

In the end, it is all about Jesus. It always has been about Jesus. It always will be about Jesus. Begin now to focus your life, your thoughts, your ministry, your evangelism and everything else on Jesus.

The Bible begins with Jesus. The creation of the universe (Genesis 1–2) was actually through Jesus. ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… Through him all things were made’ (John 1:1,3).

The Bible also ends with Jesus: ‘Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen’ (Revelation 22:20b–21). He is ‘the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End’ (v.13).

We see how the world will be in the end. The language is figurative. It is not an exact description, but it is full of images of life and blessing. The Bible begins and ends with ‘the tree of life’, symbolizing God’s life of blessing and his ‘good’ plan for his people.

In the new heaven and the new earth, there will be ‘the river of the water of life’ (v.1). This will fulfil the prophecy in Ezekiel 47, which Jesus related to ‘rivers of living water’ flowing from him [Jesus] by the Holy Spirit (John 7:37–39). It will bring ‘healing of the nations’ (Revelation 22:2). How desperately that is needed, both within countries and between nations. How wonderful it will be when the ‘United Nations’ becomes a reality.

The ‘tree of life bearing fruit continually’ (v.2), which was there at the beginning (from which humankind was barred because of sin), will be available again for all. The curse of Eden will be revoked (v.3). The word for tree (xylos) is sometimes used in the New Testament to describe the cross (for example, Acts 5:30).

In the end, you will see God’s face. No one could see God and live (Exodus 33:20), but in the new heaven and the new earth, you will see his face and his name will be on your forehead (Revelation 22:4). ‘There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light’ (v.5a). And you will reign with him for ever and ever (v.5b).

There is so much to look forward to in the new heaven and the new earth. Jesus promises, ‘I am coming soon’ (vv.7,12,20).

No wonder that ‘the Spirit and the bride [the church] say, “Come!” And let those who hear say, “Come!” Let those who are thirsty come; and let all who wish take the free gift of the water of life’ (v.17).

The Bible is one long invitation to come to Jesus. In him, you find the meaning and purpose of your life. Part of that purpose is to invite others to come, so that they too will find refreshment and fulfilment in the water of life that Jesus pours out on all who come to him.

The Holy Spirit and the church invite people to come and to receive the amazing gifts God has for them, rather than missing out on the wonders of the holy city (as with vv.11a,15,19). They pray too for the return of Jesus – ‘Come, Lord Jesus’ (v.20).

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that one day I will drink the water of life to my heart’s content. Thank you that I will see you face to face and I will reign with you for ever and ever. Come, Lord Jesus.

Nehemiah 13:1-31

Begin and end with love

The book of Nehemiah, like the Bible as a whole, begins and ends with love. Nehemiah began by praying, ‘O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love…’ (Nehemiah 1:5).

As the book of Nehemiah draws to an end, he prays, ‘Remember me for this also, O my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love’ (13:22).

In this last chapter, we read of Nehemiah’s final reforms. They read from the ‘Book of Moses’ (v.1) how ‘Our God… turned the curse into a blessing’ (v.2). This is the pattern throughout the Bible. ‘In all things God works for the good of those who love him’ (Romans 8:28). What you are facing in your life right now may seem like a curse – a health issue, a battle in a relationship, a difficult boss, or whatever. It may seem like a curse, but God can turn the curse into a blessing.

As a good leader, Nehemiah chose to delegate to people considered ‘trustworthy’ (v.13) and ‘faithful’ (AMP) – ‘those who had a reputation for honesty and hard work’ (MSG).

Sometimes God tests our faithfulness. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you are asked to do something that you really don’t want to do, or to submit to authority when everything in your being wants to resist it?

But these challenges are opportunities to do something, not because it’s fun or exciting, but in faithfulness, with a good attitude and with integrity. And God rewards such faithfulness (Luke 16:12).

Nehemiah achieved so much, but he could not change the hearts of the people. They had promised wholehearted commitment to the Lord, but they were unable to deliver (compare Nehemiah 10:30 with 13:23; 10:31 with 13:16; 10:39 with 13:11). The problem of human sin still remained.

Nehemiah warns them (13:15,21). He rebukes them (vv.17,25). He wants them to be pure (vv.22,30), but it is in vain. Nehemiah’s frustration points us forward to Jesus, the only one who could deal with the problem of the human heart, and deal with our sin.

Again, and again Nehemiah asks to be remembered (vv.14,22,31) with favour because he had faithfully served God. But ultimately, he trusts in God’s mercy and love: ‘Remember me for this also, O my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love’ (v.22).

Nehemiah, like all of us, needed to be the recipient of God’s mercy and love, which was displayed supremely as Jesus died in our place. As Paul wrote to the Romans, ‘God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8).

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that in the new heaven and the new earth I will enjoy your great love for ever and ever. Thank you that right now I know your love, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and I experience your love, poured into my heart by the Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, I will praise your name for ever and ever!

Pippa Adds

Psalm 150:1–6

This psalm says ‘praise’ twelve times. It is good to end this year praising God for all that he has done.

The Bride

I often get very emotional at weddings.  When I was conducting the marriage of my goddaughter, [ as the vicar, tears were pouring down my face.  My great friend, her father, said in his speech afterwards that when you are taking your daughter down the aisle, you expect the vicar to be ‘*a rock*’, but instead he found that I was ‘*a wreck*’!  When it came to my own daughter’s wedding, I was determined to hold it together.  I was doing well until half an hour *before* the wedding!  Then I went upstairs and saw her in her wedding dress.  At that point, I lost it.  This powerful and beautiful metaphor of ‘*the bride*’ is on that is used to describe the church in the New Testament (Ephesians 5:22-32).  It is used in today’s New Testament passage of the church of the future, which comes down out of heaven from God, ‘prepared as *a bride* beautifully dressed for her husband’ (Revelations 21:2).  This picture of the bride, the new Jerusalem, is prefigured in different ways in both our Old and New Testament passages.

Proverbs 31:21-31

The bride to be proud of

As you read the characteristics of ‘a good wife’ (MSG), realize that much of this applies not only to wives, nor even only to women. As we are the bride of Christ, it applies to us all; men and women, married and unmarried. This is what the church should be like – and through Jesus, one day, will be like.

This description of ‘the wife of noble character’ is the model human bride. She keeps her family warm (v.21); she is well dressed (v.22b). Her husband is respected because of her (v.23a). Her business flourishes (v.24). She is clothed with strength and dignity (v.25a). She can face the future with confidence and joy (v.25b).

Her words are full of wisdom (v.26). ‘When she speaks, she has something worthwhile to say and she always says it kindly’ (v.26, MSG). What a great model! Avoid words that are full of hatred, anger, resentment and distrust. Only speak kind words.

She watches over the affairs of her household and ‘does not eat the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity)’ (v.27, AMP).

Her children ‘arise and call her blessed’ (v.28a). Abraham Lincoln said, ‘No man is poor who has had a godly mother.’ Not only is she appreciated by her children, but her husband also praises her and says, ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all’ (vv.28b–29).

The last verses focus on all women: ‘Charm can mislead, and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!’ (vv.30–31, MSG).

Prayer:  Father, thank you for this picture of what the church should be like – the bride of Christ. Help us to be the kind of church in which Jesus can take pride.

Revelation 21:1-27

The bride prepared

What does the future hold? What will ‘heaven’ be like? The New Testament answer is that it will not just be ‘heaven’ but ‘a new heaven and a new earth’ (v.1a). The new heaven and the new earth are very real and solid.

This passage has within it a paradox concerning the new creation. There will be ‘a new heaven and a new earth’, but Christ says, ‘I make all things new’ (v.5, NKJV) – not, ‘I make all new things’. This is an indication of the continuity with this creation. That is why Martin Luther said, ‘If I knew the world was ending tomorrow, I would plant a tree today.’ This has huge implications for our understanding of the resurrection (and also for how we treat the environment now).

In this new heaven and the new earth, John sees the church – us – as we will be. He sees the ‘Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband’ (v.2). One of the angels says, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb’ (v.9).

Jesus will satisfy your thirst for God: ‘He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To those who are thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.”’ (v.6).

There will be a new relationship with God. You experience a foretaste of this today through the indwelling presence of God in the church by his Spirit. On this great day, you will be brought into a place of complete intimacy with Jesus. Take the most beautiful relationship you have ever seen, multiply it a million times, and you will get some idea of the sheer beauty of the relationship you will experience with God in eternity.

The church will not just be in a perfect relationship with God, she will be made perfect. The description of this ‘bride’ is dazzlingly beautiful: ‘It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal’ (v.11).

This is the place for the completed church (the ‘twelve apostles of the Lamb’), with its roots in the Old Testament (the ‘twelve tribes of Israel’, vv.12–14). The city is a perfect cube (vv.15–16). It is absolutely beautiful, peaceful and totally secure (vv.17–21).

There are six notable absences:

1. No suffering

God himself will be with you and he will wipe away every tear from your eyes (vv.3b–4a). There will be no more suffering, sickness or sadness.

1. No death

There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain (v.4b). There will be no more hospitals, no walking sticks, no funerals and no cemeteries.

1. No temple

There is no sign of a temple, ‘because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple’ (v.22).

1. No sun

It does not need the sun or moon to shine, ‘for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp’ (v.23). The nations will walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.

1. No night

There is no night there: ‘On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there’ (v.25).

1. No impurity

Those who choose to carry on living lives that destroy others have no place in this inheritance (vv.7–8): ‘Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life’ (v.27). Nothing will be ruined by sin. It will be totally perfect.

Are you going through a difficult time right now? One day your troubles will come to an end. In the meantime, God is with you and will give you a foretaste of the future – his strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

This hope is a comfort and strength to those going through hardship and difficulty in the present (for instance, Romans 8:18), and an inspiration to live holy lives in anticipation of what is to come (for instance, 1 John 2:28).

St Augustine explains how you should respond to this hope for the future: ‘He who loves the coming of the Lord is not he who affirms that it is far off, nor is it he who says it is near, but rather he who, whether it be far off or near, awaits it with sincere faith, steadfast hope, and fervent love.’

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the amazing hope for the future. Help me to wait for it with sincere faith, steadfast hope and fervent love.

Nehemiah 11:22-12:47

The bride prefigured

Celebrations are important. One day there will be a massive eternal celebration. When the church comes together, our celebration is an anticipation of the great celebration that is to come. All this is prefigured in the Old Testament.

The city of Jerusalem anticipates and prefigures what is to come. The new Jerusalem is the church, glorified and triumphant; ‘The bride, the wife of the Lamb’ (Revelation 21:9–10).

Much attention is given to Jerusalem in the Old Testament. This is why there was such joy and celebration when Jerusalem was rebuilt. A great celebration took place, with ‘thanksgiving hymns, songs, cymbals, harps, and lutes’ (Nehemiah 12:27, MSG).

The joy of the new Jerusalem is also anticipated in the great celebratory worship led by two large choirs (Nehemiah 12:31 onwards): ‘an exuberant celebration because God had filled them with great joy. The women and children raised their happy voices with all the rest. Jerusalem’s jubilation was heard far and wide’ (v.43, MSG).

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the great joy, worship and celebration that we will enjoy into all eternity in the new Jerusalem, that will come down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband (Revelation 21:2).

Pippa Adds

Proverbs 31:23

The ‘wife of noble character’ is extraordinarily busy doing everything. I am less impressed by her husband who ‘takes his seat among the elders of the land’. It sounds like all talk and no action to me.

What is Going on Behind the Scenes of History?

In the West, many people assume history is aimless: ‘Full of sound and fury, signifying nothing’.(as Shakespeare put it, in *Macbeth*(.  Many eastern religions tend to regard history as either circular or illusory, while Marxist understands history in terms of class struggle. In contrast to all these views, the New Testament sees history as moving towards a climax. The ultimate struggle is between *good and evil* -- ending with *triumph of good and God*. The Kingdom of God will not fail. God is working His purpose out in history. Jesus is the centerpiece. All lines of history converge on Him. As some have said: ‘The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable’.  As you hear the news and read history books, you get some of the details. As you read the Bible you get the big picture. In particular, The book of Revelation unveils what is going on behind the scenes of history. God is the sovereign Lord of history. But we are not mere robots. You are not being moved around like a piece on a chess board. Rather, you have a part to play. God involves you in His plans. God works out His purpose in co-operation with his people.

Psalm 143:1-12

Be guided by the God of History

We need God's guidance. You have the potential to change the events of history for good. But there are many challenges to be faced. David was depressed. He was in ‘ a black hole’ – a ‘dungeon’:  ‘ I sat there in despair, my spirit draining away, my heart heavy, like lead ‘(vs. 4, MSG). How do you begin to get yourself out of a situation like this?

1. Remember the good things.

David chose to think about the positive ‘I remembered the old days, went over all you've done, pondered the ways you've worked’. (vs. 5, MSG).

1. Keep worshipping.

Worship can be an oasis in difficult times. David says, ‘I... stretched out my hands to you, as thirsty for you as a desert thirsty for rain’ (vs.6, MSG).

1. Crying out to God for help.

He prays, ‘Hurry with your answer, God! I'm nearly at the end of my rope. Don't turn away; Don't ignore me!’ (vs. 7, MSG).

1. Listen for God's guidance

Year after year I have written next to the verse, ‘Show me the way I should go’ (vs. 8b), a list of areas in which I have desperately needed God's guidance. It is so encouraging to look back and see the way He has guided me -- sometimes in ways beyond anything I could have asked, or even imagined.

Prayer: ‘Oh Lord, hear my prayer... my soul thirsts for you like a parched land... show me the way I should go... I hide myself in you... For your namesake, O Lord bring me out of trouble’.

Revelation 6:1-17

See behind the scenes of history

In spite of all the terrible things that you see going on in the world around you and read about in history, you have great hope. The good news centers on Jesus. Jesus, the Lamb of God, opens the seals of history bracket verse one. Period. He reveals what is going on behind the scenes of the events you read and hear about.

1. The Gospel preached to all nations. 

The first rider was given, ‘a victory garland. He rode off victorious, conquering right and left’. (vs. 2, MSG). This sounds like Jesus himself, the Conqueror of death, the crowned King of the universe going out to proclaim good news to the nations.

1. Wars and military power.

The second rider ‘was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people slay each other.  To him was given a large sword’ (vs. 4).  History has been full of violence and warfare, as people have sought to dominate and control each other.

1. Injustice and inequality.

The third rider ‘was holding a pair of black scales in his hand’ (vs. 5). Prices had been inflated (vs. 6). There was an economic disaster. As is the case today, while some live in terrible poverty, others live in luxury (vs. 6), untouched by the needs of the poor.

1. The curse of death.

The fourth Rider ‘was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him’. (vs. 8a).  Death takes its toll in history. As we read the history of this world, it is one of violence(‘kill by sword’), starvation (‘ famine’) and disease, (‘plague’), as well as other random causes of death (‘the wild beast of the earth’) (vs. 8b).

1. The persecuted church.

‘…those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained’. (vs. 9). Persecution of Christians continues to the present day throughout the world with millions of Christians living in fear of being captured, beaten, imprisoned, or put to death because of their faith in Jesus.

1. The beginning of the end.

Jesus predicted similar upheavals to the ones described here – ‘these are the beginning of birth-pains’. (Matthew 24:8).  These will no doubt include social and political upheavals, as well as natural disasters. The six seals give a general view of history between the first and second coming of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, may we be peacemakers who feed the hungry, fight against injustice, stand with the persecuted and bring good news as we anticipate your return and the beginning of a new heaven and a new earth that will last forever.

Malachi 1:1-2:16

Look at God’s love in history

‘Look at history Bracket 2, MSG. God says through the prophet Malachi bracket. C .450. BC. Bracket, whose name means quote my messenger. UN quote If you want to know how much God loves you, look at history. The message of the God of history is quote I love you. Quote Bracket, verse 2, MSG: quote. Take a good look. Then you'll see how faithfully I've loved you, and you'll want even more. Bracket verse 5, MSG. The background is that, Even after the rebuilding of the temple, there is quote, shoddy quote. Cop, sloppy, defiling worship... worship of God is no longer a priority bracket. Verse 6-7, MSG.: there is a failure to give generously and a breakdown of family life. The words of this book are hugely challenging to those involved in any kind of leadership of God's people. Bracket verse 6. The priests were the leaders of God's people. Like the prophets, They were supposed to be the ones through whom God spoke: quote. For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth people should seek instructions. Dash, because he is the messenger of the Lord. Almighty Bracket, 2: seven. 

The challenge to us all is:  

1. Single minded determination to see God's name honored.

Call say your heart to honor my name. Bracket. Verse two.

1. Receive life and peace.

God has. Covenanted bracket promised. To give quote life and peace bracket verse 5. Dash. These are two of the greatest blessings you can ever receive.

1. Worship God with reverence and awe

This should be our response to God's extraordinary generosity and kindness: quote this called for reverence and bracket Levi. Bracket reverend me and stood in awe of my name. Bracket verse five.

1. Teach the truth.

‘True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips’ (vase. 6A).

1. Live a righteous life.

‘he walked with me in peace and uprightness’ (vs. 6b).  Christian leaders must set the example. Set an example by living holy Lives.

1. Lead a life of helping others to find a relationship with God.

Quote And turn many from sin. Bracket verse 6B.

Next, Malachi turns to relationships. He criticizes them for marrying non-believers (vs. 11). This is also discouraged elsewhere in Scripture (2 Corinthians 6:14). We might find this challenging. The imagery Malachi uses here can help us understand why it is not a good idea. He describes non-believers as ‘the daughter of a foreign God’ (Malachi 2:11), a phrase which highlights their competing religious views. All of us have religious ideas and beliefs, even if they are the belief that there is no God. Giving ourselves to someone who holds a different belief may ultimately pull us away from God. God wanted children to be brought up in the security of the marriage relationship: ‘Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are His. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring.  So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. “I hate divorce”, says the Lord God of Israel... So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith’ (vs. 15-16).

These words can seem harsh, but actually they are a reminder of how much God loves and values marriage. It is because marriage is so wonderful that God is so utterly opposed to anything that would undermine it. Unfaithfulness begins in our hearts: ‘Therefore, keep a watch upon your spirit (that it may be controlled by My Spirit), that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly (with your marriage mate)’ (vs. 16, AMP).

For more in-depth exploration of the subject of divorce, see The Jesus lifestyle, chapter 6, “How to view marriage and divorce’. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus who came to make forgiveness possible. May we guard ourselves in our hearts and in our spirits and not break faith.

Pippa Adds.

Psalm 143:8

‘Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life’. The day goes much better if I have read the Bible in the morning and found encouragement in God's unfailing love. Without this time, with God, it feels to me like going outside without a coat on -- something rather important is missing.

Your Crown is Coming

Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne in 1952.  At her coronation in Westminster Abbey, she was handed a Bible, anointed and then crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury.  Her Diamond Jubilee was a multinational celebration marking the sixtieth anniversary of her accession to the throne.  The climax was a weekend in June 2012 filled with street parties and concerts, a special service of thanksgiving and the largest river Pageant for 300 years.  The whole country came together to celebrate.  On 6 February 2017, she became the first British monarch to celebrate a Sapphire Jubilee, commemorating sixty-five years on the throne.  According to the New Testament, every Christian will be crowed and will reign even longer and there will be an even bigger cause for celebration and rejoicing than that of any earthy ruler.  You will reign *with Christ* (Revelations 20:4,6).  What does this mean?  Who reigns with him?  When does this reign begin?

Psalm 149:1-9

Enjoy the honor of being crowned by the Lord

The people of God are called to celebrate their sovereign Creator, their King (v.2, MSG), to praise him with dancing and make music to him (vv.2–3).

The reason given is that ‘the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds’ (vv.4–5). ‘All who love God’ are ‘in the seat of honor’ (v.9, MSG). There is a hint here, in the crowning of his people, of reigning with Christ.

God delights in sharing his blessings with you, and these verses are a reminder of how much you have already received from him. You can delight in the ‘crown’ of salvation and rejoice in the honor of being in relationship with him.

The psalmist goes on to say that God’s people will execute judgment (‘a double-edged sword in their hands’, v.6b). In our New Testament passage for today, we see that God’s people will accompany Christ in judgment (Revelation 19:11 onwards). The weapons are not literal swords, but the double-edged sword of the word of God (Hebrews 4:12).

This awesome responsibility and honor could easily make for pride. However, he ‘crowns the humble’ (Psalm 149:4). We have not earned our salvation. It is a gift. We have not earned the right to reign with Christ. This also is an extraordinary gift, privilege and honor.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that you crown me with salvation. Thank you that you call me to reign with you. Thank you that you are my King, and that you call me to be a co-heir with Christ.

Revelation 20:1-15

Experience your reign with Christ now

However, we interpret the specifics of this passage, it is clearly wonderful news: Christ will return, Satan will be overthrown, and you will reign with Jesus and experience eternal life. This is something worth celebrating!

This is a notoriously difficult passage in the book of Revelation. Many books, commentaries and novels have been written about ‘millennialism’ and when ‘the rapture’ will take place. There are passionately held views on this subject and, sadly, divisions in the church over it. It is, therefore, with some trepidation that I express here my tentative views on the subject.

A millennium (plural millennia) is a period of time equal to 1,000 years. It derives from the Latin mille, thousand, and annus, year. Several times ‘a thousand year’ period is mentioned (vv.2–7). When is this thousand-year period? Broadly speaking, there have been three views:

1. Postmillennialism

This is the view that the return of Christ would not occur until the kingdom of God had been established by the church in human history for a thousand years.

1. Premillennialism

This is the view that the coming of Christ will be followed by the binding of Satan and the resurrection of the saints who will be ‘raptured’ and will join him in a temporal kingdom where he reigns over the earth for a thousand years. This millennial kingdom will end with a final rebellion and the last judgment.

1. Amillennialism

This is the view that the thousand years is the period between the first and second coming of Christ. This position holds that the period of a thousand years is metaphorical, not literal and that the rapture will occur when Christ returns.

No doubt there is room for difference of opinion between Christians on this matter. Personally, I think there are difficulties with all three views. However, when we read this passage in the context of the rest of the New Testament and the Bible as a whole, I take the view that in spite of all the arguments to the contrary, ‘amillennialism’ fits best with the evidence.

As we have seen, much of the language of the book of Revelation is apocalyptic language and not intended to be interpreted literally. The ‘one thousand years’ stands for a very long but unspecified period of time. What is the evidence that the one-thousand-year period has already begun?

First, Satan is bound (v.2). The devil is described as ‘the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan’ (v.2). By his coming, Jesus defeated Satan. He bound the ‘strong man’ (Mark 3:27; Matthew 12:29). On the cross, Satan was defeated – thrown ‘into the Abyss’, which was ‘locked and sealed’ over him (Revelation 20:3).

Second, the nations are not deceived any more during this period: ‘to keep him from deceiving the nations any more until the thousand years were ended’ (v.3). This is the era of the church, when the gospel is preached to all nations. Millions, and now billions, profess the name of Christ. Their eyes are being opened to the good news of Jesus.

Third, according to the apostle Paul, we are already reigning with Christ. The resurrected martyrs and people of God reign with Christ for a thousand years. ‘I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. They… reigned with Christ for a thousand years’ (v.4). As St Paul put it, ‘God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus’ (Ephesians 2:6).

Fourth, you are called to reign as ‘priests of God and of Christ’ (Revelation 20:6). This priesthood of all believers has already begun. We are called to be ‘a holy priesthood’ (1 Peter 2:5). Indeed, Peter refers to us as ‘a royal priesthood’ (v.9).

At the end of this period, Satan will be ‘released from his prison’ (Revelation 20:7), and the final conflict will take place. Once again, we see here that it will not really be a conflict at all. Rather, it will be the outworking of the victory that Jesus has already achieved. The destruction of evil will be complete (vv.8–10). Then the final judgment will take place (vv.11–15).

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that you have raised us up with Christ and seated us along with him in the heavenly realms. Help me to make the most of every opportunity to bring the good news to the nations.

Nehemiah 9:38-11:21

Exercise your God-given authority responsibly

As in so many Old Testament passages, here we get a foretaste of the future. God delights in his people. He puts us in positions of authority to rule and to reign. However, we are called to exercise this authority with obedience and responsibility (10:35).

The people of God made a binding agreement, putting it in writing. The leaders, Levites and priests affixed their seals to it (9:38). They promised to keep the Law and ‘bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God’ (10:29).

Their problem, like ours, was an inability to keep the laws. We would therefore be under God’s curse but for the fact that Jesus bore it for us on the cross (Galatians 3:13).

We are called to a balanced rhythm of life that includes work and rest.

The people of God had to keep to the Sabbath and, every seventh year, forgo working the land and cancel all debts (Nehemiah 10:31). They had to offer sacrifices to make atonement for their sins (v.33).

The leaders settled in Jerusalem (11:1), but it is clear from this passage that the pledge was by the community – the keeping of the law was plainly made the responsibility of everyone, not just the kings and princes.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that I am called to take responsibility for my own life and for serving you and obeying your commands. Thank you that I need no longer make sacrifices in order to make atonement for my sins. Thank you that, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, not only has Satan been defeated but you have raised me with Christ to reign with him in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age, but also in the one to come (Ephesians 1:20–21).

Pippa Adds

Revelation 20:12b

‘The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.’

I’m quite nervous about judgment day. I dread to think what is written in ‘the books’ about me... and I also wonder what God thinks about the amount of chocolate I eat!

Covenant of Love

When my daughter got married, I walked her down the aisle.  At the front of the church, before all their family and friends, in their overflowing love for each other, she and her husband promised exclusive loyalty.  They made a *covenant of love*.  It was a love-filed occasion.  A covenant is two people, or two parties, entering into a formal agreement.  The making of covenants was a common feature in the ancient world.  A covenant would often be made with a solemn action, such as a blood sacrifice.  The idea of a covenant is so important in the Christian Bible that the two parts came to be called the Old and the New *Testaments* (‘*Testamentum*’ being the Latin word for *covenant*).  Although the new covenant was different from the old one, both covenants come from God’s abounding love for you.

Psalm 148:7-14

Praise God for his intimate friendship

Do you know that you can be an ‘intimate friend’ of God? This is what it means to be part of ‘his very own people’ who ‘love God’ (v.14, MSG). This is what God’s covenant of love is all about.

As a result of God’s love for him, the psalmist’s heart is bursting with praise. He calls the whole created world to praise God, as well as the whole of humankind (vv.7–12): ‘Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted’ (v.13).

The psalm reaches its climax: ‘He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints, of Israel, the people close to his heart’ – ‘intimate friends of God’ (v.14, MSG).

A ‘horn’ symbolizes the strength of the Lord, and found fulfilment in Jesus: ‘He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David’ (Luke 1:69). He did this out of his great love for us; he made a covenant of love because he wants a people close to his heart. No wonder the psalmist finishes with a shout of ‘Praise the Lord!’ (Psalm 148:14).

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that you make a covenant with me, that you draw me close to your heart and call me your intimate friend.

Revelation 19:11-21

Thank Jesus for paying the price

God’s covenant comes at a price. But the price is paid, not by us but by God himself in the person of Jesus, whose blood was shed for you. John sees Jesus riding a white horse. He describes him with four names:

1. Faithful and True

‘With justice he judges’ (v.11). He pierces the secrets of our hearts (‘his eyes are like blazing fire’, v.12a). He has universal authority (‘on his head are many crowns’, v.12b). Yet in spite of our unfaithfulness, he is ‘Faithful and True’ (v.11).

Throughout the Bible we read of the faithfulness of God to his covenant and promises. Supremely the faithfulness of God is seen in Jesus – the one who is ‘faithful and true’.

1. The name only Jesus knows

‘… he has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself’ (v.12c). God’s revelation of himself in Jesus will not be completed until we see him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12).

1. The Word of God

‘… his name is the Word of God’ (Revelation 19:13). The Word of God is how God communicates with us. The supreme revelation of God is in the person of Jesus – the Word of God (John 1:1).

‘He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood’ (Revelation 19:13a, MSG). This is the evidence of his abounding love for you. This is ‘the blood of the covenant’ (Matthew 26:28). The blood of Jesus was shed for you.

1. King of kings and Lord of lords

He is ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’ (Revelation 19:16). This is the name written on his robe and on his thigh. He leads the church ‘dressed in fine linen, white and clean’ (v.14). This is the one before whom every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:9–11).

No evil can stand before Jesus. Ultimately, all evil will be destroyed. The final battle (Revelation 19:17–21) will not be a battle at all. The demonic powers will be thrown into ‘the fiery lake of burning sulfur’ (v.20), and God’s enemies that opposed Christ will be stripped of their power once and for all (v.21). The dramatic imagery is there to show us how total the victory of Jesus will be.

The great victory has already been won by him who is faithful and true. Through the cross and resurrection, he has already defeated all the powers of evil (Colossians 2:15). The victory we read of here is a forgone conclusion when Jesus arrives on the scene.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for your sacrificial covenant of love and that you are faithful and true – abounding in love – and that one day we will see you face to face.

Nehemiah 9:1-37

Trust God for his provision

Do you ever find yourself in a desperate situation, crying to God for help and making all kinds of promises of what you will do if he answers your prayer? Then, when God does answer, you forget and begin to drift away from him again?

The history of the people of God is very similar. When God blesses us, we can become complacent, start to compromise and fall into sin. Then we cry out to God, and he delivers us and has mercy on us. Then we become lax again. Certainly, I have sometimes found this to be a pattern in my own life. But this is not how we are meant to live.

God made a covenant with his people – starting with Abraham (v.8). It was a covenant of love (v.32). He promised to provide ‘bread from heaven for their hunger’ and ‘water from the rock for their thirst’ (v.15, MSG). He wanted them to live by faith in his provision.

God wants you to trust in him. Make a decision today not to worry about tomorrow. Trust him to provide for you every day, one day at a time. God does not just love you; he abounds in love for you. He loves you as if there were only you to love.

The walls have been rebuilt. The Law has been read. Now the people recognize the abounding love of God and his covenant of love with them. They realize that God has blessed them in an extraordinary way. Yet, when they think about their own lives, they see how undeserved it is.

They come together with fasting and prayer. They stand and confess their sins and wickedness (v.2). They ‘read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day’ (v.3). No doubt, as they hear the words, their sins are brought to light. They ‘spent another quarter in confession and in worshipping the Lord their God’ (v.3).

Their prayer is a model prayer. It starts with worship. Having praised God for his abounding love in creation (vv.5–6), they praise him for his abounding love in history (v.8). They recall his covenant of love and faithfulness to Abraham, Moses and the people (vv.7–15).

They recall that in spite of all God’s abounding love and generosity, the people were ‘arrogant’ and ‘bull-headed’ and ‘wouldn’t obey’ (v.16, MSG). Sometimes, like them, I fail to remember the miracles God has performed among us (v.17).

Yet God’s love abounds: ‘a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, incredibly patient, with tons of love... amazing compassion... showed them the right way to go. You gave them your good Spirit to teach them... You never stinted... You supported them... they reveled in your bountiful goodness’ (vv.17–25, MSG).

As they rehearse their history, the same pattern is repeated over and over again. God blesses them, ‘But then they… rebelled... You… made life rough for them. But when they called out for help in their troubles you listened from heaven… But as soon as they had it easy again, they were right back at it – more evil... They cried out to you again; in your great compassion you heard and helped them again… You didn’t walk out and leave them for good; yes, you are a God of grace and compassion... loyal in covenant and love’ (vv.26–32, MSG).

It was because the people were unable to keep their side of the covenant that God promised he would make a new covenant. The new covenant is sealed by the blood of Jesus and involves the Holy Spirit coming to live within you to help you to keep your side of the covenant, and to abound in love for God and for others.

Prayer:  Father, thank you that you have made a covenant of love with me, which was sealed by the blood of Jesus. Thank you that you have given me your Holy Spirit to help me to abound in love for you and for others.

Pippa Adds

Nehemiah 9:16–37

The people of Israel just seem to go around in circles: they rebel, get oppressed, cry out to God, get rescued, forget God, rebel again. I would have thought God might have got fed up. I don’t suppose I am much better. I’m so glad that our God is ‘forgiving’, ‘gracious’, ‘compassionate’,’ slow to anger’ and ‘abounding in love’.

Hallelujah

Over 50 million people have now watched a [YouTube] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE&feature=youtube_gdata_player) of unsuspecting shoppers who get a surprise while eating lunch.  A young woman, seemingly enjoying her lunch in a food court. stands up.  She appears to be on her mobile phone.  She begins singing The ‘Hallelujah’ chorus.  All around her, over 100 (clearly prearranged)

opera singers stand one by one and join in.  *Messiah* is George Frederick Handel’s most famous work.  It tells the story of Jesus – the Messiah.  Part Two is about His death on the cross, His Resurrection and his ascension into heaven.  It ends with the

‘Hallelujah’ chorus.  In the spring of 1742, King George II rose to His Feet as the first notes of the triumphant ‘Hallelujah’ chorus rang out.  Royal protocol has always demanded that, whenever the monarch stands, so too does everyone in the monarch’s presence.  Thus, the entire audience and orchestra stood.  King George II had accepted that he too was subject to the Lord of lords and King of kings.  The Word ‘Hallelujah’ is an invitation to worship – it literally means 'Praise (Hallal) the Lord’ (Yahweh).  It occurs twenty-four times in the Old Testament (mainly in the Psalms) and it occurs four times in the New

Testament – each of them in our passage for today.

Psalm 148:1-6

The Hallelujah psalms

At rock concerts, football matches and other big sporting events, we see extraordinary scenes of exuberant enthusiasm. Yet all these should pale into insignificance compared to our exuberant worship of God.

The opening words of this psalm are, ‘Hallelujah! Praise God from heaven’ (v.1, MSG). The last five psalms (Psalm 146–150) each begin and end with ‘Hallelujah’. The Psalms, as with the New Testament and the whole Bible, end with exuberant praise, blessing and delight.

‘Hallelujah! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights. Praise him, all his angels’ (vv.1b–2a, HCSB).

Even the angels praise God. As we will see in our New Testament passage for today, John, when he saw one of the angels, fell at his feet to worship him (the angel). But the angel said to him, ‘Do not do it! I am a fellow-servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!’ (Revelation 19:10).

As with all the psalms, it can naturally turn into your own prayer and praise:

‘Praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord’ (Psalm 148:2b–5a).

Revelation 18:17b-19:10

The Hallelujah party

My father was a German Jew. Many of his family suffered and died in concentration camps under the evil empire of the Third Reich. That empire came to an end. Not long after, another evil empire arose. In Stalin’s Soviet Russia at least 20 million people were murdered. The people of God were imprisoned, tortured and killed. Today there is Isis, North Korea, and other evil regimes around the world.

The New Testament passage for today starts with the complete destruction of the great city of ‘Babylon’. We have seen that this is a way of describing, not only the destruction of the Roman Empire, which the writer has in mind, but also the destruction of every ‘Babylon’ that has flourished throughout history.

‘Babylon’ stands for the Roman Empire, the Third Reich, Stalin’s Russia, Isis and all the other evil empires, totalitarian and philosophical systems. Whole nations were led astray (18:23) and the people of God persecuted: ‘In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints’ (v.24a).

This is why there is such relief when their power is brought to an end. The mass choirs of heaven sing ‘Hallelujah’:

‘After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah!”’ (19:1). They praise God that justice has been done. God’s judgments are true and just: ‘O Heaven, celebrate!... God has judged her; every wrong you suffered from her has been judged’ (v.20, MSG).

‘Hallelujah!’ is repeated (v.3). The whole church and all creation fall down and worships God who is seated on the throne (v.4). And they cry for a third time, ‘Amen, Hallelujah!’ (v.4).

Finally, a fourth time: ‘Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of a mighty cataract, the sound of strong thunder: Hallelujah!’ (v.6, MSG).

Then the party begins:

1. ‘Let us celebrate, let us rejoice,

2. Let us give him the glory!

3. The Marriage of the Lamb has come.

4. His Wife has made herself ready.

5. She was given a bridal gown of bright and shining linen.

6. Linen is the righteousness of the saints (vv.7–8, MSG).

A human wedding is a whisper of the gospel. Our earthly marriages point to something even more amazing and eternal – your relationship with Christ Jesus.

The wedding of the Lamb is the marriage of Christ and his church (see Ephesians 5:32; Revelation 21:2). In contrast to the gaudy clothes of the adulterous and promiscuous Babylon (18:16), the church is dressed simply in ‘fine linen, bright and clean’ (19:8). You are clothed in the righteousness of Christ and every righteous act (v.8b) is remembered, valued and celebrated.

This is the great and eternal party of the ‘wedding supper of the Lamb’ (v.9). To be ‘invited’ (v.9) is the greatest blessing of all. The rest of the New Testament tells us that you are invited, but you have to choose to accept the invitation.

It is not surprising that John wants to fall at the feet of the angel and worship him. But you are not to worship the messenger, only the one whom the message is about: ‘Worship God!’ (v.10). And you are to go and tell others: ‘For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy’ (v.10).

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that the story of this universe is going to end with ‘Hallelujah!’ – praise, thanksgiving and worship. Thank you for looking forward to the wedding of the Lamb. ‘Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!’ (v.7).

Nehemiah 7:4-8:18

The Hallelujah people

As we have seen, just as God called Nehemiah and his people to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, he calls us to build and rebuild the church. One of the ways God guides you is that he puts ideas into your heart. Nehemiah said, ‘God put it in my heart to gather the nobles, the officials, and the people in general to be registered’ (7:5, MSG). Nehemiah listed the exiles who had returned (vv.6–73).

When the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem was completed, the people gathered to hear the Scriptures being expounded by Ezra. ‘And all the people listened – they were all ears – to the Book of The Revelation’ (8:3, MSG). ‘As he opened the book everyone stood’ (8:5, MSG). They stood out of respect for the word of God.

‘Then Ezra praised God, the great God and all the people responded “Oh Yes! Yes!” with hands raised high. And then they fell to their knees in worship of God, their faces to the ground’ (v.6, MSG).

Our bodies express our hearts. That is why, when I’m on my own, I like to kneel as I read the Bible as a mark of reverence and respect for God. I have come to listen to him and worship him.

To raise hands in worship was the common practice of both the Jewish people and the early Christians (‘hands raised high’, v.6). ‘The oldest gesture of prayer in Christendom is prayer with arms extended’ writes Pope Benedict. This gesture is ‘the radical form of worship’. It expresses opening ourselves to God and at the same time opening ourselves in love to others.

All of our gatherings to praise and worship God are an anticipation of, and participation in, the great worship of heaven – the eternal Hallelujah chorus. In this passage in Nehemiah we see an example of this. It echoes and anticipates the great worship of Revelation 19.

Nehemiah the Governor, Ezra the priest and scribe and the Levites instructed the people. They wept as they listened to the words of the Law (v.9).

But Nehemiah told them that it was a time for joy and celebration: ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks… Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’ (v.10). There was a time of celebration and great joy (v.12).

As Joyce Meyer writes, ‘Each day that God gives us is holy and a precious gift from him. We should enjoy it fully. Joy is powerful. Nothing releases supernatural joy in our lives more than being a blessing to other people.’

Prayer:  Lord, I praise you for the coming of Christ on the first Christmas Day. Thank you that we anticipate now his coming again, the marriage feast of the Lamb that will take place, and the great praise and worship of heaven that will go on forever. Hallelujah!

Pippa Adds

Nehemiah 8:10–18

It is good to ‘celebrate’ and enjoy ‘choice food and sweet drinks’, but if it is only for our own consumption then it seems a little selfish and shallow. They combined it with sending ‘some to those who have nothing prepared’ and the reading of God’s word. That gave it a different dimension and depth.

Peace in the Dark Places

“Men don’t come much tougher than daredevil climber and adventurer, Bear Grylls,” writes the *Sun* newspaper. A former member of the UK Special Forces, his TV adventure series *Man vs. Wild* has reached an estimated 1.2 billion viewers in over 180 countries. Not being remotely adventurous or daring myself, as I read his autobiography, *[Mud, Sweat and Tears], I was spellbound, gripped, and horrified by his sheer physical and mental endurance. He has survived the SAS, a broken back from a parachute jump, climbing Mount Everest, the French Foreign Legion, and a variety of other extraordinary challenges. One of the things I appreciated about reading Bear’s autobiography was his refreshing openness about his struggles, both inward and outward. With admirable vulnerability, he reveals his anxieties, fear of heights and sense of weakness. Through it all, his strong Christian faith shines through. He writes, “Faith in Christ has been the great empowering presence in my life, helping me *walk strong* when so often I *feel so weak. *” In the midst of life’s difficulties and extraordinary challenges, Christ is the empowering presence who brings us peace. “Perfect peace” (Isaiah 26:3) makes me think of a beautiful, calm summer’s day, sitting by a deserted lake with not a care in the world and no temptations, no problems, and no difficulties to cope with.  “Perfect peace” in such circumstances would not be at all surprising or extraordinary. Yet as we read the Bible, it is clear that this promise of “perfect peace” is not dependent of circumstances.  God’s peace comes to you even in the dark places – in the midst of your most difficult struggles and challenges.

Psalm 106: 32-39

Temptation

The temptations that the people of God faced in the past are, in some ways, no different from those that we face today. “They rebelled against the Spirit of God” (vs. 33), “they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. They worshipped their idols which became a snare to them” (vs. 35-36). You are called to be “in the world” but not “of the world.”  This is such a difficult tension. As you mingle with those who do not share your faith or lifestyle, the temptation is to adopt their customs and worship their idols. The idols of the twenty-first century include money, sex, power, and celebrity. Their influence on us can be quite subtle. We should be able to enjoy all the good gifts that God has given us, without ever becoming obsessed with anything, or worshipping anything other than the living God. The second-century Letter to Diognetus described the Christian’s lifestyle in the following way:  They live in their own countries, but only as aliens. They have a share in everything as citizens and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign land is their fatherland, and yet for them, every fatherland is a foreign land…It is tru that they are “in the flesh”, but they do not live “according to the flesh”.  They busy themselves on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws, but in their own lives they go far beyond what the laws require…  They are poor, and yet they make many rich…  Christians dwell in the world but are not of the world.

Prayer:  Lord, help me not to worship the idols of the culture, or take on the customs of those I spend time with outside the church. Help me to resist those temptations and experience your perfect peace.

2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Trials

Paul's opponents have fallen into the very trap. Warn against him in Psalms 106. They have adopted the customs of the world around them and worship their idols. They are “boasting in the way the world does” (vs. 18). They have boasted of their achievements, they have wallowed in a culture of fame, success, and showy rhetoric. Their boasting forces Paul into a different kind of boasting. They, like the world, were boasting about their strengths. Paul says that if he must boast, he will quote. Will boast of the things that show [his] weakness.” (vs. 30). He lists some of the things that he has been through. It is not the usual list of things about which most people would boast. Rather, they are, almost entirely, a list of things of which most people would be ashamed even to mention, let alone celebrate. They include often being in prison, being flogged five times with the Jews, 39 lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, stoned with rocks once, shipwrecked, exposed to many dangers, hungry, and thirsty, cold, and naked, (vs. 23-27).  Culminates with what might appear to be a rather shameful escape from an arrest (vs. 32-33).  In addition to all this, Paul, this is hard work (vs 23), His travels (vs.26) –" I have labored and toiled, and often gone without sleep” (vs. 27) -- The daily pressures of his concern (Anxiety) For all the churches (vs. 29).  He had plenty of anxiety, stress, and challenges in his life. Yet in spite of all this, Paul often spoke about the peace of God that he experienced and prayed for others to experience. God’s “perfect peace” does not mean that there are no trials to face. What is extraordinary about his piece is that it is promised in spite of the trials. I cannot begin to imagine how it is possible to experience perfect peace in prison, being flogged, shipwrecked, constantly in danger, and much more besides. Yet this is what the apostle Paul seems to have experienced. He writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, [that is “perfect peace”], which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

As E. H. Bickersteth wrote, “Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?  The Blood of Jesus whispers peace within.”

Prayer:  Lord, help us in our trials, criticisms, bereavement, temptations, sicknesses, and concern for all the churches. Even in the dark places, help me to live in such a way as to know your “perfect peace”.

Isaiah 24:1-26:21

Trust

Isaiah writes, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast [“whose mind is stayed on You,” AMP] because they trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the rock eternal” (26:3-4). This is the secret of perfect peace. It comes from trust in the Lord, in spite of the trials and temptations: “We Trust in Him, and He saved us” (25:9).  When we think too much about tomorrow--The problems, challenges and responsibilities we are going to face. --We can easily become worried and be anxious. Yet, in all the trials and temptations of life, God promised to keep you in perfect peace if you turn your thoughts to God and keep your mind “stayed” on Him, trusting in Him.

In today's reading, Isaiah seems to be foreseeing the end of the world. There's going to be a devastating judgment. (Ch 24). Yet it will also be a day of triumph (Ch 25). He foresees a heavenly banquet: On this mountain, the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine--the best of meats and the finest of wines “(25:6), “He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth” (vs.8). Isaiah appears to get a glimpse of the new heaven and the new earth spoken of in the Book of Revelation. When God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4). The prophet goes on to say, “Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy” (Isaiah 26:19). Arguably, this is the first clear reference in the Bible to individual bodily resurrection. It points to the bodily resurrection of Jesus, who is “the first born from among the dead” (Colossians 1: 18). Jesus has conquered death and thereby defeated the fear of death and with it every other fear and anxiety. Because of Jesus, your future is totally secure. You do not need to be worried or anxious about death or anything else. Trust Him with your future, turn your thoughts towards Him and begin to experience His constant and perfect peace. Lord, “my soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning, my spirit longs for You... You established peace for all of us; all that we have accomplished, You have done for us …Your name alone do we honor” (Isaiah 26: 9, 12-13). 

Prayer: Lord, I commit to you all the possible causes of anxiety at this moment and all future moments.  I put my trust in you.

Pippa adds:  

Isaiah 26:3

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” There is so much that I could worry about. I am going to make a list of the first things that come to mind, and then give them over to God and try to bask in that “perfect peace.”

Due to December 25th being the day of Christmas, we will not be having an in person service and all services will be moved online! Use this morning to gather on the couch together with loved ones, and watch our live Christmas service from the comfort of your home.

Church at home will start at 10:30AM over on our Youtube Channel!

Why Christmas?

Today we celebrate the ‘central event in the history of the earth, the very thing the whole story has been about’ (C.S. Lewis).  We celebrate the birth of Jesus.  It is a day of great joy and celebration around the world.  And yet, in the mist of all the trappings and celebrations of Christmas, it can be easy to miss *why* Jesus’ birth is so significant.  The key to Christmas lies, not in  the details of the shepherd’s’ visit or the wise men’s journey, but in the identity of the one whom they came to worship.  In Jesus, God became ‘flesh’ and ‘made His dwelling among us’ (John 1:14).  Christmas is about Jesus!  Our New Testament passage for today helps us to grasp something of the magnitude of what that means.  In it we are remind that ‘baby Jesus’ is also the ‘Lord of lords and King of kings’ (Revelation 17:14b).  We are given a glimpse of the cosmic struggle between good and evil, as a vast array of powers and authorities line up against God.  Yet we are reminded that, in the end, it is through the humility and self-sacrifice of ‘the Lamb’ that they are overcome.  Jesus puts aside the glories of heaven for a humble stall.  As the carol, *Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,* puts it:  Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, by everlasting Lord; Late in time behold Him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb, veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity, pleased as man with man to dwell. Jesus, our Emmanuel, Hark! The herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the new born King!’    In each of today’s passages we see the blessings of following this ‘new born King’.

Psalm 147:12–20

Blessing, peace and satisfaction

All the promises of God were fulfilled when Jesus came. God promised his people blessing, peace and satisfaction (‘the best bread on your tables’, v.14, MSG). He ‘launches his promises earthward’ (v.15, MSG).

When the birth of Jesus was announced to the shepherds, the angel described it as ‘good news of great joy for all the people’ (Luke 2:10). The heavenly hosts praise God for ‘peace on earth’ (v.14). Jesus had been born in Bethlehem (meaning ‘the house of bread’). He is the one who satisfies the spiritual hunger in the heart of every human being.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for the way in which you bless your people. Thank you that ‘we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Romans 5:1). Thank you that you satisfy the deepest longings of my heart.

Revelation 17:1–18

Called, chosen and faithful

Christmas is not only a nice story, but a decisive moment in human history. In the cosmic battle between good and evil, God and the devil, Jesus is the decisive figure. That battle, and Jesus’ centrality and victory in it, is the focus of our New Testament passage for today.

Sometimes, the church appears to be fighting a losing battle. In Western Europe today, church attendance has been in decline for some time. Secularism appears to be winning. The book of Revelation reveals what is happening behind the scenes, and how things will ultimately turn out.

As we look around at our world, it is immensely powerful, attractive and seductive at one level. Yet, beneath the surface we see so much evil and so much opposition to the Lamb.

The opposition to Jesus is personified in ‘Babylon the Great, the mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth’ (v.5), which is written on the woman who rides on a beast.

In the original context, the identity of ‘Babylon’ is ancient Rome. As we have seen, the ‘seven hills on which the woman sits’ (v.9) are the seven hills around Rome.

Superficially, there was something very attractive about the Roman Empire, representing all that the world offers. She is ‘dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls’ (v.4).

But beneath the superficial attraction lay violence and vice: ‘With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries’ (v.2).

It gradually becomes apparent that despite appearances to the contrary, this violence and vice was not random, but specifically targeted against God and his people. The array of characters that appear in the first half of the passage ‘have one purpose… they will make war against the Lamb’ (vv.13–14).

The wonderful news of this passage is that the Lamb wins. He doesn’t only win, but he also includes you in his victory: ‘They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings – and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers’ (v.14). As the church often comes under great attack and the forces of darkness sometimes seem to be in the ascendency, I find this verse to be a great comfort and encouragement.

As Mother Teresa said, ‘God does not call me to be successful; he calls me to be faithful.’ If you are faithful to Jesus you will ultimately be successful, because Jesus will ultimately succeed.

Celebrate today the privilege of being one of those called, chosen and faithful followers of Jesus. Jesus, the baby, born that first Christmas day, grew up, died as the Lamb of God and was raised to life.

Ultimately the Lamb will overcome all evil ‘because he is Lord of lords and King of kings’ (v.14). That is wonderful news to celebrate this Christmas. As one of the great Christian carols puts it, we have a savior ‘to free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s power and might. O tidings of comfort and joy!’

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that you are Lord of lords and King of kings. Thank you that you rule and reign. Thank you that ultimately the Lamb will overcome all the forces of evil. Help me to stick close to Jesus and be among his faithful followers.

Nehemiah 3:1–4:23

Rebuilding, restoring and repairing

Christmas day especially, is a day when, all over the world, the name of Jesus should be honored. Sadly, it is so often not the case. What can you contribute to seeing the name of Jesus honored in our world?

Jerusalem was the city of God where God dwelt. God had called Nehemiah and the people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. This is a wonderful visual illustration of the task of the church today. We are called to rebuild and repair so that the name of Jesus may be honored again in our society.

Do you ever wonder ‘Am I needed?’; ‘Do I have anything to offer?’; ‘Is what I do of any value or significance?’.

In this passage, we see that everyone was needed. Everyone went to work shoulder to shoulder, side by side, rebuilding, restoring and repairing. Each was given a portion of different lengths. The key is not to compare, but simply to get on with whatever God calls you to do.

God notices what you do and values what you do. 2,500 years later, we are still reading what the people of God did here. Their names are listed.

They were all volunteers. None of them appear to have been professional builders by trade. They were businesspeople, entrepreneurs, rulers, nobles, goldsmiths and perfume-makers. Yet they were willing to offer themselves for the task of rebuilding. All ages were involved (3:12).

They might have been tempted to think that what they were doing did not seem very significant. Malkijah the ruler was asked to repair the Dung Gate! He did not complain that it was beneath him. He simply got on with it. Together they were part of something very significant. They were rebuilding Jerusalem. They were bringing honor to God’s name.

Opposition and ridicule came from the outside (4:1–8) and discouragement from within (vv.10,12). The same was true for Jesus. His birth was not welcomed by all. Herod tried to kill him. The opposition to Jesus and his church continues today.

You do not need to be afraid (v.14). Through a combination of prayer and action, success is possible. When opposition comes, respond like Nehemiah (v.9) with increased prayer and extra vigilance. They never dropped their guard (v.23).

The key: ‘Our God will fight for us!’ (v.10). With God fighting for us, a nation can be changed, churches can be filled, family life strengthened, marriage honored, the crime rate can fall and society can be transformed. Most important of all, the name of Jesus can be honored again.

As you look around at the state of the church, get involved in this task of rebuilding. Be willing to work hard and not to be put off by opposition.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that the Lamb always wins – that the one whose birth we celebrate today will ultimately be victorious because he is ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’.

Pippa Adds

Psalm 147:14 says, ‘He grants peace…’ Or, as it says in Isaiah, ‘He will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end’ (Isaiah 9:6–7a).

Peace is what is needed this Christmas: peace in our hearts, peace in the world, peace everywhere.

Faith Looks Up

In *A Christmas Carol*, by Charles Dickens, the central character, Ebenezer Scrooge, was a miserable, mean, miserly old businessman who is shown his past, present and future.  He eventually *repents and starts to give generously*.  Dickens captures the transformation in his character:  ‘He went to church, and walked about the streets…and found that everything could yield him pleasure.  He had never dreamed that any walk -that anything- could give him *so much happiness*.’  ‘Repentance ‘ is a *very positive word* in the Bible.  The Greek word ‘metanoia’ means ‘change of mind’.  That means, first, *turning away from the bad stuff*.  This is the stuff that spoils your life and breaks your relationship with God.  Repentance means to be sorry enough to quit.  Getting rid of the bad stuff only enhances your life.  But, that is only the first part.  The change of heart and mind means not only turning *away* from the bad things, but also *turning towards God and good*.  The word ‘repent’ rarely appears on its own in the Bible.  *Genuine repentance* is shown by its *fruit*.  Remorse is not enough.  A change of mind, heart and life is required.  It is nearly always, ‘repent *and*…’, Repent *and believe*.  Repent *and* *put your faith in Jesus Christ*.  It is not just a case of looking back, but also looking up.  Faith looks up.  

Psalm 147:1–11

Repent and rejoice

The context of this psalm may well be the rebuilding of Jerusalem under Nehemiah: ‘God’s the one who rebuilds Jerusalem, who re-gathers Israel’s scattered exiles’ (v.2, MSG). This started (as we see today in Nehemiah 1–2) with a genuine repentance by Nehemiah on behalf of himself and all the people.

Genuine repentance starts with being ‘broken-hearted’ (Psalm 147:3). The wonderful news is that God heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds (v.3; see also Isaiah 61:1).

‘Repentance’ involves humbling yourself before God. Whereas he ‘casts the wicked to the ground’ (Psalm 147:6b), ‘the Lord sustains the humble’ (v.6a). But God does not leave you there. He wants you not only to look back with repentance, but also to look up with rejoicing.

God’s ‘delight’ is not in ‘the legs of a man’ (v.10). He is not reliant on (or impressed by) physical strength: ‘He’s not impressed with horsepower; the size of our muscles means little to him’ (v.10, MSG). Instead, ‘the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love’ (v.11).

This whole psalm is about rejoicing in the Lord. It starts with a call to ‘Praise the Lord’, and a reminder of how ‘good… pleasant and fitting’ (v.1) it is to do so. Worship brings joy and pleasure, and it is an appropriate response to such an amazing God.

Prayer:  Lord, today I want not only to repent, but also to rejoice in you. Thank you that you promise that if I fear you, I need not fear anything else.

Revelation 16:1–21

Repent and respond

This must be one of the most terrifying chapters in the entire Bible. It describes God’s final judgment. These are the seven last plagues (see Exodus 7–10). It all ends in ‘Armageddon’. In the midst of the awful judgment, there are four things that should bring you comfort:

1. Jesus is coming back

‘Keep watch! I come unannounced, like a thief. You’re blessed if, awake and dressed, you’re ready for me’ (Revelation 16:15, MSG). Later on in Revelation, we will see all the blessings that the second coming of Jesus will bring to you and to the whole creation.

1. Jesus took your judgment

The words, ‘It is done!’ (v.17) tell us that once this final judgment has taken place, ‘It is finished’ – echoing the last words of Jesus on the cross (John 19:30). They remind us of what Jesus achieved on the cross for you. God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son to die for you so that you might not come under God’s final judgment, but rather receive all the blessings of eternal life (see John 3:16–17).

1. Judgment is delayed

The judgment only falls on those who ‘refused to repent and glorify him’ (Revelation 16:9). God gives them, like Pharaoh, so many opportunities to repent, ‘but they refused to repent of what they had done’ (v.11). God’s desire is that everyone should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He gives many, many opportunities. It is only those who absolutely refuse to repent that come under his judgment.

1. Judgment will be totally just

Many people worry, understandably, about passages like this in the Bible. However, God’s judgments are going to be absolutely ‘true’ and ‘just’ (Revelation 16:7). As the former vicar of HTB, John Collins, always says, ‘We will all say on that day, “That is absolutely right.”’

Look up as you wait for Jesus’ return. Get your life sorted out now. Make sure there is no refusal to repent in your own heart. Respond in the right way to these warnings and help everyone else to do the same. As the Arsenal football academy encourages its young players: be in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that on the cross you bore my sins for me so that I need never face the judgment described here. Thank you that you are coming back and that you will put everything right. In everything I do, may I glorify you.

Nehemiah 1:1–2:20

Repent and rebuild

Nehemiah’s situation was not dissimilar to our own. The church in many parts of the world is in great ‘trouble and disgrace’ (1:3). It seems to have been devastated, and is regarded either as irrelevant or as an object of scorn.

In 445 BC, Nehemiah was also devastated by the fact that God’s name was not being honored. God’s people were in ‘bad shape. Conditions [were] appalling’ (v.3, MSG): ‘The wall of Jerusalem is still rubble; the city gates are still cinders’ (v.3, MSG).

Nehemiah was a government worker who had risen to high office in the Persian administration. He was cupbearer to the king (v.11b). This was an important office involving responsibility for tasting the king’s wine and for guarding the royal apartment.

Nehemiah’s response is a great model for us to follow. He was a man of action, but he began by looking up in prayer. His response was to weep, mourn, fast and pray (v.4). His prayer begins with reminding God of his love (v.5). He goes on to repent of his sins and the sins of the people: ‘I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly towards you’ (v.6b).

He ends the prayer by asking God to give him success (v.11). As so often happens, the answer to his prayer involved something he himself was going to do. He saw the problem and he acted. He gave up a brilliant career for a life of danger, struggle and self-sacrifice. In doing so, he became the answer to his own prayer.

Artaxerxes noticed his ‘sadness of heart’ (2:2). When he asked, ‘What is it you want?’ (v.4), again Nehemiah’s ‘arrow’ prayer (‘praying under my breath’, v.4, MSG) is a good example to follow. In any situation you find yourself in, where you only have a split second to decide what to do, pray: ‘Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king’ (vv.4–5). He had already done the serious length of prayer. Now he only had time to glance upwards before he had to give an answer.

The moment that he looked up, his request was granted and he was allowed to go to Jerusalem to rebuild (v.8). After inspecting the walls in secret (wisely keeping his plans confidential while he assessed the situation), he gathered the people and announced his plans (vv.11–18). He followed up his prayer with action.

Throughout the whole process, he retained his focus on God and, again and again, acknowledged that it is God who had inspired and enabled him to do this – ‘Because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests’ (v.8; see also vv.12,18). It can be so easy to pray about something, but then forget to acknowledge God when things start to go well. However, Nehemiah was always conscious of his reliance on God, and quick to attribute his success to God.

Trust in God that he will give you the confidence to continue with his plans, even when you encounter opposition. In good times and hard times, Nehemiah looked up to God: ‘The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding’ (v.20). Don’t allow opposition to deflect you from your God-given task – trust God and get on with the job. Look up and trust God to give you success.

Prayer:  Lord, your church lies in ruins. The walls are broken down. You call us to rebuild. As we look up to you and start rebuilding, may the God of heaven give us success.

Pippa Adds

Nehemiah 2:2

‘So the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” I was very much afraid.’

When given the opportunity Nehemiah took it, despite being afraid. Speaking up for what is right requires courage. It wasn’t that Nehemiah felt no fear at that moment; it was that, despite his fear, he spoke up.

How to Live in Hope

In July 1999, Ralph  Crathorne spoke at our church about the recent death of his eighteen year old daughter, Sasha, from a brain tumor. I remember so well going to visit Sasha in hospital. On the way, in the taxi, I was desperately trying to think and pray about what God would want me to say. Only one word came in my mind: Hope. In his talk, Ralph said, ‘That one word exploded in my spirit. It was as though I suddenly saw the fullness of what God has meant us to understand about “living in hope”.  It's not the kind of wishy-washy, “I hope this will happen, but it probably won't happen”. It's the sure, confident, positive hope -- the way God designed us to live. ‘Our hope was placed not in an outcome, but in the Lord.  ‘Sasha, too, held on to hope -- not necessarily to be healed, although that was included, but a deeper hope, the hope that comes from the certainty of being in the palm of the hand of an all-loving God’.  In the final two weeks of her life, she went blind. Ralph said, ‘I remember lying in the bed saying to her, “Sasha, do you ever see angels?” ‘She didn't have much energy to speak. She said, “No Dad”. ‘I was a bit disappointed. So, I thought, we'll go for the big one. “Do you ever see Jesus?” I asked. “Of course, I do. He holds my hand”. ‘The dream that she would be healed was shattered, but we're not disappointed with God. He hasn't changed. He still pours His love into our hearts.  We don't understand her death. I doubt we ever really will. One day we'll know... These are the foundational principles of living in hope”.

Psalm 146:1-10

Put your hope in the right place

Many today put their hope in the wrong place. They trust in wealth, or a successful career, or a long-term relationship, or in their image or status. There's nothing necessarily wrong with any of these things -- but none of them are a firm enough foundation upon which to build your life. It really matters where you put your hope: ‘Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save. When the spirit departs, they return to the ground; On that very day they're plans come  to nothing’ (vs.3-4). The psalmist proclaims the right place to put your hope: ‘Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God’ (vs. 5). If you put your hope in the Lord, this hope is ‘an anchor for the soul, firm and secure’ (Hebrews 6: 19).  The psalmist has this firm hope in the Lord. He praises God continuously (Psalms 146: 1-2). He recognizes that he is ‘the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them’ and that he remains faithful forever’ (vs. 6). The God of Hope gives new hope to those who seem to have little hope, and He calls you and me to do the same. The psalmist list some of those to whom God especially gives hope: the oppressed, (vs.7a), hungry, (vs. 7b), prisoner (vs.7c), blind (vs.8a), marginalized (vs. 9a) and bereaved (vs. 9b).  

Prayer: Lord, thank you that I can put my hope in you. Thank you that this is a sure and steadfast anchor for my soul.  Help me to give hope to those who need it most.

Revelation 14:14-15:8

Look forward with hope

Hope is far powerful. It is not just a feeling or an emotion. It is not dependent on circumstances. Real hope is a constant positive attitude that, no matter what the circumstances, things will change for the better. ‘Hope has a thick skin and will endure many a blow’, wrote John Bunyan (1628-1688).  ‘It will endure all things if it be of the right kind, for the joy that is set before it... It is hoped that makes the sole experience patience and long-suffering under the cross, until the time comes to enjoy the crown’.  When we look around at the world, we see so much injustice. Bad things happen to good people. Evil often seems to thrive. There may be injustice now, but one day there will be justice for all. God will put everything right. As Bishop Lesslie Newbigin put it, ‘The horizon for the Christian is, “He shall come again” and “we look for the coming of the Lord”. It can be tomorrow, or anytime, But that is the horizon. That horizon for me is fundamental, and that is what makes it possible to be hopeful and therefore to find life meaning’.  In this passage, John gets a glimpse of what the final ‘putting things right’ will look like. Jesus will be the judge. ‘I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one “like a son of man”, with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand’(14:14).  Jesus said that, in this life, the wheat and the weeds grow up together until the harvest (Matthew 13:30), and that ‘the harvest is the end of the age and the harvesters are angels’(vs. 39). He speaks of the weeds being pulled up and destroyed and how ‘the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father’(vs. 43). There is a radical judgment where every vestige of evil is destroyed ‘in the great winepress of God's wrath’(Revelations 14: 19). As you read this, remember that Jesus drank the cup of God's wrath for you on the cross, and so you are saved from these judgments. In this passage, we see what it looks like when God's judgment is complete (15:1).   John sees ‘what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire’ (vs. 2) - an image which combines burning purity and serenity. Peace and righteousness go together. God's judgment purifies the world, destroying evil and corruption, and rescuing His people from those who persecute and oppose them (‘the beast and his image’ vs.2) Just as after exodus. A great cry of praise went up from the people of God who had crossed the Red Sea, so now a great cry of praise goes up to God: ‘Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just And true are your ways, King of the ages... All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed’(vs. 3-4).

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that one day you will put everything right. Thank you that I have such a great future hope made possible through the Cross of Jesus.

Ezra 10:1-44

Never give up hope

Do you ever feel that you have gone too far, done something too often, or failed too badly for God to forgive you? This passage is an encouragement that, however much you have messed up., ‘there is still hope’ for you: ‘But in spite of this, there is still hope for Israel’ (vs.2), says. Shecaniah to Ezra. Ezra was ‘praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God’(vs.1a).  He was joined by ‘a large crowd of Israelites - men, women and children... They too wept bitterly (vs. 1b). Ezra fasted and mourned over the unfaithfulness of the people of God. In total, there were 113 people guilty of this unfaithfulness. Eighty-six were ‘laity’ and twenty-seven ‘clergy’(Levites). A call to full-time ordained Christian ministry does not make us immune from temptation. The particular issue highlighted in this passage was that of Israelites marrying non-believers. By this time there was probably an official ceremony by which non-Jews could convert.(See Chapter 6:21) and it seems that these people were the ones who had refused to do so. Ezra was concerned that they would draw their spouses (many of whom were part of Israel's leadership), away from God. The Bible encourages you to think hard about whom you marry, and to avoid marrying someone who will draw you away from God (See 2 Corinthians 614).  Nevertheless, divorcing their wives, (Ezra 10:19) can seem in a way to make the unfaithfulness worse, and this is a difficult passage for us to read. It is interesting that it was not unanimous (vs. 15). Once the unfaithfulness had occurred, the solution was bound to be less than ideal. When the same issue was addressed by the church in the New Testament, those married to non-believers were given very different instructions -  they were told to remain married, and to be an example and blessing to their spouses (1 Corinthians 7; 1 Peter 3).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to take our own sin and the sin of the community seriously -- to pray, confess, weep, throw ourselves down before you in repentance and resolve to be radical and ruthless about avoiding unfaithfulness in the future. Thank you that there is *still* hope for the people of God. Thank you that our hope is in the Lord, ‘who remains faithful forever (Psalms 146:6).

 Pippa Adds:

Psalm 146:8

‘The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down’.  This verse is a reminder that with all the Christmas celebrations, there are many who are going through hard times. How does God lift these people up? He may want to use us.

Purity and Power

Christmas is HTB is usually one of the biggest events in our church calendar. This year things have had to be scaled back due to COVID-19 and I've missed the excitement, the crowds and grandeur of our carol services. At our Christmas services, I sit right by our orchestra and choir. There are usually around 50 musicians in the orchestra. And 90 in the choir -- all members of the congregation volunteering their time and gifts. I'm not at all musical. In fact, I'm virtually tone deaf. However, I am always stunned by the beauty of the marvelous music and singing. It is a foretaste of heaven. The apostle John writes ‘And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists, playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne’ (Revelations 14:2-3).  The heavenly orchestra and choir will sing a new song before a heavenly audience. John goes on to describe the complete church in heaven - their* purity* and their* power*. The two are connected. As Pastor Rick Warren has tweeted, ‘In ministry, *private purity* is the source of *public power*.’

Proverbs 31:1-9

Purity and the powerless

‘Leaders can't afford to make fools of themselves’ (vs. 4, MSG). King Lemuel was a leader. Who had been given wise teaching by his mother. She had warned him against impurity (vs. 3) and intoxication (vs. 4-7). These can ruin (vs. 3) your life. They can leave you forgetting what you should be doing(vs. 5a) and deprive the powerless of their rights (vs. 5b). Instead of using your power to indulge in self-gratification, use it for good: ‘Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy (vs. 8-9). Who are the voiceless in our society who ‘cannot speak for themselves’? Who are the people that you and I should be speaking up for? They will surely include the following:

1. The poor.

About 10% of the world's population go to bed hungry every night. Every few seconds, poverty takes a child's life. Today, and every day until we act, thousands of children die of avoidable diseases or because they live in poverty. Millions under the age of five die every year. Over half of these early child deaths are due to conditions that could be prevented or treated with access to simple, affordable interventions. They are the ‘poor and destitute’ (vs 9, MSG).

1. The enslaved.

There are probably now more slaves globally than at the height of the transatlantic slave trade. Human trafficking enslaves millions of people around the globe, many of them under the age of eighteen. Slavery is a terrible injustice. ‘Speak out for justice’ (vs. 9a, MSG)

1. The unborn.

Those in the womb have no voice of their own. The journalist, Nigella Lawson, who describes herself as ‘pro-abortion’, has written, “If anecdotal evidence is anything to go by (and I suspect it is), [abortion] is becoming more and more a value - free, post - facto alternative to contraception’. ‘Yet few people have the courage to speak up for the unborn today - who have ‘no voice’ (vs. 8a, MSG).

1. The prisoners.

Many around the world are in prison unjustly, and even those who are in prison justly are often treated inhumanely. But the vast majority are in no position to ‘speak for themselves’ (vs. 8a).

Prayer: Lord, help me to speak out for the voiceless, judge fairly, and defend the rights of the destitute, the poor and the needy.

Revelation 14:1-13

Purity and Proclamation

‘It took my breath away!’ (vs. 1, MSG). Jesus (the Lamb of God) stands on Mount Zion with his 144,000 followers ‘with Him, His Name and the Name of His Father inscribed on their foreheads’ (vs.  1, MSG).  They represent the complete church worshipping together. The five-fold description is one of complete purity. 

They:  1.  Are redeemed from the earth by the blood of the lamb (vs. 3).

2.  Have kept themselves pure and undefiled – ‘lived without compromise’ (vs. 4a,MSG).  

3.  Follow Jesus wherever He goes (vs. 4b).  

4.  Are purchased and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb (vs. 4c). As Saint Paul writes, ‘We were bought at a price’ (1 Corinthians 6:20).  

5.  Are people of integrity: ‘No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless’ (Revelations 14:5).

It is not coincidental that the vision of the pure church is followed by a vision of the proclamation of the eternal gospel: ‘to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people’ (vs. 6). This is the calling of the church -- to proclaim the good news of Jesus. This is represented by the first angel. The second and third angels show what humanity needs to be rescued from. Everyone needs to be rescued from the corrupting influence of ‘Babylon the Great’, ‘which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries’ (vs. 8). They also need to be rescued from the ‘the beast’, who wants to put his mark on the forehead (vs. 11) and see them tormented. The good news is that no one needs to have this mark on their forehead. We, the people of God, need to proclaim the good news that every person can have the name of Jesus and Father's name written on their forehead (vs. 1).  You are called to patients endurance, obedience to God's commandments and faithfulness to Jesus (vs.12). Get the message out. So many people lack peace. There is ‘no rest day or night  for those who worship the beast and his image’ (vs. 11).  On the other hand, there is no greater blessing than following the Lamb: ‘Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write:  Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on”. “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their needs will follow them’” (vs. 13).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to be pure and undefiled. Followers of you, people of integrity, who know that we have been redeemed and bought at a price. Help us to proclaim the eternal gospel to every nation, tribe, language and people.

Ezra 8:15-9:15

Purity and prayer

Are you facing challenges ahead of you in your life? Ezra was facing the huge challenge of leading the return journey to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple.  He had to lead a company of 5000 people, including women and children, on a four-month hazardous trek through uninhabited regions -- while carrying vast quantities of money and precious objects (8:15-27). Ezra wisely began with the leaders: ‘So I summoned... leaders and... men of learning’ (vs. 16).  Leadership was a keyed to the fulfillment of Ezra's vision for returning and rebuilding. The fulfillment of almost every God-given vision requires these three things:

1. Everyone praying.

Ezra was a man of prayer. Before he set out on the journey, he proclaimed a fast. They all humbled themselves and asked God for a safe journey (vs. 21).  God heard their prayer: ‘So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He answered our prayer’ (vs. 23).

1. Everyone giving. 

‘I weighed out to them the offering of silver and gold and the articles that the king, his advisors, his officials, and all Israel presented there had donated for the house of God (vs. 25).

1. Everyone serving.

‘Then the exiles who had returned from captivity sacrificed... They also delivered the king's orders to the royal satraps and to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, who then gave assistance to the people and to the house of God’ (vs. 35-36).

God bless them in every way in the rebuilding of the house of God. But in spite of God's faithfulness to them, the people were not faithful to God. They did not keep themselves pure. It was not so much the fact that they had intermarried, but the fact that they had ‘polluted’ themselves (9:11) with the ‘detestable practices’ (vs. 1) of the nations around. The leaders and officials had led the way in their unfaithfulness (vs. 2).  Ezra by contrast, gives us a great example of not taking sin lightly. He is absolutely devastated: ‘When I heard all this, I ripped my clothes and my cape... I slumped to the ground, appalled’ (vs.3, MSG). He fell on his knees and with his hands spread out to the Lord, and prayed a prayer, which it may be good to pray for ourselves and for the church today: ‘O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. From the days of our ancestors until now, our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we... have been subjected to... humiliation’ (vs. 6-7). Yet, as with the people in Ezra's time, so it is for the church today: ‘... our God has not deserted us ‘(vs. 9).

Prayer: Lord, help us to be pure, cleansed by the blood of Jesus, to speak up for the voiceless, proclaim the eternal gospel to the nations, and rebuild the church in our cities and nations.

Pippa Adds

Ezra 9:1-2

This seems quite a strong reaction to marrying people from other countries! It can't be only because they are foreigners, as Ruth was a Moabite. She is an example of faithfulness. And King David was one eighth Moabite. It must be because of their ‘detestable practices’ (vs. 1). As Solomon was corrupted by his wives, Ezra must have seen that the influence of these women would destroy the faith of God's people completely.

God’s Hand is On You

Hands are very important.  On her wedding day, I took hold of our daughter’s *hand* and passed it over to the Minister (who happened to be our son).  *His hand* (for these purposes) represents *Gods.** hand*. He, in turn, joined *her hand* to that of her husband. Symbolically, I gave her to God and God gave her to her husband. A key part of the marriage ceremony is the *joining of** hands.* At one level, your hand is simply your palm, fingers and thumb. But when we use the word ‘hand’ we often mean it in more than just a physical sense.  The ‘*hand’* can be used as a metaphor for *action*, *care* and *possession*.  God uses hands. We read of Jesus ‘* healing* through *through *laying His hands* on sick people, or even just touching them *with His hands* (For example, Mark 6:5; 8:23). At other times, He put *His hands* on people *to bless them* ( 10:16). He told his disciples that *their hands* would be used to *heal the sick* ( 16:18). Indeed, people were *healed* through the *laying on of their hands* (For example Acts 8:18-17). Others were *filled with the Holy Spirit* (9:17; 9:6), or *received gifts* through the* laying on of hands* (2 Timothy 1:6). What about *the** hand of God*’? What does that mean?  In the Bible, *the hand of God* means something very profound. Ezra said, ‘Because *the hand of the Lord my God was on me*, I took courage...’(Ezra, 7:28). God's invisible and Intangible hand is also on you: leading, guiding, encouraging, protecting, strengthening you, and giving you courage.

Psalms 145:13b-21

God's hand is open and generous.

‘You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing’ (vs. 6). This metaphor of the extraordinary generosity of God, who opens His hand to you to satisfy your desires, comes in the middle of a section of the Psalms that describes God's great love and faithfulness The poet, Robert Browning, wrote, ‘I have lived, seen God's hands throughout a lifetime, and all was for best.’  God gives a hand to those who are down on their luck’ (vs. 14a, MSG). ‘The trademark on all His works is love’ (vs. 17b, MSG). ‘The Lord is faithful to all his promises’ (vs. 13b).  This psalm is full of wonderful promises. The Lord will uphold you. (vs. 14).  ‘The Lord is near’ to you (vs. 18), He fills your desires (vs. 19), He watches over you (vs. 20).  All this inspires praise: ‘My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise His holy name forever and ever’).

Prayer: ‘Father, let me hold your hand, and like a child, walk with you down all my days, secure in your love and strength (Prayer of Thomas a Kempis, c.1380-1471).

Revelation 13:1b-18.

God's hand writes your name in the Book of life.

What an amazing privilege to have God's hand write your name in ‘the book of life’ belonging to Jesus (vs. 8b).  In the face of persecution, ‘God's holy people passionately and faithfully stand their ground’ (vs. 10b, MSG). The first ‘beast (vs. 1b) appears to be a persecuting power. This chapter contains a description of human government at its worst -- a demonic power. It needs to be read alongside Romans 13, in which human government is seen as its best -- a godly authority. All human government is a mixture of Revelation 13 and Romans 13. Some governments are more like Romans 13, and some more like the description here. Do not be surprised, therefore, by governments making anti-Christian laws and even persecuting the church. Perhaps the ‘seven heads (Revelations 13:1b) represents the seven hills on which Rome was built (see 17:9). The prophet Daniel saw a beasts that look like the leopard, the bear and the lion, representing three successive world powers (Daniel 7:3).  Here they are all rolled into one (Revelations 13:2). ‘the fatal wound’ that ‘has been healed’ (vs. 3) may refer to Nero (notorious for his persecution of Christians), who attempted suicide in AD 68 and was believed to have survived or come alive again (according to legend). This could be seen as a parody of the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

The beast attacks God's people for 42 months or 3 1/2 years. (this is typically the period that represents the time between the first and second coming of Jesus -- that is, the age of the church). The beast persecutes the church. He makes ‘war against the Saints’ (vs. 7). He has a large following. The only ones who do not follow him are all those whose names are written in the Book of Life belonging to the lamb, who was slain from the creation of the world (vs.8b). The second beast is a pseudo-Christ figure. He performs ‘great and miraculous signs’ (vs. 13). He is a deceiver. He forces everyone to have his mark on their right hands or on their foreheads (vs. 16). His number is 666 (vs.18). The number 666 at one level may represent Nero, since the Hebrew Letters for ‘Nero Caesar’ when converted into new numbers total 666. On another level, numbers and Revelations are normally symbolic. Six is the number of imperfection. (since seven is the number of imperfection). 666 is therefore the number of triple imperfection or complete sinfulness. ‘This calls for wisdom’ (vs. 18a).  Satan himself masquerades as an Angel of light and his servant masquerades as a servants of righteousness (See 2 Corinthians 11:13-14). The first beast has a ‘mouth like that of a lion (Revelations 13: 2). The second beast has two horns ‘like a lamb’ (vs. 11). It is as if they are trying to appear to look like Jesus (who is the Lion and the Lamb, See Revelations 5:5-6).  

Later, we will read of a third beast – Babylon (see Revelations 14: 8 and chapter 17-18). The three beasts together seem to masquerade as a diabolical parody of the Trinity. They seem great and deceive many people. We need wisdom to discern the good from the evil. Thank God that by His hand He has written your name in the Lambs Book of life.

Prayer: Lord, please give me wisdom, faithfulness, and patient endurance. Help me to overcome evil with good.

Ezra 7: 11- 8: 14

God's hand is on those who look to him.

God's hand was on Ezra. The Book of Ezra is about a community making a fresh start. It is not about one man. However, God did use Ezra in a special way. Ezra knew that the Lord's hand was on him: ‘Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me’. (7:28).  Ezra takes a further 1500 men -- probably about 5000 people in all -- with him (8:1-14).  We also read:  ‘the gracious hand of our God was on us” (vs. 18);  ‘the gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him (vs. 22); ‘the hand of our God was on us, and he protected us from enemies and bandits along the way (vs. 31). As you look to God, you can be sure that God's hand is on you as well.  Ezra was a priest and a teacher who had studied the Scriptures very closely – ‘Priest and a scholar, expert in matters involving the truth and ways of God’ (vs.7:11, MSG).  God worked through a secular leader(Artaxerxes) to bring about His good purpose. Again, we are reminded that ‘the King's heart is in the hand of the Lord; He directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases’ (Proverbs 21:1). Artaxerxes wrote a letter ordering provisions for Ezra (Ezra 7:12 onwards). Here we see an example of secular government that is more like Romans 13 than Revelations 13. Artaxerxes writes, ‘You are sent by the King... to enquire about Judah and Jerusalem with regard to the law of your God which is in your hand’ (Ezra 7:14).  He continues, ‘I authorized you, Ezra, exercising the wisdom of God that you have in your hands, to appoint magistrates and judges so they can administer justice... Anyone who does not know the teaching you teach them’ (vs. 25, MSG).  

Ezra says, ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who has put it into the King's heart to bring honor to the House of the Lord in Jerusalem in this way, and who has extended His good favor to me before the king and his advisors and all the King's powerful officials’ (vs.  27-28). When God's hand is on you, you are like a light on a hill (Matthew 5: 15). His light shines out of you and it will attract people to Him. He will use you as a leader, equipping you with all the courage and authority you need.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that your gracious hand is on everyone who looks to you. Thank you for your love, mercy, and protection. Because your gracious hand is on me. I look to you today and take courage.

Pippa adds.

I am slightly struggling with Revelation. I was looking for comfort from the Bible today, so I think I will stick with the Psalms. (I am not sure I feel strong enough for the persecution!).

“The Lord is... loving to all He has made’ (Psalms 145:13b). The Lord ‘upholds’, ‘lifts up’, satisfies, ‘is near’, ‘watches over’(vs. 14-20).   Now I feel better.

The Surprising Secret of Freedom

“I have on my table a violin string,” wrote Rabindrananth Tagore.  “It is free to move in any direction I like. If I twist one end, it responds, it is free. But it is not free to sing. So, I take it and fix it into my violin. I bind it and *when it is bound*, it is free for the first time to sing”. True freedom comes when we *bind ourselves* to Jesus and fix our eyes on Him. As the violin string comes alive when bound into the violin, so we come alive in Christ. Jesus is the great Liberator. He sets us free. At the heart of Christianity is a relationship with Jesus. Jesus died for you. He was raised to life, and He is alive today. You cannot see him physically, but you can see Him with your eyes of faith. In today's passage, the writer of Hebrews says, “* we** see Jesus*” (Hebrews 2: 9). Later, he writes, “let us *fix our* *” *eyes* on Jesus, the *author* and *perfector* of our faith”. (12:2).  He is both the *author* of our faith and the *author* of our salvation. (2: 10), described earlier as such a * great salvation*”. (vs. 3).  What does this salvation involve? What are we freed from?

Proverbs 26:13-22

Freedom from Fear.

As Christians, we should be fearless. We should never allow fear of the enemy to slow us down. The writer of Proverbs says, “A sluggard says, “there is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”’ (vs. 13).  Every Christian ministry faces “fierce lions”.  Don't be put off by fear, which leads to inertia and lack of activity (vs.14-15). Jesus sets us free to advance without fear of the opposition. Freedom is the antithesis of apathy. The writer goes on to warn against every kind of laziness. He warns us not to get involved with other people's arguments (vs.17). He warns also against jokes that involve telling lies (vs.19). The best way to heal a quarrel is to stop gossiping. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. Just as without wood a fire goes out (vs.20). It is so tempting to listen to gossip because, “the words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the innermost parts” (vs. 22). But listening to gossip is as bad as gossiping -- rather like receiving stolen goods is as bad as theft. Here is wisdom about how to deal with a quarrel:  never add fuel to the fire, but rather be a peacemaker.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that through Jesus I can be set free from my fears. Help me to be bold in the face of opposition and never allow fear to slow me down.

Hebrews 2:1-18

Freedom from sin and death

The letter of Hebrews is written to warn against drifting away (vs. 1).  Most people do not suddenly give up being Christians, but we can drift. The author of Hebrews includes himself in this warning: “We must pay careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? (vs. 1-3a). In the first chapter of Hebrews, the writer establishes the divinity of Jesus. In this chapter, he establishes His humanity: “He had to enter into every detail of human life”. (vs. 17, MSG). 

Jesus became like us in that He:

1. Became, for a while, lower than the angels (vs. 9).

2. Is of the same family (vs.11).

3. Calls us brothers and sisters (vs. 11).

4. Shares in our humanity (vs.14).

5. Was made like us in every way. (vs. 17).

6. Suffered when He was tempted (vs. 18). 

But, he adds, although Jesus was tempted in every way just as we are, He was with “without sin” (vs. 4:15). This shows that temptation is not sin. Do not allow the devil to condemn you just because you are tempted. The fact that Jesus himself was tempted means that He is able to help you when you are tempted. (vs.17). He was like us, but different from us in regard to sin. It is so encouraging to know that Jesus has experienced the full range of human experience and emotions -- He understands and sympathizes with you. Yet it is also important that He was sinless.  We do not just need a friend who can sympathize with us; we need a savior. Jesus was both fully divine and fully human. This is what made it possible for Him to achieve such a great salvation through His death and resurrection. He is able to bridge the gap between you and God. 

In this passage, the writer tells us a number of things about the death of Jesus.  On the cross, He:

1. Tasted death for everyone (vs. 2:9).  

2. Destroy the devil (vs. 14).

3. Freed us from the fear of death (vs. 15).

4. Made atonement for our sins (vs. 17).

5. Pioneered our salvation (vs.10).

6. Was made perfect through suffering (vs. 10).

A free person is not afraid to think about death. It has been suggested that ultimately all our fears are related to the fear of death. In setting you free from death and the fear of death, Jesus has enabled you to be set free from all your other fears.  The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus tasted “death for everyone”, (vs. 9) so that by “embracing death, taking it into Himself, He destroyed the devil's hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death” (vs. 14-15, MSG).  God testified to what Jesus had done -- this great salvation -- by “signs, wonders, and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will (vs. 4). If the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for those other than the apostles, surely signs, wonders, and miracles are also. We should still expect them today to accompany the preaching of the message of Jesus and His great salvation.

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that you were willing to suffer and taste death for me. Thank you for setting me free and making it possible to enjoy freedom from the results of sin and the fear of death.

Obadiah 1-21

Freedom from injustice

We live in a world of terrible injustice. To take one example -- it is estimated that there are still over 20 million people in forced labor worldwide. 2 million children are trafficked every year. There are more people in slavery today than in the 350-year history of the transatlantic slave trade. The Book of Obadiah promises that the word world will not always be like this. One day, when God's Kingdom comes in its fullness, there will be justice for all. The name Obadiah means “one who serves and worships Yahweh”.  In this, the shortest Old Testament book, Obadiah, about whom we know virtually nothing, foretells the downfall of one of the enemies of God's people. The people of Eden were descendants of Esau, Jacob's twin. They were always felt to have a real kinship with the people of Israel. However, this often showed itself not so much in mutual assistance as in hostile recriminations and charges of treachery. The two-neighboring people -- Israel and Edom --had a long history of war and rivalry. Pride was the downfall of Eden: “You thought you were so great... Thinking to yourself, “nobody can get to me! Nobody can touch me! (vs.2-3, MSG). Pride is the opposite of love. Love is not proud. It does not boast (1 Corinthians 13:4).   Obadiah suggests that when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonian army in 587 BC, the Edomites did nothing to help, and they may have even taken advantage of Judah's fate. He writes, “You shouldn't have gloated over your brother when he was down-and-out (Obadiah vs. 12, MSG). He goes on to say, “As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head” (vs. 15). We should never gloat when an enemy falls. Rather, we should extend the same compassion as God extends to us. 

Obadiah speaks of the great deliverers (vs.  17, 21) that will take place on the day of the Lord (vs. 8-15). He writes, “The day of the Lord is near (vs. 15). On that day the great deliverance will take place: “The remnant of the saved in Mount Zion will go into the mountains of Esau, and rule justly and fairly, a rule that honors God's Kingdom. (vs. 21, MSG). One day, God's people will take on the reins of government and administer God's justice.  They will represent God's rule in God's Kingdom. With the coming of Jesus, the Kingdom of God has broken into history. When Jesus returns, we will see the Kingdom of God in all its fullness. On that day, all the prophecies of Obadiah and others will be fulfilled. We will be free from all injustice.

Prayer: Lord, thank you that one day justice will come for all. In the meantime, help us to fight injustice wherever we see it.

Pippa adds.

Proverbs 26: 20.

“Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a quarrel dies down.  We have a choice each time we hear a piece of gossip, either to fuel it or to pour water on it and exhaust it.

Know When to Kneel

Raniero Cantalamessa is a Capuchin monk. In 1977, the Vatican sent him to be an observer at a conference in Kansas City, USA where there were 20,000 Catholics and 20,000 other Christians. On the last day of the conference, after someone had spoken about the tragedy of all the divisions in the body of Christ (the church) s, 40,000 people. * Knelt* in repentance. As Father Raniero looked out, he saw the words “JESUS IS LORD” on a big neon sign over the conference venue. He describes how, at that moment, he caught a glimpse of what Christian *unity* is all about -- 40,000 people* kneeling in repentance* under the Lordship of Jesus. He asked a “lay Protestant” to pray for him to experience more of the Holy Spirit.  *The Holy Spirit* filled him. He experienced *God's love* for him in a new way. He found himself speaking” in a manner like speaking in tongues.” The Bible came alive in a new way. He received a new ministry. In 1980, Pope John Paul II invited him, to be the preacher of to the Papal Household. This is what has been ever since. In 2020, he was made a cardinal by Pope Francis. Three themes dominated his remarkable ministry: unity, love, and the Holy Spirit. They are distinct but closely linked.

Psalm 133: 1-3

Live Together in Unity

God bless “unity.” I have seen that over and over again. He blesses unity in marriage, families, teams, communities, nations, and in the church. When Christians from different churches, traditions and denominations come together in unity, “that's where God commands His blessings” (vs3, MSG). The psalmist writes, “How wonderful, how beautiful when brothers and sisters get along.!” (VS1, MSG). There is a proverb: “Weak things united become strong.”   The same is true of people: weak people united become strong. The psalmist describes this unity as being “like precious oil” (vs 2, using an image from Leviticus 8:12). It is like “the dew of Hermon” (Psalm 133:3). Mount Hermon is a vast area. It is usually snow- capped. It rises 10,000 feet above sea level. It's due is thought to keep the whole land fresh. These images of oil and do are images of blessings. Where there is unity, “there the Lord bestows his blessings” (vs 3)  

 Prayer: Lord, thank you for blessing unity so much. May there be unity in our church and between the churches around the world.

1 Peter 4:1-19

Love each other Deeply

“Love each other deeply,” writes the apostle Peter. The Greek word used for deeply is the word used for a horse at full gallop. It means” stressed out” and is sometimes translated” fervently.” This kind of love covers a multitude of sins. (Forgives and disregards the offenses of others) (vs 8b, AMP).  “Love forgives faults in others because you know the loving, forgiving grace of God in your own life. This is key to maintaining good relationships and avoiding falling out with others too easily. You know in your own life how much God loves you and has forgiven your own sins. Be willing to overlook offenses and sins in others. This does not mean that it that sin does not matter. On the contrary, Peter urges us to be “done with sin” (vs 1).   Break with the old life of evil human desires and live for the will of God (vs 2). I remember well the reaction of some of my friends when I first encountered Jesus. They were surprised at the change and thought it strange. Peter writes, “You've already put in your time in the god - ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it's time to be done with it for good.   Of course, your old friends don't understand why you don't join in with the old gang anymore (vs 3-4, MSG). You are called to live differently: to be clear- minded and self- controlled so that you can pray (VS 7).  above all, to love (VS 8), to be hospitable and to use your gifts (VS 9-10). “Most of all, love each other as your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless -- cheerfully” (vs 8-9, MSG).   Like the apostle Paul, Peter sets the use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the context of love (vs 10-11; Also see. 1 Corinthians 12-14).  The purpose of these gifts is love. Even if you love fervently that love will not always be returned. Expect opposition. Do not be surprised by it: “when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process with glory just around the corner” (1 Peter 4:12-13, MSG).  This is a type of suffering all Christians are called to. Suffering is part of the purifying process. God uses suffering to refine you and get rid of the sin in your life (vs 1-2). Insults are actually a blessing: “If you're abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It's the Spirit of God in His glory in you that brought you to the notice of others” (vs 14, MSG). Although insults are hurtful, all criticism is, ultimately, a blessing. In so far as it is true, it is a blessing because you can learn from it.  If it is not true, and you are “insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed (vs 14). It is such an honor to be associated with Jesus that even sharing in His suffering is a blessing. Either way, once you grasp this, you should be able to see all criticism, however painful, as a blessing! Sometimes we suffer because of our own sins (vs 15) but suffering for being a Christian is not a curse for shame -- it is a cause for rejoicing and praising God (vs 13, 16). It should not put you off, rather keep on doing what you're what is good: “So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust Him. He knows what he's doing, and He'll keep on doing it (vs 19, MSG).   Martin Luther King said, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”  

 Prayer: Lord, help us to be a community that loves each other deeply, and where love covers a multitude of sins.

Ezekiel 47:1-48:35

Long for the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit

When the love of God is poured into your heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), the Spirit of God brings abundant life, spiritual growth, increasing fruitfulness, and healing to your life. Ezekiel sees a picture of this when he sees water pouring out from under the temple. It gushes out and becomes a river that is first ankle deep, then knee deep, then waist deep, and eventually “it was a river over my head, water to swim in water no one could possibly walk through” (Ezekiel 47:5, MSG).  There are lots of trees on both sides of the river (vs 7).  Wherever the river flows, the Sea becomes fresh (vs 8).  “Wherever the river flows, life will flourish -- great schools of fish -- because the river is turning the Salt Sea into fresh water. Where the river flows, life abounds. Fishermen... casting their nets.  The sea will team with fish of all kinds... “But the river itself, on both banks, will grow fruit trees of all kinds. Their leaves won’t wither, the fruit won’t fail.  Every month they'll bear fresh fruit because the river from the Sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing (vs 8-12, MSG). Jesus said that these promises of his Ezekiel would be fulfilled not in a place, but in a person -- Jesus himself (John 7:37-39). Through the Holy Spirit, the streams of living water will flow from you also. Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, will have streams of living water flowing from within” (vs 38).  This river of living water is therefore a picture of the work of the Spirit, who brings life and abundance and blessings to you, and then flows out of you to have a very positive impact on others. All the imagery points to life, growth, fruitfulness, and healing. It is a picture of the Church of Jesus Christ growing and bringing life wherever the river flows. Ultimately, river foreshadows and anticipates the New Jerusalem - the city where God lives.  The name of the city is, “The Lord is There” (Ezekiel 48:35).  This foreshadows the new Heaven and the new Earth (see Revelation 22:1-2), which Jesus will bring about when He returns.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit and the promise that rivers of living water will flow out of my innermost being. dot. Please fill me today with the Holy Spirit so that I may bring life, love, Unity, and healing wherever I go.

Pippa Adds:

1 Peter 4:8

‘Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.’  When the world seems cross, divided, quick to judge or think the worst of each other, pouring love into a situation can begin to turn the tide.

Join us on October 2nd, right after church as we go apple picking as a church family! Be sure to pack a lunch, to eat at the orchard.