Thursday Reflection October 14, 2021

God our helper

Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. Psalms 146:5

Greeting friends!

The Psalmist begins by offering praises to God as long as he lives. He charges those reading not to put their trust in princes or mortals for they are of no real help. For when they die so do their plans. He encourages us to put our trust in the Lord. Those who do are happy and have hope.

Friends as we look at the text we see the Psalmist drawing attention to our true source of help, who is God. He makes it clear that he’s talking about the God of Jacob and not any false god. It is from Jacob’s twelve sons we get the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the name Israelites for the chosen people of God. We know the good God did throughout the life of the Israelites and the many miracles He worked.

Seek help from the God who parted the Red Sea. The God who tore down the walls of Jericho. The God who led Gideon with just 300 men to defeat an entire army. The God who enabled David to defeat Goliath. The God who sent Jesus to die for our sins. The God who raised Jesus from the dead. The God who gave us the Holy Spirit as our guide today and promised never to leave us nor forsake us. This is the same God of Jacob that will help us. This is who you should seek help from. We shouldn’t seek the help of people or prince’s who die and when they do so does their help.

Those who seek help from the God of Jacob are HAPPY. The proceeding verses tell us why why we should be happy. Verse 6 tells us that God is the maker of heaven and earth, verse 7 that He carries out justice, feed the hungry and set prisoners free. Verse 8 He opens the eyes of the blind and lift up those weighed down by challenges. Verse 9 he watches over the strangers who are alone and those who are marginalised. He also destroys the wicked Those who seek God’s help are happy, because God will help them. It has been recorded how God has helped others so He WILL help us too.

So seek the help of God and be happy for God is our helper.

Shalom

Christopher Euphfa

Wednesday Reflection, October 13, 2021

Called to Serve

Greetings friends. We might all be familiar with the story of Elkanah and Hannah his wife and her great struggle. How Hanna was mocked because she could not bear children and although Elkanah loved and treated her well, she remained unsatisfied and prayed earnestly to God, so much so, that when they went to the temple she remained in prayer until the Preist Eli, mistook her devotion for drunkeness.

So the Lord honored Hannah’s service. He opened her womb and she bore a son, Samuel. And when he was weaned, as she promised the Lord she would, Anna took Samuel to live at the temple with the Preist Eli. One might wonder at the wisdom of Hannah; after longing so much for this thing, why then would she have spent so little time with her child? What reason could she have for giving him away?

Friends, Hannah recognized that she, like each of us, was called to serve, and a huge part of her service was to bear this child then to give him into the Lord’s employ. In today’s watchword, 1 Samuel 3:4 tells us, ‘the Lord called, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ and he said, ‘here I am’. Of course the Lord knew where this child was, in the same way God asked, ‘Adam, where are you?’ He is perhaps asking the same question of each of us today, calling us to accountability, to communion, to service and to an active ministry in mission.

In today’s old testament text, ‘The Lord said to Paul, “do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you.” Acts 18:9-10. Brothers and sisters, if there be any fear or doubt in you today, meditate on this, God who has called you has already equipped you and he promises to be with you at every step of the way.

Let us pray, Lord you’re still calling aren’t you? Take away our fear. Take away our ‘safe’ silence. Give us voice to say, “here I am.” Give us bold courage to speak to injustice, racism, and hatred, for you are with us. Amen.

Kerone Lamoth

Monday Reflection – October 11, 2021

Prelude:
Last Saturday, October 09, 2021 marked four years since I responded to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and began Monday Reflection. I give God thanks for His enduring presence, guidance and inspiration. A BIG shout out to Sisters Shaneka Raymore Euphfa and Kerome Lamoth, and Brothers Bevon White, Christopher Euphfa and Dominic Blair who joined at different times on this journey. Hitherto hath the Lord helped us! As is customary, I celebrate God’s goodness by using a Reflection that I did before. Today I renew the reflection done on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 in the midst of a world that has changed so much, especially since the onset of Covid-19.

OUR IMMUTABLE GOD
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Change is the only constancy in this physical world. Whatever is not changing remains static and is likely to get stagnant and stink. We live in an ever-changing world with so much developments taking place by the second. The advent of technology has resulted in significant changes that occur almost at the wink of an eye. Technology has resulted in faster and greater productivity and has flung wide open the avenues and opportunities of communication. Some people are afraid of change and feel vulnerable to its possible effects.

Yet, I believe that change is not bad. Change allows for a new perspective, new knowledge and insights, a new outlook that is likely to produce growth in our lives. The reality is that for growth to take place there must be change – a movement from one dimension to the next in a northerly direction. Change also forces us to recognize that nothing in this life is permanent, and some things lose their value overtime. So many things have given way to more advanced developments.

In the midst of all the changes of life, today’s New Testament text declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” This highlights the reality that Jesus is unchangeable. The writer was addressing a people faced with trials, persecutions, trouble and pain. The writer is encouraging them to persevere by showing that their Saviour was always the same. He who had sustained his people in former times, was the same still, and would be the same forever. This is about the immutability of the Redeemer. If he were fickle, vacillating and changing in his character and plans; if today he aids his people, and tomorrow will forsake them; if he formed a plan yesterday which he has abandoned today; or if he is ever to be a different being from what he is now, there would be no encouragement or effort to serve Christ and press on. Who would know what to depend on? Who would know what to expect tomorrow? For who could have any certainty that he could ever please a being who changes his mind every minute?  Who could know how to shape his conduct if the divine principles were not always the same

The writer is also affirming in this text the divinity of Jesus.  Jesus is changeless – sameness in the past, the present, and for all eternity. In the midst of a changing world is a changeless God. His nature, qualities, attributes and characteristics remain intact forever. This is the very reason why we can trust him because he remains faithful, loving, compassionate, merciful, long suffering, tender hearted, forgiving, just, holy and true. What ought to be our response to this immutable God? I join Tate and Brady in song:

Through all the changing scenes of life
In trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.

Till next week, let’s trust our immutable God

Jermaine Gibson

Saturday Reflection – 09 October 2021

Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.” St. John 12:26

Our Christian life is a journey. From the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour, we begin a relationship with Him, through whom we experience abundant life in the here and now and eternal life in the next. In this Christian life, we have Jesus living on the inside, working on the outside, bringing about that change in our lives. And so, as the writer to the Hebrews encourages us, we “…run with patience, the race set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a)

Jesus’ words in our doctrinal text, presents to us to full truth that if we are going to be Christians, we have to 100% committed, 100% of the time; we have to surrender our all to Jesus, withholding nothing. And when we are fully surrendered, then will God mould us, fill us and use us, even to His honour and His glory. Having surrendered all, we are not bound to this things of this world, but are able to follow Jesus all the way, as we are led and guided by the Holy Spirit, along this journey of life.

But many times, we find that there are things of this world, that catch our attention, and divert our focus from Jesus. Yes, we are reminded by the Lord Jesus that God knows that we have need of food and clothing, and call us to seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, then will all other things be added unto us. The thing about this journey, that is our Christian life, is that in our walk with the Saviour, we grow even in a more intimate relationship with Christ and become more like Him. It starts with surrendering all, and trusting and allowing God to lead and guide us and to provide our needs, but we must reject the sinful traits; thoughts, words and actions that once stained us, and put on the new person; clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. (Colossians 3:12) Because our Christian life is a journey, and we walk hand-in-hand with the Master, the closer we are in our Christian lifestyle, to adopting and observing the character traits that marks the child of God, the closer we are in our walk with God. For our walk with God, is not only exemplified in our words and our worship, but in our lifestyle.

Jesus left us the perfect example, and is the master template for Christian living, and that is why he says, follow me. This follow me is a call to walk in the footprints left by Jesus, to hear and heed the teachings of Jesus, and to hear and heed the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, and to model our lives after the One who died for us. For he was obedient unto death, and through Him we have salvation. Even as we have the master template to emulate, Jesus continues to live inside us, and work in us, by the Spirit, to make us, mould us, and to fashion us according to God’s will for our lives. And he continues to intercede on our behalf to the Father. In the same way, we must be open to the instruction and moulding of the Master Potter, the husbandman, who prunes the branches, that they are able to bear much fruit.

Is there anything in our lives, that is preventing us from being totally committed to Christ? Is there anything or anyone that is restricting our obedience and total surrender? Jesus says that we must follow Him, not only when it suits us, but always. We must trust Him, not only when we see the benefit, but always, We must obey Him, not only when we see the outcome, but always. Then will our walk with close with God. I pray that we will tear down the idols, the conditions, the reservations that are preventing us from heeding the loving voice of our Saviour as he says to us “Follow me” That we will let go of sin, and pride and vanity, and hold on to the sweet assurance that Christ gives to us. Rest assured, every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before! Then will the journey lead us across the Jordan and into the promised land.

Until next week, Jesus said “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” (St. John 10:27-28) Here, Jesus is saying to us that if we are His sheep, then we hear His voice, and follow in complete obedience. Much like the animal when its owner calls Him either for food or to come home. When our walk is close with God, we will never perish, God will not allow us to! God who guides us, will lead us safely across the Jordan. No one can pull us away from the hands of the Master! For when our walk is close with God, there is a light that shines upon the narrow road, that leads us to eternal life, that leads us to the Lamb. Amen.

Dominic J. Blair

Friday Reflection September 8, 2021

Think on these things
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/php.4.8.NIV

Background
Some of us are very familiar with this passage of scripture. Earlier in the chapter Paul was addressing the matter of a personal dispute between two ladies in the church and urged the church to help them to settle same that they might ‘live’ in unity! In advising the church, Paul explained to them where their focus should be. That brings us to verse 8.

Discussion
As believers we have been called into an intimate relationship with God through our acceptance of Christ, by faith. As a result of said calling, we are expected to take responsibility for walking in the spirit. That is living a life that is pleasing to God and being at peace with ourselves, God and others.

In verse 8 of the chapter, Paul summarized a list of areas that should be of great importantance for Christians . They include whatever is true, lovely, just, commendable, pure, excellent, honorable, and praiseworthy.

Believers were are called to think on these things.
Good and right living is dependent on positive and holistic thinking. Even though God has promised to keep us in perfect peace, we still have a part to play. In order for us to have this perfect peace, with God, ourselves and others our focus must be on God and the things of God. He did promise to keep us in perfect peace if our minds ( thoughts) are focused on Him.

Application
There is so much going on around the world and in Jamaica. Yesterday I read about a 5 year old girl who was shot and killed by stray bullets. It was sad and disturbing. Immediately my thoughts and focus were on this child as I wondered what her parents were experiencing at the time. Then I read about the vaccine and some other news. I become so caught up with what I read I totally forget about what I was doing before that. I am saying that to say, that there are many distractions, dispute and negative news that will interfere with your thinking and cause you to have negative thoughts.
Today like Paul, I want to encourage you that no matter what is happening in your life, no matter who you are upset with, no matter what is going on in the world… Set your thoughts on the things that are good! Whatever is true, lovely, just, commendable, pure, excellent, honorable, and praiseworthy. Focus on these things!

God bless you!
Shaneka Raymore Euphfa

Thursday Reflection October 7, 2021

An Undivided Heart

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name. Psalms 86:11

Greeting friends!

Psalm 86 is considered a Psalm of individual Lament, which is an individual expressing pain over their present condition and seeking God’s help. The Psalmist begins by requesting a listening ear from God. He also asks the Lord to preserve his life. As he makes these requests of the Lord he recounts the faithfulness of the Lord and offer praise as well. As he continues to speak of the goodness and the might of the Lord, he asks the Lord to teach him the ways of the Lord so that he might walk in the truth. He also asks the Lord to give him an undivided heart to revere the name of the Lord.

In the midst of personal turmoil and trial the Psalmist seeks to please the Lord, so he asks the Lord to teach him. I can hear the words of the song writer Horatius Bonar saying:

” Thy way, not mine, O Lord, however dark it be; lead me by thine own hand, choose out the path for me.”

The ways of the Lord are not automatically or innately known. They have to be taught and who better to teach them than the Lord. So in the midst of challenges, although his life is threatened the Psalmist still has a desire to please the Lord and do God’s will so that he may walk in the truth.

The truth here not only means the right way, but walk in the Lord. Jesus said in St. John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” The Psalmist seeks to be directed by the Lord. But in order to do this he realises that nothing else and no one else can take God’s place, so he asks for an undivided heart.

There are so many distractions in this world that prevents us from spending time with God and from showing God the deep respect and honour He deserves. Our heart becomes divided. Divided by so many things such as work, social media, friends, loved ones etc. When our heart becomes divided then our love for God gets divided. The request of the Psalmist in the midst of trouble is to ask God to help him not become distracted, so that he can love God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength.

Again another matter that the Lord has to help us with. It’s not innate, but something that has to be taught. We have to seek the help of God so that we give the Lord our undivided heart in order to revere or show Him the respect and love that He deserves.

Friends, let us pray to God and ask him to give us an undivided heart so that our love for him will more than anything else in this world.

Shalom
Christopher Euphfa

What Does Forgiveness Look Like?
To an Israel in captivity, God makes a promise through the prophet Jeremiah. It is a promise of better days to come, days when they will no longer be captives in a strange land. They or their children would be released and restored to the Promised Land and having accomplished this, God would once again make them into a great nation. The Messiah would come and that would signal a change in everything. Indeed God would forgive their sins and restore them to their privileged position as His special people. The watchword for today is from Jeremiah 31: 34 – I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more.

When someone offends us, what do we do? Do we remain angry at them forever? Do we forgive and if we do, how do we move forward? Forgiveness by worldly standards, does not forget, does not condone, does not excuse and does not appease anger. Neither does the one being forgiven need to admit to the offense, ask for forgiveness, or decide to change. With us as Christians it is different. Our forgiveness is born out of repentance, being sorry for the wrong we have done, and making a commitment not to repeat this action. When we are sorry for our sins and approach God with contrite hearts, God responds with forgiveness through Christ. It’s not that our actions no longer deserve God’s anger, but that God in mercy choses to forgive us. We are encouraged to practice forgiveness in this way. Forgiveness lifts burdens from us and frees our hearts minds and souls to welcome new relationships in and through Christ. It renews and restores our faith in humanity through our faith in God. Psalm 86: 5 reminds us “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” Forgiveness is not selective nor evasive.

Note that the text does not stop at forgiveness but continue to pledge God’s deliberate action of forgetting whatever we have been forgiven for. This is the forgiveness promised in Micah 7: 19 He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Maybe the reminder from Psalm 103: 12 will resonate more with you: as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. When God forgives he restores us to where we were before we sinned and he repairs the relationship. When we forgive, we are challenged to be Christlike as we seek to restore broken relationships and renew our relationship with God. This frees us from carrying burdens of pain, anger, hurt and frustration that comes from unforgiveness. God through Christ is able to remove our burdens of unforgiveness and restore us to himself. This is what forgiveness looks like. May God lead us to pour out our situations of unforgiveness to him even as we seek God’s forgiveness in our lives. Amen.

Monday Reflection – October 04, 2021
Full Hundred

For they have turned their backs to me, and not their faces. But in the time of their trouble they say, “Come and save us!” Jeremiah 2:27

I recall learning this important gem while I was in high school – sow a thought, reap a deed; sow a deed, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny. I sincerely and deeply believe these words are true. Who we are and what we do begin with a thought in our minds. The reality is clear that when we sow good thoughts and nurture them, we form a good character and reap a blessed destiny. On the contrary, when we sow bad thoughts and such are nurtured, our character is bad and our destiny deserved. Admittedly, we have good and bad thoughts, but it is what we nurture and practice consistently that matters.  

In Jeremiah 2, the Weeping Prophet addresses Israel, a people whose sinful ways had become so astonishingly grave. They were rebellious and unashamed of their evil and corrupt ways. They were ungrateful for all God had done for them, and pursued idol gods with unrestraint. Israel had developed the habit of disobedience to God and this was clearly reflected in their character. God describes such behaviour as shameful.

In today’s text, God accuses His people of turning their backs to him and not their faces. I find this a very striking imagery with some serious lessons. I visualize the image of a human body with the face and back in the same direction. It is not a full turn, but one that depicts half-heartedness and lack of fulsome commitment. We should know that God accepts only all; nothing short of full commitment or none at all. God will not compete with idol gods, so that our yes to Him must be only to Him and to no one or nothing else. The sooner we learn this, the better for us. Many of us may think God is pleased with our commitment to Him without realizing that He is not, because our desires are also elsewhere. We get caught up with the material things of the world and with ourselves that are competing for our attention.

The imagery also conveys a deep sense of hypocrisy. The faces are turned to God as if to say, “It’s all about you God”, but the heart and desires are focused elsewhere. We should know that God knows all things, and nothing can be hidden from Him. We can’t trick God or play with God, for as someone said, “God ramp (play) ruff”. God demands truth and sincerity. The people of Israel did not turn their faces away from him because they wanted to call on God when they were in trouble, hoping that God will see the gravity of their situation imprinted on their faces and run to their rescue. God knows that His people would reject useless idolatry when the crises of life came, for they were of no help in the time of trouble. Yet in that day, God would be justified to ask: “Where are your gods that you have made for yourselves?”

God beckons to us everyday to reject the world and turn completely to Him. To give Him our full hundred and offer our best in service to Him. When we turn away, we should quickly and sincerely repent and commit to be better and do better. Let’s strive to live always to the glory of God.  

Jermaine Gibson