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 

Monday Reflection – September 27, 2021
God’s Purposes for Affliction

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. Psalm 119:67 (NIV)

People of all ages, times and places struggle with the issues of afflictions and trouble as we wonder about their purpose and relentlessly strive to avoid them. As we flip through the sacred pages of the Bible, we find therein so many characters who had to deal with the everyday afflictions of life and they wrestled with it and even questioned God. Afflictions come in all shapes and sizes, from an aggravating headache to a major illness; from a simple cold to the debilitating effects of Covid-19. The truth is that we don’t need to seek affliction because sooner or later, it will find us. Sometimes our troubles come because we are just plain stupid, while other times we suffer because we live in a fallen world where sin is rampant and disease spreads.

Today’s Watchword is a confession or acknowledgment on the part of the Psalmist that he had gone astray in the past. The word “astray” means to go our own way. The Psalmist suggests that before his troubles came, he was on top of the world, his life was on cruise control, things were good. But, his prosperity had caused him to push God to the edge of life. Admittedly, we are most vulnerable to forget God and do our own thing when life is going well. However, God changed all of this. He used affliction to bring David back in line. God can speak to us through our troubles, and he stops us in our tracks many times.

When we reflect on our lives and that of our loved ones, many times we need to pray, “Lord, do whatever it takes to bring us back in line.” C. S. Lewis remarked that God whispers in our pleasure but he shouts in our pain. Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a sleeping world. David affirms that his afflictions have led him back to the Lord. Where once he lived for himself, now he obeys God’s Word. Our God is often best seen in the darkness and his presence most powerfully felt in times of deepest sorrow. Admittedly, one of the purposes of affliction is to teach us things we would not otherwise know. Until hard times come, our knowledge of God and his word tends to be theoretical, like the man who reads three books on car repair and then opens an auto repair shop. He has knowledge, but no experience. Afflictions provide the practical experiences to prove the power of God. Such experiences also result in personal growth. Many of us can testify that the greatest times of personal growth came during the times of greatest sorrow and disappointment. Indeed, we should not pray, “God, change my circumstances”, but “God, change me through my circumstances”.

Keep Believing Ministries offer five simple suggestions regarding how we should respond to the trials, troubles and afflictions of life. They are: (1) Thank God for your troubles; (2) Look for God’s fingerprints in your life; (3) Immerse yourself in God’s Word; (4) Have faith in God; and (5) When your learning becomes knowing, share what you’ve learned about God with someone else. As we face life’s afflictions and struggles, including those associated with Covid-19, may we pray that God will give us eyes to see His hand at work through them. May we allow God to use them to bring us and keep us in line with His word.

Jermaine Gibson 

Saturday Reflection – 25 September 2021

“The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things.” Acts 17:24-25

We have always heard about God’s hatred for idolatry. There are many stories in the Old Testament in which we see many of the idols that were worshipped, and the consequences that were faced as a result from turning from Almighty God. Now, in today’s doctrinal text, the Apostle Paul entered the city of Athens and found the city filled with idols and idol worshippers. Chief among them was the altar bearing the inscription ‘to an unknown God.’ It was in that place that the Apostle as he proclaimed the message of the gospel, was confronted by some who thought him to be babbling about foreign divinities, but others were interested in hearing this message about Jesus, a message that they had never heard before. As Paul was given the opportunity to speak, he spoke boldly about the difference between Jehovah and other idols. It was his answer that is today’s doctrinal text.

We grew up, learning about God and experiencing the goodness of God, and as Christians sought to gain a more intimate relationship with the Lord and Master of our lives. The good thing is that as our relationship grows, as the days roll on, and we gain more experience, we continue to learn more about God, and as the saying goes, the more we are faithful to God, the more we find God faithful to us. And so, we reject idolatry and everything that seeks to draw our attention away from Almighty God. The thing is that the idols of this time, are not necessarily made of wood and stone, there may not be a golden image that we have to resist, but we find that in these days, instruments of technology; including social media and technological devices, music and movies have also sought to turn our attention, our morals, and attitudes from the things of God. We must be careful, to ensure that we have not made anything else in our lives to be idols. Anything or Anyone that take God’s place in our place is an idol. We must be careful in this pandemic, where we may seek these things to pass the time, or to comfort us, that they do not lead us from the comforting arms of our Journeying God.

Furthermore, the inscription gave the impression that they did not actually know Almighty God. Yes, the Apostle Paul, called the people of Athens a religious people, yet the label described an unknown God. It was interesting that they thought that they needed to build shrines or effigies, altars, and temples, to get to know God, though he remained unknown to them. Their thought was they needed to build something to represent their God, and so they built these structures with a view to get to know God. But Paul’s declaration is a reminder to us because we have confined Almighty God to the four walls of the church building. Because of that, our worship and Christian living was restricted to Sundays, when we would be at church. What the pandemic has almost forced us to do, was to live our Christian lives, and declare our Christian faith outside of those four walls. In fact, what the virtual worship experience has done is open a church in each home.

Paul explained to the people, that what they described as unknown, was in fact not far from them. They could not confine God to anything that they created, nor God does not reside in these objects of worship, nor does he depend on them. In fact, God is the creator and sustainer of all creation, and in Him, we live, move, and have our being. It is important then, that we seek to know God, and attain a relationship with Him. God will remain unknown to us, until we know Him in his fullness. Until we’ve come to a relationship with Christ.

Everything else that the world offers in an aim to give peace, joy, love, and contentment is fickle and fleeting. The hymnwriter pens “Solid joy and lasting treasure, none but Zion’s children know.” So, God cannot be restricted, nor will we come to know Him, by going through the motions, or in a more colloquial form ‘by just warming the benches’ Nothing can take our attention from God, in whom we know and believe, because we have experienced him, and in living by faith, we believe that God is who He says He is, and we stand on that assurance. If this is our resolve, then we are careful to ensure that nothing diverts our attention or allegiance from God. And that we do confine or restrict God, but that we remain open, trusting, obedient and willing to journey with God and to be used by God.

Until next week, many seek comfort and stability in uncertain times. It is this time, that we must live out our faith, by not confining God, to our church building, but to go in all the world. Furthermore, we are tested by many different immoral standards that are seeping into mainstream society. Now more than ever, must we stand resolute that others come to know God, and attain an intimate relationship with Him. Amen.

Dominic J. Blair

Thursday Reflection September 23, 2021

There is a difference

Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. Malachi 3:18

In our text the Lord gives the children of Israel a warning concerning their sinful ways. In Malachi chapter 3 a day of judgement is coming and those who practice witchcraft or obeah, who cheat their employees of their wages, who oppress the marginalised and less fortunate, who fail to carry out justice, and who do not fear the Lord will be dealt with severely.

The text continues by stating that there are those who find no issue with what they do, but God does. They cheat God of the tithes and offerings He deserve. They see no benefit in serving God or repenting of their sins, because those who are arrogant and do evil go without punishment, but our text for today tells us otherwise. “Then once more you shall see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.”

In this text some of the children of Israel grew weary in doing good, because they did not see any visible consequence of their sins or the sins of others. They no longer saw it important to remain faithful to God, because they can get away with their sinfulness. As I read this text I thought of those who gave their life to the Lord, but stopped being faithful to God. They now live a life of sin. In Jamaican terms them ‘backslide’. They no longer see the importance of remaining faithful to God. Hear the word of the Lord, punishment is coming for those who feel there is no punishment for a life of sin.

As I continued reading this text I realised that this text is not only for those who have ‘backslidden’ but it is also for those who fail to carry out justice. It is for those who oppress the weak and mistreat them, because they are in a ‘bigger position’. It is for those who mistreat others for their own gain. It is for those who continue to live in sin, but act as if they are holy. It is for those who commit adultery. It is for those who fail to give to God the tithes and offerings God deserves. It is for those who participate in witchcraft and obeah.

As I reflect on the above mentioned group of people I realised that this group of people were God’s chosen people. This group of people are Christians who fail to do what is right. God is saying in this text, do not be deceived for those who live this way and think they are getting away will be judged. They will see that those who are unrighteous will receive punishment while those who are righteous will be honoured. There is a difference!

In verse 7 of this chapter the Lord makes a plea, he says “Now return to me and I will return to you”. There is still hope NOW so return to God and God will return to you. Save yourselves from punishment by faithfully serving God for there is a difference between those who do what is right and those who do not.

shalom

Christopher Euphfa