The Power of God’s Word

As a child we were part of the building of a tank or cistern in our yard. Our task was to help with the digging and excavating of the hole in the ground. True to the lay of the land, we encountered some enormous rocks that we had to hammer away at and even burn with huge bonfires in order to break them into pieces. Today’s watchword is a reminder of the power of the word of God, the power of the gospel to effect change in the hearts and lives of humankind. Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? Jeremiah 23: 29.

When we think of fire in the Bible, we are reminded of the presence of God with the children of Israel in a pillar of fire during the nights as they travelled through the wilderness. We also see fire as refiner for precious metals as it burns out impurities. In the same way, in the Bible, the hammer is used to beat metal into smoothness, to break hard rocks, and to fasten things. Both fire and hammer are tools used to accomplish difficult tasks. Jeremiah’s words are better understood in the context within which they were given. God was expressing his displeasure at the prophets who spoke only the words that people wanted to hear. These prophesies did not challenge people to change their ways, to submit their hearts in obedience and to return to God. These should always be the effect of God’s word on the hearer. A failure on the part of the prophet to be faithful conveyers of God’s word, negated the power and effectiveness of the word on the hearer. God’s word ought to challenge the hearers to better living. God’s word has the power to heal and deliver (Psalm 107: 20). God’s word is a light that guides us on life’s journey (Psalm 119: 105). God’s word never fails to accomplish God’s will (Isaiah 55: 11). God’s words have the power to keep us from sinning (Psalm 119: 11). God’s word stands forever (Is 40: 8). To be on the receiving end or to hear anything less than the authentic, Spirit guided, soul searching word of God is to lose out on the power and lifechanging impact of God’s word.

In today’s religious climate where many want words that help them to feel good with themselves, there is great resistance to the authentic word of God. This has led to many religious pundits proclaiming a gospel that satisfies the heart of humanity but leaves a longing in the soul. A gospel that leaves us feeling good about ourselves, the service we give to our fellow humans, the way we relate to others who are not like us and the way we care for the less fortunate. While these are good, such gospel sadly does not impact our whole life, neglecting what is most important, our relationship with God. It mirrors the words of the false prophets of Jeremiah’s time. Indeed, the word of God should ignite hearts and souls with the cleansing flame of God’s righteousness. It should set hearts ablaze, hammering away at our human hardness and softening us as we not only seek to be righteous but to lead others along that path of righteousness as well. Paul was clear in his teachings to Timothy on the importance of the word: …it is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 2 Tim 3: 16. So too was the writer of the Hebrews in 4: 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit. God’s word has the power to align our lives to God’s will. Is it any wonder that satan tries to keep us away from the word of God? Let me encourage you today to remain in, or get close to, God’s word, to rightly discern the word so that the power and the fruits of God’s word may be evident in your daily living. Amen.

Monday Reflection – January 25, 2021
God’s Judgement

For I am with you, says the Lord, to save you; I will make an end of all the nations among which I scattered you, but of you I will not make an end. I will chastise you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished. Jeremiah 30:11

The context of today’s Watchword is God declaring a time of terrible catastrophe that would come upon the Jewish people, known as the time of Jacob’s trouble. God foretells disaster and destruction, yet at the same time God does not want them to fear, but to be confident in His ultimate victory and His promise of salvation. God promises that he would be present with His people to save them. Admittedly, this assurance is not easily believed. The Jews must be looking on their state at this time and are in despair. The Chaldeans and the Assyrians flourished seventy years in every kind of wealth, in luxuries, in honour. What then could the Jews think? Unbelievers and God’s enemies are happy, but they are miserable, being oppressed by hard servitude, living in poverty, and counted as sheep destined for the slaughter.

In this context, God offers hope. God promises that when He begins to punish the Gentile nations, He will destroy them with an utter destruction, no hope will remain for them. However, He will not make an end of His people. Thus, God makes a difference between the punishment inflicted on the ungodly and that by which He will chastise the sins of His people; for the punishment He would inflict on the wicked would be fatal, while the punishment for His people would be only for a time; it would therefore be for correction, cleansing, medicine and salvation.

Jeremiah is surely seeking to mitigate the bitterness of the grief being experienced by God’s people; God would not cast them away. They are to patiently bear the pain, yet with hope of the end. This is a message for all of us as God’s people. God will surely exercise justice and judgement on us for our sinful and wayward ways, yet such is not for annihilation. No! Not so with God. It is for His process of pruning, cutting away, purifying and making new. God takes us through the process so we can become all that He has destined for us, and to be able to do all that He has purposed for our lives. The fiery process is towards fine gold.

Yet, we must also acknowledge that God’s judgement, chastisement and chastening are in moderation. Though He punishes, He is ever mindful of His mercy, and regards not what we deserve, but what we can bear. Therefore, God withholds His hand and gently chastises His people; judgment, yet moderately. Note, God never exceeds due limits so as to be charged for cruelty; God is never so rigorous so as to be charged for injustice. Instead, God exercises judgement mingled with mercy. God knows just how much we can bear, and stays His hand so as to fulfil His promise, “…but of you I will not make an end.”

While under God’s due judgement, Peter admonishes us in today’s New Testament text in 1 Peter 5:6, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time.”

Jermaine Gibson 

Saturday Reflection – 23 January 2021

“The Son of Man came to seek out and save the lost.” St. Luke 19:10

In St. Luke 19, we are told the familiar story of a man by the name of Zacchaeus. We remember from the songs we used to sing that:
“Zacchaeus was a very little man, a very little man was he,
He climbed up into a sycamore tree, for the Lord he wanted to see.”

This exchange between Jesus and Zacchaeus was one of those which embodies the true nature of love and mercy that God has shown to humanity. Zacchaeus was a tax collector, in a society where tax collectors were despised. This was so because they became rich from unjust and corrupt taxation practices. Being a social reject, the news of Jesus passing by would no doubt inspire a large crowd. And that would not be a hospitable place for Zacchaeus to find himself. Furthermore, being short, he would not be able to push or see above the large crowd to see the Messiah as he passed by. Fortunate for him, there was a sycamore tree, ahead of the gathering and having climbed it, he would get a better view. Having done so, Jesus noticed him and called him down. He never pointed him out to call him out on his unjust practices but told invited himself to his house. It was that faith coupled with Christ’s love that transformed his life and allowed him to turn to righteousness.

Zacchaeus was both short and hated. Therefore, the possibility of someone helping him was slim to non-existent. But he heard that the Messiah was passing by and wanted to catch a glimpse of him. It was that conviction that made him undaunted by the crowd and sought to climb the sycamore tree. We must never allow the barriers that are presented to us, to prevent us from seeking Christ. Ultimately, Zacchaeus was called on and rewarded for his persistence. Even now, where the effects of last year still linger on, many of us, have become despondent, have lost zeal or passion for Christ, or many of us, have become comfortable in the grace and love of Christ. But Zacchaeus was not comfortable with only hearing Jesus speak, through covered by the large crowd, and would now allow that moment of transformation, of change, or refreshing, or of renewal to pass him by. We must still be persistent in our faith, for as Christ reaches out to us, we must each day, still desire a more intimate relationship with our Lord.

The doctrinal text is a reminder of the true heart of God. This love demonstrated in the Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary opens the door for anyone that would receive him. And in boldly seeking – there shall be find and be transformed. Like Zacchaeus, we may be prompted to come down from the sycamore tree, and in humility to accept the gift so freely given to us. It is for us to acknowledge our own deficiencies and submit to the will of God who is the author and finisher of our faith. Even as Christians, Zacchaeus’ experience may be ours as we are called to our first love. Whatever the cause, there is refreshing and renewal in every experience with Jesus.

Finally, though the crowds grumbled and wished to denounce Christ as one who ate and drank with sinners. His example taught us our true role and responsibility as his ambassadors. It is often said that “the church is a hospital for sinners and not a club for saints.” Many times, whether unknowingly or deliberately, we ourselves become barriers to the loving welcome that Christ offers to those outside of his grace. Zacchaeus had to break down the barrier but there are those who are not able to do so, and as such will forever remain outside of grace. Let us then be determined to follow Christ’s example and with the same love and in the same welcome, receive anyone who would come to know Christ as Lord.

Until next week, we are reminded that Christ demonstrated his love for us, in that moment when like Zacchaeus, we met the good shepherd and like lost sheep were welcomed home. Let that moment inspire true worship and service to God who called us from darkness into his marvellous light. And let us then exhibit that same attitude of love to others, in gratitude to our God who is love. For the world will know we are Christians, by our love. Amen.

Dominic J. Blair

Friday Reflection- Jan 22, 2021

It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2: 13

A pleasant morning church family, I pray you are all blessed, highly favored and in good health.

I know sometimes as Christians we feel discouraged or hopeless or feel as if we are not doing all the things faithful Christians should be doing . In this text Paul reassures us that we can serve God without fear because he is at work in us .

A lot of us are stuck in a now mind frame. We want God to answer our prayers now , we want to be healed now , we want that job now but life does not work that way. Everything that God does for us is a process and he does it in his timing. The difficult part about trusting God’s timing is having to wait. The good thing about waiting is that while we wait God is working. He is working to prepare us for what we prayed for . You might have prayed for a job , sent out applications but you were not successful. In the interim God was molding us and going to work in us that when he finally blesses you with that job , you are the best at it .

As believers, we can produce all the good works that God has prepared for us in advance. When we abide in God, trust his word and walk in spirit and truth , we are demonstrating faith, for without faith it is impossible to please God. We also need to submit ourselves to the Spirit daily so that God can work in you Himself and we can do the good work He prepared us to do.

If you’re waiting to see God’s work in your life don’t give up . He is constantly working in you no matter the situation you face and one day His work will be reflected through you.

Have a wonderful day

Toni Ann Poyser

Thursday Reflection

January 21, 2021

The breath of life

Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 NRSV

Greeting Friends!

What is humanity without God? The answer to that question is nothing. Our text for today takes us to the creation story in Genesis chapter 2. We are told in this account that in the day when God made the heavens and the earth there was no plant on the earth for God had not yet caused it to rain upon the earth.

However, the Lord allowed a stream to rise up on the whole face of the earth and water the earth. It is at this point that the Lord formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostril the breath of life and the man became a living being.

Friends, as we examine verse 7 there are a few points I want to share with us.

1.) We were formed
As a child growing up watching cartoons, we were taught babies were delivered to parents by a stork. We would see the stork flying holding the baby by its diapers and then delivering them to parents who had requested them. As you got older you realized that babies did not come from storks but from your parents through intercourse.

But as I continued thinking about this I realized there must have been an origin point and this is it. We were formed by God. I can just imagine God as an expert sculptor taking his time to ensure that every organ and intricate detail was sculpted properly. God formed us.

2.) We’re equal

God the expert sculptor formed us from dust. We all have the same material that made us and that is dust. God took dust from the ground and made us. Therefore, we are all coming from the same place. Some weren’t made from the stream, or the clouds or from the trees. No! We were made from dust. The name Adam is translated man or humanity. So God made humanity from dust. Therefore, if we all are from dust then we all are equal. No one is greater or better than the other. God formed us from dust.

3.) God breathed life

Humanity have many creation. Some of these creations have become part of our everyday life and we cannot do without. But of all the creation that humanity has made they cannot breathe life into them. God took his creation that he made from dusk, but it was not complete. All He had was a form of man but it was lacking. So He breathe life into his creation. The breath of life that caused what was considered lifeless to now be alive. This dust formed man and became into a living being. Man can now breathe, think, live and operate on “it’s own”, even though the truth is we still need God for every aspect of life.

I want to look at this breath of life from another aspect as well. Many of us feel that we are facing situations that are dead or just there but nothing is happening. I want to remind you that the Lord has the breath of life to breathe into any situation that is considered lifeless and give it life. God can breath on any condition thought to be dying and make it live again.

So back to my original question what is humanity without God. The answer we are nothing; not even dust. What is humanity with God? We’re living beings. What is your situation without God? It’s nothing. What is it with God? It is alive and well.

Ask God to breathe the breath of life into your dead situations and see how they change to living situations of hope, joy and peace

Shalom

Christopher Euphfa

Comfort for Those Who Mourn

When we think that as of this moment over two million people worldwide have died from COVID-19, and when we realize that deaths from other conditions such as cancer and heart disease have far surpassed the number of COVID deaths, we realize that the world is indeed in mourning. This realization makes relevant, today’s watchword from Isaiah 61. Here the prophet declares the anointing of God’s spirit upon Him as he carried out a ministry of healing and reconciliation. While he and others who were so anointed would have been only partially able to fulfill this mandate, Isaiah was also pointing to God’s anointed one, Jesus, who alone would completely fulfill this prophecy. Today’s Watchword is part of the first two verses of Isaiah 61: “The Lord has sent me to comfort all who mourn.”

While the prophecy of Isaiah offered hope to Judah in a time of crisis, it also speaks clearly to us today as we too face crisis. It tells us that in all that we are going through, we are not alone. The Savior, our Lord, is with us, offering comfort to those who are in mourning. Death has a way of invading our lives at the least expected and most unprepared for moments. We lose those we love and are left with an emptiness that we know will never be filled. We are however comforted by the presence, care and kindness of our loved ones. Indeed, the community gets the opportunity to extend God’s comfort through our actions as we journey with those who mourn. At the same time, those who mourn are assured that they are never alone. Our Lord has promised his presence in times of mourning. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14: 18. The presence of the Holy Spirit offers us the comfort we need as we face the many situations in life that makes us weep and mourn. In John 14: 26 Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as ‘The Comforter’ sent by God to be with us. This is Immanuel, the assurance of God with us.

There is however another dimension to today’s text. There is a stronger aspect of the saving grace of God at work through this anointing. Jesus is anointed to offer us the relief we need when we come to terms with our sinful and fallen condition. Only the anointed can meet us in our brokenness and give us the comfort which we truly crave. The Holy Spirit sighs with us, grieves with us for our sinful brokenness, and bears us up as we mourn or lament. This lament which is due to our grief is a display penitence for our sinfulness and we are promised comfort, and forgiveness for such repentance. Psalm 34: 18 reminds us: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Dear friends, Jesus offers comfort to all who mourn. Whether you mourn the loss of a loved one, or you have become broken and contrite as you seek reconciliation with God, I invite you to remember what Jesus promised in Matt 5: 4, today’s doctrinal text. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Amen.

Monday Reflection – January 18, 2021

A Heart of Repentance and Worship

You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. Nehemiah 9:6(NIV)

Nehemiah 9 begins with a most beautiful moment in the life of Israel as the nation gathers in humble repentance. The wall around Jerusalem is completed in record time; the wall is providing security; the people have heard and are obedient to God’s Word; and God is doing a significant work in the lives of His people. Now there is a scene of dramatic, humble repentance. They assemble with fasting, demonstrating their lowly, humble state. They are in sackcloth with dust on their heads to show their complete poverty of spirit before God. They also want to convey that they are so troubled by their sin that food and the normal comforts of life are unimportant. Here we see a sincere reflection of a humble attitude of heart.

Those of Israelite lineage separate themselves from all foreigners as they confess the sin of their nation. While the humble demonstration of repentance is important, the inward confession of our sins is critical. We must realize and admit that we miss God’s mark. We sin both by commission and omission. Of these, we must repent, and such repentance grows as we grow closer to Jesus. Charles Spurgeon rightly says that, “repentance is not a thing of days and weeks, a temporary penance to be got over as fast as possible! No, it is the grace of a lifetime, like faith itself. Repentance is the inseparable companion of faith.” As this great, humble gathering of God’s people takes place, they are drawing close to God, and now He is drawing them even closer!

The people assemble to hear God’s word and to worship Him. God’s word is read from the Book of the Law and the people confess and worship God. The leaders of the congregation cry out to the Lord. The first part of this cry is about praise to the God of all creation. It is here that we find today’s Watchword. After the encouragement to praise, Ezra gives a reason to praise – God is god alone; He made the heavens and the earth and all that there is; He is not just creator, but life-giver, for he gives life to everything. Looking at the glory of God’s creation gives us reason to praise Him, to humble ourselves before Him, and to trust Him. God gives us sufficient reason to worship Him; we don’t need to search for any of our own.

This great God is already worshipped by the multitudes of heaven; just seeing His glory gives them reason to. How much more should we His creatures worship Him. God creates and sustains unendingly, offers His love unconditionally, and administers his grace and mercy in unlimited measure. We have enough reason to offer to God the best of our praise unreservedly.

Jermaine Gibson 

Wednesday Reflection, January 6, 2021

Building up Holy Faith

Psalm 84:12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Brothers and sisters, let me take this opportunity to wish you a very happy new year! At the close of one year and the beginning of another, it is customary for many to make resolutions, do away with old habbits and a number of other things. In today’s reflection, I would like to draw your attention to a rather significant time in History.

Our watchword, is the summation of Psalm 84. A Psalm for the sons of Korah. This particular Psalm is thought to have been sung while the people worked in the winepress (where juice is extracted from grapes to make wine).

The book of Numbers tells us about a time where in the sons of Korah were buried alive because of their disobedience, however their lives were spared. We then see them very prominent in the Psalms as a people no longer disobedient or hungry for power but a people on a mission to offer praise and worship to God.

Friends, perhaps you too have felt, like the sons of Korah, incapable of making sense of or understanding the things that have been happening. Perhaps you’ve felt as if you were being buried alive by your circumstances. And although 2020 is now referred to in the past, for many, everything that happened cannot so soon be considered a distant memory.

The fact that any of us are alive, is testament enough of God’s sovereignty. It is God who still keeps, saves and satisfies. Indeed all praise belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of His grace why the psalmists could write and sing songs of joy and praise even in the worse periods of their lives. That grace still abounds today and remains sufficient for each of us. O that we may begin to chant psalms and sing hymns in and out of distress!

Times are hard and are ever changing, but God remains constant. He has never and will never change. An excerpt from the letter written to each believer Jude 1:20
‘but you, dear friends, keep building on the foundation of your most holy faith, as the Holy Spirit helps you to pray.

The walk of Faith is not for those who sleep and are not sober, each believer has been called to walk by faith and not by sight, faint not believers, put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand the wiles of the devil.

Amen

Kerone Lamoth

Say It, and Keep Saying It.

Psalm 23 is a favorite of many persons. In fact, I’m sure many will say it’s one of the first Psalms that they learnt. I remember as a child in school, we would say this Psalm almost every morning as part of our devotions. That constant repetition served not only to reinforce the words of the Psalm in our minds but the assurance that it gave to us as well. Today’s watchword is from Psalm 23: 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
Author and motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, said, “Repetition is the mother of learning, the father of action, which makes it the architect of accomplishment.” In other words, if we say something long enough it becomes riveted in our minds and begins to direct our thoughts and actions. That’s why it is important to think positive thoughts, make favorable proclamations over our youth and always maintain an optimistic outlook on life. This Psalm of David is one of many Biblical passages that helps us to do this. It undergirds God’s accompanying presence, guiding hands and supplying grace to those who believe. This is available to us always. At times it will seem otherwise, times when the devil will try to overturn our conviction, but if you believe then nothing will convince you otherwise. This is therefore a Psalm worth saying every day. It is a Psalm worth believing with all your heart. Indeed, we serve a God who provides for our needs, who spiritually restores us, who guides us in the right way and when we are surrounded by danger, steadies and assures us with His presence. We serve a God who is not phased by those who would do us harm but in fact blesses us so that they can see that He and not them is in control. God honors us by His anointing and blesses us with overflow. It is because of all of this we can say with certainty: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. I know you know this, but it is worth saying this until you are convinced, until you believe it with all your heart and soul. Say it until you believe it.
I want us to note David’s conviction in this verse. It’s not a conditional ‘if we accept this’, neither is it the uncertain ‘maybe’. He uses the word ‘surely’. It gives assurance and confidence. According to the dictionary, ‘surely’ is used to emphasize the speaker’s firm belief in the truth of what is being said. It leaves no room for doubt. Surely takes the onus off us and places it on God. God’s promised presence will be with us not because of us, but in spite of us. In spite of our doubts, in spite of our rebellion, in spite of our self-indulgencies, in spite of our stubbornness. It is this promised presence of God that keeps drawing us back to God in true and hearty repentance. There’s no doubt in David’s mind that whatever comes his way, God’s goodness and mercy would be his salvation. As we look ahead in this new year, we have no idea what it holds for us. There will be disappointments, there will be losses, relationships will be broken, sickness and failures will be part of the journey. The only certainty, the ‘surely’, that we have as we enter this new year is that God’s love, goodness and mercy will be with us to the very end. This is all the assurance we need because God keeps us in this life and promises us an eternity in glory. ‘I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am there you will be also.’ John 14: 3. It’s good to know this, but even better to believe it. Let us keep saying it because we believe it. In times of doubt, when we are down or discouraged, when trouble surrounds us, or when we can’t see our way through, let us remember: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Amen.

Monday Reflection – January 04, 2021

Living in the Fear of the Lord

Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever! Deuteronomy 5:29

In Deuteronomy, Moses speaks to the children of Israel. They were near the end of a long journey. For almost 40 years they had been wandering about in the desert on their way to the promised land. He is preparing them for his departure and for their entry into the promised land – telling them how they are to live as God’s covenant people. If there is one thing that Moses wants to impress upon them, it is that they are to fear the Lord. He mentions this many times. Hear him in chapter 10:12: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul”.

God desires that we demonstrate an attitude of fear for Him. When we think of fear, we associate the word with terror. However, fear of the lord is about reverence or awe. When we truly fear the Lord, we recognize that He is the Creator, and we are the creatures. He is the Master, and we are the servants. He is the Father, and we are the children. This attitude will manifest itself in our having a respect for God, and in our having a desire to do what He tells us to. The fear of the Lord is a deep-seated reverence for God that causes us to want to please Him at all costs. We desperately need to recover a sense of awe and reverence for God in our day. We must begin to view Him in the infinite majesty that belongs to Him who is the Creator and Supreme Sovereign of the universe.

We learn the fear of the Lord by studying His word. As we spend time in the word of God, we will gain a healthy degree of the fear of the Lord. Such a fear promotes holy living. The person who truly reverences and respects the Lord will not do anything that brings disgrace, dishonour, or pain to the heart of the Lord. People who genuinely fear the Lord will flee from evil. Based on today’s Watchword, those who fear the Lord can be guaranteed tremendous blessings. The person who lives in the fear of God will be a satisfied person. Our needs are met and we enjoy the pleasure of his presence and experience the satisfaction of walking with Him.

As we embark on a new year, may we march forward living in the fear of the Lord. This will guarantee us abundant life in the here and now and eternal life in the next. Solomon sums it up beautifully in Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”

Postlude
I leave you with the usual New Year thought that I have found ever renewing at the start of each new year:
I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, “Give me a light so that I may walk safely into the unknown.” He replied, “Go your way and place your hand into the hand of God.  That will be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

Happy New Year everybody!

Jermaine Gibson