Wednesday Reflection, November 25, 2020

False Security

Amos 6 opens with what may appear to be a contradiction to the lifestyle of the people at in that day. The prophet warns, ‘woe to them that are at ease in Zion’. Why would anybody want to warn anyone about being too comfortable?

Zion, was a fortified city, made that way by both nature and art. The people there were secured in a type of vain conceit thinking that they would be protected and spared from anything or anyone who would pose a threat to them. Zion was that great a city, it had a rich history and was ranked a top class place with automatically top ranking citizens.

The people were lovers of themselves, became self seeking individuals who disregarded the commands the Lord gave them and instead sought their own pleasures. They thought that their positions in life and the location of the city in which they lived were enough to secure them.

In today’s watchword, Amos 6:6 says, ‘you drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but do not mourn over the ruin of Joseph.’ This reflects the state of a people who were consumed only by what happened to their own selves. They were preoccupied with filling their bellies with the best and using only the best personal care items wihout giving a thought to the cost of their actions.

Brothers and sisters, some of us may be considered inhabitants of Zion. A people specifically chosen and given benefits however, we have become spoiled and presumptious sinners who abuse the privileges we have been given. Conforming to this world or allowing vain confidence to bear fruit in our lives.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 tells us, ‘as for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselvrs the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so they may take hold of the life that really is life.

Friends, as we reflect today, and during this upcoming yuletide season, may we only boast of God’s grace. May pride never take root in our heart and may we not be deceived by our own lusts but rather wait on the Lord and put all our trust in Him instead of in our own abilities.

Would it be too much to ask that we consider thr needs of others above our own? That we give to someone without them having to ask? That we harbor good/positive thoughts and only speak life? Starting today, what acts of kindness will you begin to perform?

Until next week, I urge you to not rest at ease in Zion but challenge you to keep the commands of God.

Amen

Kerone Lamoth

God Gives us Hope.
Just imagine a nation oppressed by more powerful nations of the world. They are desperately in need of deliverance but their cries for help is unheard by the other stronger and more powerful nations around them. This was the situation of Israel as they were help captive in Babylon. In time however God who heard their cries and had been with them throughout this period, gave them the release they needed and they were able to return to Jerusalem, the holy city, home of the temple and center of their religion. Just as their capture and captivity had been know the world over, so their return and re-establishment was now also seen by the entire world. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Psalm 98: 3.

There are three things that gives us hope this week as we reflect on Thanksgiving and prepare for Advent. Firstly, God journeys with us through hard times. I have heard so many people hoping there can be a reset for 2020, or wishing there was a way to not add this year to their number of years lived, or even being so scared of what disaster would be next. We have had massive fires, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, plagues of locusts, the deadly coronavirus, and much more. While some have impacted specific parts of the world, COVID-19 is everywhere. We have all been impacted at some level. Of one thing we can be assured however is that at no time have we been abandoned. God has been in the midst of it all with us. Just as Israel was reminded time and time again while in captivity, we too need to remember. God reminded Israel through Daniel’s rescue from the Lion’s den, through the rescue of the three Hebrew boys, and through the positioning of Esther to bring about their rescue. God has reminded us by sustaining us through this turbulent year. God never abandons those who love and trust him, even, or especially when we find ourselves in the direst situations. Jesus’ promise to the disciples still holds true for us today. ‘I will be with you always, even to the end of the ages’. Also relevant to these times is God’s promise through the prophet Isaiah in chapter 43: 2 – 3. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Secondly, God rescues us in time. This is about God’s timing, not ours. We are thanking God that in time, God acted on our behalf and we were not allowed to get to an irreparably state. Note that God never acts in accordance with our expectation and timing, but whenever God acts, it happens just in time. The woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9 had suffered for 12 years, the man at the pool of Siloam suffered for thirty-eight years and I would think he waited there for most of that time, seeking the help he needed. There are people around us who have been waiting for years. You may be waiting for your breakthrough for many years, but I encourage you today, do not lose hope, do not lose heart, God will rescue you and he will rescue you in time. When we see how God’s plan for salvation was carried out, we should gain hope. Paul explains in Gal 4: 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.

Thirdly, God re-establishes us on time. God’s journeying with us through time and God’s rescuing us on time is in order to re-establish us on time. To be re-established is to be brought back into God’s favor, to enjoy God’s blessings. There is no hiding this away. Everyone who sees you when you are down, everyone who mocks, laughs, turns a blind eye, behaves indifferently, will see and know that God has changed your circumstance, has changed your life. Everyone will see you move from, captivity to freedom, from sin to grace, from sickness to health, from poverty to wealth, from condemnation to redemption as God rescues and re-establishes you. Indeed all the ends of the earth will see God’s salvation as God works to establish His church and his saints. Keep us trusting God friends as we wait in expectant hope. Things may be tough now, but God has a plan, and He will see us through. Amen.

Monday Reflection – November 23, 2020
God’s Dwelling

I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15

Today’s Watchword evokes a sense that we should sit up and listen to God speaking to us. The verse actually begins with, “For thus says the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy…” God is speaking directly to His people and begins by giving a little description about Himself; a key thought that His people needed to remember. But why? When we read the context of Isaiah 57, we find that God’s people had lost sight of the majesty of God. They had lost their reverence for God. Many in fact were not even giving Him a thought anymore. Their once high noble thought of God had descended to that of mere household idols made of wood. These idols were now their saviour. So, God begins by reintroducing Himself again in His right context. Have we lost sight of God – His holiness, His majesty, His glory? Do we walk in reverential fear of God? We will do well to recognize and remember God’s exalted position above all powers, rulers and authority. There is none above God and He has complete and utter power to act as He pleases.

The text reveals an amazing dimension of God. Yes, God is high, lofty and holy and he dwells in the high and holy place, yet he also dwells among mortal beings. When we read that God is ‘the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity and whose very being is holy’, we may tend to think that He would keep His distance from people like you and me! But, NOT SO! The God of the universe shows His care and love for us, inspite of us. Hallelujah!!! God dwells with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. The text challenges us to walk humbly before God and allow Him to lead us to reflect his glory.

Interestingly, this same thought of humility and contrition is presented to us later in Isaiah 66:2, “To this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” The Hebrew word for contrite is translated ‘crippled’ or ‘lame’. It reflects one who realizes that his walk is not what it should be and so comes humbly before God. There he finds himself blessed with the presence of the Almighty God who dwells with such souls in order to revive their spirit. This is the God who is worth knowing, worshipping and experiencing!

In the presence of our high, lofty and holy God, let us demonstrate a humble spirit and a contrite heart so we can truly experience His presence with and in us. May we decrease and God increase in us. Amen.

Jermaine Gibson

Saturday Reflection – 21 November 2020

“God, your steadfast love is better than life.” Psalm 63:3

God is good! All the time! And all the time, God is good! We often say these words to express God’s goodness in our life, especially when we have overcome some trial or obstacle. And we often come to this point of celebration, having recognized that amid danger, imminent threat, or certain destruction, were it not for God’s grace and mercy, we would have certainly been destroyed.

The Psalmist finds comfort in the fact that even though, he is being pursued by Saul, and finds himself wandering the wilderness of Judah, that he was surrounded by God’s presence. And even though thirsty and weary, it was that assurance that fuelled his songs of praise to God. It was not for water nor rest that he cried to the Lord, but that God would draw near to him in his distress. Hear David in verse 1 “O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” He longed to spend time in worship and communion with God, even to recall God’s guiding, sustaining and protecting hand that would energize him, in his moments of suffering.

It is in this longing, that he recognizes God’s continued care, and he turns to praise. David felt overwhelmed by the pursuit of his enemies and their continuous attacks, a feeling which turned to joy and praise as God’s love would be sufficient to sustain him in the storm and then lead him in victory over his adversaries. No wonder he says in celebration that God’s love is indeed better than life. For life is riddled with ups and downs, thorns and thistles, days on the mountain, in the valley or on the plain but it is God’s love that never changes. It is God’s grace that is greater than our sin. It is God’s mercy by which we are not consumed. It is in God, that we live, and move and have our being.

Where David was concerned, God’s love was not determined by whether there was a calm, or a storm – whether there were golden days or weary ways, but that God was present with him in either circumstance. That as he surrenders himself to God’s love and mercy, he would find himself assured that God, who promises, never to leave us, nor forsake us, to work everything for our good, is faithful. It was that resolve, that led David to long for God’s presence and that recognition, that fuelled his song of praise and worship. Though he was in danger, and felt the human effects of these pursuits, he was assured that by God’s love, all will be well. And in that perspective, he sought his loving God, who in sustaining him, would breathe peace, joy, and love.

It is this example, that turns us away from measuring God’s goodness on account of the storms we’ve avoided or not met, but by God’s sustaining presence, God’s moulding and shaping care, and the victory that we celebrate when we come out, on the other side. It is by God’s love that we are reminded that God is a promise keeper and is the glory and lifter up of our heads. And that in God, is our strong tower, that as we run to it, we are safe. When we are surrounded by God’s presence, when we stand in the name of Jesus, as the songwriter declared, tell me who can stand before us. When we stand in the name of Jesus, we shall have the victory. And in that resolve, we search not for the pleasures that this world offers, but for the one who in his unrelenting love for humanity, gives us life, and gives it to us, more abundantly.

Until next week, like the deer that pants for the water-brooks, may we long for God’s sustaining presence; our refuge, rock, and defence. The Psalmist declares that “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1, NKJV) The pleasures of life are fickle and fleeting but God’s love is eternal and unending, and in that love, we shall not be moved. Amen.

Dominic J. Blair

Please join us for Covenant Moravian Sunday live service.

Friday Reflection – November 20, 2020
A Warning to Leaders

He changes times and seasons, deposes kings and sets up kings. Daniel 2:21

Greetings Friends! 

I’m sitting in for Sis Shaneka as she seeks to accomplish her assignments. Our prayers for her.

Have you ever had sleepless nights? Those long, dark and endless hours of the night when we cannot settle down to sleep because of something on our minds? Such matters usually cause worry and anxiety as we wade through the difficult waters of life. If your answer is yes, then you are not alone. Rich and poor, black and white, uptown and downtown, Christian and non-Christian have all been there. King Nebuchadnezzar understands this reality as he had a dream and was so troubled by it that he couldn’t sleep. He summoned his magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to interpret his dreams, but none could. This was beyond human comprehension.

Nebuchadnezzar got so mad at his men that he ordered them killed, including Daniel and his companions. To save his life and further bloodshed, Daniel begged the king for a little time to determine the interpretation of his dream, and such request was granted. Daniel consulted his three companions and they sough Yahweh’s revelation. God answered their prayers and revealed the secret of the revelation in a vision to Daniel. The king got the interpretation of his dream.

Today’s Watchword is part of Daniel’s prayer of thanksgiving to God for the revelation. Daniel praised God for His power and might. Daniel thought of how God, who changes, deposes and sets up, is in command of all things, and how God is mightier than a mighty king like Nebuchadnezzar. The God of omnipotent and ultimate power rules and over-rules all by His divine providence.

Daniel’s acknowledgement that God deposes kings and sets up kings is a serious warning to all in leadership in whatever sphere of life, be it political, civic or religious. We are not invincible nor irreplaceable; the God who enables us to get there, will take us down! Nebuchadnezzar came to learn this startling truth. Daniel 4: 31-33 says, A voice came from heaven says to him: “O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: The kingdom has departed from you! You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals and gives it to whom he will.”  Immediately the sentence was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. Another example is King Saul. Hear Samuel to him in 1 Kings 15: 17-19, 23: “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And he sent you on a mission… Why did you not obey the Lord? Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”

May those who lead humble ourselves, pursue God’s purposes, and seek always to be faithful to him. 

Jermaine Gibson

Thursday Reflection

November 19, 2020

Come and experience the goodness of God

O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him. Psalm 34:8

Good morning friends,

Today’s text which is located in Psalm 34, extends an invitation to the readers to come and experience God as David has done. The Psalm begins with David offering praises to God. Why is David offering praises to God? Well, he sought the Lord and the Lord answered him. The Lord delivered him from all his fears. The Lord sent his angel to encamp around him and the Lord saved David from his troubles. What is this trouble you might ask?

Psalm 34 has its genesis in 1 Samuel 21: 10-15. David was on the run from King Saul and fled to Achish the King of Gath. Whilst there, the servants of Achish identified him as David whom Saul was hunting. David became afraid and pretended to be insane. He made markings on the door and made spit run down his beard. When Achish saw this he thought David to be mad and let him go. It is against this backdrop that David offers praises to God and now extends an invitation for others to do so.

Even though David acted crazy, he realised that it was the grace of God that allowed King Achish to be convinced that he was crazy. It was the grace of God that protected him from King Achish as well as King Saul. David proved God’s faithfulness time and time again. God protected him, God delivered him, God sent his angels to encamp around him and God provided for him. God simply has been good to David.

As a result of God’s goodness, David now extends an invitation to others to come and experience the goodness of God. God does not show preferential treatment and as such God will do the same thing he did for David. Accept the gift of God which is Jesus Christ his son. Watch and see that you will experience the same deliverance, the same provisions, the same resolution to your problems and from your enemies. David has proven the Lord, I have proven the Lord and many others have done so. It’s now your time and come and see that the Lord is good.

Shalom

Christopher Euphfa

Wednesday Reflection, November 18, 2020

God above idols

O Lord our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but we acknowledge your name alone. Isaiah 26:13

Whilst it would appear that idolatry (the worship of idols) was merely a thing of the past in which images be it of stone or wood, were created and people bowed to the inanimate objects; idolatry is still a very prominent thing today and is practiced perhaps more frequently than some of us even realize.

Unger’s bible dictionary defines idolatary as ‘the paying of devine honors to any created thing; worship in the form of idealism or abstractions or mental qualities.’ The bible also defines the practice as coveteousness, which is setting one’s heart and mind on anything other than the Creator and His perfect, living laws.

Tim Keller wrote, “what is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give”.

When the Isrealites entered into Palestine after their 40 years sojourn, they found the Canaanites already deeply rooted in idolatry. The people were enticed partly because it was new and different from Godly religion and possibly because of a tendency of a rigourous faith and ethic to weaken under the influence of sexual attractions. They ignored the Lord’s admonitions and found them self sinking in a pit they themselves dug.

According to C.S Lewis, “what satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could…be their own masters- invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history- money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery- the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy. The reason it can never succeed is this. God made us…”

Friends, what idols have we created and are holding dear? What are the things, who are the people we are inclined to give more devotion to than the Lord? Is it a job, relationship, spouse/child, social media, ambition, money?

2 Timothy 3:2-5 described our current reality, “people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

Until next week, I pray we will all become aware of idolatrous influences, leace no space for such curiosity but give top priority to God and His Word.

Amen

Kerone Lamoth

For God’s Sake

How many times have you heard the expression ‘for God’s sake’ or even used it yourself? ‘For God’s sake’ is an appeal to an authority or a set of values that far surpass what is yours or that of the local community. It seeks to ground your response or action on what you hold dearest and value highest, your relationship with God. In today’s daily watchword God explains through the prophet Isaiah that His actions of mercy towards us is not because of us but because of who God is. Indeed, what case could any of us present before God in defense of ourselves, to be deserving of God’s grace? It is for God’s sake that we receive God’s grace and mercy. It is because of God and not for anything that we are or have done, why we are kept by God’s grace. Hear God’s word through his prophet. For my name’s sake I defer my anger, for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, so that I may not cut you off. Isaiah 48: 9

Israel was described by God as a hard-headed, stiff necked people. In other words, they were stubborn and disobedient even though they were living under God’s grace, privileged to worship in the temple and blessed beyond measure with God’s provisions. Taking for granted what they should have valued most, they lived ungodly lives while expecting God’s best for themselves and their loved ones. This was not acceptable to God then and still is not today. Israel’s tribulation was therefore God’s way of keeping them in check, reminding them who was in control. Note that the word defer means to hold back until a later time. God was not forgetting their tribulation, rather God was processing them. The passage goes on to speak of God’s refining Israel, testing them in the furnace of affliction. God used their hardships to remind them who He was, who they were to Him, and to turn them back to Himself. God’s desire for Israel and for us is for our salvation, for us to be Christlike in every aspect of our lives. Anything less than that is to fall short of the goodness of God. Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Coll 3: 1

God holds back from treating us as we deserve, in order that God’s name may be glorified. If we are honest with ourselves, then we will take a daily look at our failures and shortcomings and give thanks and praise to God for his sparing mercies that secured us and brought us to the end of the day. Yes friends, the righteous fail daily but God remains faithful. He never fails in his fidelity to us and sustains us despite our failures, our shortcomings. Is it any wonder that Charles Wesley wrote the hymn in which he wished he had a thousand tongues, all to be used in praising his God? O For a thousand tongues to sing My dear Redeemer’s praise! The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace! When we recognize that as righteous or as holy as we think we are, it is only God’s mercy and grace that keeps us, we have no choice but to give God praise because it’s not us, it’s for God’s sake. But there’s more. The unrighteous are not destroyed in their unrighteousness because God shows restraint towards them, even as they are brought through the process that will bring them give praise. God’s desire indeed is not for any to be lost but for all to come to a saving knowledge of God through Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 3: 9). God acts therefore for God’s sake, for God’s glory and in so doing guides us to be beneficiaries of His actions, of his grace. To those who refuse to repent, to praise, to make the necessary changes in their lives, God’s deferred judgment awaits. Those who see God at work and become better servants, however, are guided on to spiritual growth and maturity, as God brings us through tests and trials, as silver and gold through the refiner’s fire. Life has its share of ups and downs, its hardships and trials, but God uses them to bring us closer to Him, to live better lives, and get us to become habitual praise and worshippers, not for us, but for God’s sake. Amen.

Monday Reflection – November 16, 2020
Love – A Core Attribute of Holiness

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18

The book of Leviticus contains the laws which were to guide the people of God in their everyday actions and activities. Today’s Watchword is located in chapter 19, which interestingly begins with the call by God for His people to be holy. The word ‘holy’ means to be separate, apart or different from. So God is different from all others, different in His being and different in the greatness and majesty of His attributes. Yet, because humans are made in the image of God, they can follow in His steps and also be holy. In this context, Israel was to be different, separate from the nations and peoples around them.

Within this context of holiness is the command to love one’s neighbour. Verse 17 begins, “You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin…” Love for others is commanded, not only in action but also in heart. This is so because it is out of our hearts that our words and actions flow, thus we have to begin there. Love demands that we not take vengeance against others. Romans 12:19 says that vengeance belongs to God; therefore, there is a sense in which we can hold back God’s work of vengeance upon others by seeking it ourselves. Love demands that we exercise forgiveness and restraint. Love also demands that we not bear a grudge against others. Admittedly, it is easy for many to cherish a grudge against another, especially when it is deserved; but too much damage is done to the one holding the grudge.

The charge to love one another is all over the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. The significance of the call to love our neighbour as ourselves is highlighted by the fact that Jesus and Paul both cited this verse as a summary of the duties one has to his fellow human being (Matthew 22:39-40, Romans 13:9). Further, Jesus commanded us to love our enemies (Luke 6:27), and showed that our neighbours are the ones in need, even if they might be regarded as a traditional enemy (Luke 10:25-37). Love demands that the same way we take care of ourselves and are concerned about our own interests, we should take care and have concern for the interests of others.

This command to love in the text seems like a summary of what was being outlined before. Loving our neighbours is about:

1. Providing for the poor by leaving fields incompletely harvested (vs. 9-10)
2. Honest dealings with others (vs. 11-13)
3. Basic human compassion (vs. 14)
4. Justice and truthfulness (vs. 15-16)
    
   Admittedly, the demands of holiness and love are great and cannot be achieved on our own. The indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit is required to fulfill these demands. We pray that God will transform us into holy creatures who demonstrate His genuine love to others. Amen.  

Jermaine Gibson