Saturday Reflection – 06 June 2020

“How great are God’s signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; his dominion endures from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:3

Tomorrow is Trinity Sunday, where we acknowledge our Triune God, having now revealed himself to humanity as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. How fitting then, as we approach that special day in our church’s calendar, is our watchword for today, where King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges the power and greatness of God and therein commands the people to respect and honour God. For Nebuchadnezzar, (as recorded in Daniel 3), having experienced the faith of the three Hebrew boys and how God protected them in the midst of the fiery furnace, he is led to make this profession of faith.

Many times, when we share our faith with others, we are immediately asked, what do we believe? Or what is that your church believes or stands for? When confronted with this question, some time ago, in later reflection, it became clear that we profess our faith every Sunday, by the Apostles or Nicene Creed or the Affirmation of Faith, which is the foundation of what we believe. Every statement that is made in our creed we affirm with the words “I believe.” It’s like Nebuchadnezzar who comes to this recognition, that as salvation is made known to us, as we experience God and celebrate these events on our Church’s Calendar, it becomes more and more real to us. Even as Nebuchadnezzar experienced it before his very eyes.

The problem, my brothers and sisters, is that we may soon forget the solemnity and meaning of our profession of faith, and it is evident in the Daniel 4, where in a short space of time, after the experience with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and twelve months after Daniel interprets the dream and implores Nebuchadnezzar to repent, that he goes back to square one and proclaims in verse 30 “Is this not magnificent Babylon, which I have built as a royal capital by my mighty power and for my glorious majesty?” It’s almost as everything he had seen, heard and experienced meant nothing to him or in more familiar terms “all that went through the window” Because he forgot Jehovah, he was made to eat grass, losing his power and his sanity so that he could be reminded and humbled. Again, having survived, he ends with his profession of faith.

For me, the reason we say these creeds each week, is that we would, in understanding and in reflection and later committing to memory, it becomes a reminder, of God’s omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence and we experience God’s grace as we say “I believe.” In a world, where so many things are going wrong, where the challenges of life, seem to be coming just one after the other, our “I believe” keeps us connected to God, and our faith is grounded. So, brothers and sisters, we cannot allow anything to shake our belief, nor can we get to the point where our affirmation of this faith, becomes ritualistic and meaningless.

We celebrate and experience, the majesty of our creator God, who said “Let there be, and there was”, where after the fall of humanity, his unending love led him, through Christ to be born in this world, to teach us of the kingdom and how to live godly lives, then to offer himself a ransom for our sin. We see the risen Lord, who conquered sin, death and the grave, who ascended to heaven and sent us a comforter, the Holy Spirit, as our guide and friend. We experience the community of faith, known as the church, made up of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are apart of the family of God. We cling to the hope of the resurrection, where the Lord will return as King and Judge. Together, we worship and serve him, and we continually feel his presence, and experience his grace. And we believe that one day, the church militant will become the church triumphant and then shall we evermore be with the Lord. When we stand on these promises, proclaiming and living the truth, then we can be all that God intends his church to be.

Until next week, we cannot be fickle, that we allow anything that we face to shake our belief and our resolve and would take away God’s Holy Spirit from us. From now on, every time, we profess, let it be a solemn and true profession, as it is the foundation of our faith. And in turn, we must be the church that spreads this hope and confidence to others, so that they too, might know and believe, until the day when our faith becomes sight. Amen.

Dominic J. Blair

Friday Reflection

June 5, 2020

Grace in a time of weakness

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2co.12.9.NIV

Good morning Friends, happy Friday!

God’s Grace is sufficient for you today, tomorrow and as long as you live, in times of strength and more so in times of weakness.

It is in your darkest, most terrifying and helpless situations that you will prove these words to be true. Have you ever been so low and weak in your body, heart and soul that you are only able to cry out ” Lord have mercy”?

It is a fact that at some point in our Christian journey we become weak and derailed. Infact it is in those times that we often step out of the will God… But hear the promise of God through his Son Jesus in the text for today.

He said “My grace is sufficient for you”
It might have been a voice from heaven, or some extraordinary revelation of the Spirit of God; or by a divine impression upon the mind; whereby the apostle was assured that God’s grace was sufficient to support him in his time of weakness however long it was going to last.

We too need to find and embrace this said assurance that however long the world is in chaos and however long we may feel a sense of weakness, GOD’S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT

Not only is His grace sufficient in your time of weakness, but the scripture says His POWER is made PERFECT in your time of weakness What does that mean? Is it saying that in your time of strength his power is not present? No! It is a sign of assurance that in times of weakness, his power is more evident. His strength is made to appear, illustrate and shine forth in its perfection and glory, in supplying, supporting, and strengthening his people under their time of weakness.

Therefore friends, let us be assured that He is our STRENGTH and POWER , in this our time of weakness.

Untill next week, have a blessed and wonderful weekend! Much love ❤️♥️.

Shaneka Raymore Euphfa

Thursday Reflection

June 4, 2020

Fight in the name of the Lord

David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts.” 1 Samuel 17:45

The story of David and Goliath is one of the popular stories in the bible, often told to children at Sunday School. The story is told of the Philistine army going to war against Israelite army. The Philistines would send out a champion named Goliath who stood over 9 ft tall. Goliath would taunt the Israelites to send out a champion to fight him. However, the entire Israelite army was afraid.

David’s father, Jesse, sent David to bring food for his brothers who were a part of the Israelite army. When David saw Goliath and that no one was willing to fight, he decided to fight him. David went out to face Goliath, but Goliath was disdain that they sent a little boy to fight him. He then threatened and cursed David, “The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the field.” But David responded, “You come to me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts.”

Friends as we move pass the children view of this text to a deeper understanding we must realize that the enemy is real. In this text Goliath and the Philistines were the enemies, but today Satan is the enemy we fight. We must understand the purpose of the enemy. Goliath came with sword, spear and javelin, which indicated his purpose and intentions. Goliath came to kill! Similarly the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy. John 10:10 and the enemy prowls around seeking who to devour. 1 Peter 5:8.

I also want to note only God can defeat the enemy. For forty days Goliath presented himself, but no one from the Israelite army went out to face him. They were all afraid of the enemy. Why were they afraid of the enemy? They were afraid, because they were trusting and relying on their own strength. The truth is on our own we are weak against the enemy, but… Ah yes! There is a but… But those who rely on the Lord WILL overcome the enemy. Those who fight in the name of the Lord will overcome the wiles of Satan.
How do we overcome? For David it was a stone and a slingshot, but for us it is by prayer, fasting and confidence in the Lord. That is how we overcome.

Friends the enemy is real. He comes to kill, but those who fight in the name of the Lord will overcome.

Keep fighting, because Greater is God who is inside you than Satan who is in the world.

Blessings!

Christopher Euphfa

Wednesday Reflection, June 3, 2020

God Sees and He Hears

Greetings friends. Today’s reflection takes us back to a time in David’s life when he had to run for his life. He lived in a cave seeking to escape death and the pursuit of the enemy.

In an effort to escape Saul’s clutches. David sought refuge from the King of Gath but then the servants of the king recognized him and so he then needed another way of escape. David pretended to be insane. He pounded his head on the city gate and foamed at his mouth and spat upon himself.

Insanity was his defense and that deterred the phillistines because they would not touch an insane person. David then fled to a cave where he was joined by others.

It is there that he wrote psalm 34. He calls others to join with him in magnifying the Lord. He then begins to testify of his deliverance and further encourages others to share their testimony as well.

My friends, much can be said about David and his life. So many lessons can be drawn from all this but what of your life? And what of mine?

In today’s watchword we are reminded that, ‘the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry.” Psalm 34:15

What a time it has been! A time of confusion, doubt, fear, death, wars and rumours of war. Some of us have literally had to lock away or remove ourselves from certain people or some scenes. So much is happening in our context and the world all over. I urge you to keep your eyes on Jesus!

Only those whose hope is firmly planted in Jesus Christ may be able to withstand in the evil day. So much is happening around us, attempting to drive us crazy or give a cause to plead insanity but hear the word of the Lord for He is ever watchful and mindful of His sheep.

Be encouraged today, God who pardoned and delivered David is still available to each of us, His grace is sufficient for all. Casting all your cares on Him, today’s new testament text in Matthew 7:7 stands as a reminder, “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.”

Whatever it is you need today, be it strength, grace, endurance, faith, may you receive in Jesus name.

Amen

Kerone Lamoth

Tuesday Reflection – June 02, 2020
Don’t Judge Me, Pray With Me

Remember Hannah and Elkanah? Hannah was the unhappy wife who tried unsuccessfully to have a child for Elkanah, her husband. She constantly prayed for a child. On one visit to Shiloah to sacrifice, she goes aside to pray. As she prayed in anguish Eli, the High Priest, mistakes her emotion for drunkenness. His disdain soon turns to remorse however when he learns her story and in response, he joins her in praying that God would grant the desire of her heart. Hannah became pregnant and later gave birth to her son, Samuel. As Hannah rejoiced in the birth and dedication of her son, she praises God in what we have come to know today as Hannah’s Prayer. Today’s watchword is the beginning of that prayer, a statement that reflects the joy of Hannah’s heart. My heart exults in the Lord. 1 Samuel 2: 1.
As we reflect on Hannah’s story during what is happening today, I share with you some thoughts.

Firstly, the sense in which we understand prayer today does not fully reflect what Hannah did. Her prayer was more of a testimony or song of praise. She did not make a request of God for anything. What she did was thank God for the past, a past which for her had been filled with unhappiness and deep sorrow. Next, she expressed hope for the future, a hope based on what God had done for her in the past. Her present situation was that she was at the place of worship and she had given up her son, her only child, to the Lord, as she had pledged to do. What she was losing would never surpass what she knew her God would do for her in the future. Had he not proved Himself to her through the birth of her son? So Hannah sang her prayer, her praise, to her God. We should never be afraid to praise God for his blessings are unlimited.

Secondly, we find in the text, a statement of the condition of Hannah’s heart. He heart was rejoicing. She had endured a lot. She had been mocked, ridiculed, abused, and tormented. Her life before pregnancy had been a very unhappy one. Her husband had tried to make he happy, and those looking on might have felt she had all she needed so she should be happy, but in the depth of her heart her life had been unfulfilled. Society had judged her as being less than, she had been called demeaning names. In the temple where she should have found refuge, she was judged as being drunk and mocking God. We live in a society that often judges us rather than try to know us, to understand our situations. It wasn’t until Eli spoke to her that he shifted from judging her to praying with her. How often have we been guilty of judging people from a distance based on their looks, the way they sounded or something else about them, until we got to know them and understood their situation? We should not judge people. James 4: 12 challenges us: Who are you to judge another? As Christians we should pray with and for others. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.Gal 6: 2. Instead of judging, let us pray together.

Thirdly, Hannah’s joy and prayer of rejoicing was possible because Eli shifted from being an observer, judging and commenting erroneously from a distance, to becoming involved in the situation. As we watch the unfolding of demonstrations resulting from the senseless murder of George Floyd at the hands of those sworn to protect him, it is interesting to hear the comments of those who, like Eli, would accuse him of doing something that brough on his demise. Add to that those who incite violence against demonstrators. It’s also interesting to hear the deafening silence of those whose voices can make a great difference, those who have the power and responsibility to formulate and enforce the legislation to bring about the needed changes. 200 years ago, speaking of the sin of political apathy, Edmund Burk said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” This remains true today, for while good people do nothing, evil people continue to spread their evil throughout society. How many more will have to suffer, how many more will have to die before evil is defeated, before rejoicing can burst forth, and praise lifted up? When will we move from a place of judgement to a place of prayerful rejoicing? Until then, until we are known more and judged less can we do anything other than ‘get up, stand up, stand up for your rights. Don’t give up the fight!’ May we all live to see a society where God’s peace reigns, a society that prays with us more than it judges us. Amen

Bevon White

Monday Reflection – June 01, 2020
None Other Like God

Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one. Isaiah 44:8  

It’s hard to read today’s Watchword without hearing God’s declarations in the preceding two verses: “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let them proclaim it, let them declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be.” (vss. 6-7).

In these verses the prophet focuses on God’s being. Who is this God in a world filled with so many possible objects of worship, so many other gods? Here we see the prophet’s own witness of the sovereignty of God, as also God’s self-revelation. God is not playing second fiddle in the cosmic orchestra; rather, God is introduced as both first chair and conductor, the one and only. He is King, Redeemer, and Lord of hosts. God declares, “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no other god”. There is no other viable object of worship. There is no other source of life. There is no other King. There is no other Redeemer. There is no other Lord of hosts.

God challenges all around – Who is like me? Let them proclaim it, let them declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be. Of course, no one dares to rise up; no one – god or human – answers God’s questions. Into this silence, God proclaims, “Do not fear or be afraid.” Silence in the face of God’s questions is a great thing because it directs the witnesses back toward the living God, besides whom there is no other.

The world in which we live is overcrowded with objects and individuals demanding our devotion. These inspire fear – fear of death, inadequacy, alienation, being in control, being out of control. These fears demand devotion. With this reality, God directs our attention and our devotion away from these empty things and pursuits back towards him, the Saviour and source of life. We must pay attention to how we spend our lives, what consumes us and what consumes our time. Such is a clear indication of where our focus and attention is and ultimately, who is our god. God, who is the first and the last, desires to arrest our fears and give us a fresh vision of a great future. Jesus cemented this when he declared in Revelation 1:17, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hell.” Jesus Christ – King, Redeemer, and Lord of hosts – conquered death and hell and eradicated all fear.

May we yield ourselves to the sovereignty of God and may he reign in our hearts and lives.

Jermaine Gibson 

Saturday Reflection – 30 May 2020

“For we are not peddlers of God’s word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence.” 2 Corinthians 2:17

Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday and is known in many circles as the birthday of the Church Universal. From that upper room experience, God having poured out of his spirit, upon the disciples there, they were now filled, united and empowered to fulfil the commission that was given to them by the Lord Jesus.

Our legitimacy and focus as a church has often been called into question, with calls from society for the church to cry out against moral turpitudes and other injustices and be the voice of reason, goodwill and the change in our society. In that light, we are reminded that we are made legitimate, true and sincere, with all power and authority by the empowering and leading of the Holy Spirit.

Paul, as he writes today’s doctrinal text, describes the presence of the true believer who is sent and engaging the Holy Spirit in ministry as that of an aroma that fills the atmosphere wherever they are. Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (MSG) says “In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse.” That friends, and is our legitimacy, and it only comes through the power of God, brought on by the Holy Spirit and Paul asks the question saying “This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on?”

We who believe, have been commissioned and empowered to the spread the gospel-seed to just about anyone and everyone that we engage with and even then beyond our borders. It is not about us, but God’s power at work in our lives. Friends, we are unable to legitimize ourselves and no matter the passion or zeal, the wherewithal and exuberance that we display, if we are not lead by the Holy Spirit, it is for nought and in vain. Let us then lean on the Holy Spirit, to give us the power, to fall afresh, to transform us, and begin that good work, in our lives. Only then will we be legitimized and competent to take this mission on. For “God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called.”

Brothers and sisters, Paul reminds us, the church, that we are not peddlers or vendors who are trying to sell a product to potential customers. But having understood and experience the grace and transforming work of God, who have now been called, commissioned and empowered, and fully understanding the weight of his calling, we go, under his leading and direction, to whatever door he will open for us, to tell somebody about the Lord Jesus that they too might believe. It is the Spirit of God who convicts the heart, we are just the vessel through which the message is shared and that is why it is important, that we are led and empowered by the Holy Spirit and also that we decrease, that self is slain, so that the Holy Spirit can increase and take over, and challenge their hearts. Even so, our labour in the vineyard, is led and empowered by God and to the glory of God.

Until next week, We, who rejoice to know Thee/Renew before Thy throne/The solemn pledge we owe Thee/To go and make Thee known. (F. Houghton, 1931) May this Pentecostal experience awaken in us a revival, that we will make our calling and election sure. May the Holy Spirit fill, unite and empower us that we may like a fragrance that is smelled and known by all, be the voice and the difference that by our sincerity and authority, others may be led into the kingdom of God. Amen.

Dominic J. Blair

Thursday Reflection – May 28, 2020

Jesus is here to help

The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” John 5:7-8

Thirty-Eight years is a long time to be ill. I can imagine being ill for so long comes with many challenges both physically and mentally. This man was paralyzed and was positioned in one of the porches located at the pool of Bethesda. There were five porches there and many sick individuals laid in them. Why? It was believed that the pool had healing components whenever it was stirred. But it seem that the healing component was limited to the first person who entered the pool after it was stirred.

Jesus went by the Pool of Bethesda, where many sick people were. He saw the paralytic man who was ill for thirty-eight years and asked if he wanted to be made well. Our text for reflection is the man’s response. There are a few thoughts I want to share with us today as we examine the sick man’s response.

1.       He was hopeless

The response by the sick man showed the hopelessness of his situation. There was no one to help him get to the pool, which had the healing component. He was paralyzed so he couldn’t walk over to the pool and by the time he started making his way to the pool when it was stirred, someone would reach the pool before he did. Furthermore, there was no one to help him. By all indications he was alone. For thirty-eight years he has been struggling with this illness. The text doesn’t tell us if he had friends before and they left or died. What it does tell us is that there was no one, not even a Good Samaritan to help him get into the pool, when it was stirred. Let me paint the picture. There was no set time when the pool was be stirred, it happened randomly. So there was no one there to wait with him until the pool was stirred and then get him to the pool before the other sick people there. So he poured out to Jesus the hopelessness of his situation.

2.       He did not know Jesus

The paralytic man did not know who was speaking to him. He did not know that Jesus, the Miracle Worker, was speaking to him and asking him if he wants to be made well. He was clueless. I believe if he knew it was Jesus or knew who Jesus was, his response would have been different. Instead of focusing on the hopelessness of the situation, He would have been filled with hope, just at the sight of Jesus. Also, because he did not know it was Jesus, he thought Jesus was talking about the pool. In this man’s eyes this was the only way he could be made well. He thought it was just an ordinary man talking to him. But Jesus is no ordinary man. He is the savior of the world. He is a healer, miracle worker, teacher, and friend. Jesus was offering this man something that he thought was impossible. Jesus healed the man and offered him something more. In verse 14, when Jesus saw the man again he said to the man, “See, you have been made well! Do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” Jesus had also forgiven the man of his sins. He offered him the gift of salvation. Did he accept it? We do not know.

Application

There are many people in the world that have been ill for years. For the man in this text he was paralyzed and without friends to help. For many other people their illness ranges from abusive relationships, bankruptcy, emotional pain, terminal illness, paralysis, fear etc. For many of us we have been going through these challenges for months, years, decades without any form of help. For some they have no one to help them and have become hopeless. But there is a man called Jesus who wants to make you well. He wants to offer you something that you did not think was possible. He doesn’t only want to address your physical needs, but also your spiritual needs. Recognize him today! He says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”  

Jesus is here to help

Shalom

Christopher Euphfa 

Wednesday Reflection, May 27, 2020

It’s all in the Plan!

Psalm 138 is a rather short poem/psalm however, no one can say that it is abrupt or that it was not fine tuned. We see David declaring his praises, giving reason for his praises, declaring future praise sessions and then his unwavering faith in the Lords plan for his life.

Imagine feeling like a misfit, unwanted, unappreciated, caught up in a whirlwind of struggles and temptation and feeling as if this place, this world, this body, this family, this church, these friends, this job, is just not for you. Hard pressed on every side with no way of escape in sight.

Things may not be looking all bright for many but keep your praise, continue to exercise your faith. God has a plan! Even before the beginning of time. Long before your very conception and even now. It still stands!

David was a man who went through many different stages throughout his life. Scripture tells us, he remains a very well decorated character. Similarly, you and I have gone through or experienced different stages in our lives and lived to share our testimonies.

A look at David’s life reminds us as believers that we are all here for a purpose. God planned for you and I to be here today, in this moment. He included us in His divine plan for His family.

In today’s watchword, Psalm 138:8a, “the Lord will perfect that which concerneth me”. David had the right attitude of and for praise which is why he was able to be so bold in asserting this fact.

Brothers and sisters, as children of God, we each have a responsibility to represent our Father. This life with all its cares may burden us down but that does not negate the fact that God’s will must be done.

Be reminded, be encouraged, for there is no life happening or experience that can outweigh the love of God.

Paul wrote, : I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. Phil 1:6

Until next week, I leave you with a reminder from Charles Spurgeon, “adversaries may be many, and malicious and mighty, but our glorious Defender has only to stretch out His arm and their armies vanish.”

Amen

Kerone Lamoth

Tuesday Reflection – May 26, 2020
The Wise Seek God

Two weeks ago, I spoke about godly wisdom. The idea was that we should always pray for a spirit of wisdom to guide us in our everyday endeavors. Wisdom does not originate with us, it is a gift of God. Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom. Wisdom, when received, should be employed in ways that please God and draw us closer to God,. Today’s watchword from Psalm 14: 2 supports this. The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.

Contrasted to this verse is the first verse of Psalm 14 which states: The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. While the fool rejects the knowledge and experience of the existence of God, the wise will seek after God, even through uncertainty. What brought creation to this point though? What brought us to the point where the created can reject the existence of the creator. The answer is simple and yet complex. Sin! Since the fall in Eden, humanity has constantly existed in sin. “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecc 7: 20. We all are born with the propensity to be lost in a life of ungodliness, of sinfulness. This is the reality of life in this earthly realm. No matter how hard we try we will constantly fall to sin. Sin is defined as ‘missing the mark’ (literal translation from the Greek ‘hamartia’). The best of us constantly fall short of God’s standard for life, God’s laws. We ‘miss the mark’. God looks to find a righteous human being but alas there is none: ‘For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God’. Rom 3: 23. Is there no hope for us? Are we all doomed to be lost forever? A complete reading of Psalm 4 has David acknowledging God’s protection of the righteous, God being the refuge of the disparaged, and God sending salvation for His people. While some may have rebelled and gone on to live godless lives, those who pursue righteousness will have God on their side. Indeed, those who seek the Lord will find him.

What make the difference in all this? The text says ‘the Lord looks’. Picture the Prodigal Son who decided to return home to beg his father’s forgiveness and employment as a servant. Here’s what I love about this parable. While the son was still a far way off, his father saw him and ran to meet him. It tells me that this father was always on the lookout for his son even though that same son had rejected his ways and wandered off. God looks out for us in the same way, and even when we stray, he offers us a way back to him. This is grace. John Stott describes grace as ‘love that cares and stoops and rescues.’ Grace is mercy. In a world which is fast embracing the rule of karma, grace stands as its opposite. Karma give back what we deserve, a payback. Grace is rendering to us what we do not deserve. Romans 5: 20 reminds us, where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. Grace is about God and not about us. God looks, and those who wisely seek Him are quickly identified and covered by His grace. Through grace, God cares, stoops and rescues us from sin. I am humbled by the thought that the only difference between the wise and the fool, the one who seeks God and the one who rejects God, is God’s grace. Friends, this Grace is available to all but receivable only by those who seek God. The foolish who reject God will be eternally rejected in the soon coming judgement. I pray that we all will in wisdom constantly seek God so as to be found by Him. Amen.

Bevon White