*Friday Reflection*
*May 22, 2020*
*Forgiveness & Compassion*

So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.
*Luke 15:20 NRSV*
https://bible.com/bible/2016/luk.15.20.NRSV

Good morning Brothers and Sisters, blessed Friday to you all, I trust you are keeping safe and well.
Today’s reflection takes us to the gospel of St. Luke chapter 15 , our verse for reflection is verse number twenty. (Read verse)

*Background:* The chapter holds the parables of the lost sheep, and the piece of silver. (1-10) The prodigal son, his wickedness and distress. (11-16) His repentance and pardon. (17-24) The elder brother offended. (25-32). For the purpose of today’s reflection we are looking solely at *the prodigal son’s pardon*. Most, if not all of us are familiar with this parable. If you are not, I invite you to read the chapter in it’s entirety.

*Application:* There are three things I want us to take away from today’s word:

1. *Being convicted of our own sin / wrong doing is of great importance:* Having considered how ungrateful he was, he moved to the action that led to his return to his father. The verse says ” so he sets off and went to his father”. The realization of our own sin and wrong doing will bring about conviction in our hearts and we MUST return to our father (God) and seek pardon. Need I remind us that *repentance require action*.

2. *A father knows and recognize his children from a distance:* The verse indicates that “while he was still afar off his father saw him”. It doesn’t matter how long you have left him, it doesn’t matter how far you have stayed, once you return to him, he can see you from a distance, he will remember you, your height & weight, your smell, your intentions and your heart. Our father knows his children!

3. *A father has compassion towards his children:* This perhaps is my favorite part of the verse. “His father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.”
His father could have seen him and allow him to reach up to him, however so overwhelmed with joy, love, forgiveness and compassion towards his son, the father met him on the way. So it is with our Father, he sees our intentions to return to him and meets us on our journey. Showering us with forgiveness and compassion, not that we deserve it, but because of His loving kindness and tender mercies.

*Prayer:* Lord , we give you thanks for your forgiveness and compassion towards us. It is not that we are good and faithful children, but it’s is only because of our conviction of sin and our willingness to return to you, our father. We pray that you will continue to love us, as we continue to walk in your love and compassion. In Jesus name, amen!.

Until next week, think on these things!
Blessings!
Shaneka Raymore Euphfa

*Thursday Reflection**May 21, 2020*

**Thursday Reflection**May 21, 2020*

*You who love the Lord, hate evil! Psalm 97:10*

The presence of evil is all around us. We see it on the news. We hear of it in our communities. Some of have been victims of it? But what really is meant by evil? Ra’ is the Hebrew word used to describe evil in this text. Ra in its simplest term is evil, but other definitions of the word includes calamity, distress, misery and injury. According to Bible Study Tools, Ra is often times used to describe the opposite of good.

In other words those who love the Lord– who is good and the epitome of righteousness– must hate what is evil or what is bad in the eyes of the Lord. You see brothers and sisters we have often times look at evil as some atrocious action committed by someone or the presence of Satan and his demons. But here evil is being defined as anything that goes against what is good in the sight of the Lord. In lay man terms, I am evil, you are evil and all of humanity is evil. For the truth is we have all gone astray and our righteousness are like filthy rags. If we are all evil, why then is the Psalmist saying we should hate evil?

The answer to that is in the first part of the verse, “You who love the Lord.” Those who truly love the Lord, will love the things that the Lord loves and hate the things that the Lord hates. If we do not completely love the Lord then we cannot hate evil. It is only when we live to please the Lord that we will hate the evil that is around us and within us. When we make God our primary focus then we are consumed by that- the presence of God.

We cannot have it both ways. We cannot say we love God and still be engaged in evil. Remember evil is anything that contradicts the nature of God- it is the opposite of God’s goodness. So in other words we cannot say we love God but have haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, bear false witness and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. Proverbs 6: 17-19. We cannot say we love God but still actively practice sexual immorality, impurity and corruption; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. Galatians 5:19-21. Friends we cannot say we love God, but continue to live in sin. If we love God then we will hate these things are evil, because it goes against the will of God.

As people who love God let us love the things that God loves. “And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8. The Lord wants us to love the things that are good which is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23.There is no middle ground. Is either you love God or you don’t. You cannot love him in part, because if you do then you will tolerate evil whether in your life or around you. We are called to stand up against evil in our lives and in the lives around us. We take a stand against evil by loving God completely.

*Shalom*

*Christopher Euphfa*

Wednesday Reflection, May 20, 2020

Serving the Poor

The righteous know the rights of the poor. Proverbs 29:7

Greetings friends, all of us have been givers at one point or another. Now how many of us would consider oyrselves righteous? How about being poor?

To be considerate is to be careful in the way in which we think or treat others. Usually when one considers the poor, he may think of those who may be without food, money or fit a particular description. And whilst it is important to consider those, today I’d like to draw your attention to another aspect of poverty that is often overlooked.

What of the poor in spirit or the poor in heart? Who tends to the man, woman, boy or girl who by society’s standard have and are enjoying all the pleasures and comforts of vanity yet on the inside there is no joy. They know no peace or contentment.

How many of us, and how often do we ourselves become overwhelmed by life’s battles? What do we do? We reach out to other believers or we seek the Lord on our own behalf. It is not so for the poor who may not know the area code to Jesus’ telephone.

Brothers and sisters, poverty is not only physical but it is also spiritual and there in lies the reason for us as believers to carry out Jesus’ commands. Do not grow weary in well doing.

We ought to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ at all times, it is this good news that will forever be applicable for the mending of broken hearts, for healing and restoration, for the building and increase of faith as well as ensuring that the gospel is preached in every crevice and corner.

We all have rights. Solomon declared the righteous know the rights of the poor. Many get turned off from giving because sometimes the ones they serve return no thanks yet Christ calls us each time to a higher level of service. We do not give expecting that we will be thanked, we give because it is one way in which we are called to serve. It is in giving that we receive, not from man but from our heavenly Father.

How can a man go unless he is sent? How can he give if he hasn’t received? My friends, we don’t need to attain riches by the world’s standards to be able to witness, intercede or share with others. It is the duty and inheritance of every child of God to do the work of our Father. The fact that we awaken each morning is a testament of same.

Finally my brethren, Hebrews 6:10 reminds us “God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.

Amen

Kerone Lamoth

Repent or Die

There has been many calls to change in the last three months. There is a constant call for developers to make a breakthrough with a vaccine for COVID-19. There is a call for fairness in the way people are being treated, a removal of racial and class structures in the response to those who are being treated. There is also a call for fairness in the distribution of well needed items, inclusive of food, paper products and PPE for medical workers. There is one underlying factor that has led to the necessity for all the call we have been hearing and that is the evil desire of humanity. It is this evil desire that led to the disparity now faced in so many areas of life. Our society would be so much better if humanity were to repent of their evil. That is the message of today’s Watchword from Ezekiel 33: 11. Turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die?

To be more precise, this verse is not directed to everyone in a general sense, but to a specific group, one which the Lord describes as ‘the wicked’. The complete verse reads as follows: ‘ Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’’ When we read Psalm 10 we get a description of the wicked person. This is a person who is both arrogant and aggressive. Arrogance is shown in their sense of self-importance or pride. Their pride places them above everyone else. They are merciless towards anyone they perceive to be lesser than themselves. Their worship is of themselves and their drive is for material gain. Aggression is shown in their violent interactions with others. The most common form of violence of the wicked, believe it or not, comes out in their words. When we read the Psalms we see that the wicked are more often accused of speaking violence than acting out violence. Paul says of Jews and gentiles alike in Romans 3: 14, “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” James also speaks of the tongue in 3: 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. Arrogant persons have violent hearts and it is shown in the way they oppress the less fortunate, and through their treachery. It is to such persons that the word of the Lord through the prophet comes even today. ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die?

There is a way out for the wicked. God calls upon them to turn or repent. Once arrogance, pride, aggression and violence are forsaken and righteous living is embraced, God saves the individual from a sentence of death and gives the gift of life. The question then remains: why should the wicked die when they can repent and live? The answer lies in their ability to accept God’s gift of grace. Think of Zacchaeus. He was a terrible or wicked person until he met Jesus Christ. It was for him a life changing meeting. There was something about Jesus that moved him to immediately change. Luke 19: 8, the doctrinal text for today states: Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” When the wicked repent and change their ways, humanity is being reformed, righteousness is being restored, and the world becomes a better place. There was another man who went to Jesus but did not change. He is described in Matthew 19 as the rich young ruler. He found it hard to part with his earthly possessions in order to gain heavenly peace and joy. While it is not God’s wish for any to perish, the wicked, those away from God, have a choice between repentance or death. I pray that we who have made that choice and are living into it may be guiding lights to those who are lingering in sinfulness. May we help them realize the need to repent or they will surely die, both physically and spiritually. May God in mercy keep the way clear for them to turn. Amen.

Bevon White

Monday Reflection – May 18, 2020
Faithfully Following a Faithful God

Lord, you gave your good spirit to instruct our ancestors. Nehemiah 9:20

Following the completion of the walls around Jerusalem in record time, the people turn their focus to God who has been on the journey with them. They spend time in his word and respond in praise, confession and acts of love. They also celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. In today’s chapter, they gather for a time of fasting where they confess their sins and that of their ancestors, read from the Book of the Law, and worship God. The seven Levites cry out with a loud voice declaring God’s glorious name and recounting the gracious acts of God from the beginning of time. They also recall God’s leadership of the Israelites for forty years through the wilderness and into the Promised Land against all sorts of enemies.

The Levites anchor God’s journey with his people on God’s compassion. Such compassion is not just lingering about in small doses, but abounding in its nature and work. Notice how verse 19 says how the Lord ‘in his great compassion, did not forsake them in the wilderness.’ Indeed, God could easily have turned things against them. Yahweh could have moved the pillar of cloud so that it no long guided them during the day, or he could have simply shut down the special pillar of fire by night. The Lord continued to miraculously provide water and manna for that generation who did not trust him fully. Their clothes did not wear out; their feet didn’t swell. It is amazing how God continued to work in their lives. We need to remember that God had greater plans in mind for he was guiding the new generation to trust him and follow his lead. Such guidance was both through God’s marvellous work and his instructions to them.

We all are beneficiaries of God’s gracious acts in our lives as he summons us to follow him all the way. Many claim to be seeking God’s will; however, more often than not we are seeking our will rather than his. Many times we have diminished his will to, ‘Okay, I’ll still go to church if you get me that good job or deliver me from this problem.’ We need to step back and see God’s great purposes for those who dare trust him.

God still offers his gifts of grace to us even when we have left him to pursue the world. He is inviting us to return to him. This is not time to refuse God, but to return to him, the source of peace and joy. Many live off the hard work of the generations before us while we refuse God, adopt ungodly morals and do our own thing. Let’s fix our hearts and eyes on God, receive his good spirit and faithfully follow his instructions. God desires to raise us up to accomplish his work.

Jermaine Gibson

Dear All,
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*Friday Reflection*
*May 15, 2020*

*Eternal life is STILL promised*

*Therefore we do not lose heart*. *Though outwardly we are wasting away,* *yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.*
2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2co.4.16.NIV

Today’s text for reflection is not the one I am using, why? because the above text has been laid on my heart . We are almost half way through what is deemed a ‘difficult and challenging’ year. However, I want to remind us today that the word of God never change. His promises are sure and will come to past. He never fails…..

*Time is going by fast, and we worry that we don’t have enough time to live out our purpose especially during this time of pandemic.* Our bodies are prone to this terrible virus as well as we are aging and becoming less and less youthful. *Today the scripture is reminding us that there is renewed hope every single day.* Though time seem to be running out as we face these challenging times in our moral bodies, inwardly, we are being renewed day by day.

*Why are we being renewed day by day?* The answer to that my friend is that we are still promised eternal life.These days, not many people talk about the *second coming* of Jesus Christ. It’s almost as if we have forgotten all about it!

*The focus these days seem to be* : long life, prosperity, religion and theology. All in the name of Christianity.
Brother’s and sisters, with that said , today I just want to remind us that *eternal life is STILL promised*. There is only one way we can enter into this promise, *through the renewing of our hearts and minds( our inner man)*. Eating healthy is good, chasing your dreams is even better, defending your faith is great and having a good understanding of scriptures is fantastic. However, *do not forget that the mortal man will perish, but the inner man will reap the reward of eternal life*.

Therefore, do not lose heart, though the mortal body is not able to withstand the test if time. *God is renewing the inner man day by day* , *preparing you for the enteral promise.*

Until next week, *forget about the things that are not contributing to your spiritual growth, forget about the Corona Virus and focus on the things that will get your heart and soul at the place where God wants them to be.*

Shaneka Raymore-Euphfa
Blessings

*Thursday Reflection*

*May 14, 2020*

*God knows your heart*

*Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one person deceives another? Job 13:9*

In the verse above Job ask his friends two very important questions that I believe we should ask ourselves at different points in our lives.

*1.) When God searches us will it be well with us?*

*2.) Is the life we’re living one of deception?*

I want to paint the context so that we understand the questions being asked by Job. God allowed Satan to attack Job in an effort to prove the faithfulness of Job. So Satan attacked Job and he lost everything, family, servants, and animals. Even his skin was attacked with sores in the form of boils. Losing so much so quickly caused Job to become despondent.

He was visited by three friends who came to comfort him. However, they did the opposite. They accused Job of sinning which led to his punishment by God. They were of the belief that it is as a result of one’s sins why you are punished, but this was not the case for Job. However, the friends were adamant and began to “speak” on behalf God with the false notion that Job had sinned why God punished him.

Job responding to his friends stated that he did not sin and challenged them to examine what they were saying. He therefore asked in verse 9, if God was to search them would it be well with them?

Job asked the question because he believed that his friends were misrepresenting God. The truth is that still happens today. There are many false prophets who misrepresent God and give false information concerning God and so if God examine these people would it be well with them and God?

Even though the text is specific I want to ask the question generally. If God was to search each of us today, right now, would it be well with us and God? Would the result of that search find us in a good position with God or a bad one. If God was to search how we treat others would God be pleased with us or disappointed? If God examined how we treat him, would he be happy with us or sad? If God examined how we are living our lives, would God say well done or you have fallen miserably short? If God was supposed to search us would it reveal that we love our enemies as ourselves? Would it reveal that we place God first or put others above him? I believe this is a question we should ask ourselves: if God was to search me today, would it be well between me and God?

The second question asked by Job speaks to a life of deception. Can you deceive God as one person deceives another? The friends of Job thought they were living for God by suggesting that Job had sinned why God punished him. Here is the danger of situation. Job’s friends did not see anything wrong with what they were doing. There are many people living lives of deceit, pretending to be what they are not or worse not knowing or realising that the life they are living is one of deceit.

The question asked by Job indicates that human beings can be deceived, but God cannot be deceived. So we are called to a life of introspection. Am I living a double standard life? Am I saying I am a Christian, but still living in sin? Am I Christian but still hurting others by the words I say and the actions I perform? Am I speaking ill of you behind your back but smile and pretend to be friends before you?

We are called to examine our actions. Will it be well with us if God is to search us today and is the life I am living one of deceit or honesty?

*Until next week ask God to reveal the things that are wrong in our lives and work on them through the power of the Holy Spirit.*

*Shalom*

*Christopher Euphfa*

Wednesday Reflection, May 13, 2020

The Heart of the Matter

Brothers and sisters, I greet you well!
I once read a book in which there was a young girl named Abra who felt as if she was alone in the world and unloved and whilst there were persons who showed her kindness young Abra thought that they were only pitying her. In the said book there was a young man who was Abra’s friend. He being older, wiser and more mature was able to recognize her inner turmoil and he warned her continuously to guard her heart because everything she did came from there.

The same way I read that particular book, Abra’s friend read the advice he gave her in a book as well. What book did he read? He read the Bible. To be specific , he read Proverbs 4:23.

Very often we hear talks about the heart. We hear talks of the importance of the heart’s function is to the but really do we hear talk or give heed to the heart’s function to the soul.

In today’s watchword 1 Kings 8:39B, wise King Solomon in his rather eloquent prayer to the Lord said, “only you know what is in every human heart.” You see friends, God in His omniscience sees and knows our hearts. All of our hearts. God is not only conscious or aware of our wants and burdens but also He is mindful of our desires and intent. He knows when we are truly repentant or being presumptuous because all of it Springs from our hearts.

Whatever we host, entertain, or hold in our hearts will automatically be projected. It is important for us as believers to constantly evaluate ourselves and ensure that we are in good standing. Housekeeping is an important task, not just for the physical but also the spiritual.

There are a number of scriptures that speak to the preparation and treatment of our hearts. One cannot be too careful, the Christian must be vigilant, knowing what and who he entertains for it is easy for the heart to become consumed with all the things that are unhealthy and not prescribed by the word of God. May our hearts ever be set on Christ. May our hearts reflect the heart of Christ and may we grow in wisdom and strength praying fervent prayers that daily the Lord will create within us a new heart.

Now may the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our father, who loved us through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Until next week, let this mind be in you, which was also in Jesus Christ.

Amen

Kerone Lamoth

Tuesday Reflection – May 12, 2020 Godly Wisdom

In 2018 I put a sticky note on my office wall. (It’s still there). It contained just one word. Looking at it you would probably think it was the topic of a sermon or a book or something. It was for me however, a theme of prayer for that year and onwards. My prayer was for wisdom as I navigated the daily routines of family, ministry and community. It was an acknowledgement that on my own I could not do it, that by myself I was susceptible to making mistakes but with God’s guidance I would be on the right path. It was not just any wisdom I wanted but specifically ‘godly wisdom’. In today’s Watchword Solomon asks God to grant him godly wisdom in order to be a ruler that pleased God. The Lord said to Solomon, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon answered, “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” 1 Kings 3: 5, 9. 

As a young king Solomon followed the instructions given to him by his father. He began to make peace with the nations around him. He kept the people grounded in their worship of the one true God and he ensured that he himself was a visible example to the people as he made sacrifices before God. In a vision God told him to ask for anything he desired. Ps 37: 4 tells us that God is able to grant the desires of our hearts. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. There are so many things Solomon could have asked for. Wealth and fame are just two that immediately come to mind. He had the example of his father David to live up to but rather than ask to be a great king like his father, he recognized with humility his insecurities, his lack of knowledge and his inexperience as a leader. Solomon sought what he needed to fulfill the task of leading God’s people, godly wisdom. He knew that by himself he was inadequate. He knew that his own knowledge, wisdom and understanding was limited. He knew that those around him had ulterior motives so he couldn’t depend on their counsel alone. He knew that he would only be able to make it with God’s guidance. He knew he needed godly wisdom.  The Bible teaches us that wisdom begins with fearing or reverencing God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Prov. 1: 7. To be truly wise is to know the source of all wisdom and to lean on that source for our personal wisdom, especially when we are faced with important or life changing decisions. Such wisdom honors God and not self. James the brother of our Lord instructs us: If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to you. God does not want us to look foolish or to make foolish decisions sincesuch decisions can have severe and lasting impact upon us. We ought therefore to pray constantly for godly wisdom to navigate the curbs and turns of life. Worldly wisdom is very common. Its main focus is for self-aggrandizement and not godliness. There are many who are quick to tell us how, when and where based on their experiences. According to James, (3: 15) the wisdom of this world is earthly, sensual and demonic. It serves us in the earthly realm and may even make us successful according to world standards. What we truly need however is wisdom from above. Such wisdom ‘is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3: 17). This is godly wisdom. It is sincere, it places what is godly far above what is earthly. Godly wisdom changes our focus from finding importance and great value in the things of this world to placing our highest and utmost importance in the things that are of God. This results from placing God on the throne of our lives. Solomon could have asked for anything. He could be remembered today as a king as great as, or even greater than his father David. He however chose Godly wisdom and today we honor his memory as the wisest man to ever live. 
Dear friends, join me in praying for godly wisdom so that our words and actions may constantly reflect the will of our Lord and savior. Amen.    
Bevon White