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  

Monday Reflection – May 11, 2020
Storytellers of our Faithful God

We have heard with our ears, O God, our ancestors have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old. Psalm 44:1

Psalm 44 speaks of the nation of Israel in a season of great defeat, calling out to God for rescue. David begins by reminding God, or rather more so himself, of the great victories of God for Israel in the past i.e. in the days of Joshua’s conquest. So he says, “We have heard with our ears, O God, our ancestors have told us, what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old. You drove out the nations with your hand…it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your countenance that saved them, because you favoured them.” The Psalmist and his fellow people received a special legacy from their ancestors, their elder generation. Their ancestors were careful to tell them what God did in generations past. Trapp says, “They made their mouths as if it were books, wherein the noble acts of the Lord might be read to his praise, and to the drawing of their children’s hearts unto him.”

I imagine that the ancestors spoke excitedly and vibrantly about the great work God did when he drove out the Canaanites and planted Israel in the land promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This was the hand of God. Those ancestors did not just speak about what they personally experienced of God, but they also taught what God did many generations before. This was the oral tradition at work being passed from one generation to the next. What an example for us to follow!! What of us? What have we inherited and were told about the wonder working power of God? What have we done with this knowledge? What are we passing on to this generation? If we are not sharing about what we have heard and experienced, then this and generations after us will have little or nothing to offer to generations yet unborn. In this Child’s Month, we have to recommit to the holistic development of our children. Thus, while we must offer education, health care, proper nutrition, and the psychosocial support, we cannot and dare not fail to facilitate the spiritual development of our children. They must know that the God of the past, is the same God of the present and the future.

There is another point in this text that is necessary to note. At this point, Israel was in crisis and experiencing disappointment. Infact, the Psalmist posits that Israel’s defeat and crisis is not just in the hand of God, but instituted by God. Hear the Psalmist in verses 9 and 10, “But you have cast us off and put us to shame, and you do not go out with our armies. You make us turn back from the enemy, and those who hate us have taken spoil for themselves.” The assertions of the Psalmist don’t stop here. He protests that Israel has remained faithful to God and Israel’s obedience is answered with defeat. Thus, he closes with a plea and a hopeful prayer for help. In essence, the Psalmist is projecting the innocence of Israel and the unfairness of God.

It is clear that the Psalmist has not come to fully understand God and know that God cannot be unfair; afterall he is God! God’s people are not immune from trouble and punishment. The God of grace and mercy is also the God of justice. The Israelites were receiving what they justly deserve and should respond in repentance and humility. So, as we grow and share about God’s work with others, including our children, let’s reveal the full nature of God. Our God is a God of grace and of justice, and what he has done in the past, he can and will do again!

Jermaine Gibson

A charge to keep I have,

A God to glorify,
A never-dying soul to save,
A rest to gain on high.

Saturday Reflection – 09 May 2020

 “It is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” 1 Corinthians 4:2

To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill:
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Master’s will!

Peter, at his restoration was shown that his love and service to Christ Jesus meant that he bore the awesome responsibility to feed Christ’s sheep. And Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3, reminds us of our role in this ministry saying “For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:9) So we all bear this responsibility as the now people of God who have been called and commissioned to spread the gospel of Christ to the far ends of the earth. This responsibility must not be taken lightly and Paul mandates us as stewards and servants of Christ that we remain trustworthy. Our integrity, transparency and visibility must remain intact and must be not traded for fear or favour. In everything, we must be found faithful.

Arm me with watchful care,
As in Thy sight to live;
And O Thy servant, Lord, prepare
A strict account to give!

As we consider this responsibility, let us reflect on three points as we embrace our calling:

i.)                 We must clothe ourselves in the righteousness of God: “Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” (St. Matthew 9:17) The reality is on our own, we will continue to fall into the trap of sin, so, a result we must cling to the salvation, presence of righteousness of God; in whom all demons and temptations flee. We must put on the new self; washed in his blood and anointed by the Holy Spirit if we have any hope of being faithful stewards.

ii.)               We must be led by the Holy Spirit of God: “But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7) Quite frankly; it is Christ who first loved us, drew us to himself and has called us in his ministry. He alone can equip us for faithful service. To that end, he has given us his Holy Spirit as our comforter and guide. Let us be careful that in everything concerning this ministry and even in life that we invite the Holy Spirit to indwell us and to lead us into a wise and righteous path.

 

iii.)             We must remain faithful to the ministry of God: “For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.” (Hebrews 3:14) If we are to be trustworthy servants, we must not be wishy-washy, or not fully committed. God desires our full attention and our 100%. When we hire workers to do any job; if they seem uncommitted to the task either by: unreasonable delays, a noticeable lack in zeal or effort, not following your instructions, leaving the work half-done or just not giving enough time to your particular project, then the truth is, we may become disgruntled and frustrated and may even end up firing such a worker. We must be careful that we do not treat God’s ministry in this way, but we give it our very best, and that we labour until the final harvest on the last day.

Help me to watch and pray,
And on still on thee rely,
And let me not my trust betray.
But press to realms on high.                                                                                                                               (C. Wesley, 1762)

Until next week, as we contemplate this responsibility that has been entrusted to us, let us the hands and feet of Christ, restored and set apart for service, be dressed in the righteousness of God and empowered by his Holy Spirit as we engage his ministry. Then, we shall hear our Lord and master welcome us into paradise on that final day with the words “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Amen.

Dominic J. Blair

Tuesday Reflection – May 05, 2020 The Creator Is Still In Control

I have always enjoyed reading the Book of Job. It speaks of faithfulness in the midst of unbearable suffering and loss. One of my favorite sections of the book is when Job’s friends went to visit and sat quietly with him, even weeping with him at times I would imagine. They did this for seven days. Then they began speaking and to me they spoilt all they had accomplished over the seven days. The truth is that sometimes we accomplish much more through silence than we can ever do through speaking. Today’s watchword forms part of Job’s response to the argument of his friend Bildad who was convinced that Job was suffering because he did something wrong and if he repented, God would return all that he had lost. It is easy to look at the state of the world today and draw the same conclusion. Our wicked, unrighteous actions as a world is easily seen and many have interpreted COVID-19 as God’s response to our evil. The story of Job teaches us however that we cannot assume that hardship or suffering is a response from God. Like Job we ought to lift up and praise God’s wisdom and understanding even though we cannot see the reason behind what is happening, knowing that God is greater than anything that we face, including this dreaded virus. God stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. He is the maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south Job 9: 8–9. 

In explaining God’s greatness Job points to God’s unequalled might. God created and the creator has full control of His creation. Humanity as part of the creation can never be righteous before God, Job argues. Our blessings are dependent on the creator and not on our actions. That would be a righteousness of works and not of faith. Note that Job was an outstanding servant of God. God had declared that there was none comparable to Job in the earth. He was described as ‘blameless and upright’. Among humans Job was righteous and his faithfulness had been noticed by God. Job knew who God was and he knew his place in relation to God’s power and righteousness. When we know God and know where we stand in relation to God, it becomes easy to understand that God is at work in everything that happens in the world. We learn to appreciate that some things we may not understand at the moment, but we can be confident that God who created still rules His creation. God is not out to destroy us but will see us through. The creator is still in control. Job argues that earthquakes, eclipses and the constellations are all works of God’s hands. God’s power is further explained in the fact that he ‘walks on the waves of the sea’. Not just regular waves either but the high and raging waves. In John 6: 16 – 21, after feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends the disciples away in a boat so he could pray alone. While on the water they are almost overcome by a storm when Jesus comes to them walking on the water. He even called Peter to come to him and saves him from going under in the process. Immediately as Jesus boarded the boat, the storm stopped. Job recognized that God will not abandon us in the storms of life but will walk with us through them, keep us from going under and help us to a place of safety. In time he will completely calm the storms of life. We may be longing for the storm to calm but God’s outstretched arms are guiding us through it and in due time the storm will be past. These are difficult times dear friends, and we are experiencing more than we could ever dream of. My reassurance to us is to rest confidently in the knowledge that the God of yesterday is the God of today and will be the God of tomorrow. God has not changed.  The one who put the stars in place and walks on the seas can surely take care of our needs, for the creator is still in control. Amen. 
Bevon White

Monday Reflection – May 04, 2020
God to the Rescue!

Those he gathered from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south: Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind. Psalm 107:3,8

I borrowed today’s title from Derek Kidner as he contemplated this remarkable Psalm that praises God’s deliverance. Indeed, many of us grow up watching movie stars like McGyver, Spider Man and Bruce Willis who were portrayed as coming to the rescue of people in trouble. This has left an imprint on many minds as we look for superheroes to solve life’s problems. Well, today’s text presents a hero, Yahweh, who comes to the rescue of those in trouble. For F.B. Meyer, Psalm 107 presents God who broods over the weary caravan that faints in the desert; visits the prison-house with its captives; watches by our beds of pain; notices each lurch of the tempest-driven vessel; and brings the weary hosts from the wilderness into the fruitful soil.

The Psalmist begins by passionately pleading with his readers to give thanks to God, and for good reason – God is good. He proves the goodness of God throughout the rest of this Psalm. Thanks is also necessary because God’s mercy endures forever. This is about God’s lovingkindness, grounded in his covenant love. Such has no beginning and shall never know an end. The Psalmist then specifically invites the people of God to declare that they are redeemed. It would be ungrateful and wrong to be silent about so great a work. God has rescued the lost, the guilty, the sick, and the storm-tossed. These redeemed of the Lord should say so. Not just that, but God has gathered from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. The remnant people of God are summoned to give thanks.

Those rescued by the hero God are marshalled to thank God for his steadfast love and his wonderful works to humankind. They wandered aimlessly in the wilderness in an endless maze of desolation, lost, hungry, tired, fainthearted, and distressed. Better than modern navigation systems, God led his redeemed to just the right place, to a city for a dwelling place. He straightens the way; leads them into the city; and provides for their shelter, food, and drink. In response, God’s people are to thank him for more than just his work in our personal lives, but also for what he does for others.

We give God thanks first of all for who God is – for his nature, attributes and character. We celebrate the God of steadfast love and enduring mercies. We then thank God for what he does – his wonderful works to us. What God does is driven by who God is. When we experience God’s intervention and deliverance in our lives and his everyday work, we ought to recognize that it is driven by his unconditional love for us. Yet, there is a lesson here for each of us – who we are precedes what we do. Many times we get caught up dealing with and correcting what we do, without first addressing who we are. This only takes us in an endless cycle of doing then correcting and round and round we go without making progress. God calls us to be like him before we focus on doing what we should. If we give attention to who God has called us to be and become, then we don’t have to worry about what we ought to do. Who we are will reflect in what we do. Remember, our superhero God is here to our rescue and will enable us in our journey to become like him.

Jermaine Gibson

Monday Reflection – April 27, 2020

Hide from God?

 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God. Genesis 3:8  

As I read today’s Watchword, I began thinking about the many games we used to play when I was growing up. One such is ‘hide and seek’. It involves one person hiding away hoping not to be found, while the other(s) was to seek until the person who is hiding is found. Once that person is found, he/she becomes a seeker after another who has gone to hide. The two skills required are to hide so as not to be found, and to seek until we find the person who is hiding.

Sadly, this practice of running away and hiding has followed a lot of us in life in more serious ways. Many have become accustomed to running away once there is trouble or conflict. Many run away from marriages, relationships, jobs, hard work and even church, without any attempt to find a resolution. Their first response is to leave. Many lack the patience, fortitude and sticktuitiveness to deal with any challenging situation. Many also hide when they don’t want to face a situation, especially when they are in the wrong. They lack the courage and also the willingness to admit wrong, so they hide behind excuses and even attempt to hide from God.

Adam and Eve attempted to hide from God when they heard God coming. In the context of today’s text, shortly after being made in God’s image, the first humans were tested. The crux of their choice, and thus the temptation, was that they could ‘be like God’. Up to this point they had implicitly trusted God for everything and taken him at his word for everything. But now they had the choice to leave that behind, to become ‘like God’. They could become ‘gods’ themselves, captains of their own ship, masters of their destiny, being autonomous and answerable only to themselves. Having fallen, they felt shame and tried to cover it up. When God confronts Adam about his breach of covenant, he blames Eve and she in turn blames the serpent. No one would accept responsibility.

What started that day has continued because we have inherited that same innate disposition. We have inherited this nature of Adam and thus innately and willfully we continue the uprising that he started. We may not want to be god of the universe, but we want to be gods in our settings. Bon Jovi’s chorus “It’s my life”, Frank Sinatra’s more sublime “I did it my way”, and Buju Banton’s “I want to rule my destiny” are echoes of this.

Adam and Eve must have learnt two things about the nature of God that is worth noting ourselves. God is omniscient – that is all-knowing – and God is omnipresent – everywhere at the same time. This means that we cannot hide from God. David learnt this when he echoed in Psalm 139: 7-10, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Solomon advises, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place” (Proverbs 15:3). So let’s not run away, hide, nor blame others, but face God in penitence, and our situations with faith and a fresh resolve. In the midst of Covid-19, let’s not cower in fear, but trust God. Don’t hide from God; instead make God our hiding place.
Jermaine Gibson 

Moravian Daily Texts

Thursday, January 16 — Psalm 11
Genesis 19:1–29; Matthew 7:1–12

Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored; renew our days as of old.  Lamentations 5:21

As I prepare this reflection, the terrifying recent days in our beloved country of Jamaica cannot escape me. The many gruesome acts of violence, robberies, and murders have become wearisome. The news is not easy to hear and watch, sometimes even unbearable. I could not withhold the tears when I reflected on the news that this man in Manchester allegedly hacked his eight month old son to death and inflicted serious chop wounds to the child’s mother. I had to ask, ‘Lord, what’s next?”

Sadly, while rage, anger and cruelty have taken over, many of us remain comfortable behind our fortified fences at home and the hallowed walls of our sanctuaries. Many have become immune to what is taking place and some are neutral regarding the sad affairs of our land. So many are silent and unaffected, while some are paralyzed by fear. Where is the voice of God’s prophets and prophetesses? Where are the pastors and priests? Where are God’s ambassadors who ought to be positively impacting lives, leading to transformation of people and country?

As Jeremiah lamented the tragedies of his day, he prays in today’s Watchword that God may restore his people to himself. Only then can we truly be restored and renewed. The time has come to seek God anew. We need restoration from God, both individually and as a people. I prefer the New Kings James Version rendering of this verse – “Turn us back to You, O Lord, and we will be restored; renew our days as of old.” The restoration and transformation that we need must begin with each of us submitting ourselves to the lordship of God and committing to demonstrate his love wherever we go. Lord, let it start in me and with me.

Yet we must also transform our beautiful sanctuaries into community centres where people find refuge and guidance. A place where we have peace building, mediation and dispute resolution workshops for the community. A place where guns are surrendered and people go off to worthwhile employment. A place where we move out into community listening, caring and empowering persons. People must know there is a better way to life than this.

We join in prayer with St. Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.