Monday Reflection – January 24, 2022
The Light of God

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:11-12

Psalm 139 may very well be regarded as a praise and prayer to the God who knows all and is everywhere. This magnificent Psalm is titled For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. It does not surprise us that such a significant Psalm came from David’s pen, who was the sweet Psalmist of Israel. Claude Fleury says profoundly, “Let the modern wits, after this, look upon the honest shepherds of Palestine as a company of rude and unpolished clowns; let them, if they can, produce from profane authors thoughts that are more sublime, more delicate, or better turned; not to mention the sound divinity and solid piety which are apparent under these expressions.” In other words, so beautiful is this Psalm yet from the pen of a mere shepherd. Isn’t it amazing what God can do with any of us to accomplish His will, no matter how simple or poor our state! Precious jewels we can become in the hands of our marvelous God and Potter.   

David affirms in Psalm 139 that the all-present God is with us. He considers the truth that God is present everywhere, and there is no corner or dimension of the universe hidden from Him. Heaven is not too high and hell is not too low; God is everywhere. It is in this context that we find today’s Watchword – If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. David here declares that if he were to contemplate or say that darkness is his experience, he must remind himself that there is no darkness with God. God’s presence with David was like a constant light in the darkness. As the pillar of cloud illuminated Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21), so with God’s presence the night shines as the day.

Horne also reminds us that “Darkness may, indeed, conceal us and our deeds from the sight of men; but the divine presence, like that of the sun, turns night into day, and makes all things manifest before God.” Morgan agrees and asserts that “Darkness is light to Him, and has no hiding place from Him.” Whenever we are tempted to hide or do things in the cover of the dark, we would do well to remember that there is no darkness associated with God. God will beam his light into our created dark spaces and all things are revealed to Him.

Another dimension is not just that darkness is as light to God, but that God Himself is light. While God is the creator of light, He is the epitome of light. In God dwells the fulness of light that beams into every space. Jesus also declares himself as the light of the world and those who follow him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). Not just that, but hear Jesus’ instructions to those who follow Him, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16). And as John visions the new heaven and new earth, he says in Revelation 21:23, “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” May we walk with God who is our light and lights our way.

Jermaine Gibson 

Saturday Reflection – 22 January 2022

“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” St. Luke 1:78-79

Following the birth and presentation of John the Baptist in the temple, Zachariah the priest, who was also the John’s father, had regained his speech and was then filled with the Holy Spirit concerning God’s promise as fulfilled in the Messiah, and the great impact and transformation that would be effected on the world. Now, we have come out of the Christmas season, yet still are in the season of Epiphany. We find ourselves in a new year, yet still encumbered by the many challenges that we face as a society. There is still so much darkness in our world, a truth that we can all testify to seeing the vast increase in crime and violence, the raging pandemic and its societal effects, and the many other challenges of oppression and lawlessness; the topsy-turvy world that we can’t even recognize, that has left people wayward, depressed or even overcome in fear and anguish.

Yet still, in this season of Epiphany, the doctrinal text reminds us that by God’s mercy, the dawn will rise, giving light to those in darkness and despondency, leading us to the way of God’s peace. The light that would shine would be able to overpower the darkness, enlightening the way that leads us to eternal life. Where we think that there is no hope, that the world has gone mad with no way to return, Zachariah’s prophecy as fulfilled in Christ reminds us that there is still light in the darkness, and hope for renewal in our world. For the society then, having gone through exile, having returned but finding themselves under Roman oppression, this message would spark hope that this Messiah would fulfil God’s plan and bring salvation to the nations, restoring them in prominence, guiding them in peace, in the way of the kingdom that leads to eternal life.

For us, who have already celebrated the Messiah’s birth, and who know of his later crucifixion and resurrection have in front of us, the answer and remedy for our world. In our view, the prophecy of Zachariah is only a reminder that points to the cross of Calvary and the power of the resurrection that is able to transform lives and nations. That the teachings of the kingdom are made possible through Christ who saved us all. And because we are saved, we are then able to shine the light of Christ that is within us, by our lip and our life, that others may see Christ in us, and be led to Him, who is the light of the world.

This solution gives us hope that all is not lost; for we pray and know that God is still able, God’s hands are still on the steering wheel, and God’s intervention can still do for us, what we cannot do for ourselves. But as we pray, and allow God to lead, as His labourers in the vineyard, the Lord needs us, because we have come in contact with the Master, and can testify of this light; how the light of the world saved us, gives us sound direction, and in following, we have found hope, peace, joy, and love eternal. We are the Lord’s hands and feet, and as bearers of that light, we cannot cover it with a bushel. We cannot be content with just our hope being secured, and our way being lit. We’ve got to shine – by our time, talent, and treasure, by our lip and life, by “actively and enthusiastically spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Then will we see the change we desire, the prophecy being fulfilled in our day, the hope that we want to be born in our society, the renewal that needs to occur in our land. For if one light will ignite the other, soon the whole world will be lit.

Until next week, Christ tells us that if we follow Him, we will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. As Christ enlightens us, and enables us by the power of Holy Spirit, may we then, recognizing the transforming power of that light within us, shine, so that lives are transformed, our society is renewed, and God is glorified. Amen.

Dominic J. Blair

Friday Reflection January 21, 2022

Good morning friends, happy Friday!
Today’s text for reflection is from the book of St. John 15:16:
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16 NIV
https://john.bible/john-15-16

Many argue that the first part of this verse is referring to initial salvation and that Jesus also chose who would believe in him. The matter of free will then became the subject of critics. However, if we should read the full chapter especially verse 1 to 15, we would get a clearer picture of what Jesus was saying and to whom.

It was just hours before Jesus’ crucifixion when He  uttered the words recorded in this verse. It is a common understanding among believers that Jesus was talking to his disciples. It could not have been that Jesus was was referring to salvation because they ( the disciples) were already believers in Christ.

What Jesus was making reference to was the whole matter of bearing fruit. Not only did he urge them to bear fruit, but to let their fruit remain! Jesus also said in the latter part of the verse “and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you”. Being a branch in Christ Jesus and bearing fruit gives a believer benefits.

Just like them, we too are Jesus’ disciples and we are chosen by him to bear lasting fruit. What is this fruit you might ask. The fruit of the spirit! Kindness, love , joy, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, long-suffering, self-control and peace! Brothers and sisters, being branches in Christ Jesus, the True Vine doesn’t exempt us from trials and temptation. However, we are called to remain in him and bear good fruit and maintain a good relationship with Him and others.

If we maintain our place in Jesus and continue to bear fruit, it would enable us to ask for whatever we need from God the Father… Not just any and everything, but whatever is in line with the will of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! And once that is the case God will grant it!

 For those who have already accepted the free gift of salvation, you are being called to live a fruitful and faithful life! For those who have not yet been saved by grace, salvation is yours today if you only believe! You cannot bear fruit unless you are abiding in the True Vine.

God Bless you!

Shaneka Raymore Euphfa

Thursday Reflection January 20, 2022

Worship the Creator

“Fear God,” he shouted. “Give glory to him. For the time has come when he will sit as judge. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all the springs of water.” Revelation 14:7 NLT https://bible.com/bible/116/rev.14.7.NLT

Greetings friends,

This chapter distinguishes two groups of people: those who believe in Jesus during the tribulation and those who worship the beast. John sees the Lamb, Jesus, and the 144,00 sealed Jewish servants of God standing together on Mount Zion. The scene anticipates the end of the tribulation with the 144,000 celebrating their victory over the beast. Their is also celebration in heaven over their triumph.

The second group surrounds three angels. One that has the Eternal Good News who encourages us to give God glory and worship the Creator. The second angel speaks about the collapse of Babylon and the third angel the eternal punishment of the beast, whose image so many unbelievers worshiped.

This impending judgment is cause for believers to stay loyal to the Lord. Many believers will face martyrdom, but their temporary suffering does not compare with the eternal suffering worshipers of the beast will experience. When Christ returns to earth, the destruction of the wicked will be imminent.

We are also called to worship God, not only because of the judgment to come, but because who God is. We’re called to worship him, because He is creator of the heavens, the earth, and all that lives within. This speaks of the might of the Lord and his greatness. God’s supernatural ability surpasses ours by far and shows how marvelous the Lord is. We’re called to worship the Creator of the world. For in his creation, He has demonstrated His love for us. He has shown us how much he cares and we are called to do likewise.

So I encourage us, let us worship the Creator of the world.

Shalom

Christopher Euphfa

Shepherd Your People With Your Staff.

When we think of the shepherd’s tools of the trade, the first things that come to mind are the rod and the staff. We get this from everyone’s favorite Psalm, Psalm 23: 4. The Shepherd had specific roles for each of his tools including the rod and the staff which were the main tools of his trade. In today’s Watchword the prophet Micah prays to God to lead His people as a shepherd leads his flock. Shepherd your people with your staff. Micah 7: 14

There were three main uses for the shepherd’s staff in Old Testament times. Firstly, the staff was a resting pole for the shepherd when he was at a place where the ground was not dry or comfortable to sit on. When he needed rest during those long periods of caring for the sheep, he would lean on the staff for comfort and support. When God shepherds his people with His staff, we are reminded that God is our refuge and strength, that God provides rest for us when we become weary and a safe resting place when all around us becomes perilous. When we lean on our Lord, He gives us the support we need. Prov 3: 5 & 6 charges us: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Secondly, the staff was a tool for rescuing the sheep. The staff had a curved end. The shepherd would use the curved end to pull a sheep out of bushes that it had become stuck in. He would also use it to help the sheep back to its feet if it fell and couldn’t get up or if it was injured. The staff gave assurance to the sheep since it was used to help them out of a bind or to keep them upright. Jesus told His disciples in John 16: 33 In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. The shepherd uses the staff to help us to overcome the troubles we experience in life. If Jesus remains our shepherd there is hope for us being rescued from the trials and tribulations of life. He who overcame the world, will help us to overcome as well.

Thirdly, the staff served the shepherd as a guide for the sheep. As the shepherd led the sheep across open plains and through rough, rocky and hilly terrain, the staff served as a guide to keep the sheep together. When we think of Psalm 23 we remember the verses that speaks to the Lord leading us along righteous paths and beside still waters. Our Lord guides us as a shepherd leading his sheep, so that we get to where God needs us to be. Only our resistance and disobedience will prevent us from such success and prosperity. Jesus reminded us in the parable of the lost sheep that even when we go astray, the Lord our shepherd will leave the sheep that are safe and venture out to rescue the one that has gone astray and reunite him or her with the fold. God as our shepherd, guides us to peace and restoration with His staff. He guides us into making the best possible decisions and seeking the best possible outcome for our lives.

When we are in need of rest, when we need to be rescued, and when we need guidance, let us remember that God has already provided this for us through our Lord, our Shepherd. May Micah’s prayer then be our constant cry to God as we recognize the need for His leadership in our lives. Lord, shepherd your people with your staff. Amen.

Monday Reflection – January 17, 2022
Praise the Lord!!!

Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. Psalm 147:1

Psalm 147 is the second of five “Alleluia” hymns that close the Book of Psalms. Each of the last five Psalms starts and ends with the imperative, “Praise the Lord!” Together, these five Psalms put a final powerful note on the book that the Jewish community calls, “Praises” (tehillim). Indeed, the Psalmist closes with an extended summoning of the people to praise. Psalm 147 has three stanzas (verses 1-6, 7-11, 12-20), each of which opens with a call to praise and then outlines the reasons for praise. What should be noted about the call to praise is that it literally calls for a response. The people are called to open our mouths, lift up our voices, and join in the Psalmist’s joyful song. We are challenged to take up the songs that we have learned from the Psalmist and sing those songs out in the world.

I agree with Rolf Jacobson who asserts that we tend to think that the purpose of singing in worship is something we do as part of our relationship with God, as something we do for God. However, the direction of the call to praise at the end by the Psalmist is a little different. We are encouraged here to come to worship, to learn the praise of God, and to go out into the world and sing these songs. The praise that this Psalm calls for is the testimony about God. There are two types of praise. Firstly, there is praise that is sung to God, which generally uses the second person, ‘You’. Then there is praise that is sung about God, which generally uses the third person. For example, “The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground” (147:6).

Psalm 147 is exclusively a praise sung about God. Patrick Miller writes, “the purpose of praise [is] . . . to bear witness to all who hear that God is God.” The content of the testimony of Psalm 147 is about God as Creator and Sustainer, and God as Redeemer. Focusing on God as creator, the Psalm emphasizes both the initial act of creation, but also the ongoing, sustaining actions of the creator — providing food, sending rain, and so on. In terms of redemption, the Psalm bears witness to God’s acts of blessing and redemption in Israel’s history, especially to the act of restoring Jerusalem following the Babylonian exile.

David summons us to praise God, as we sing our praises about God. For what shall we sing about God today? I firmly believe that we all have enough, indeed more than enough, reasons to sing about God. Shall we be ungrateful and withhold our praise? Shall we turn to ourselves and praise ourselves, thus committing idolatry? God deserves every measure of our praise and every opportunity we get, privately and corporately, should be spent in sincere praise about God. The world should know what God has done for us, through our praise about God. Such praise should not only be about our words and gestures in worship, but our entire lives should be a reflection of God’s lordship over our lives and our commitment to honour Him in every aspect of our living.

May God forever be praised! Praise the Lord!

Jermaine Gibson 

Friday Reflection January 14, 2021

Rejoice!

Good morning friends! Happy Friday!

Today’s text for reflection is from the book of Psalms chapter 126 and verse 3.

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalms 126:3 NIV

Background
This verse is the center of the entire psalm! The utterances of God’s people when they came out of Babylon’s captivity and into their own country. The People’s deliverance was so magnificent and wonderful that when God brought it to pass it was like a dream!

Discussion
Being in captivity is no walk in the park! No one enjoys being held against their will in a strange place. Imagine you are taken from your own country and held captive in a far away land! Not a good feeling, but what if one day you were rescued and brought back to your own country? How would that make you feel?

As children of God we go through many afflictions. We might not necessarily be held captive in a foreign country, but we might be in situations that make us feel enslaved. Marriages, jobs, families, and the list goes on. We may have felt hopeless many times in our lives. Like there is no point of return, it is as if things will never get better. But then God showed up and showed himself strong and you were delivered! Did you rejoice?

Application
It is good to give thanks unto the Lord for His goodness towards us! The best response we can ever give to God for his goodness is praise! Respond like the children of Israel! The Lord has done good things for us and we are filled with joy!
other versions say we rejoiced. As you go through the weekend try to remember that their is nothing too hard for God and He is able to pull you from any captive situation you may find yourself in.

Prayer
Pray this prayer with me friends:

Dear Lord! Savior and King! Thank you for all that you have done in my life. Thank you for your patience, kindness, gentleness and your love. Thank you for your great deliverance! I rejoice in you for everything that you have done for me in 2021 and all you will do for me in 2022. Be with me and continue to deliver me as I continue to walk with you. In Jesus name amen!

Shaneka Raymore Euphfa

Thursday Reflection January 13, 2022 God is great

Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” Psalms 70:4 NRSV
https://bible.com/bible/2016/psa.70.4.NRSV

Greeting friends,

The Psalm today is a cry for help. The author, King David, calls on the Lord for help. This help is urgent as he asks the Lord to make haste to help him. His enemies are trying to kill him, but he asks the Lord to confuse them and instead put them to shame.

In the midst of all of this though he offers encouragement to those who seek the Lord and love His salvation. He charges them to rejoice and be glad in the Lord stating forevermore that, “God is great”. He ends the Psalm how he began asking the Lord to deliver him and not delay.

Friends, as we look at David’s prayer for help we at times can share some of the concerns David has. Whilst, we might not have persons trying to kill us, some of us have gone up against those who try to put us to shame or we face dire and urgent need of help. Like David we ask the Lord to help us urgently, because the situation we face requires immediate resolution.

There is nothing wrong with making urgent requests of the Lord, even though God is not bounded by our time and operates as He sees fit. David emptied himself to the Lord, which is a lesson we can learn from David. He’s specific about his request. He wants those who are trying to kill him to be put to shame instead. Likewise, we too should be specific about our requests of the Lord. State what we need help with and leave it in the hands of the Lord.

As I reflected on this Psalm, there is a standout verse which is the verse for today. David charges those who seek the Lord to rejoice and be glad. Let us remember David is still seeking the Lord’s help, but in the midst of this he calls us to worship the Lord and be happy in God. This might sound a bit farfetched, but the key to doing this is evident in the verse.

David says, “Let all who seek you [God]. The ability to rejoice and be glad during trials or difficulties has a lot to do with seeking God. Those who seek God focus is centered on God and what God can and will do. That’s why David says, “let those who love your salvation”. They know God is a saviour despite what they go through and God has proven himself to be such. How many of us can testify that God has saved us from various challenges and difficulties in our life? All of us if we are being honest. That’s why David says those who love God’s salvation should say, “God is great”

In the midst of turmoil we are called to still praise the Lord. In the midst of specific requests to God we should still praise the Lord. Why do we do that? Simple, because God has saved us time and time again He is great.

So today just make that declaration, God is great!

Shalom

Christopher Euphfa

Wednesday Reflection, January 12, 2022 One True God

But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. Jeremiah 10:10

In a world on uncertainty and daily struggles it is quite easy for one to get distracted and or lose sight of the things that are real and right.

In Jeremiah chapter 10 the Lord speaks through the peophet Jeremiah and instructs the people not to stray or seek or worship idols. They were to be mindful of the fact that there was only one God, Yahweh.

The people were warned to separate themselves from the people who did not know God as in aligning themselves with the gentiles they began to practice idolatry. They were to not to spend their time looking to the sky as in ancient times astrology was used to discern signs and warnings in the sky which led them to say, they saw fearful things in the signs of heaven.

Today brothers and sisters, there be so many distractions, detractors and idols. It is impetative that those who are called by God, those who believe in Him and proclaim His righteousness stand firm and be resolute in their walk of faith. As astrologers and palm readers advertise their offerings and churches increase, crime and violence and covid19 contend; the christian must know, must remember who God is.

In our New Testament text, Matthew 11:25, Jesus said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants.’

May we seek to be like little children, infants who are inquisitive and know no fear or danger, may we trust God as we keep His commands and serve and praise only Him.

Amen

Kerone Lamoth

Keep Your Vows To God

When we pledge or vow to God, we should make it our duty to fulfill our words. In Ecclesiastes 5 we are challenged to be reverent in our worship of God. Solomon challenges us to think carefully and consequentially when we approach God. This is because our words and actions before God will have consequences. If we make a pledge or a vow, we should be prepared to keep it or face the consequences of our broken words. The emphasis should not be on our words or even on our actions, but on our relationship with God. Thus, today’s watchword says: For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God. Ecc 5: 7

As we examine the text, it helps to look at the preceding verses. When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed— 5 Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. 6 Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your [a]excuse and destroy the work of your hands? Solomon implores us to keep our vows to God. Do not find excuses, for which excuse can suffice for an explanation of our failure to keep our vows to God? We sometimes fool ourselves by saying ‘God will understand’. This however is not the truth. God expects us to keep our words just as He keeps His words towards us. It takes effort and determination, and it will be worth it in the end. It is an honorable act to keep our vows to God.

What can we do, or how can we ensure that we keep our vows to God? Solomon gives us the answer in the last two words of the text. ‘Fear God’. To fear God is not to be afraid of God but to reverence and respect God. When we reverence and respect God, we will do only what is pleasing to God. We will keep our vows to God. Prov 9: 10 tells us that: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. In Job 28: 28 it adds ‘and to shun evil is understanding’. To break our vows our sacred promise to God means we went and did something we promised not to do, or we did not do something we promised to do. This is sinful action that results from our unfaithfulness. The truly wise person has learned what it means to fear God and keep His commands. There will be no need to make excuses for broken vows. It is a recognition that our complete duty or responsibility to God is fulfilled by fearing God and keeping his commandments. My prayer for us then dear friends is that we will be true to our vows and therefore experience the blessings of being faithful to our God.