Be careful then how you live

Wednesday

Ephesians 5:1  Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2  and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3  But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. 4  Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. 5  Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6  Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. 7  Therefore do not be associated with them. 8  For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light-- 9  for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10  Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11  Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12  For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13  but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14  for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15  Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16  making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17  So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18  Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19  as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20  giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesus was a commercial port at the mouth of the Cayster River on the west coast of the Roman province of Asia. An added attraction of Ephesus was the temple of the Greek goddess Artemis, who in the Latin language was called Diana. Paul began his ministry in a synagogue in the city (Acts 19:8), but turned to the Gentiles when the Jewish leadership began persecuting those who believed in Jesus. From Ephesus the Gospel of Jesus spread throughout the whole province of Asia (Acts 19:10).

This Ephesian community of Jesus-followers was therefore in the spotlight. They were a “mother church’ to the rest of Asia Minor. The potential of their witness to the people who travelled the trade routes was immense. And there was an opportunity to share the teachings and life of Jesus with those who came to find faith in the religious culture of Ephesus. For this reason Paul writes: “Be careful then how you live.”  He then spells out various suggestions about the way followers of Jesus ought to behave – but the central thrust is that we ought to live in Jesus honouring ways.

O Master, let me walk with thee

in lowly paths of service free;

tell me thy secret; help me bear

the strain of toil, the fret of care.

Help me the slow of heart to move

by some clear, winning word of love;

teach me the wayward feet to stay,

and guide them in the homeward way.

Washington Gladden, 1836-1918

Fifth  Sunday of Easter

Love is the Sign

The Scripture passage for the day is drawn from Rueben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 167.

This reflection is from my own devotional exercises for the day.

God rubs off on us.

Romans 5:1  Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2  through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3  And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4  and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5  and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 6  For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7  Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8  But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9  Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10  For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11  But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Paul speaks about taking pride in the glory of God. This is not earned, but instead it rubs off on us from spending time with God. I remember taking my wife out to dinner: she had got all dressed up. Eyes, hair, special perfume. After a lovely evening, when we came home, we went to say good night to the children: one of them kissed me and then exclaimed “You smell just like Mommy”. Her perfume had rubbed off on me! In the same way the glory of God rubs off on us when we spend time with God. This is captured in the story of Moses on Mount Sinai. Moses came down and everyone could see the glory of God, because it had rubbed off on him. (Exodus 24:39).

 

This then is both an invitation and a challenge. The invitation is to spend time with God, and allow the character of God to rub off on me. The challenge is to then live as one who shows the glory of God. I can therefore never be satisfied with ‘second best’ behavior. I am God’s billboard. I am an advertisement for the Divine. I am to invite people to look at me – because my hope is in the glory of God “because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us”.  

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Fifth  Sunday of Easter

Love is the Sign

The Scripture passage for the day is drawn from Rueben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 167.

This reflection is from my own devotional exercises for the day.

Spiritual Living

Monday

Galatians 5:13  For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. 14  For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 15  If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 16  Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17  For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. 18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. 19  Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20  idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, 21  envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22  By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Paul presents two polar opposites: either we ‘live by the flesh’ or we ‘live by the Spirit’. He is writing from Antioch to churches initiated by himself and Barnabas (Acts 13:14-14:26) in the Phrygian cities of Pisidian, Antioch and Iconium, and in the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe. Christian teachers had arrived from Jerusalem, who insisted that Gentile followers of Jesus must come under the Law of Moses in order to be loved by God. Circumcision must be added to Grace.

  

Paul therefore posits living by the laws of the flesh (circumcision) as the opposite of living by the Spirit: “ if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law (Gal 5:18). He is not suggesting that followers of Jesus are lawless, but he is rejecting the teaching of those who want to link Jewish religious codes to following Jesus. Instead, says Paul: “live by the Spirit” which will result in character qualities such as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”.

The invitation for this week is to worry less about who keeps what religious code, and more about how we can live side by side with gentleness and love.

Thought

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion, too
Imagine all the people

Living life in peace....
JOHN LENNON - IMAGINE LYRICS

Fifth  Sunday of Easter

Love is the Sign

The Scripture passage for the day is drawn from Rueben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 167.

This reflection is from my own devotional exercises for the day.

We Do Not Lose Heart

2Corinthians 4:1  Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2  We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4  In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5  For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake.

........

2Co 4:15  Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

2Co 4:16  So we do not lose heart.

Good leadership requires courage.

It requires the courage to live with what St Paul calls “the open statement of the truth” . This is difficult, because as fallible human beings we all make mistakes – (even illustrious leaders!) – and it is tempting to cover up our mistakes with lies, half-truths and denial. Paul invites us to turn from our own fragile egos and remember that “we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ”. This can be immensely liberating, because Jesus-followers are free to admit “the shameful things that one hides” and our dependence on Him. When we do so “we refuse to practice cunning” and instead “commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God”

Do not “lose heart’ when you see the corruption and the manipulation of the truth by other people.  Instead make the decision to become known for your own personal integrity. This is the beginning of good leadership.

A great leader's courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.
- John Maxwell

My President Is Black
My Lambo's Blue
I Say My President Is Black
My Lord Is A Jew
The King Of Kings
He's Telling Us What To Do
My President Is Black
But Jesus Christ Rules

          Let Me Be Clear About Something Ya'll This Right Here Ain't A Dis Song
          This Song Isn't Even About My President's Race
          This Song Right Here Is About Government And The Role That It Plays 

          In God's Big Picture
          Aye Man One Day Jesus Christ Is Gonna Rule
          As The Final Governing Authority But Right Now He's Using Government

          For His Glory
          Ya'll Know What I'm Talking About Right Or Ya'll Can Read For Your Self 

         Though Romans 13

 Da'_T.R.U.T.H.

Fourth  Sunday of Easter

The Good Shepherd

The Scripture passage for the day is drawn from Rueben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 160.

This reflection is from my own devotional exercises for the day.

    

So you want to lead?

Friday

1Timothy 3:1The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. 2  Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3  not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. 4  He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way-- 5  for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church? 6  He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7  Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil. 8  Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; 9  they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10  And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. 11  Women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12  Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well; 13  for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

If you were to look for people to fill positions as church leaders, what kind of people would you want? I suspect we often appoint people who have shown success in their lives – they hold down prestigious jobs; they are popular in the community; they are capable managers of people. All too often churches manage themselves like businesses, and so we look for leaders who are successful in business, thinking that they will become successful church leaders.

The two offices of church leader mentioned in 1 Timothy are  πρεσβύτερος / elder, and  διάκονος  / deacon. Churches have variously translated these names as bishop/minister/presbyter and steward/deacon/leader respectively. While the names used do not really matter, the qualities listed in 1 Timothy 3 as requirements for a church leader remain unchanged: these are all about moral character rather than success at business: “temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable... not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money”. In the light of our recent national elections, I would suggest that the same values ought to be expected from political leaders. 

Pray for your church leadership – that they might grow the qualities of Godly leadership. Now think of one church leader you know who you can encourage in his/her walk with Jesus.   

A humble, lowly, contrite, heart,
Believing, true and clean,
Which neither life nor death can part
From Christ who dwells within.

Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart;
Come quickly from above;
Write Thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new, best name of Love.

Words: Charles Wes­ley, Hymns and Sac­red Po­ems, 1742.

Fourth  Sunday of Easter

The Good Shepherd

The Scripture passage for the day is drawn from Rueben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 160.

This reflection is from my own devotional exercises for the day.

Comfort my People

Isaiah 40:1  Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. 3  A voice cries out: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4  Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5  Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." 6  A voice says, "Cry out!" And I said, "What shall I cry?" All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7  The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8  The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. 9  Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, "Here is your God!" 10  See, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11  He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.

This very well known passage from Isaiah offers hope to a captive people. The prophet is speaking a future hope that is yet to be realised: They are offered the hope that God would “gather his lambs together” from their exile in Babylon. Their term of suffering is over and God will lead them back to Mount Zion. A highway would be built so that the people could travel easily, God’s word on this matter is to be trusted, and this good news is to be preached already.  

The central idea is one of comfort: “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly...”  The invitation of our faith offers hope to people without hope, comfort to those who have suffered discomfort, and tenderness to people who know only hardship. We who follow the way of Jesus are to become comforters of those people who are lost, and afraid of life.

Handel, upon reading these Scriptures from the Old and New Testaments (compiled by a friend) (August, 1741) was overcome by their power. and immediately shut himself in and worked night and day, often forgetting to eat. He finished the original libretto and score in twenty-four days.

Fourth  Sunday of Easter

The Good Shepherd

The Scripture passage for the day is drawn from Rueben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 160.

This reflection is from my own devotional exercises for the day.

Survival of the Fittest?

Ezekiel 34:11  For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. 12  As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13  I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. 14  I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15  I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. 16  I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice...

Eze 34:20  Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21  Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, 22  I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23  I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24  And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.

Fat sheep and lean sheep? Ezekiel refers to sheep that have “pushed with flank and shoulder”. These are the sheep that, using their horns, “butted at all the weak animals” so that they scattered while the strong ate their fill. Some get fat because they have more than they need, while other starve and weaken because they never get access to nourishment. 

Some call this the “survival of the fittest”....some survive, and some do not.

This image is especially relevant to me today - because the citizens of my country are voting in our 5^th democratic election. I am acutely aware of our Apartheid history where ‘fat’ white sheep pushed ‘thin’ black sheep aside in the pursuit of power and wealth. And I am grateful to now live in a country where all the citizens of our nation now have an equal opportunity to vote for their political representatives.    

That said - there are clearly still some who dominate others with impunity – because they have fattened themselves enough to push the weak aside. There are big, powerful political parties who use every trick in the book (dirty or otherwise) to silence the smaller voices. There are “fat” multinational corporations that crush those who cannot compete. And there are big individuals who trample all over smaller individuals in order to get ahead. In the process human beings starve, and shrivel, and generally struggle for life.

I am convinced that there are enough resources for all of us on this planet – if only the fat were prepared to share with the thin. Ezekiel reminds us that this will change: “I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice..”.

This one question remains: where do we stand? Are we part of the herd that pushes and shoves the weaker aside … or are we willing to stand up to the bullies of this world by supporting the injured and protecting the weak?

God’s spirit is in my heart;

He has called me and set me apart.

This is what I have to do

What I have to do:

          He sent me to give the good news to the poor,

          Tell prisoners that they are prisoners no more,

          Tell blind people that they can see,

          And set the downtrodden free,

And go tell ev’ryone

The news that the kingdom of God has come;

And go tell ev’ryone

The news that God’s kingdom has come.

HYMN 315 

Alan T Dale (1902-79)

Based on Luke 4:18 and Matthew 10:9, 10, 19, 20

Fourth  Sunday of Easter

The Good Shepherd

The Scripture passage for the day is drawn from Rueben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 160.

This reflection is from my own devotional exercises for the day.