Category Archives: church

Letting it go…

2 Replies

Some.. from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabus to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

(Acts 11.19-23)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position, Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone…. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

(Rom 12.9-21)

If, like me, you grew happily into faith in a christian home and congregation, it may well be that – again like myself – you are especially fond of certain songs and hymns, and find particular styles of service more comfortable than others. This is natural, and the inevitable result of such an up-bringing. Our hearts return to those things which remind us of those who loved and led us, and of precious days which are gone.

Equally, we may look back on previous generations in our churches when the buildings were full, and when society as a whole seemed much more attuned to the principles of the gospel, and in line with God’s commands. How wonderful, we tell ourselves, if such times could return. Our traditions of church life, and the place which faith used to play in national life are not an illusion, and we do right to remember and honour all who have gone before in the Lord’s service in this land.

However, like all good things, these traditions and precious memories can become idols and a means by which we are deceived into making wrong decisions, trapped into time- and energy- sapping distractions from the real work of sharing the good news about Jesus with our neighbours in this day and generation. To build on what has gone before does not necessarily mean repeating the same structures and patterns as our forbears used! To build on their faith should simply mean that we honour their endeavours by seeking what God would have us do with what he has given us now – even as they did in their day.

When Barnabus arrived in Antioch to investigate the first widespread conversion of non-Jewish people to faith in Jesus, he could have insisted on the imposition of all the traditions by which the Jewish converts to Christ were living – the trappings of Judaism. But he did not. He commended them, encouraged them and simply begged them to remain true to the Lord. He imposed no more regulations on them than Paul did when writing earnestly to the church in Rome, where all his exhortations were to do with their conduct and witness as transformed people in their culture. These two men were devout Jews, but they both recognised that it was time for the precious traditions of their past to be set aside, in order for the gospel to spread around the world as God had always intended it should.

I am warned by the example of these two great leaders of the early church that I too must sit as lightly as possible to my own particular tradition. What possible excuse do I have for insisting on any form of worship; the preservation of a building or any other part of the past (no matter how precious to me personally in my faith journey), if it impedes the work of the gospel today, presents a barrier to witness, or drains resources which could be used in other ways? Am I prepared to assert in God’s presence that my own preferences matter more than the eternal destiny of those around me?

Almighty God, whose desire it is that none should perish, but all come to faith in Jesus Christ, deliver me from selfishness in holding onto anything which might be a distraction from the work to which I am called today. Let me sit lightly to the past, and honour all that has gone before by imitating the faith and bold endeavours which your people have undertaken in your name. Amen

A heavy burden…

Leave a reply

“I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood….”

(Ac 20.26-28)

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith…..

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honourably in all things..

(Heb 13.7, 17-18)

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

(1Pet 5.2-4)

I have a vivid memory of a long-experienced minister speaking to a friend of mine who was considering going into full-time ministry in the church… he said “do not do this unless you can do nothing else…” By that, he meant that the task of ministry is not something to be entered into lightly, but rather with a great sense of its responsibilities, of one’s own inadequacies, and the deepest possible conviction that one will have no peace at all in doing anything else! When we read the words of exhortation to church leaders – and to church members about their attitude to their leaders, we can see just how great a burden is laid upon their shoulders.

How would you like to be held up as an example of faith for others to imitate, or to be expected to handle the word of God responsibly so that your teaching was reliable? It is both a great privilege, and a huge burden to be called to serve the body of Christ, as He served it – servant hearted, selfless, patient and long-suffering.  And so the challenge comes to us as the sheep of those under-shepherds… do we pray for our leaders? Do we do all we can to make their task straightforward?

As members of the body of Christ, we are called to exercise our minds in understanding God’s word – not blindly accepting everything we are told, but seeking to understand for ourselves. A teaching elder is glad to have his words challenged since it proves that his listeners are paying attention, and together the leader and the member grow in faith and understanding as they submit to God’s word and their own limitations.  In the same way, we look to our leaders not to control every aspect of our lives, but to help us to learn and apply the godly principles which help us to make decisions. We are disposed to follow their leading, but not without engaging our minds and being willing to express our own opinions and doubts. A community of believers which regularly engages with its leaders in conversation about the word of God and their response to it is less likely to produce power-hungry autocrats, protecting the leaders themselves from unhealthy attitudes to their God-given authority.

We have a responsibility too – to exercise self-discipline and use our gifts in direct relationship with our Creator God, so that we can be a blessing to our neighbours, our community and our leaders. I personally dread becoming one of those sheep who causes her shepherd to groan continually, as my follies and faults go uncorrected and I pursue my stubborn, stupid path of fruitlessness.

Wouldn’t you like to know that your life, your share in congregational life, was an encouragement to your leaders? Then pray, read, think for yourself, and regularly ask them how you can pray for them! Tell them that you recognise the burden of their calling and respect the authority which they bear. Assure them that you do not think they are perfect, that they don’t have to pretend to be strong all the time.. and ask God for wisdom and sensitivity in all your dealings with them. Be the sheep that makes their task worthwhile, a person they can trust to pray for them faithfully and with whom they can share their troubles if they need to. Love them, as you would be loved, that we might together glorify and honour our Lord and chief shepherd, Jesus.

We are family…

Leave a reply

While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

(Matt 12.46-50)

The elder [John], to the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth – and not I only, but also all who know the truth – because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever. Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love…. the children of your sister, who is chosen by God, send their greetings.

(2 Jn 1-6&13)

As I reflect on the week which is passing, I am aware of three very different situations where I have been deeply blessed by and aware of my faith family. I have written before about the riches which we have as believers, belonging to the family of God, where all find love, acceptance and significance – and I rejoice today in these recent reminders of what I have been given – and can give – within that family.

I was in a sore state of mind, bewildered and troubled, and shared my need with trusted sisters. One spoke with me, others sent messages, songs and assurance of prayer.. and the storm passed, I was eased and comforted, and give thanks for these women, with whom I share so deeply and to such effect. Their wisdom, love and kindness is God’s care for me in troubled days – what a blessing!

I attended a local mission prayer meeting for the first time, and met a dear and venerable saint of 94 years, a frail widower, but inspiring in his faith and perseverance; in his desire to love the Lord and to witness to his community and pray for the growth of the kingdom worldwide. This man knew my parents and my home church, I attended university with his daughter, and our meeting brought a rich feast of memories, connections, reasons for rejoicing. I was full of thanksgiving for the privilege of being known by him, of mattering to him for the sake of my parents whom he loved. These fathers and mothers in our faith family, these darling elders who are already more than halfway to glory are such a blessing to us, like the heroes and heroines of faith named in the book of Hebrews. And his gentleness and love brought me almost to tears… what an example of how to grow old in Christ!

And last night, we were able for the first time to offer hospitality in our home to members of our new congregation.. people who six months ago were strangers are now friends, people who have a right to share our joys and sorrows, even as we know theirs… because we are family, we belong together. This is what it means to love, to belong to the house of God, being the children whom his Son saved and gladly owns as his brothers and sisters.

Today then, I give thanks for the heritage of faith – for family connections down the years through my parent’s faithfulness and hospitality in their church; for the riches of growing up in a praying, mission minded family of faith, surrounded by  parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, siblings, children and grandchildren of faith. I give thanks for the kids and young adults who once camped with us, and are now believing parents in turn sending their children to camp. I love and cherish these elders, contemporaries of my parents now modelling faithful ageing and trust in the Lord in face of death. What a shared wealth of memories of fellowship and teaching, what an incredible family we belong to! These bonds which transcend time create a family tie which nothing can break, and establish each and every believer in a world wide, generation-crossing love, a foretaste of glory and the life to come, when age and death will no longer divide us.

A work in progress… completion assured

Leave a reply

In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the fall of the city – on that very day the hand of the Lord was on me and he took me there. In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city.. “Son of man, look carefully and listen closely and pay attention to everything I am going to show you, for that is why you have been brought here. Tell the people of Israel everything you see.”

(Ezek 40.1-4)

Then the man brought me to the gate facing east, and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory.. The glory of the Lord entered the temple through the gate facing east. Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. While the man was standing beside me, I heard someone speaking to me from inside the temple. He said, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place for the soles of my feet. This is where I will live among the Israelites for ever..”

(Ezek 43.1-7)

And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.

(Ezek 48.35)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away… And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God..” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”

(Rev 21.1,3&5)

The book of the words of the prophet Ezekiel is a challenging read, containing some visions which we find almost impossible to picture, let alone interpret.. It is nonetheless encouraging, closing as it does with a detailed description of a new temple, a new centre of worship of the the Almighty God, where his presence returns to dwell among his restored people. That vision came to encourage a people in exile, a people whose national identity was on the point of vanishing under Babylonian rule.

Because those people were not just any ethnic group, they were the chosen ones, the covenant people of the Almighty God and the objects of his faithful love. They were to play their part in his plan for the salvation of the world, and the inauguration of a new kingdom, and so although in human terms, they had no hope, yet God – through Ezekiel – is speaking to them of a purpose, dignity and identity as his people. There would in time be a restoration, a return to Jerusalem and a pattern of worship would be re-established.. but the return of the glory of the Lord – his presence – remained in the future. Devout Jews looked for this return, this coming of the Lord to his people, to dwell among them, and the writers of the New Testament recognise that Jesus, as God incarnate, was the initial fulfilment of the prophecy.

Ezekiel then speaks to a future restoration which is yet to be completed, to a full indwelling of God with his people. This is what we – as believers in Jesus – have experienced in our part as we live by faith and by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus teaches that as we trust in him, so we become the dwelling place of God. We have been made fit for that purpose through the powerful atoning work of the cross, and – whatever we may feel – the truth is that the global church is now the place where the divine is at home.. We, like the exiled Israelites, have dignity, purpose and identity because we are the object of God’s covenant love. We too, look forward to a day when the full glory of God will dwell with his people and because of Jesus, we can be confident that it will come to pass.

The prophet’s vision is one of perfect communion and intimate connection, of proper worship and pure devotion. Only God himself, whose name and glory his people have defaced and dishonoured, can restore and make this a reality. God is committed to the realisation of this communion, a relationship where his glory will be perfectly seen in all its fulness, and seen as He dwells with us. How marvellous, how far beyond our comprehension this is!

To see this vision, is to worship and bow in awe before unimagined love and power, confessing my own insignificance and unworthiness, yet exulting to know myself chosen to share it!

That you, O God, should be glorified is only right.. But that your glory should be seen by your indwelling of your people is astonishing! Let me grow in understanding of this truth, let it inspire and motivate me to love, obedience and glad-hearted service. O Lord, be glorified in me!

On being a faithful workman..

Leave a reply

.. Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses.. [Ezra] had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

(Ez 7.6&10)

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarrelling about words; it is of no value and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.. don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

(2 Tim 2.11-15,23-26: 4.1-5)

A few days before this piece is published, my husband will have formally taken up his new post as minister for a congregation within the Church of Scotland. The occasion will have included an avowal of a personal desire to glorify and serve Jesus Christ as the primary motivation for his willingness to undertake the task.  In a way, it is the same kind of message which Paul is giving to Timothy in this letter – to a young pastor who is facing the (humanly speaking) terrifying task of leading a church, many of whose members will be older and therefore consider themselves to have more authority and wisdom than he does!!

The calling to serve by entering into Christian ministry, the work of preaching, caring, leading and – where necessary – exercising some discipline – should never be embraced without a great deal of careful thought, prayer and humble, honest soul-searching. It is not a position to be sought for anything other than the conviction that as a believer, one can do nothing else – a strong constraint and sense of identification with the work. If you read carefully through Paul’s charge to Timothy, it is clear that there will be no end to the labour, and that it will be a constant challenge to his temper, his energy, his wisdom, and above all his reliance on God to work through his own personal weaknesses and flaws. Because the best human leaders of God’s people are those who are most acutely aware of their own temptations; who refuse to ‘go it alone’ in the job but make themselves accountable to others; who can apologise where needed, and who will never forget that the work is God’s work, not dependent on their own human wisdom, ingenuity or energetic and constant activity.

As I prepare to support and work alongside my husband in our new place of ministry, may I encourage you to pray for us and for your own leaders, in light of the particular responsibilities and challenges which God has called them to accept?

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in whose name we pray today, be glorified in the lives and ministries of your servants in the gospel, those called to public ministry and leadership of your people. May each one be like Ezra – knowing your word, living your word and teaching your word faithfully in every situation.

Heavenly Father, these servants are known and loved by you; each one delights you as they serve to the best of their ability, but each is also burdened by a sense of their own limitations, flaws and persistent sins. May they know the joy of being forgiven; may they walk gladly in the light of your love and acceptance of them; may they never forget that your approval matters more than anything else, and their worth doesn’t depend on what happens – for good or ill – in their ministries.

When their energies are lowest; when the human frustrations are deepest; when there seems no hope for change, no fruit for their labours… then, O Lord, have mercy on your servants and visit them with your tender mercies of refreshment and renewal by your Spirit. When there are signs of life, lives being transformed, a liveliness and energy of your power at work… then, O Lord, have mercy on your servants and remind them that this is your work, not theirs and protect them from pride, self-sufficiency and boastfulness.

We commend your servants to you today O Lord, may we love and support them faithfully; may we be honest if we are concerned about them and willing to forgive them, as we ourselves seek to be forgiven. Build your church Lord, for your glory and our blessing we pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

A new place, a familiar task

Leave a reply

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

(1 Pet.4.7-11)

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!

(Ph 2.1-8)

As I prepare to join a new Christian family, and take up the challenge and privilege of getting to know a lot of new sisters and brothers, I am encouraged by these words from Peter, and Paul. Both writers knew how important it was that these kingdom communities should be distinctive from the society around them – characterised by the values of God’s kingdom, not of the world; places where forgiveness was freely given and gladly received, places where people valued each other and did not seek power, attention, or even the approval of others, but simply made the needs of others their business for the sake of the whole, that all might thrive and grow in love.

We love one another, because Christ loved us: we forgive one another, because in Christ we have been forgiven so much, and it is only as forgiveness acts within the body of Christ that it can thrive, that love can act in transforming, enabling and strengthening us. Unforgiveness destroys not only the offender but also the one offended, and so we must seek God’s help to keep offering it to one another.

My calling in my new place is simply this: to love; to forgive; to offer all that I have been given by God for the good of my new church family. In other words, it is to live as much like Jesus as I am able in this weak and frail flesh. This is my prayer, that I might keep my eyes focussed on Jesus; that his Spirit might continue the work of transformation; that I might be humble, teachable, ready to ask forgiveness and slow to offer advice unless asked! The words of this old hymn put it perfectly….

May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day,
by his love and power controlling all I do and say.

May the word of God dwell richly  in my heart, from hour to hour;
so that all may see I triumph only through his power.

May the peace of God my Father rule my life in everything,
that I may be calm to comfort sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me as the waters fill the sea,
him exalting, self abasing this is victory!

May his beauty rest upon me as I seek to make him known;
so that all may look to Jesus, seeing him alone.

May I run the race before me, strong and brave to face the foe,
looking only unto Jesus as I onward go.

 (K B Wilkinson (1859 – 1928))

Generous and trusting love

Leave a reply

The King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my father, take your inheritance.. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in… whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

(Matt 25.34&35,40)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves… Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

(Rom 12.9&10,13)

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God

(Rom 15.5&6)

When we left our previous home 8 months ago, we had no idea what lay ahead, we could make no plans, put down no real roots. It was a difficult experience, waiting and wondering and trying to enjoy each day for the gift it was instead of searching the future. One of the good decisions we made in that time was to commit to attending a church where we had a few contacts, and where we knew the gospel was preached, and lived, week by week.

And what a blessing they have been to us! Knowing that we could not stay for ever, knowing that we could not commit to long-term service and membership, they yet opened their hearts and homes to us and made us welcome. I will never forget the slight anxiety I felt on our first visit to our local homegroup – a strange house, with a room full of people whom we did not know.. by the end of that evening, we were family and how sweetly encouraging and refreshing that was to our unsettled hearts.

This experience has shown me so clearly what a deep bond exists between all those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as their saviour, and live to love and serve him. We may know nothing about one another except that one thing, and that is the only one that matters.

When the saints make one another welcome in Jesus’ name, then he is glorified and his love works through us to minister to one another, providing for our needs, whatever they may be. I have needed community in some form, and found it in these loving folk who have let me share their lives, prayed with me, studied the bible with me, and let me share their burdens too. I am in their debt, but I know that they delighted to be generous to me – and I trust and pray that in turn I might follow their example in welcoming the stranger and making myself vulnerable that they might be blessed.

Of course, the drawback of a generous love is the pain of parting; but as believers we know that our parting is not forever. Although our times together in the future may be limited and sporadic, yet in the glory of God’s new creation we will have boundless time and opportunity to share in praising, serving and delighting in Christ together – we will never again run out of time to enjoy one another in his presence!

Heavenly Father, from whom each of us receives our name as your beloved child, I worship and praise you for your goodness to us as we minister to one another in your name, offering grace, love and practical support to friend and stranger.

How beautiful it is to have family that we haven’t met yet, and to know that we glorify you when we meet one another with open and generous hearts. Thank you for this provision which encourages and strengthens us as we journey through life, that we are never without a spiritual home to belong to.

May the Holy Spirit continually soften our hearts to be willing and ready; to be prepared to love even though it may bring the grief of parting; to be prepared to give without thought of return and caring only that the Body of Christ might be built up in love and faith. For the sake and the exaltation of our Lord Jesus, hear this our prayer, Amen

We are family..

Leave a reply

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one… For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his spirit.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

(Eph 2.13&14,18-22; 3.17-19; 4.3-6)

Nearly a month ago, I left the church community which has been my family for seven years ago, and moved across the country. I left behind faithful friends, people who have loved and supported and encouraged me, and whom I in turn have sought to love in Jesus’ name. Our last service together included that precious time of remembrance, when those who trust in him for salvation take bread and wine, take time to consider again what price was paid for our forgiveness, and take time to give thanks for one another – the family which God has created for himself.

The family of God around the world today is multicultural, multi-lingual, and yet we are taught that in Christ, we are one. Our unity is not a thing of uniformity, of shared language or tradition, but a glorious technicoloured celebration of diverse peoples who all call Jesus their Lord and Saviour. Our unity is founded solely in him, and in the effectiveness of his work on the cross to defeat sin, death and evil for us once and for ever.

This week, I took the bread and wine again, in a different building, with different believers around me. And I remembered again that Jesus died to make me his own, to unite me with all his precious brothers and sisters, those whom I love and miss, and those to whom I have been called in this time, these new family members who sit around me. How deeply thankful I am that wherever I go in the world, I have family. I can go to a gathering of Jesus’ followers and even if I understand very little of their language, I can share with them in praising God and celebrating my Saviour. The unity of his children is real – and in spite of the disgraceful habit which we have, of falling out and putting up fences, we still share so much more than any of the things that divide us!

The more we can focus on Jesus, on his love and power, his beauty and his high calling on our lives, the closer we are drawn to one another. Before God’s throne, where Jesus stands ever as our great High Priest, there is no distance at all between God’s children as they pray and call for him to work out his purposes and reveal his glory. When I come to intercede for my friends in India or Mexico, or to remember those whom I left behind last month, I am shoulder to shoulder with them as we spend time in God’s presence.

It is particularly sweet to me in this initial time of loss, to know that those whom I have left behind are not lost to God, but are precious to him and he will bring them safe into his presence. Even if in this world I do not see some of them again, I know that we will one day be together in glory, enjoying the new creation and praising our precious Jesus together. None of God’s children are lost to us when they go ahead into glory, we miss them, but only for a time and how we cherish that reassurance. I can place those whom I left behind into God’s safe keeping, and have peace that He will do all things well for them as for me. How great and good is our Father, to whom we owe everything and from whom we receive grace upon grace!

Let me walk with you a while..

Leave a reply

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.  Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God [He] will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

(Isa 35.3&4)

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

(Gal 6.2)

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings.. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful and let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching.

(Heb 10.19-25)

Between local in person bible study, online church bible study, online prayer groups, in person prayer and facetime prayer I seem to have spent a fair bit of the last five days alongside other believers in this work of encouragement – mostly on the receiving end of it, which is wonderful. As we read God’s word in community, we grow in wisdom and understanding; as we listen to one another’s stories and pray together, we grow in love and trust.

I fully believe that one of the principal ways in which God works to sustain us in the trials to which he calls us, is through one another. We are called to be his voice, his heart, his hands and feet to touch and aid one another. We are made in his image, and as believers, we are made new, set free by his overwhelming love for us to show that love to others. We are blest both in receiving and in giving, as God wonderfully binds his children closer to one another in affection and trust.

It takes humility to admit that life is hard, to accept that we cannot do it alone. But we are not meant to! God designed us in his image, and he lives in eternal community as Three-in-One, a relationship of delighting and harmony. We are made to be known, and once we realise that in Christ we are completely accepted as we are, we can open up to others, to love them and be loved by them. The gifts of God are to each one individually, for the blessing of the whole body of Christ – you have things which I need, and I may have things which can bless you. We need to be willing to both give and receive.

The passage in Isaiah is associated with a band of pilgrims, on their way home at last and with a vision of the glory awaiting to sustain and encourage them. But they are weary with the journey, wounded from struggles and long-carried burdens. And so the prophet’s words exhort them to encourage one another, saying, “Look!! The Lord Almighty is on your side, he is your Father and Champion, and is entirely for you.” If we walk alone, who can encourage us?

Are you willing to walk with someone a while? To be a fellow pilgrim, not a lone pioneer?

Let us not neglect opportunities to meet together, in small or large groups, so that we might encourage our fellow pilgrims by listening to their stories, sharing their joys and sorrows, bearing their burdens – walking in their shoes for a little way if we can. As we make ourselves available to be used by God in his church, we ourselves are encouraged and bound more closely to people who will in turn support and watch out for us lest we stray, who will pick us up when we fall, and bear our burdens when we have no strength or words to intercede for ourselves.

May God grant us increasing love, patience and gentleness as we walk together on the road, that we might be good for one another; keeping our eyes fixed on him and trusting that he will keep his promise and bring us safely home.

Loving others as God loves us…

Leave a reply

“You must be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy…. love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.”

(Lev 19.1&18)

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God….. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

(Phil 1. 3&8)

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.. There are three things that will endure – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.

(1 Cor 13.4-7&13)

If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to eternal life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another Christian is really a murderer at heart… We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us.. Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions….. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.

(1Jn 3.14-18; 4.7-12)

Did you notice those last sentences in the words from John’s letter? “No one has ever seen God. BUT if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.” 

I find that frankly, staggering. The idea that anything involving humankind could possibly lead to a full expression of God’s love seems outrageous! But, if true, it is surely one of the greatest incentives to the church to love one another. In our lived-out gospel, it is as we love that we reveal God in his fulness to the world.

The love of God for his rebellious creatures, his eternal intention that we should be his dear companions, is the driving force behind the entire narrative of human history. We are created to know, and to be known; to love and to be loved. This is no sentimental thing, no affair of emotions, but a relentless and clear-sighted commitment to doing what is best for us, no matter what it costs. The love of God is unchanging, relentless, even ruthless in the same way that a surgeon is ruthless in cutting away disease in order to bring healing.

We, in turn, obey Christ’s command to love one another – relentlessly, sacrificially, ruthlessly desiring what is best for the beloved. Ultimately, we know that our highest good is to belong to Christ, to submit fully to his will and to obey him in all things. Daily, we know that we fail, we settle for lower goals, and we are beguiled into thinking that health, prosperity and popularity are our greatest good. But over and over, we are forgiven, prompted to return to our first love – the One who loved us best and first – and to respond in renewed commitment and love.

As God’s children love one another – in patience and kindness; in acceptance and service; in forgiveness and being forgiven; in humility and thankfulness – so the bible tells us, God’s love is brought to its full expression – like the realisation of a picture into a three-dimensional object. The love of God becomes tangible and capable of touching lives as it is manifest in the love of believers for one another. Such love must speak of God to a watching, weeping, broken and hopeless world.

The onlooker may want to say , ‘Oh, they are such nice people, such good people, see how they care for one another’. To which our response must surely be,’ Oh no, it is the Lord who loves us and lives in us who makes us able to live and love like this! It is all of Jesus, who is making us like him! Left to our own devices, we would not love like this…’

Heavenly Father, we want to be holy because you are holy; we want to love others, because you have loved us. May our hearts grow warm to reflect your love, may they expand to find room for others, so that as we love, you are revealed among us, and the world cannot help but see you. Be glorified among us, O Lord, make us lovers after your own heart. Amen.