Daily Devotions

Today, I share some thoughts from Christ Church London. We start with the verses,

One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.’ (Proverbs 11:24-25)

We learn from this that God is a generous God, and everything we have is a gift from Him. 

Learning to be generous is an act of worship; using the money and resources He has given us to bring Him glory and be a blessing to those around us.  Generosity is not measured by the amount we give, but the manner in which we give it. Someone can have very little, but the little they give in faith may please God more than a large amount given reluctantly.

Take some time to reflect on these thoughts, and ask God to help you grow in the practice of generosity:

Heavenly Father,
Our generous Provider,
There is nothing I have
That has not come from your hand.
Every act of generosity on my part
Is only a response
To the generosity with which
You have already blessed me.

I reject the image of success,
Into which this world tries to shape me.
An image defined by
Wealth,
Status, and
Power. 

Instead, I ask that you
Would remake me in your image.
An image defined by
Generosity,
Humility, and
Servanthood.

May I model my giving
On the one who gave it all.
And may others see in me
A glimpse of your character,
Against which the riches of this world.
Seem dull and worthless. 

Would you cultivate in me
A spirit of contentment.
Help me not to strive for more and more,
But grow in gratitude,
For all the ways you have blessed me.  

Would you mould within me
A generous heart,
Empowering me to give sacrificially,
Not under compulsion,
But in joy and faith.

Amen. 

Daily Devotions

We continue with the generosity teaching of Proverbs. “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” Proverbs 21:13

“I had no idea what was coming at me," said ophthalmologist Katerina Kurteeva as she painstakingly removed one contact lens after another from the eyes of an elderly patient. All in all, Dr. Kurteeva removed 23 layers of lenses.

It seems the elderly woman either didn’t know or had forgotten that she must remove previous contact lenses before placing new ones. Her blurred vision caused her to keep inserting more lenses in the hopes of correcting the problem. But her vision blurred more and more until she finally sought medical help.

Fortunately, the lenses were removed before permanent damage was done.

Amazingly, this wasn’t even the worst case ever reported, with a UK doctor having removed a record 27 lenses from the eyes of another elderly patient back in 2017.”

There is a saying that “There’s none so BLIND as those who will not see!” Implying that people who deliberately ignore the evidence of their senses are as impaired as those who are physically blind. For me, the classic verse from John's prologue sums up such self-determined blindness.

 “He was in the world,
    the world was there through him,
    and yet the world didn’t even notice.
He came to his own people,
    but they didn’t want him.
But whoever did want him,
    who believed he was who he claimed
    and would do what he said,
He made to be their true selves,
    their child-of-God selves.” John 1:10

When are eyes are opened by God, we can do no other than share the generous gift of Christ. I came across a C.S Lewis quote this week that stopped me in my tracks: "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

Remembering God,

help us to always rely on your eternal promises,

so that claiming these promises as our very own,

we may daily grow in love and in our commitment

to our Holy and Righteous God,

and seek to serve God all our days. Amen.

Daily Devotions

The Old Testament and particularly the book of Proverbs is peppered with exhortations to live a generous life. For example Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”

I must admit, that I have never considered to idea of lending something to God. The Hebrew word here is a multifaceted concept and can mean to join, be joined, to attend to borrow or lend. The implication of the term "lend" suggests that God will repay those who are generous—not necessarily with earthly wealth, but in spiritual blessing. The statement foreshadows the words of Jesus. 

Interestingly, Jesus speaks of lending to those in need in Matthew 5:42 “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” 

So, are both these verses really speaking of a disciple's responsibility as a good steward of what God has already entrusted to our care. Although perhaps there is another way of looking at this. 

In his book of sermons “The Living Faith,” Lloyd C. Douglas tells the story of Thomas Hearne, who, in his journey to the mouth of the Coppermine River, wrote that a few days after his group had started on their expedition, a party of Indians stole most of their supplies. His comment on the apparent misfortune was: ‘The weight of our baggage being so much lightened, our next day’s journey was more swift and pleasant.’ Hearne was on route to something very interesting and important; and the loss of a few sides of bacon and a couple of bags of flour meant nothing more than an easing of the load. 

Billy Graham once said, “God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with.” And in line with our thinking today, author Tim Keller states “A lack of generosity refuses to acknowledge that your assets are not really yours, but God's.”

O God, send your Spirit upon us and light our path,

that we may travel the road you have prepared for us.

Having heard your scriptures proclaimed,

and your word revealed,

enable our hearts and minds to more fully understand

your goodness and your grace.

Help us break free from ideas that no longer bring life,

that we may embrace the life-giving work of your Spirit.

Challenge us to forsake paths that ask little of us,

and help us resist the evils and temptations of this world,

that we may truly follow the way of kingdom living. Amen.

Daily Devotions

From Treasure we move to the gift of generosity, particularly that of a generous spirit as  portrayed in Bible.

The biblical story of Esther is an amazing example of a young woman who wisely took advantage of her resources and influence and, with God’s guidance, used it to help others. 

A while ago, the media highlighted the story of another young lady who used her connections to help someone in need. Nineteen-year-old Evan Leedy heard the story of an older man who walked twenty-one miles to work every day because he didn’t have a car. 

Evan started a GoFundMe page to raise money to buy him a car. Prior to that moment, Evan and James Robertson were strangers. Evan used her connections online to help someone she didn’t know. The newspaper headline announced “Donations Pour in for Detroit Man Who Walks 21 Miles for His Daily.”

I'm reminded of a song my mother used to sing:-

If I can help somebody, as I pass along,

If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song, 

If I can show somebody, he is travelling wrong, 

Then my living shall not be in vain.

If I can do my duty, as a good man ought,

If I can bring back beauty, to a world up wrought,

If I can spread love's message, as the Master taught, 

Then my living shall not be in vain.

What is it that the Master, Jesus taught? Matthew 10:42 “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

Isn’t it strange that we save our life by giving it away? It’s as if we lost all our money by saving it. It’s only when our energies are spent for the good of others, rather than just for our own good so that we can preserve and enhance our life. The self-centred person is the one who is caught up in controlling and preserving all for the self. Jesus is the opposite – he makes the best of himself for the betterment of others. Prayer can help this to happen for all of us.

Father, as we serve this day, may we be reminded that serving others is serving you. Would you infuse into our ordinary acts of service a special sense of your presence so that others may see Jesus in us. Thank you for loving us, living in us, and spilling out of us in our acts of service. Amen

Daily Devotions

In Acts chapter 17 we find Paul revealing all that God has done in Christ and then goes onto say, “His purpose in all of this is that they should seek after God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.” 

I once heard of a child who was raising a frightful cry because he had shoved his hand into the opening of a very expensive Chinese vase and then couldn't pull it out again. Parents and neighbours tugged with might on the child's arm, with the poor creature howling out loud all the while. Finally there was nothing left to do but to break the beautiful, expensive vase. And then as the mournful heap of shards lay there, it became clear why the child had been so hopelessly stuck. His little fist grasped a paltry penny which he spied in the bottom of the vase and which he, in his childish ignorance, would not let go. 

There are  so many would be disciples who are unable to feel their way towards the holy one who  closer to them than breathing because of the paltry trinket they hold in their hands.

The hymn writer Augustus Toplady (1776)  says:-

Nothing in my hands I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress,

Helpless, look to Thee for grace:

Today, ponder this prayer based upon  1 Peter 1:3-5 

For your great mercy in giving us birth into a new life and a new hope

by raising Jesus Christ from death:

praise be to you, our God and Father!

For an inheritance that can never spoil or fade, kept for us in heaven:

praise be to you, our God and Father!

For the protection of your power, ours through faith,

until salvation comes at the end of time:

praise be to you, our God and Father!

Father, to you be all praise, glory and honour

through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.

Daily Devotions

Mark 8:36 has a stark reminder of true human value. As the Message puts it, “What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?”

So, the question arrises, what do you truly treasure, or could be who do you truly treasure?

In the Old Testament we can read,"Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.” Proverbs 3:13-15

Values are often unwritten assumptions that guide our actions. Values demonstrate our convictions and priorities. Values are confirmed by our actions, not just our words. Values are not a doctrinal statement; they are convictions that determine how we as disciples live the life of faith.

David Livingstone once said, “I place no value on anything I have or may possess, except in relation to the kingdom of God. If anything will advance the interests of the kingdom, it shall be given away or kept, only as by giving or keeping it I shall most promote the glory of Him to whom I owe all my hopes in time or eternity.”

There is a cost to discipleship. There are times when the call of Jesus will go against other desires and values, personal and cultural. Following Christ may make us feel foolish in front of others. In our following of the Lord we need the support and solidarity of like-minded people. Our endurance will bring forth the kingdom in ways we may not expect.  

Following Jesus means making choices and choices mean that we leave some possibilities behind even as we look to important prospects. As I deny myself, I ask Jesus to help me not to become regretful or nostalgic but to face the future confidently.

Merciful God, strip our hearts and minds

of all that prevents our lives being firmly rooted in you.

May our lives bear fruit worthy of our faith in you,

as we watch and wait for your breaking into our world once more,

in the person of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen

Daily Devotions

Following on from riches yesterday, today we look at the cost of discipleship. In Luke 14:28-33 Jesus is looking at a small group of possible disciples. They are attracted to him and would like to belong with him. He tells them: 'Hold on. Don't start something you cannot finish. The cost could be high.' Eleven of the twelve apostles counted the cost and eventually paid it, though they stumbled on the way - think of Peter denying Jesus and hiding during the Crucifixion. Poor Judas stumbled and never found his way back. 

The passage Jesus finishes with Jesus saying, “Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.” (The Message.)

Jesus is asking his followers "Are you serious about discipleship? Or not?”

How do people organise themselves for the things about which they are serious? How do I organise myself for the things about which I am serious? Our possessions are often referred to as our treasures.

The cost of discipleship is high for Jesus; the examples he uses emphasises this, and points out also that the decision to follow him is one not to be rushed. The way of speaking in his time was often in stark contrasts, so the contrast of discipleship and possessions is his way of valuing discipleship over all else, not of rubbishing possessions. Prayer is the time of day or night when we offer our heart and our gifts and concerns as best we can to God.

It was Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book the cost of discipleship wrote. “Earthly goods are given to be used, not to be collected. In the wilderness God gave Israel the manna every day, and they had no need to worry about food and drink. Indeed, if they kept any of the manna over until the next day, it went bad. In the same way, the disciple must receive his portion from God every day. If he stores it up as a permanent possession, he spoils not only the gift, but himself as well, for he sets his heart on accumulated wealth, and makes it a barrier between himself and God. Where our treasure is, there is our trust, our security, our consolation and our God. Hoarding is idolatry.”

Holy God,

Being a disciple does not always come easily.

There are so many other things to do, important things.

I have responsibilities that get in the way of my best intentions.

Give me eyes to see that possibilities and a heart big enough

to follow you.  Amen.