Summer Holidays

For the month of July we move from Summer Blessings to Summer holidays! 

The word “holiday” was first recorded in English around the year 950, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, but it looked a lot different back then.

In Old English, it was written haligdæg or hali-dægh (literally “holy day’). Holiday in our modern  spelling was first recorded in 1460. 

How would you define a holiday? Prabbus, an Indian actor defines holiday this way. “Holiday is an opportunity to journey within. It is also a chance to chill, to relax. It is when I switch on my rest mode.” Speaking of such rest for the follower of Christ, the writer of the letter to the Hebrews advocates:-

“So there is a full complete rest still waiting for the people of God. Christ has already entered there. He is resting from his work, just as God did after the creation. Let us do our best to go into that place of rest, too, being careful not to disobey God as the children of Israel did, thus failing to get in.” (Hebrews 4:9-11)

It was Leonardo da Vinci, who indeed was no idler but excelled as a painter, sculptor, poet, architect, engineer, city planner, scientist, inventor, anatomist, military genius, and philosopher yet said. “Every now and then go away, have a little relaxation, for when you come back to your work your judgment will be surer, since to remain constantly at work will cause you to lose power of judgment...Go some distance away because then the work appears smaller, and more of it can be taken in at a glance, and lack of harmony or proportion is more readily seen." 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the 'rest' we already have by faith in Christ Jesus and for the full and final sabbath-rest that will one day be ours, when Christ finally defeats every evil principality and power. Thank You that the earthly kingdom which was lost through sin, will be handed back to You, and Your redemptive plan will be completed. Keep me looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith, the Beginning and the End of Your creative work. Thank You in Jesus' name, Amen

Summer Blessings

So here is a final seashore incident for us to consider.

Acts 16:6-10 They went to Phrygia, and then on through the region of Galatia. Their plan was to turn west into Asia province, but the Holy Spirit blocked that route. So they went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn’t let them go there either. Proceeding on through Mysia, they went down to the seaport Troas

That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.”

In a sense this completes one theme and yet introduces our next of journeys through the bible.

I have often been heard to say that the problem with many a church is that it tends to say, “Lord, I have an idea, please bless it.” Rather than in terms of scripture to wait upon the Lord.

Albert Einstein was traveling from Princeton on a train. When the conductor came down the aisle punching tickets Einstein reached in his vest pocket; he could not find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn’t there so he looked in his briefcase, but still could not find it. He looked in the seat next to him, but it was not there.

The conductor kindly said, “Dr. Einstein, I know who you are, we all know who you are. I’m sure you bought a ticket, don’t worry about it.” The conductor then continued on his way punching tickets. Just before he went to the next car he turned around and saw the great scientist on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.

The conductor rushed back and said, “Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don’t worry. I know who you are. No problem. You don’t need a ticket.”

Einstein said, “Young man, I too know who I am. What I don’t know is where I am going.”

Perhaps the answer to right decision making and finding the right direction for our lives is found in the in the ancient words of Proverbs 3:5-7 ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.”

Father God, as I seek to live for Jesus, I do pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me in my decisions, empower me in my efforts, and open the doors of people's hearts to your message. I do not want to try to live my life for you on my own efforts. I am thankful for your assurance that you — as Father, Son, and Spirit — go with me. In Jesus' name, I thank you. Amen

Summer Blessings

We pick up the next part of Paul’s shipwreck venture in Acts 28:1-2 “Once everyone was accounted for and we realised we had all made it, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. The natives went out of their way to be friendly to us. The day was rainy and cold and we were already soaked to the bone, but they built a huge bonfire and gathered us around it.” (The Message)

Luke reported that the ship carrying Paul was abandoned as it broke up in the storm and that all the passengers, prisoners, sailors, and officers got ashore safely, as God had promised through the apostle Paul. Then Luke continued: The people of the island were very kind to us, building a bonfire on the beach to welcome and warm us in the rain and cold.

What a wonderful blessing! After two weeks in a horrendous storm and the ship breaking up, all the people on board with Paul were safely ashore and welcomed by the kindness of the people of Malta. Despite the bad weather, they came outside and greeted these weary, hungry, cold, and shipwrecked people with a warm fire. Hospitality is a gift that we give to others and that demonstrates the loving welcome of God. While believers were not the people offering hospitality in this situation, these unbelievers on the island displayed the heart of God by welcoming and caring for outsiders. Hospitality is a gift we share with others because it is one we received when we became children of God!

Today, Malta has seemingly more churches per member of the population than any other country.  With a land mass smaller than that of the Isle of Wight there are a total of 359 churches (313 in Malta and 46 in Gozo). Perhaps that shows how  a simple act of kindness can have a profound and lasting effect. Perhaps we need to remember the words of Jesus, “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.” Matthew 25:35

God, we are aliens and sojourners in this world,

but you invite us to be your guests.

You lavishly offer us your hospitality

and lovingly welcome us into your family,

You invite us to share in the abundance of your kingdom.

God, you have shown us that providing hospitality to strangers

opens a doorway into the Kingdom of God.

Remind us that when we offer hospitality to others,

we are receiving Christ into our midst and so fulfilling the law of love.

We open our hearts to embrace the stranger, the friend, the rich, and the poor,

We open our lives to offer a generous heart toward all. Amen

Summer Blessings

 Acts 27:39-41

“When daylight came, they did not recognise the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.”

Of course not all seaside ventures are peaceful, tranquil scenes.  In today’s verses we get a snippet of the dangers of sea voyages in the Mediterranean. 

In this episode we see the miracle at the end of this terrifying experience for people on board this ship: Everyone's life was saved! The ship's captain and sailors and the Roman commanding officer and other soldiers all followed the directions of Paul and trusted in God's promises to Paul.

God doesn't promise Jesus' followers that they will be immune to storms. Life can be hard, challenging, disappointing, and exhausting. None of us will make it out of this life unchallenged or unscathed. As Jesus' followers, however, God has promised that we will never be abandoned* and that we will arrive safely home with Jesus when our storms are done. Our job is to be faithful and help others find Jesus in the storm!

John and Charles Wesley set out for America in 1735, enthused at the idea of preaching the Gospel to Native American people. During the voyage the ship was struck by a terrifying storm. John was afraid. He prayed with the English passengers, one of whom brought him a baby to baptise in case they were all about to die.

Shortly afterwards he was at another service with a group of German Moravians when a huge wave engulfed the ship and water poured down into the cabins. While the English passengers screamed in terror, the Moravians continued singing - men, women and children seemingly untroubled.

Later he asked one of the Moravians if they hadn't been afraid. He replied that not even the women and children had been afraid. None of them were afraid to die.John knew that they had something he didn't, an absolute trust in God. They were prepared to lose their lives because they knew that God was never going to let them go.

Father, thank you for the assurance that you, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are always with me — that I am never abandoned or left all alone. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for being God's presence within me, the Breath of God being with me every breath I take. Strengthen my faith in your presence and empower me to courageously face my future because I know you are with me and empower me. Thank you, O God, for always being near. In Jesus' name, I offer my adoration and praise for your abiding nearness. Amen.

Summer Blessings

In Acts 21:5-6 we meet Paul and his companions on one of their many journeys and read, “At the end of the week when we returned to the ship, the entire congregation including wives and children walked down to the beach with us where we prayed and said our farewells.  Then we went aboard, and they returned home.”

What a wonderful picture the church at prayer on the seashore with the waves lapping at their feet. On the shore - this bible episode indicates that any place may be proper for prayer. It gives a new emphasis that God is everywhere, and can as easily hear prayer on the seashore as in the most magnificent temple. 

This is an instance, where the apostle evidently prayed with the church without a form of prayer. No one can believe that Paul thus poured forth the desires of his heart at parting, and commended them to God in a prescribed form of words. 

Scenes like this show more clearly than abstract arguments could do that such a form was not needed, and would not be used. Paul and his fellow-Christians, on the sand of the sea-shore, would pour forth the gushing emotions of their souls in language such as their circumstances would suggest, and no one can read this narrative in a dispassionate manner without believing that they offered prayer.

In your minds eye walk along the seashore.  Hear the Waves. There is an ebb and flow to the spiritual life, just as there is an ebb and flow to the waves breaking onto the sand. It is much like breathing. Inhaling and exhaling. Inhale as the waves come in. Take in an expectation of every- thing God might have for you today as you fill your lungs. Exhale as the wave returns to the sea. Breathe out any heaviness you have on your heart or mind or in your physical being. In and out. Receiving and releasing. There is a consistency of God in the waves. There is a consistency of God in you. Let him fill you.

Feel the stones under your feet. Ask yourself what is cluttering your mind this day? What worries consume your thoughts? What do you need to turn over to God? Find a stone on the beach. Allow it to represent all that you need to give up to God. When you are ready, throw the stone into the ocean. Watch God receive it.

Take your shoes off and feel sand running through your toes. Let it fall between your fingers. Know that God has numbered the sands on the shore just as he knows how many stars he has set in the sky. How big is your God? Write a word to describe God in the sand. Leave it there as you continue the journey.

Lord, as I walk daily with You, I will put my hope in You today, all day long. Remind me, through Your Holy Spirit, to look to You for guidance.Call me into Your quiet presence to think on Your truths and precepts. May I not be distracted by the world. Thank you that You give me the hope, help, and peace I need. Thank you that You never cease to call me to Yourself. Help me to respond afresh to Your presence in my life as I seek You daily in prayer and meditation. Help me, Lord Jesus Christ, walk with You, my Lord and God, Amen!

Summer Blessings

One of the delights of summer is that of heading to the coast a walking along the seashore. It’s interesting to note how often the location of significant bible events took place on a beach. Take John 21:8-10 where we read, “The rest of us stayed in the boat and pulled the loaded net to the beach, about 300 feet away. When we got there, we saw that a fire was kindled and fish were frying over it, and there was bread.“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11 So Simon Peter went out and dragged the net ashore.”

A night of futile fishing leaves empty nets and empty hearts. Jesus takes the initiative and meets them in the early morning light. He invites them to eat: ‘Breakfast is ready!’ There is an abundant table ready - of fish, food, love, warmth, and great joy. Here, fractured relationships are healed.

Jesus is interested in our work and lives and knows what we need. We see this when Peter is encouraged to try again and with Jesus’s intervention, he is overcome with surprise. Not only is Peter's livelihood assured but Jesus also cares about his nutrition needs “Come and have breakfast” and bring some of what you have caught. How simply and sensitively Jesus deals with us! He knows our needs and our hunger. He knows too that we can only manage the revelations of the divine in small portions. I could do well before my daily breakfast to listen to the Lord speaking my name and saying ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Imagine him serving me, if not with bread and fish, perhaps with a muffin and coffee! I begin to notice that through the day he continues to serve me what I need.

We are assured that God is in our midst, involved in our struggles. Deliberately try to leave spaces in your schedule, to allow for interruptions, they may be life’s surprises. Trusting that Jesus knows what we need, allow him to transform and lighten our load and accept his care and attention.

Jesus, you meet me at the water’s edge of my ordinary life. You accept me lovingly, you encourage me, you invite me to abundance. Nourished by the food of your word, warmed by the fire of your unfailing love, may I in turn nourish, heal and love those I meet today. Amen

Walking with God

Isaiah 30:21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

These words sound to be way before their time; almost like the GPS SatNav. 

An American preacher shares how his brother  had come home from Italy to visit him, and attended worship at the congregation where the minister served. After the service, he wanted to go to Mammoth Cave and show his wife and son one of the natural wonders of the US. 

The preacher and his wife  tagged along, and told his brother knew the way. The visiting brother said, “Naw, we’ll use the GPS and that will get us there faster.” 

The preacher-brother later said he should have never listened to him! We went through Amish country, down every backroad, and ended up at a caravan in the middle of nowhere! 

The preacher asked his brother to let him see his GPS, and he had entered Mammoth Cave, Kentucky…not Mammoth Cave National Park! 

We can claim to have the directions, but are we sure that they are right? There is only one true source for Christ...and that is His Word!

I w

onder are we listening to God’s Positioning System.

Notice the word says, “This is the way, walk in it.” Whether you turn to the right or to the left, that voice will guide you if you listen. The Lord cares about our lives. How we live matters to God. We are not free to chart our own course and navigate our own lives. The Lord has a standard. How do we know that standard? One, He has revealed it to us through His Word. This is why we should study the Scriptures. Second, He has revealed it through that inner voice. Our consciences will lead us in the ways of the Lord if we learn to heed the voice. 

Nobody has an excuse. We can’t say we didn’t know what the Lord expects of us. Instead, we need to tune our hearts to hear His voice. We should follow as the Lord leads us, always measuring what we hear against God’s Word, so we don’t mistake hearing the voice of the Lord with our own selfish desires. There is a way God expects of us. Walk in it.

Father, I come before You in the Name of Jesus, and I choose life today! I will walk in faith and not in fear. Because the Lord is on my side I will not fear what any man can do to me. Father, in the Name of Jesus, I ask You to open my eyes to any hidden areas of fear in my life. Amen