The Great Equalizer

As I write we are in day 3 of our official NZ lockdown due to COVID-19.  I'm almost afraid to write that name as we are all probably so tired of hearing about it.  The news is full of it, social media is notifying us of updates, reports from various countries, etc etc etc.  However.....stay with me for a bit and see if what comes out is helpful to you.  This pandemic has turned out to be a huge equaliser. No country is exempt in the end, no person - rich or poor, no ethnicity, no age.  It has brought us all to the realisation that it is no respecter of persons and therefore no-one is excluded from needing to take precautions against infection.

I was messaging with a Christian friend this morning who struggles with fear.  She probably has more reason to fear, (healthwise), than me, but I was reminding her that the battle with fear is always in our mind.  James 1:15 speaks of temptation to sin starting as a thought (in the mind), then as we 'toy' with it, it can lead us to sin. We choose whether we entertain those thoughts or fight them.

As I wrote, I was reminding her that God has given us weapons to fight with against fear and anything else that assails us.  We know them as "the whole armour of God".  When Paul was writing to the church as Ephesus (6:10-18) he wrote this..... "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."

In 2 Corinthians 10:4 Paul explains more about these weapons..... 'We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.'

The great equalising thing I suddenly realised about this that I had never thought of before was, that God has given each of us exactly the same weapons for our battle against Satan, the enemy of our souls.  The Bishop doesn't get any more or different weapons than the minister and the minister gets exactly the same weapons as the newest Christian.  They might be more experienced in using them as would be a General in the army than the new recruit, but we get an equal amount of weaponry. How good is that!

In the same way that COVID-19 is no respecter of persons, the Bible tells us too, that God is no respecter of persons.  In the end we will all stand before the judgement seat of Christ, having all had the opportunity to accept, by faith, his sacrifice on the cross for our sin.  No amount of 'good living' counts towards our entrance to heaven.  We and we alone choose our eternal destiny.  I pray that you will choose Christ.

Prayer:  God in heaven, thank you for this wake up call that affects each one of us.  Thank for for the gift of this time to think, consider, question and decide what we will do with Jesus Christ and His message of salvation by faith alone.  Amen

My Lebanese Cucumber

A couple of months ago I bought a little Lebanese cucumber plant which already had quite a nice little cucumber on it.  (I like instant results!)  The plant was a bit pathetic really but the cucumber grew large enough to justify my picking it which I did....delicious!  

As time went by I noticed that despite daily watering, and being planted in good soil, my plant continued to look pathetic so I decided to experiment with it as I had done with a capsicum plant last season.  I gave it an encouraging talk!  "Come on, you can do it.  Show me what you can do!" Now you really think I've lost it but.....before you commit me, guess what.  Within quite a short time that plant (with more encouraging words) began to GROW, yes it did.  I've since had another cucumber from it with more to come.

So why am I telling you this?  Because encouraging words also make people bloom.  There is so much to discourage in our world today and people are far more ready to criticise than they are to encourage people with a kind word.....which costs us nothing if we are humble, but is a real challenge for those who are insecure or prideful.

I have to admit that giving encouragement is easier for me than for some because God has given me the gift of encouragement and exhortation.  That's why I write this blog, I'm using my gift to encourage you in your Christian walk to be the best you can be. However, just like the three servants in Matthew 25 who were given five, two and one talent respectively, by their master, we should be faithful to multiply what God has given us lest we lose what we were given. By using what God has given us we can be available for God to entrust us with more abilities/gifts.

This year I would encourage you to reconsider the words of Hebrews 10:25......"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works." One of those ways is through giving a word of encouragement.  Proverbs 25:11 refers to speaking good words....."A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings."

Still need convincing?  How about this one, a favourite of mine......Proverbs 11:25b ".... those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed."  This verse is speaking of a person who is generous.  There are many ways to be generous, it's not all about money.  We can be generous with our goods, with our time and with our WORDS.  Let's see if we can make it our aim to motivate one another to acts of love and good works by encouraging them and watching them bloom.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that you give us words of encouragement to build us up.  Help me to purpose in my heart to encourage others with kind and affirming words this year and so do my part in building up the body of Christ, his church.  Amen

A Brand New Year

 A new day, a new year, a new decade. Here we are on January 1, 2020, a time to look forward to what lies ahead, forgetting what lies behind, if we can.  As I reflect on my writing I realise that this past Christmas was the first time in years of my writing this blog that I haven't written at least one with a Christmas theme.  It wasn't that I didn't start one, I did, but it didn't go beyond a couple of paragraphs.  Now it is too late, I've missed the opportunity and I can never get it back!

I can't quite put my finger on it, but something has changed. Christmas was different this year. I didn't get stressed about getting a whole lot of cards ready to mail a month before, in fact I made and sent very few cards this year.  I made only one batch of shortbread, no other cookies, I didn't even have to make a Christmas cake.  I didn't overstock the fridge and I didn't buy many gifts.  (We tend these days to buy charity gifts for family.)  So what did I do?  I relaxed and let it happen.  I took part in some Christmas services and carols and enjoyed time with family and friends. Now, a week later we are into another year.

This year many people are facing change.  They have lost loved ones, in unexpected accidents, in war, to disease, like Samoa with the measles outbreak; they have lost property in the bushfires which are still raging in Australia, in floods and earthquakes around the world.  Some are facing the uncertainty of what this year will bring for them as they face terminal illness or just old age.

Today as I read Genesis 1, I was struck again by the wonder of God's amazing hand in forming our world.   Yesterday as we drove a little way into the country to buy fresh eggs, and some pies from a favourite bakery, we marvelled at the beauty of the countryside and were thankful.  Yes, people deny the hand of the Creator but that's like looking at Westminster Abbey, or any building for that matter, and denying that anyone built it.  Crazy!  The closer we look into our creation and further we look into the heavens, it becomes increasingly obvious that everything couldn't possibly just happen without a guiding hand.

As we walk into this year we do not know what curved ball life will throw at us.  Let's determine that no matter what comes we will choose to find joy, or hope, or choose to grow in love or patience. I could say 'choose Jesus', because all those things can be found in walking in relationship with him, the One through whom all things were created and in him all things hold together.  For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. Romans 11:36

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you that I can have confidence that you hold all things together and you have all power in and over the heavens and the earth.  I do not understand many of the things that are happening in our world right now but I pray that those who are suffering in many different situations may find hope and peace in Jesus Christ ,and help me to choose to walk this year guided by your Spirit.  In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

When Tragedy Strikes

Just 8 days ago life changed forever for a number of tourists and their tour guides. Mostly from a cruise ship, 47 set off for an exploration of Whakaari/White Island 50 kms off the eastern coast of New Zealand's North Island.

Tragedy struck, at 2:11 pm on Monday 9th December, when the active volcano 'burped', (as one volcanologist put it), with no prior warning; spewing mud and fumes and causing life threatening burns to most.  Sixteen people have so far died and the death toll will probably rise, others are suffering unimaginable pain, and their loved ones suffer too. Christmas will not be a season of joy for those affected but of wondering what the future holds.  We need to remember to pray for them.

Today news came of another earthquake with loss of life in the Philippines, and my phone just beeped that a primary school is in lockdown in Hawkes Bay, fortunately the school is not involved in the firearm incident but one person in the area nearby is in critical condition.

We are reminded that in life there are no guarantees.  Psalm 144:4 says, "Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow." And Psalm 90:12 (NLT) says, "Teach us to realise the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." 

What wisdom do we need to grow in?  Psalm 110:10 (CSB) tells us...."The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his instructions have good insight." Other translations  say "all who follow his commandments."  In other words, we will do things God's way if we are wise. We can't do that without knowing Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord; trusting in his righteousness rather than our own good works or 'trying to be good'; walking in obedience to his instructions; turning from sin and walking in love and forgiveness toward one another.

There is an afterlife, we are eternal beings, we don't just die and that's it.  We move from this dimension to the eternal dimension. We will all appear before the judgement seat of Christ.  We need to make ourselves ready because we never know when our 'number is up'.  Are you ready?

PRAYER: Dear God, we pray for the people involved in the recent tragedy at Whakaari/White Island that you would give them your peace and healing.  We pray for their families and friends who are so affected that you will give them comfort.  We pray too that you would remind us of the need to make ourselves ready to meet with you.  Give us your wisdom for living life to please you. Amen

Strife & the Cure

Strife: I checked the dictionary for a definition; the list was lengthy and included.......disputes, controversy, quarrel, vigorous or bitter conflict, discord, antagonism, competition and rivalry.

You may well ask why I would want to write on such a subject....I ask myself the same thing,  yet I feel constrained to do so because strife seems to be almost the only constant thing in our world right now.  Strife has embattled my beloved Hong Kong this past 6 months, and in nations too many to number..... including Venezuela, Spain, Syria, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Pakistan, India, Turkey, Afghanistan, Nigeria, DR Congo, Mexico, USA, and the UK. Most of these are still ongoing.

Strife is not only in nations, it's in the workplace, in communities, families, even in churches.  Did you stop to wonder what's behind it all?  I can tell you it's the devil AKA Satan.  Revelation 12:12 says this......Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time."  A short time for what??  To wreak havoc on this earth, setting nation against nation, people against people, bringing every kind of evil. To rob, kill and destroy, Jesus said. John 10:10.  He is literally out to take everyone he can for himself and his kingdom - hell! Oh, yes, hell is real and we get to choose our destination by whom we choose to follow...Jesus or Satan.  By the way, not making a choice is not an option.  If you don't choose Jesus your default is Satan's camp......as uncomfortable as that truth is. We are all born in sin which makes us enemies of God.  You can be the best human being on earth but unless you receive Jesus' goodness you are lost to God  (Ephesians 2:8-9).

It's very easy, if we just connect with local news, to not get a true picture of what is really going on in the world.  We could even ask if it's  important that we know these things.  I think it is because they are some of the things Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24:6-8 that would begin to herald his coming again.  In Matthew 25:13 he says that we should be watchful because we don't know when he will come, but we need to be ready.

I said that strife seems to be almost the only constant thing in our world but I have good news; it is not the ONLY constant.  Our creator God changes not, His son, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  You can't get more constant than that.  And Jesus is the way to eternal life.  There will be no strife there.

His gift of salvation is free, through faith but it does cost.  It costs that we take time to look long and hard at the cross of Christ and what it means for us.  When we do that we will experience what the hymn writer wrote so many years ago. Let me leave you with his words to consider........

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ may God!

All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

      See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorry and love flow mingled down!

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

      Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small;

      Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ....make this my song, take my life and let it be lived for you. Amen

Grace

Have you noticed how often the Apostle Paul refers to grace in his letters to the churches and his spiritual children?  It is very often; did you wonder why? I had noticed but I hadn't given it much thought until now.

I thought about Paul's previous life as a zealous Pharisee, out to cut off the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ at all costs.  How he mercilessly went out to round up the believers and throw them in jail knowing that they would get what he thought they deserved. Then suddenly he has an encounter with the gentle, uncondemning gracious presence of the living Christ and all is changed.

Paul encountered grace in it's strongest form and he was changed.  When we encounter God's grace it changes us too.  We realise how needy we are of forgiveness and grace and we become new.

In 2 Timothy 2:1 Paul encourages the young minister to 'Be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ."  This grace is goodwill, lovingkindness and favour that we receive from God and Paul realises that unless we hold strongly to that grace, we are unable to offer the same grace to others.

Paul then goes on to warn Timothy that troubles will come, as they do to all of us.  Standing strong in the knowledge of God's grace and lovingkindness towards us will help to to be strong in the midst of hardship.  It will enable us to commit ourselves and our circumstances to God who we know loves us and wants only our best.  What great comfort that brings us.

How do we stay strong in this grace?  By believing which of course is faith.  When we trust someone implicitly we are able to trust them in the midst of things we don't understand.  We might fuss and cry and stomp our feet in frustration, but remembering God's grace toward us will help us to centre our trust upon him and his faithfulness once again.  

Receive the grace of God afresh each day for whatever may come.  It will allow the fruit of the Holy Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control to manifest in your life.  In 2 Peter 1:8 we are given encouragement to allow these things to grow and mature in our lives so that we will not be barren or unfruitful in our Lord Jesus Christ.

If the grace of God is active in our lives we cannot but help to have the peace of God spilling over in blessing to others.  I certainly want that in my life.  I hope you do too.

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, thank you so much for the grace that you have poured out upon my life through your salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Please help me to grow strong in this grace and allow it to glorify you in my life.  Amen

Storms

NOAA

This is a picture of Hurricane Dorian before it ramped up into. Category 5 storm. People in its uncertain path are getting plenty of warning to take cover or flee.  I’m happy that my friends in Florida decided to take cover with their daughter, still in the “firing line” but at least their family will know what’s happening with their elderly parents. Today I received word that they have returned home safe and their property is intact for which they are very grateful.

The storm however continues to threaten the east coast of the USA having left utter devastation in its path through the Bahamas.  It is heartbreaking to see the extent of the damage on our news and to know that life will take a long time to return to normal for thousands of people.  For some who have lost loved ones it will never be the same.

The people in the path of this storm were warned well ahead of time that it was coming so were able to prepare as best they could.  It's not always like that in life when storms come suddenly and totally unexpectedly as it did yesterday for a group of Chinese tourists in our North Island when their bus overturned on a wet road and 5 died and many were injured.

There's an old hymn we used to sing that asked this question....

"Will your anchor hold in the storms of life
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift or firm remain?"

For those with a firm faith in Jesus Christ we can sing the following verse with confidence.....

"We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love."

We live in very difficult times.....yes, I'm beating that drum again, but you need to know that we live in uncertain and perilous times ,and I believe that most of us don't know the half of what is going on in the behind the scenes.  One day soon we are going to need that anchor to keep us firm and strong.  Make sure you get a good firm hold now.

Prayer:  Lord God, thank you that you have promised peace in the storms of life as I trust in you.  Help me to have my faith firmly planted in Jesus, the Rock that will not move.  Amen