Category: Devotionals

Waiting this Christmas…and beyond

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Christmas is almost upon us, and yet still we are in that painful stage of waiting and longing – and it looks likely that it is set to continue well into next year. We wait for an end to the isolation, for the virus to be halted, to hug those we love…

TIME TO MOURN

I am writing to wish you all a Merry Christmas and peaceful New Year. However, I also feel it is important to acknowledge the pain and loss that will be felt during this year’s celebrations. We do need to cling to those things we can be grateful for daily, but there are moments when we simply need to weep – and it feels that now may be the time for some. Particularly for those who can no longer see those we long to visit and hold. The last-minute announcements have been for our good, but oh how they have cut deep. Please do give yourself time to mourn if you are struggling with the sudden change of plans.

LOSS OF CONTROL

So much of this year has been topsy-turvy, with many of those things we take for granted suddenly being taken from us. We have certainly learned that there is very little we actually have control over – may we remember that lesson in years to come. We have seen the absolute best of humanity too, with those working around the clock to protect and support the vulnerable and sick. But we have also seen some of the worst, as deep-seated issues have sadly come to the fore yet again.

OUR GOD IS NEAR

May we take the time to reflect on the fact that on that first Christmas, God was willing to come down into our huge mess in order to serve, heal and ultimately die for us. Yes we are suffering right around the world, and there is so much we do not understand, but he is not standing far off from us. And he is still the author and perfecter of our faith – the one constant in an ever-changing world. Lean into him for his peace, for his patience, kindness – and for his understanding. May we pray for eyes that see his perspective, and hearts that remain humble and open. 

Take care and lots of love to you this Christmas season xx

PS If you have suddenly found your plans changed this year, and are looking for ways to stay connected to God, one of the publishers I write for has put together an hour-long programme of videos, carols etc. My short reflection on walking with Jesus through disappointment and loss is within it. I hope you find it helpful.

How do we view ourselves?

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These reflections on what to do when we have too low a view of ourselves are based on Exodus 3:1–20.

‘But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ (v11)

While we shouldn’t rely on ourselves, that does not mean that we should put ourselves down. Each one of us has unique talents that God has lavished upon us, and longs for us to use rather than hide (see Matthew 25). The good news is that, even if we think we are nobodies, the Bible shows us that God has a habit of using nobodies! 

GOD’S VIEW IS THE MOST ACCURATE

Our reading focuses on just one chapter of Moses meeting God. In it, Moses responds to God’s commissioning with a host of questions and arguments. He finally admits the reason why he does not want to be God’s spokesperson: ‘I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.’ (Exodus 4:10). God was extremely patient with him, but didn’t allow Moses’ calling to be halted by the low view Moses had of himself. The same is true of Gideon. God used him mightily despite his plea: ‘how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.’ (Judges 6:15).

We need to remind ourselves that God’s view of us is much more accurate than our own, which will be coloured by past experiences and the opinions of those around us.

GOD HAS PURPOSES TO WORK OUT…THROUGH YOU

However we view ourselves, God is at work in us and reveals His glory through us. Meditate on this promise today: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:7–9).

If you know you struggle with feeling worthy enough to be used by God, here is some optional further reading: Exodus 4, Matthew 25:14–30, Judges 6–7, 2 Corinthians 12:1–10. And here is another blog post you might want to read.

The trap of relying on ourselves

adult alone anxious black and white
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These reflections on relying on ourselves are based on Galatians 3:1–14.

‘After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?’ (v3)

Paul wrote to the Galatian church because he could see how they were being seduced by false teachers. The main thrust of the Judaisers’ teaching was that Gentiles had to become Jews in order to be saved. But Paul was at great pains (in vv6–9) to remind them that it is faith that saves. He used the example of Abraham and his children to do this. He then explored how those who rely on the law to save them end up being condemned.

WORKING HARD FOR A FREE GIFT!

This passage highlights a trait that can still be found among Christians today. We accept Jesus’ salvation through the gift of faith (given to us by the Holy Spirit), but then work hard for that very same salvation through what we do for God after we are saved.

It’s as if we originally believed Jesus saved us, but have since fallen back to relying on ourselves. We need to be aware of this trap, as it is one that can be dangled in front of us. And somehow it looks so respectable and plausible. Yes, it is important that we read God’s Word and talk to Him daily. But, while those habits help us to grow in our understanding of God and also in the process of becoming more holy, they are not the means of our salvation. We need to rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction, rather than our own efforts – as we are so less reliable!

It is actually really freeing to know that there is nothing we can do to earn our salvation. We can learn to bask in the amazing transforming power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for the reminder not to rely on myself. I admit that I am unreliable compared to You. Please Holy Spirit guide me today. Amen.

Recognising self-righteousness

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These reflections, on recognising the ugly trait of self-righteousness in ourselves, are based on Matthew 23: 1–12.

‘Everything they do is done for people to see’ (v5)

Jesus exposed the self-righteousness of the religious leaders of His day. In that culture, such leaders were extremely respected and powerful. Sadly, it seems such power had gone to their heads and made them blind to their own faults. 

HEARTS FAR FROM GOD

Interestingly, Jesus wasn’t suggesting that people should ignore what the religious leaders were telling them to do. However, he did explain how the leaders’ own lives differed from the standards they set for others. They obeyed the letter of the law in order to look good, but their hearts were far from God.

Later on in the chapter Jesus spoke directly to them: ‘Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness’ (vv27–8).

CHOOSING HUMILITY

As we looked at in last week’s devotional, it can be hard to see the faults in ourselves. Jesus reminds us how vital it is to deal with them first, otherwise we can act like hypocrites. ‘You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.’ (Matt. 7:5) 

The key is in us being humble enough to admit that we all sin – and that, when we do, we can sometimes try to explain it away rather than confess the truth. Much of that is down to not wanting to look bad in front of others. When you consider that makes us like the Pharisees, self-righteousness is definitely something to fling off!

Prayer: Lord help me to recognise when I am falling into the trap of self-righteousness. I want to be humble enough to admit when I make mistakes. Amen.

Recognising self-centredness in ourselves

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These reflections on learning to recognise self-centredness in our own behaviour are based on Romans 2:1–11.

‘But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.’ (v8) 

Here we have a very stark warning to the self-centred and self-seeking: they will incur God’s wrath and anger.

This passage from Romans invites reflection. It was written to the church in Rome and, in the previous chapter, Paul described the practises of sinful people. The church might have been feeling smug at this point. In chapter 2, however, he told them not to judge others, as it is only through Jesus’ sacrifice that we can be made right before God. The good news is that by choosing to accept Jesus as Lord we no longer ‘reject the truth’. We still can, of course, have a tendency to slip back into our old ways. That is why we need to learn to be more self-aware.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HONESTY

One of our elders recently mentioned in a preach that God has been teaching him how self-centred he can be. I think it was so brave but hugely beneficial for the congregation to hear him be so honest, as we can have a tendency to hide our faults from others. But God wants us to live together in community, encouraging one another towards holiness. Part of that is through being honest about our struggles (and yes that includes our struggles with self-centredness!).

BEING OPEN TO BEING CHALLENGED

Often it is as we draw closer to God that He begins to point out those things that He wants to change in our character. It is really helpful to ask God, and close friends too, to point out anything they feel could be a blind spot in our lives. This helps us to become more aware of the state of our souls.

Self-centredness is often applauded in our culture. Advertising, for example, is full of messages telling us to do what we want, when we want – and that we are worth it! However, God’s way of living is the complete opposite to that. Recognising the selfish traits we have is the first step to doing something about them.

Reflection: 1 Corinthians 13 paints a wonderful picture of selflessness. It points out how love is not self-seeking. Read and reflect on it, then turn to prayer. 

Get rid of selfishness

These reflections on how to get rid of selfishness and learn to value others are based on Philippians 2:1–11.

‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit’ (v3).

One of the characteristics of our earthly nature is selfishness. I love this quote by Jerry Bridges,* as it recognises that selfishness is our default setting, but also that we can learn to put off such habits:

‘It is our habit to live for ourselves and not for God. When we become Christians, we do not drop all this overnight. In fact, we will spend the rest of our lives putting off these habits and putting on habits of holiness.’

I find that encouraging, as it reminds us that we are all on a journey, and that it takes time – we need to remember not to condemn ourselves when we don’t always get things right.

It can be really difficult, if we are honest, to value others above ourselves and to look out for their needs more than our own. That’s almost an upside-down way of living isn’t it – but often that is what God’s ‘kingdom living’ is like. It is also how we can learn to be more united, and isn’t that what we desperately need right now?

LOOKING TO JESUS

In those moments when we feel the demands are too high, we are told to look to Jesus’ example. Verses 6–11 focus on His selflessness while here on earth – and how God rewarded Him.

Verse 6 is particularly challenging. If we feel trying to be less selfish is beyond us, let’s remember that Jesus ‘did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage’. If the one who was truly equal with God was willing to humble Himself and be obedient, shouldn’t that be enough of a motivation for us to follow suit?

LOOKING OUT FOR WAYS TO SERVE OTHERS

It can be quite hard in our current situation to practically show others how much we value them. We need to try and think outside the box (perhaps looking to try out some of the ideas I shared previously). Let’s ask God to help us learn to lay down our rights in order to serve others.

Yes, this can be a battle every day – particularly when we are facing intense difficulties ourselves. However, when we reach out to others, we often get the connection we need too.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am humbled once more when I think about how You laid down Your rights and were willing to sacrifice Yourself – for me. Help me to learn to put aside selfishness and reach out to others. Amen.

* Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, (Cumbria: Alpha, 1999 – first published 1978).

As the body of Christ, we need each other!

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We are the body of Christ and we need each other! These reflections on our need for unity and encouragement from one another are based on 1 Corinthians 12:12–27.

‘Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.’ (v27)

While I originally wrote these notes some time ago, I don’t think it is a coincidence that we have arrived at this passage on the first day of England’s second lockdown. Now, more than ever, we need to remember that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We may have to wait to socialise with others for at least another month but we are still a part of God’s wider body – and we still need each other.

DO NOT DISQUALIFY YOURSELF

While we might be isolated from one another, we each play a vital role in God’s kingdom. Each one of us is significant in our own right, chosen and loved by God, but we should never compare ourselves to another person, and the role that they have, and think that we are less important as a result. I love the graphic picture Paul paints for us in this passage – imagine a foot saying that it can’t be part of the body because it isn’t a hand! And yet, so often, we can disqualify ourselves using the very same logic.

Remember: God never disqualifies us. I know that lockdown can cause some of us to feel that we aren’t needed – being on our own can cause those sorts of messages to fill our brains. We need to fight against them with the truth from this passage: each of us fulfils a particular purpose that God has created, and uniquely equipped, us for. Without us, the body would be lacking.

PRESERVE UNITY AT ALL COSTS

The text also talks about honour. We should never look down on anyone else because they are different from us, or because they have a role that we think is less than ours. We should go to great lengths in order to preserve the unity of the body of Christ.

Verse 13 says that we now ‘form one body – whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free’. That is certainly a truth that the world in 2020 needs to be reminded of. As does the Church. We have seen so much racial unrest, and awful acts of violence this year. It seems almost unthinkable that we have got to this place. Yet so many people have lived with the reality of being discriminated against simply by being born looking a particular way or into a certain set of circumstances.

CELEBRATE DIVERSITY

Church we need to do better! We need to focus on what it is that unites us: our faith in Jesus Christ. We should also celebrate the diversity that we find in the Church. I always wonder: where else could you find a group of like-minded yet so different people, of all ages and backgrounds, that, when interacting as they should, work together so well?

The Church is an amazing reflection of God’s grace and creativity. As individuals we should be proud and honoured to be part of God’s body. We should also actively cultivate ‘equal concern’ for those in the body that we interact with regularly. Can I challenge you to think honestly about how you respond to others in the church a) that are being honoured and b) are suffering?

LOOK OUT FOR OTHERS

One of the ways we can show our unity, particularly in this time of enforced separation, is by checking in on each other. Those within your church (and your local community) still need you in their lives. What that looks like needs to be a bit different right now. So who can you message/arrange to go on a walk with/set up a video call with/drop an unexpected gift to/ring? It’s time to ask God for some creativity. Hopefully you will be on the receiving end of some wonderful acts of care and concern too.

Prayer: Lord thank You that I am a vital part of Your body, the Church. Help me to set aside any feelings of jealousy or apathy towards others today. And help me to show those around me that I am still thinking of them. Amen.

Chosen by God to be part of something bigger

Reflections on being chosen by God for something bigger – based on 1 Peter 2:4–10.

‘you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession’

I have struggled with my sense of self-worth in recent days. After an incredibly intense period of both work and church, throughout lockdown and beyond, things have slowed right down. Due to the pandemic, some of my regular clients have recently closed down projects that I’ve worked on for years. Others have new teams at their helm; I just don’t know whether I will get any work from them now.

So I’m not too sure what the future holds regarding work. I know my worth is not tied up in what I do, but that, coupled with a deep sense of loss, has rocked some of what I thought was sure and secure. However, I take great comfort from what it says at the start of this passage about Jesus. He was ‘rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him’. Yes, there will be moments when we are rejected, moments when we are passed over, but that does pale into insignificance against the fact that we are precious to God.

WE ARE PRIESTS

What can give us an extra sense of value and significance is knowing that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves – a holy nation, a royal priesthood. These phrases are first found in the Old Testament, where Israel was called God’s holy nation. God taught them to ‘set apart’ priests to undertake the rituals and sacrifices necessary for God to dwell with them. But when Jesus came, He was the ultimate high priest. While other priests had to offer sacrifices for their sins, Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice for all our sins – forever! In this amazing act of redemption He has made us to be priests – also ‘set apart’ to reflect the holiness of God to the world around us.

LIVING STONES

The other image in this passage is of us being built into a spiritual house. As ‘living stones’, we remain close to Jesus, the foundation on which we are built. It also means we are united with other believers. We are never alone.

Prayer: Rather than focusing on the times when I may be rejected, I choose to thank You Lord for the privilege of being part of Your holy nation, Your chosen people. Amen.

Created for His work

We can work for God at all times.

These reflections, on how we are created for a particular purpose, are based on Ephesians 2:1–10.

‘we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (v10).

We have looked at how God has made us to be new creations, or ‘alive with Christ’. Not only that, we are ‘seated with him in the heavenly realms’ – we have eternal life now to enjoy and an inheritance with Jesus.

MADE FOR A PURPOSE

The key verse I have pulled out of this passage shows us that we have ready-prepared ‘good works’ to do. Often our sense of self can unhealthily be caught up in what we do – our society seems to like labelling people by their jobs, and, as a result, one of the first questions we ask people when we meet them is what job they have.

While it is wrong to find our identity in our jobs, as it should be found only in God, He fashioned us to enjoy living purposeful lives – and that includes doing His work. It is really important that we remember, as this passage reminds us, that our salvation is a gift of grace – not something we have worked to earn. Since we have been saved, however, God does have a particular purpose for each one of us to undertake. Isn’t that exciting?

WORKING FOR HIM, ALWAYS

I think that we can easily fall into the trap of compartmentalising our lives, and somehow viewing what we do specifically for the church as God’s work, whereas everything else is somehow outside of that remit. However, I firmly believe that God wants to be involved in every single area of our lives.

Being alive with Christ means we have an active relationship with God at all times. We can be doing His good works just as much in the way we conduct ourselves at work or in front of our children – even in our leisure time – and, in fact, that reveals the evidence of God being at work in our lives to those around us.

Prayer: God I am so grateful that You have made me alive in Christ; not only that, but You have created me for a specific purpose. Help me to live that out each day. Amen.

New creations

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‘if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!’ (v17)

Reflections based on 2 Corinthians 5:16–21.

Let’s start with the amazing truth that we are new creations in Christ. There may well be things we are ashamed of from our past, but God is saying that it is time to let go. Once we have asked for forgiveness 1 John 1:9 says that ‘he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness’. He doesn’t keep remembering our past.

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

He has made us new creations, from the inside out. As we saw in the first of this devotional series, He is most concerned with our hearts. When we accept Jesus as our Lord, He places His light into our hearts, which reorders everything – our beliefs, feelings, actions, wills. This includes a new perspective on others, which is why Paul says to ‘regard no one from a worldly point of view’ (v1). Wow that’s certainly a challenge right there isn’t it? But God has changed us for a reason – to be His ambassadors. We are to be made into the righteousness of Christ in order to reconcile others to Him too. 

AN INCREDIBLE TRADE

Isaiah 61:10 reminds us that being clothed in righteousness is a reason to rejoice in God: ‘I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness’.

Just think about the trade that God did in order for us to be righteous: our worthless, ugly sin for His righteousness, which is of immeasurable worth. In the parable of the pearl of great price (Matt. 13:45–46) Jesus said that the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for a great pearl – when he found it he was willing to give up everything else in order to buy it. That is how great a treasure becoming new creations in Christ is for us.

Prayer: Lord may I never lose the wonder of how You transformed me from wretched sinner to beloved child. Today I choose to delight in being a new creation. Amen.