Week beginning Monday 1st September

John 1 & 2

Nothing was made without the WORD – No person who ever was and ever will be was made without the WORD. Here John is referring to Jesus Christ. We were all made with Jesus. We are meant to be living with Jesus. Those who would limit Christ to a figure in history are missing out on the fullness of their own creative potential. We were made with the WORD to live with the WORD. My existence separate from Jesus is a partial existence – like a shell without the living organism. And if I don’t see the WORD in me then I won’t be able to see the WORD in you. It is the WORD in each of us that creates community and family. As I am with the WORD then I am with you with the WORD – this is what true fellowship (community) is and the purpose off this community is to serve the WORD in others – one another! Jesus said, as you do for the least of these (people) so you do for me.

Grow in the WORD, learn about the WORD, know yourself through the WORD, take time with the WORD, enjoy the WORD, share the WORD. We have been created for relationship with the WORD – anything less is a diminishing of real and eternal life.

How????

By following the WORD!

Let’s keep reading John’s gospel to see what this means. [Prayer - LORD Jesus you are the WORD of GOD in whom and through whom we were all made. Help me to never put myself above others and to see all as you do - people of the WORD. Help me to follow you as you show me in scripture and by the counsell and guidance of your Spirit. In Jesus name. Amen]

Week beginning Monday August 25th

Acts 27 & 28

What an adventure at sea!!!

Gone are the religious arguments and rhetoric, the defense of the faith on the grounds of scripture, tradition, law and prohesy. Here at this time faith is relationship with God in midst of traumatic life. Faith is seen in the courage, trust, bold action, encouragement and peace in the middle of the storm and raging sea. God is good all the time – God’s promises aren’t just for the Temple and Courts (religion and politics) but for all of life – particularly in the times of Chaos. Malta miracles happen and God makes the way for God’s purposes to be fulfilled. God’s goodness is good for all.

Against the winds, in face of enemies, bitten by a poisonous snake, and shipwrecked…God remains faithful and sees God’s plans come about. [Prayer - LORD, may I trust in you in the midst of chaos in life. Amen]

Week beginning Monday 18th August

Acts 25 & 26

The story keeps on getting more intriguing – Paul is now defending himself before Kings and Councils. Paul tells his story of his experience of Jesus that the world can’t live without. It is Paul’s truth that he stakes his life and death upon. Woah -how would I go sharing my experience of Jesus that the world can’t live without? Jesus is with me always and Jesus has made me and saves me and remakes me – but even better is that Jesus has and is still doing this for all the world! Yeah! [Prayer - LORD give me the opportuntitie to share this good news with others. Amen]

Week beginning Monday 11th August

Acts 23 & 24

What jumped out at me?

Paul’s confidence and assurance in face of opposition inspires me. This is a great story – Lies and Spies, Truth and Friends, all mixed in together. God’s purposes prevailing against the tide of men’s schemings. Obedience and endurance and God’s small mercies in the journey of trials. God’s order and timing mixed in within human choices and actions.

God is good and His presence and love never fails. [Prayer - LORD help me to hold on to your purposes in the face of even my own schemes - Amen.]

Week beginning 4th August

Psalm 31

As I read this I thought that it may well have been a Psalm that Jesus himself would have remembered as he was going through his suffering. Knowing the faithfulness of God would have been the only thing that could have carried him through his trial and death. Again I reflect on how much I value the Psalms for their honesty in dealing with our very human experiences – suffering – fear – loneliness. God be our rock and refuge – Be the One who guides us through the valleys. God – only you truly know us and cares.

God’s knowing of each of us is so intimate and truthful. We are so apt at not being this with one another. But we have scripture like today’s that we can share together and find ourselves, together, calling to God for help and protection. And this does make me glad. [Prayer - LORD, I do cheer and celebrate your goodness - for all the times that people suffer, you are there. May we who know your presence share the good news of your presence. Amen]

Acts 21

Now we are getting to the pointy end of Paul’s journey and amazingly Paul’s resolve and faith gets stronger and stronger. This is a great story of how God’s Spirit works in community and individuals. Paul – obedient to the Spirit presses on for Jeruasalem. The church and prophets obedient to God’s Spirit warn him against doing this. Undeterred Paul cannot not do what he is compelled to do by God. And I love the verses 12-14 12After Agabus said this, we and the followers living there begged Paul not to go to Jerusalem. 13But Paul answered, “Why are you crying and breaking my heart? I am not only willing to be put in jail for the Lord Jesus. I am even willing to die for him in Jerusalem!” 14Since we could not get Paul to change his mind, we gave up and prayed, “Lord, please make us willing to do what you want.”

The consequence of Paul’s obedience was the church commiting to God afresh “to do what you want”. [Prayer - LORD, may I do what you want me to do. Amen]