Act Of Will

"John 5:31-47

Come to Jesus – the source of HD life

If we fail to see that the Bible is about Jesus and a relationship with him, reading it can easily become a dry, academic and arid activity. Once you understand that it is all about Jesus, and you see that studying the Bible is a way to grow in your relationship with him, it becomes the source of life, eternal life and ‘high definition living’.

The way to find life is to come to Jesus. On numerous occasions, especially in John’s gospel, Jesus refers to this life as ‘eternal life’ (for example, v.39). Eternal life comes from this relationship. It starts now and goes on forever. It is the high definition life.
How do we know that Jesus really is who he says he is? As if in a court of law, Jesus calls four witnesses to support his case.

Evidence of other people

The first witness Jesus calls is other people – in particular, John the Baptist. John came as ‘a witness to testify’ (1:7). Today, there are more people than ever before (over 2 billion) pointing to Jesus.

Evidence of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection

The second witness Jesus calls is his own life work. This is a ‘weightier’ witness than the first one – it is the ‘very work the Father has given me to finish’ (5:35), which culminates in the resurrection of the crucified Christ who cries out on the cross, ‘It is finished’ (19:30).

Evidence of the Father

The third witness Jesus calls is the Father’s direct testimony (5:37). We too can experience his direct testimony today through his Spirit in our hearts (15:26)

Evidence of the Scriptures

The fourth witness Jesus calls is the Scriptures. The whole Bible is about Jesus and about coming into a relationship with him. Jesus says, ‘These are the Scriptures that testify about me’ (5:39). He says, ‘Moses … wrote about me’ (v.46).

It is possible to ‘study the Scriptures’ but miss the whole point. Jesus says to religious leaders, ‘You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life’ (vv.39–40).

Even though there is ample evidence about Jesus, ultimately coming to him is an act of the will. And some, Jesus says, ‘refuse to come to me to have life’ (v.40). Why would anyone refuse?

First, some are not willing to put God first in their lives (v.42). Others are more concerned about what people think than about what God thinks (v.44). Still others simply refuse to believe in spite of the evidence (v.47). ‘If you believed, really believed, what Moses said, you would believe me. He wrote of me’ (v.46, MSG).

Do not worry about what other people think. What God thinks is what matters. Come to Jesus again today and enjoy high definition living.

Lord Jesus, today I come to you – the source of life. As I study the Scriptures, may my heart burn within me as I encounter you."

1. Thank You for life, thank You for the Bible, thank You for the evidences.

2. Thank You for being busy, good busyness. 

3. Praise God for a very interesting dinner with the people You put in my life.

'Bios' and 'Zoe'

"It was back in 1966 when England last won the World Cup. Yet I can still remember the moment. As children, we were watching the match on a black and white television set. We could never get a very good picture; it was always fuzzy and going into lines. We were quite happy with it since we did not know anything different. One day, we discovered all it needed was an aerial! Suddenly we found that we could get clear and distinct pictures. Our enjoyment was transformed.

Now, not only do we have colour television, we can get high definition (HD). There are no fuzzy lines, or distortions, and it produces a richer, bolder and more vibrant picture than ever before.

Ed Young’s book, High Definition Living, uses this analogy to describe the contrast between mere existence and the kind of life that Jesus speaks about.

There are two Greek words for life. The word ‘bios’, from which we get the word biological, means ‘earthly life’. It is the condition of being alive rather than dead. And ‘zoe’, which is used in the New Testament passage for today, means ‘the fullness or richness of life’ – the ‘supernatural life belonging to God and Christ’ which you will receive in the future, but which you can also enjoy here and now. 

Proverbs 11:19-28

Follow the path of HD life

The book of Proverbs sets out two paths: one leads to ‘death’ (v.19b); the other leads to ‘life’ (v.19a). The path that leads to death is the path of evil (v.19b), perversity (v.20a), wickedness (v.21a), meanness (v.24b), hoarding (v.26a) and trusting in wealth (v.28a).

The path that leads to life is for those who are righteous (v.19) and blameless (v.20). As we read this through the lens of the New Testament, we thank God for the righteousness he gives us by faith in Jesus Christ.

In this passage we see a description of what this life is like. It is not mere existence. It is high definition living. It means enjoying God’s delight (v.20b). It is a life of freedom (v.21b). It ‘ends only in good’ (v.23).

When you are generous, you are ‘enriched’. When you ‘refresh’ others, you are ‘refreshed’ (v.25).

This does not mean that life is without its difficulties, challenges and suffering. But ultimately, you will be crowned with blessing (v.26b). You will find goodwill(v.27a) and will ‘thrive like a green leaf’ (v.28b).

Lord, thank you that you give me the righteousness of Christ by faith and put me on a path that leads to life. Thank you that you delight in me and that in the midst of all the troubles of life you promise me freedom, refreshment and blessing."

1. Yes, Lord, that promise of freedom, refreshment, and blessing, thank You.

2. You continue to grace the workplace with people, Lord. Thank You.

3. Thank You for a life that brings excitement and color.

Beauty From Within

"A cynical ancient writer said, "The things for which a woman longs are adornments." Other ancient proverbs claim that "a woman's thought is only for her beauty" and the "woman of sixty, the same as the girl of six, runs to the sound of the timbrel." It is true women are concerned about appearance, and this is one of the reasons men appreciate them.

Peter warns women about excessive attention to appearance: Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel--rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:3-4).

A popular television commercial depicted a husband saying to his wife, "You're not getting older, you're getting better." This is true also of the wise woman who gives more attention to developing a beautiful spirit than a beautiful body. It is interesting that many men who stray from the marriage bed are attracted to women not nearly as physically beautiful as their wives. This demonstrates that the spiritual element is of prime importance in marriage. Thus the wise woman, while not neglecting her outward appearance, will pay more attention to making her inner person beautiful. Then, when the wrinkles appear and the body weakens, her love and security will grow stronger.

You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."

1. Thank You, Lord, for giving me people with inner beauty. Thank You that You help me look into the hearts of people.

2. Hallelujah for the first sign language class!

3. Praise God for allowing me to bring a friend in church!

Weakness Into Strength

"John 6:25-59

Faith and fallibility

As we read through the ongoing saga of the people of God sinning, crying out to the Lord and being rescued by Judges, we come across one of the most disturbing stories in the entire Bible.

Jephthah is described as a ‘mighty warrior’ (11:1). His mother was a prostitute (v.1). His half-brothers drove him away (v.2). He gathered a group of adventurers around him (v.3). He became a remarkable leader. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him (v.29), and he was used by God to secure victory over the Ammonites – ‘the Lord gave them into his hands’ (v.32).

However, there is an incident in his life that is almost unbearable to read. He made a vow to God that if God gave him victory he would sacrifice whatever came out of the door of his house to meet him upon his return. It was his daughter, his only child. And, it appears, that is what he did (vv.29–40).

It is important to note that God never asked him to make this vow. Nor did he ask him to carry out the sacrifice. Indeed, it went against all the teaching of the Old Testament, which forbade child sacrifice. Jephthah never actually seeks God’s will in this situation. It seems to be his own pride that drives him to put his reputation above the life of his daughter. This shows the fallibility of even great people of faith.

In spite of his weakness, he is listed in the book of Hebrews as one of the heroes of faith whose weakness was turned into strength (Hebrews 11:32–34).

Lord, thank you that you use fallible human beings. Forgive me for the times when I make bad choices. I need your wisdom for everything I do. Thank you for the way you use people of faith and turn their weakness into strength. Help me today to live a life of faith, trusting and believing in Jesus, who is ‘the bread of life’ (John 6:35)."

1. Thank You, indeed, for using imperfect people to make me realize that I can be of use. Please turn my weakness into strength.

2. Hallelujah for a smooth transition! Thank You for extra hands.

3. Thank You for giving me this blessing of a better home.

Bread of Life

"John 6:25-59

Faith and emptiness

Jesus taught about the centrality of faith. When asked ‘“What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent” ’ (vv.28–29).

When they asked for bread from heaven, Jesus says, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty’ (v.35). As Joyce Meyer points out, we are called, primarily, ‘believers’, not ‘achievers’. The way we achieve is by first believing.

When we are physically hungry we crave food. But as well as physical needs we have spiritual needs and a spiritual hunger. Faith in Jesus fills the emptiness we experience and satisfies our spiritual hunger for purpose, permanence and pardon.

Purpose

Physical bread is not enough. Material things alone do not satisfy. Money, homes, cars, success and even human relationships do not satisfy our desire for ultimate purpose in life.  

The bread that does satisfy is the ‘bread of life’. This is not a commodity that Jesus supplies. He is the gift and the giver. The words, ‘I’ or ‘me’ appear thirty-five times in this discussion. ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty’ (v.35).

It is easy, even once we have put our faith in Jesus, to get caught up either in material things or the trappings of religion. This passage reminds us that it is actually only a relationship with Jesus that satisfies our spiritual hunger.

The expressions, ‘Believe in me’ (v.29), ‘Come to me’ (v.35), ‘Look to the Son’ (v.40), ‘Eat my flesh and drink my blood’ (v.53 onwards) describe living in an intimately close relationship with Jesus.

Permanence

We are all going to die. Death is the great unmentionable reality. Jesus says this life is not the end: ‘I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever ... I will raise them up on the last day’ (vv.51,54).

Jesus promises to raise you up at the last day and that you will live forever. You can have absolute assurance that your relationship with Jesus will outlast death.

There is both a present and a future dimension to this eternal life. They said, ‘From now on give us this bread’ (v.34). Jesus says it can be received immediately (v.35 onwards). Yet he also made clear that it will last forever (vv.50–51).

Pardon

Forgiveness is actually our greatest need. The atheist philosopher, Marghanita Laski, said, ‘What I envy most about you Christians is your forgiveness. I have no one to forgive me.’ We all want to know that we are pardoned for all that we have done wrong.

Jesus said, ‘This bread is my flesh, which I give for the life of the world’ (v.51). His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. Every time we receive communion, among other things, we are reminded that Jesus gave his life so that we could be forgiven.

How do we receive this bread? Jesus says, ‘I tell you the truth, whoever believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life’ (vv.47–48).

In John’s Gospel, there is no separate account of the institution of the Eucharist (as there is in the other Gospels). Rather, we see Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist set in the context of faith. The Eucharist is a visible sign that helps us receive Christ by faith (vv.53–58). For example, it is striking to compare verses 40 and 54.

Lord, thank you that through faith in you I have found a lasting purpose in my life, forgiveness for my sins and the promise of eternal life. Help me today to walk in a close, intimate relationship with you."

1. Hallelujah for giving that purpose in my life. Thank You for calling.

2. Thank You for a wonderful dinner with new-found friends.

3. No matter how long the time spent together, thank You for those moments.

Arise To Help Me

"Psalm 59:1-8

Faith and opposition

God is our strength in times of difficulty. Belief in God is not the recipe for an easy life. In fact, the reverse is the case. Those who put their faith in God are likely to face all kinds of opposition.

David’s life was under threat. Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. He finds himself surrounded by ‘enemies ... mutineers ... dirty tricks ... hit men ... desperadoes ... ambush ... they’re after me, determined to get me’ (vv.1–4, MSG).

Yet in the midst of this, David prays, ‘Rescue me ...’ (vv.1,2, MSG) and has total confidence that the Lord can and will deliver him (v.8). Later in the psalm, twice David calls on God: ‘O my Strength’ (vv.9,17).

The reason that David was under attack was not because of his own sin. He is able to say, ‘I did nothing to deserve this, God, crossed no one, wronged no one’ (v.4, MSG). Of course, we know from the account of David’s life that there were times when he did wrong, (see, for example, 2 Samuel 11). However, on this occasion, the opposition did not arise from his own sin.

This psalm is a reminder to us that we can cry out to God for help in times of personal difficulties. David prays a personal prayer, ‘Arise to help me; look on my plight’ (Psalm 59:4b). We can also cry out to God for help at times of international crisis. The very next sentence is a prayer for the nation (v.5a). At whatever level the opposition appears, we can ask the Lord for his deliverance, help and intervention.

O my Strength, help us to trust you in times of difficulty and opposition, both personally and as a nation. Deliver us from those who oppose your plans."

1. Thank You that You have always made clear that there is opposition. May I be ready to face it always.

2. Thank You that everything will work out for good. I pray for a final home, O, God.

3. Thank You for easy packing. :)

Perfect In Weakness

"John Stott was one of the great Christian leaders of the twentieth century. On one occasion he was speaking at a university mission in Sydney, Australia. On the last night of the mission he was thinking of pulling out of speaking since, as a result of an infection, he had virtually lost his voice.

Eventually, he was persuaded to speak. Waiting in the side room beforehand, he whispered a request that the words of the ‘thorn in the flesh’ verses from 2 Corinthians 12 be read to him. The conversation between Jesus and Paul came alive.

John (Paul): ‘I beg you to take it away from me.’

Jesus: ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’

John (Paul): ‘I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me … for when I am weak, then I am strong.’

John Stott records what happened: ‘When the time came for the address, all I can say is that I croaked the gospel through the microphone in a monotone. I was utterly unable to modulate my voice or exert my personality in any way. But all the while I was crying to the Lord to fulfill his promise to perfect his power through my weakness.’

He went back to Australia seven or eight times after that, and on every occasion somebody came up to him and said, ‘Do you remember that final service in the University Great Hall, when you had lost your voice? I came to Christ that night.’

As someone who is very aware of my own weaknesses, I find it encouraging that when we feel weak we are not alone."

1. Praise God for the strength and energy back!

2. Thank You for the patience I needed in moving houses and arranging with owners.

3. Thank You that because of new life, You have given control of emotions.

Ownership Or Possession?

"John 1:29-51

The gift of your inheritance

Is there some area of your life where you are still not enjoying your inheritance in Christ? 
The land was the inheritance of the people of God (17:4,7; 18:7,20,27). ‘Joshua addressed the People of Israel: “How long are you going to sit around on your hands, putting off taking possession of the land that God, the God of your ancestors, has given you?” ’ (18:3, MSG).

Here, once again, we see the great difference between ownership and possession and enjoyment of the land. Israel was given the ownership of the land before they took possession and enjoyment.

In the Christian life, the moment you come to Christ you receive forgiveness, justification, the righteousness of God and the Holy Spirit. You are given the right to become children of God. You have power over sin and access to God. You have victory over demonic powers. You have peace with God. You have authority over evil in your life and the lives of others. All the promises of God belong to you. This is your inheritance in Christ.

But you may not always, necessarily, take possession and fully enjoy the blessing of all these things in your life. Here God says, in effect, to his people: ‘Don’t you realise I have given all of this to you? What are you waiting for?’

You may have given your life to Jesus, but have you allowed him to possess every aspect of how you live – your finances, work, prayer life, friends and family. In my experience this is a lifetime task.

St Paul writes that you need to take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). In some areas the victory may be immediate. In others it may be more gradual. You have to drive out even the little pockets of resistance.

As Israel received the land as a gift from the Lord (Joshua 18:3), so you and I have received, in Jesus, every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). The question for us is, ‘How long will you wait before you begin to take possession’ of these gifts? (Joshua 18:3).

Lord, thank you that you have blessed me in Christ with every spiritual blessing. Thank you that you have given me the gift of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you that you have removed my sins and given me the Holy Spirit. Thank you that I have everything that I need to take possession of the land."

1. Thank You that I have everything, yes, thank You.

2. Thank You for your healing, I have claimed it. 

3. Thank You for the strength in spite my stomach pain.

Always On Time

"John 6:60-7:13

Extraordinary power

Do you ever get frustrated by the length of time God seems to take to answer your prayers? God is never in a hurry, but he is always on time.

We see in this passage God’s elaborate preparation for the birth of Samson, whose extraordinary power was to save the people of his day. But this only prefigured something that would take even longer. Hundreds of years later, John the Baptist arose (who, as we will see, was in many ways like Samson) to prepare for the ultimate Saviour of the world.

We see in the Bible that God often blessed the children of those who had waited a long time to have children and had thought it was an impossibility, for example Sarah with Isaac and Elizabeth with John the Baptist.

Samson was like John the Baptist in many ways: 

In both cases, it was thought that the mother could not have children and something of a miracle was required (Judges 13:3; Luke 1:7). In both cases, the angel of the Lord spoke clearly to the parents (Judges 13:7; Luke 1:13) Both children were set apart for God from birth (Judges 13:7; Luke 1:14–17) Neither of them was allowed to touch any alcohol (Judges 13:7; Luke 1:15) The Spirit of the Lord came upon both of them from a very early moment in their lives (Judges 13:25; Luke 1:15).

Arguably, we also see a hint of the whole Trinity in this passage. We read of ‘the Lord’ (Judges 13:1), but we also hear about the awesome ‘angel of the Lord’ who appeared to Samson’s parents (vv.3,6) and who then ascended towards heaven in a flame (v.19).

Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground … Manoah realised that it was the angel of the Lord. ‘ “We are doomed to die!” he said to his wife. “We have seen God!” ’ (vv.19–22). (Thankfully he had a ‘sensible wife’! (v.23, AMP).)

Could this be the second person of the Trinity? Jesus, in our New Testament passage for today, uses the language of the Son of Man ascending (John 6:62). Earlier in John’s Gospel we read of ‘the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man’ (John 1:51).

The third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is clearly at work here at the birth of Samson: ‘The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew and the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him …’ (Judges 13:24–25). The Holy Spirit gave Samson extraordinary and unusual strength and power.

Lord, thank you for the extraordinary strength you gave to Samson. Please fill me with your Spirit today. Give me spiritual strength and power to resist the enemy and power to live a holy life."

1. Come, Holy Spirit. Thank You for hope, for making the impossible possible.

2. Thank You that in times of weakness, it lets us remember You and seek You.

3. Thank You for giving the rest I need.

The Tough Call

"John 6:60-7:13

Fullness of life

Do you ever find the teaching of Jesus very hard to live out? Do you sometimes find it difficult to be a Christian, in the workplace, for example? Do you sometimes find people seem to hate you for no good reason? Do you ever feel like giving up following Jesus?
If you want an easy life I don’t recommend following Jesus. Alice Cooper, the rock singer said, ‘Drinking beer is easy. Trashing your hotel is easy. But being a Christian, that’s a tough call. That’s real rebellion.’

Over and over again, we see that following Jesus is a tough call. And yet, at the same time, it is the way to life in all its fullness. This fullness of life comes, Jesus explains, from the Holy Spirit.

The teaching of Jesus is not easy. The disciples said, ‘This is a hard and difficult and strange saying ... Who can stand to hear it?’ (6:60, AMP). In fact, some of the teaching of Jesus was so hard that ‘many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him’ (v.66).

It is not so much that the hearers found Jesus’ teaching difficult to understand, but that they did not like its content. They actually found his teaching offensive (v.61). It seems that they were particularly offended by Jesus’ huge claims on their lives. He claimed to be ‘the bread of life’, he called them to believe in him and he offered eternal life.

Not only was this teaching ‘hard’, it was ‘hated’. Jesus says, ‘The world ... hates me because I testify that what it does is evil’ (7:7). He was accused of being a deceiver (v.12). There was a very high cost in following someone who was hated in this way.

When many turned back and no longer followed him, Jesus asked the Twelve, ‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Simon Peter, the spokesperson for the group, answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God’ (6:67–69).  

In this passage we see the whole Trinity. Peter recognises Jesus as ‘the Holy One of God’ (v.69). Jesus is unique. He embodies the holiness of God. He is divine. He speaks about the Father (v.65). He also speaks of the Holy Spirit (v.63).

He says, ‘The Spirit gives life’ (v.63a). Just as physical flesh gives birth to physical life, so the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. He says, ‘The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life’ (v.63b).

When Jesus speaks of eternal life, he is speaking of a quality of life that starts now and goes on forever: ‘life in all its fullness’ (John 10:10). This is the kind of life that the Holy Spirit brings. That is why although there is a cost in following Jesus, the benefits far outweigh the cost. In fact, there is no real alternative. Only Jesus can give you the Holy Spirit. Only Jesus can give you fullness of life.

Lord, I need your Holy Spirit to give me life. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit so that the words I speak today may be ‘spirit’ and ‘life’ to those who hear (6:63)."

1. Hallelujah for the fullness of life, may I always embrace it.

2. Thank You that my kids enjoy the class. May this be an open door for Your Word.

3. Praise God for the barbecue night, good moment to know each other more.

Endless Energy!

"We often tell the story of when John Wimber first visited our church. We saw a remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit and several healings. One incident, which occurred on the second night, is indelibly printed in my memory. One of our closest friends was eight months pregnant at the time. The Holy Spirit came upon her with great power. She started to whirl around at great speed. As she did so, she exclaimed over and over again, ‘I feel so strong!’

A few weeks later she gave birth to a son who, from his earliest days, showed not only spiritual and emotional strength but also extraordinary physical strength. He became an outstanding rugby player, a superb athlete and is now a successful model.

To some (like Samson, who we read about in today’s Old Testament passage), the Holy Spirit gives extraordinary physical strength. To all of us, the Holy Spirit gives spiritual strength.

We read of the work of the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible – from Genesis 1:3, in which the Spirit ‘was hovering over the waters’, through to Revelation 22:17, in which the Spirit and the bride say ‘Come!’ 

On the day of Pentecost, there was a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. After that we see more clearly the work of the Holy Spirit. We see the Holy Spirit in action in the book of Acts, and the explanation of what the Holy Spirit does in the rest of the New Testament. However, even before the day of Pentecost there are hints and references to the work of the Holy Spirit, as we see today. 

Psalm 59:9-17

Boundless strength

Are you struggling with some issue in your life? Do you feel deeply troubled?

Like David, who was in deep trouble, call out to God today: ‘O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God’ (vv.9–10a).

The psalm ends in triumph. ‘But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God’ (vv.16–17).

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul tells us about this ‘Strength’. He speaks of ‘his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead’ (Ephesians 1:19–20).

It was the Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11a). The Holy Spirit is ‘his mighty strength’. That same strength now lives in you and ‘will give life to your mortal body through his Spirit, who lives in you’ (11b).

I love Eugene Peterson’s translation of the Ephesians passage where he speaks of God giving you ‘endless energy, boundless strength’!

Lord, thank you that you are my ‘Strength’, my loving God. Thank you that your strength raised Jesus from the dead. Thank you that your Spirit lives in me. Please give me your endless energy and boundless strength for today and for all the battles that lie ahead."

1. Hallelujah for endless energy!

2. Endless energy indeed, we did KTV twice in a day. I had fun and thank You for the incredible moments.

3. Thank You for the blessing of being a teacher to some locals. I love doing it for Your sake. Thank You.

Pure Kindness

"John 9:35-10:21

Honour God in all circumstances

God honours those who honour him and do what is right – even when it is costly to do so and even through the trials and difficulties of life. We see how each of the main characters honours the Lord: Naomi (1:8–9), Ruth (v.17 and following), Boaz (2:4,12; 3:10,13; 4:11).

The book of Ruth begins with Naomi despairing of the kindness of God (Ruth 1:20–21). She then experiences many of the people around her displaying great human kindness. She experiences it in her two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah (v.8) and in Boaz’s treatment of Ruth. Finally, she declares, ‘He has not stopped showing his kindness to the living and the dead’ (2:20).

Ruth obeys her mother-in-law in every detail. Naomi’s concern is wholly for Ruth’s well-being. Boaz is self-controlled, generous and honourable. Boaz’s life is obviously God-centred. His immediate reaction when he wakes up and sees Ruth is, ‘The Lord bless you’ and ‘as the Lord lives’ (3:10;13).

Yesterday, we saw how Ruth honoured the Lord and did the right thing by being loyal to her mother-in-law. Today, we see how Boaz clearly wanted to marry Ruth and felt it was the right thing, yet did not simply go ahead as he could have done on the basis of the end justifying the means. He was completely upright in the way that he approached the matter – abiding by the etiquette and traditions of the culture.

Boaz did not just rush ahead and get married. He went through the correct process. Humanly speaking he was taking a great risk and might have lost Ruth. But he trusted that the Lord was in control.

The Lord honoured this in an amazing and wonderful way. Boaz and Ruth were married and gave birth to the grandfather of King David (4:17). Indeed Ruth, the servant girl, became an ancestor of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5–6). We see the kindness of God throughout the book of Ruth. Behind the human kindness of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz lies the kindness of God.

Lord, thank you for your amazing kindness to me. Give me courage to honour you always and to seek to do the right thing even when that is difficult."

1. Thank You for all the kindness You give, may I bring this kindness to others.

2. Praise God for the cell group, it really helps in strengthening my prayer life.

3. Thank You for being able to discern what is wrong and right, only by Your grace.

Fullness of Life

"John 9:35-10:21

Enjoy fullness of life

Many people think that God wants to take things away from us. They think that God wants to destroy their fun. Jesus says that, in fact, the opposite is the case. Jesus says, ‘I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)’ (John 10:10b, AMP). This has been my experience. In a relationship with Jesus we find meaning, purpose, fulfilment, peace, forgiveness, and life in all its fullness.

Don’t let the devil rob you

Jesus contrasts himself with ‘the thief’ who comes to ‘steal and kill and destroy’ (v.10a). The devil wants to rob you of your peace and enjoyment of life. Don’t let him.

Be assured of God’s love for you

Jesus also contrasts the good shepherd with the ‘hired hand’ who, when the wolf attacked the flock, runs away because he cares nothing for the sheep (vv.12–13).

On the other hand, the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (vv.11,15). This is entirely voluntary: ‘The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord’ (vv.17–18). If you ever doubt that God loves you, you simply have to look at the cross: Jesus laid down his life for you.

Learn to listen to his voice

It is in the instinctive nature of sheep to recognise the shepherd’s voice: ‘The sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice’ (vv.3–4).

The more you get to know Jesus, the more you will get to discern whether it is his voice rather than the deceptive voice of the wolf.

Know that you have eternal life

The one we know not only dies for us but he also rises from the dead for us. He has the power to take his life again: ‘I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again’ (v.18b). He gives you eternal life.

Jesus later defines eternal life like this: ‘Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent’ (17:3).

Lord, thank you that you love me so much that you laid down your life for me. Thank you for making it possible for me to know you, to speak to you, and to hear your voice speaking to me. Thank you that you give me life and life in all its fullness."

1. Indeed, thank You for the life, for the salvation, for everything.

2. People come in our lives for a season or for a reason. Thank You for the great time together.

3. Praise God for technology, really. Distance does not become obvious.

Door and Shepherd

"John 9:35-10:21

Enjoy life in all its fullness

I thought that becoming a Christian would mean the end to my enjoyment of life. In fact, I found the opposite. Jesus says he came that we might ‘enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)’ (v.10, AMP).

The man healed of blindness has no trouble believing in Jesus. When Jesus finds him and says, ‘Do you believe in the Son of Man?’ (9:35), he asks, ‘Who is he sir? ... Tell me so that I may believe in him’ (v.36). Jesus replies, ‘ “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped him’ (vv.37–38). In Jesus, the man seems to have realised that he had encountered God himself. You too can encounter God in Jesus.

Jesus explains how, through him, you can know God. He uses two analogies. First, he speaks of himself as ‘the gate’ (10:1). The Greek word ‘thura’ is perhaps better translated as ‘the door’. Jesus is the door for the sheep to come in and find salvation (v.9). He is the door to the Father. The door to knowing God is to know Jesus.

The second analogy Jesus uses is that he is the good shepherd. The sheep know the shepherd: ‘I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father’ (vv.14–15). The background to this is that God himself is described as the ‘shepherd’ in the Old Testament (for example, see Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 40:11). To know Jesus is to know God."

1. Praise God for the joy you bring. You definitely bring happiness to my life.

2. It is the last night for the Slovakian friends and it was fun having to walk around with them and chill. Thank You for the time together.

3. Thank You for the realization that I have a job, that You have blessed me.

Find Rest in Him

"At the start of his influential book, Knowing God, J.I. Packer explores some of the big questions about life and the meaning and purpose of our existence. He writes:

‘What were we made for? To know God.
What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God.
What is the “eternal life” that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God …
What is the best thing in life, bringing more joy, delight, and contentment, than anything else? Knowledge of God …
What, of all the states God ever sees [us] in, gives Him most pleasure? Knowledge of Himself.’

Psalm 62:1-12

Trust him, at all times

It is easy to trust God when things are going well. David urges, ‘Trust in, lean on, rely on, and have confidence in him at all times (v.8a, AMP). Trusting in God at all times means trusting him not only when things are going well, but also when things are not going so well. We develop character by trusting him when we are facing difficulties in our lives.

Knowing and trusting God leads to:

Soul-rest

In the midst of all our fears and anxieties we can find peace. ‘My soul finds rest in God alone …Find rest, O my soul, in God alone’ (vv.1,5)

Salvation

Salvation comes by faith in God. ‘My salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation … My salvation and my honour depend on God’ (vv.1b–2a,7a)

Security

Everything else in life is uncertain, and ultimately insecure, but God ‘is my fortress, I shall never be shaken … he is my mighty rock, my refuge’ (vv.2b,6b–7b)

Like Jesus, David contrasts the love of God and money. ‘Though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them’ (v.10). When I started practising as a barrister, I wrote this in the margin of my Bible: ‘This is a vital message for me at this time. It was easy in student days not to think about money – but now with money starting to come in I find myself thinking about it more and more, talking about it more and more. The battle is fierce – the pull of the world is so strong. Either you set your heart on God or on money.’ 

Lord, today may my soul find rest in you alone. Thank you that you promise that I will never be shaken. Lord, I trust in you today and I pour out my heart to you."

1. Yes, Lord, have a guard at my heart to look after what is right.

2. Thank You, Lord, for a great night of half-priced pizza and chat.

3. Hallelujah for great stories from people's experiences.

Strength Comes From God Alone

"John 7:45-8:11

Faith in the midst of chaos

These were desperate times for the people of God. There is a refrain that runs through the book of Judges: ‘In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit’ (17:6). This was a time of chaos.

In these desperate times God raised up Judges like Samson. He led Israel for twenty years (16:31). He was one of the heroes of faith (Hebrews 11:32).

We saw yesterday how he was a man anointed by the Holy Spirit. God used him powerfully. However, he also had a weakness that led to immorality (he spent half the night with a prostitute, Judges 16:1–3) and deception (vv.4–10). Eventually, he pushed God to the limit through his persistent disobedience and ‘the Lord … left him’ (v.20).

Samson received extraordinary strength from God. But it was directly related to his obedience. God had told him not to cut his hair. So long as he obeyed God he would have supernatural strength.

However great a person of God may be, it is vital to remember that strength comes from God alone. Jesus said, ‘Without me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5, NKJV). Never rely on past victories but rather on God who gave them.

After persistent temptation, Samson gave in and told Delilah the secret of his strength – although it must have been obvious to him by then that she would take advantage of him. She cut his hair and his strength was gone.

Not only was the society chaotic, but also Samson reached a point of utter desperation in his own life. He was in captivity, he was blind and his captors were about to make a spectacle of him (Judges 16:21–25).

In the midst of his despair, Samson does not lose his faith in God. He prayed to the Lord: ‘O Sovereign Lord, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more’ (v.28). And God heard his prayer. It is amazing that even after all his failures, God still answered Samson’s cry. No matter what the situation, and no matter what we have done, it is never too late to turn back to God."

1. "Lord, thank you that I can find refuge in your presence, and that you always hear my desperate cries for help."

2. Short time to bond may result to a wonderful friendship, I really thank You Lord for this.

3. Hallelujah for having an interesting project.

Follow His Example

"John 7:45-8:11

Love in the midst of condemnation

Is sex outside marriage acceptable? Or is it sinful? If it is, what should our attitude be to those who are guilty of sexual sin?

The debate about sexual ethics continues to fill our newspapers and other media today. The words of Jesus are as relevant today as they were 2,000 years ago.

The words of Jesus were the greatest words ever spoken, the kind of words you would expect God to speak. The temple guards declared, ‘No one ever spoke the way this man does’ (7:46). (It is so sad that some religious leaders failed to recognise him and regarded those who did believe in him as ‘this mob’, (v.49).)

Although the account of the woman caught in adultery is not included in the earliest and most reliable manuscripts of John’s Gospel, it may well be an authentic incident in the life of Jesus. Certainly, it fits with everything that we know about Jesus: his wisdom and grace, his mercy and compassion.

This woman must have felt absolutely desperate. Despair can come from defeat. It can also come from moral failure. She must have been experiencing both. She had been caught in the act of adultery and was about to be stoned to death.

The condemners tried to trap Jesus with a question. Jesus gives one of the most brilliant, memorable and often quoted replies in the history of the world: ‘Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her’ (8:7).  

Jesus did not condone her adultery, nor did he regard it as the unforgivable sin. He demonstrated how easy it is to condemn others while being guilty of the same sins in our own hearts (vv.7–9). This can be applied to many areas of our lives. Before we criticise others it is worth asking ourselves whether we are ‘without sin’ in that area that we are about to criticise in another.

As is often said, ‘People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.’ In the context of the debate about sexual ethics, as we look at our own hearts there is often a lot of glass around.

In the account of the woman caught in adultery, each of the condemners is convicted by Jesus’ words until eventually ‘only Jesus was left’ (vv.7–9). Jesus asks her, ‘Has no one condemned you?’ (v.10). When she replies, ‘No one, sir’, he says, ‘Then neither do I condemn you … Go now and leave your life of sin’ (v.11).

Guilt is a horrible emotion. Condemnation is a terrible state to be in. How amazing it must have been to hear the words of Jesus: ‘Then neither do I condemn you’ (v.11). Since he was without sin, Jesus was the one person there in a position to ‘throw stones’, but he did not.

There is an extraordinary balance and almost unique combination in the words of Jesus. Jesus could not be clearer that adultery is sin. Yet he does not condemn her in any way. This is the message of the New Testament. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). As a result of Jesus’ death for us on the cross, we are totally forgiven, however far we may have fallen.

Yet, this is not a reason to go on sinning. Jesus does not condone her sin. He says to her, ‘Leave your life of sin’ (John 8:11). When we recognise our own sin and despair of it, Jesus does not condemn us. But he does say to us, as he said to her, ‘Leave your life of sin’.

Jesus’ words, as always, are motivated by love and compassion. We are called to follow his example.

It is easy to fall into one of two opposite extremes. Either we condemn people or we condone sin. Love does not condemn nor does it condone sin, because sin leads to people getting hurt. If we love, like Jesus, we will neither condone sin nor condemn people.

Lord, thank you that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Thank you that you died to make it possible for me to be cleansed, forgiven and to go free. Help me to love people as you did. Fill me today with love and compassion."

1. Thank You for being the perfect example. May I always be reminded of Your message.

2. It was such a blessing to meet a family who lives in a boat to sell goods. Thank You for the opportunity.

3. Thank You, Lord, for a safe drive back to the city. Thank You for a wonderful time.

In Desperate Times...

"‘I don’t suppose there are many places where Alpha happens to the sound of gunfire and rockets flying, but for us the message is simple: it is about hope, light and a future because it is about Jesus.’

This is what Canon Andrew White, Vicar of St George’s, Baghdad, wrote to me in a letter describing their Alpha course in Baghdad. They were in a desperate situation. The church had been bombed more than once. Many people in their congregation had been killed. Some of the leaders had been kidnapped. For some, profession of faith in Jesus means almost certain death. Yet in these desperate times, Andrew White is able to say that Jesus brings hope, light and a future.

The psalmist speaks of ‘desperate times’ (Psalm 60:3). There are times in life when everything seems to go wrong. This can be true for a society and it can also be true for us as individuals. Maybe even now you are facing a desperate situation – perhaps with your health, a bereavement, the breakdown of a relationship, work problems, family difficulties, financial trouble or a combination of these. In each of the passages for today, we see how the people of God respond in desperate times.

Psalm 60:1-4

Hope in the midst of conquest

Sometimes it appears God’s people are being defeated. While there is a great revival in many parts of the world, such as Asia, in Western Europe, for example, church attendance has been in decline. Churches get closed. Christian morals are no longer seen as important.

There are desperate moments in the history of the people of God. This psalm is a national lament after a conquest by their enemies. The people of God felt rejected. David says, ‘You have shown your people desperate times’ (v.3a).

He uses the image of an earthquake to describe the desperation and uncertainty they faced (v.2). The same image is used today to describe turmoil in all spheres of life, not just in the literal shaking of an earthquake. The instability of the economy, corporate institutions, marriage and community are all often portrayed as shaking and fractured.

Yet in the midst of all this, there is hope – now as in the time of David. He writes, ‘But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow’ (v.4). The Lord has designated a place where his people may find refuge under his protection. This poetic language describes the confidence that we can have in the Lord, even in desperate times.

Thank you, Lord, that even in desperate times, I can take refuge under your protection."

1. Behind all of any pain is hope, thank You that we could find refuge in You.

2. It was a weekend of rest and peace, cruising along the small canals. Thank You for the relaxation.

3. Thank You for a fun trip!

There Is Light

"John 8:12-30

Shine God’s light in a dark world

Terrorist attacks, widespread abuse of children, genocide in Darfur, the terrible evil of human trafficking, 29.8 million people in slavery. We live in a dark world. But we are not without hope. Light can drive out darkness.

Israel was in a dark period of its history. The people were called to walk in a close relationship with God. The people were meant to live under the direct rule and reign of God as their king. Had they lived like this they would not have needed a human king.

However, they were now living in the worst possible scenario. They were not living under the kingship of the Lord, and did not even have a human king to keep order and restrain the chaos.

These were bleak days. ‘In those days Israel had no king’ (18:1; 19:1). They turned to idol worship (Chapter 18). Then in Chapter 19 we read a terrible account of the worst excesses of a chaotic society. The appalling rape and abuse and dissection of this woman caused everyone who saw it to say, ‘Such a thing has never been seen or done, not since the day the Israelites came up out of Egypt. Think about it! Consider it! Tell us what to do!’ (19:30). This was a time of utter darkness, of life without God.

Terrible as this atrocity was, it is not unique in the history of the world. We only have to open our newspapers to see the appalling atrocities that can happen when a society rejects God and his laws: it descends into utter chaos.

Lt Gen Romeo Dallaire, who was part of the UN mission to Rwanda and witnessed the genocide, was asked how he could still believe in God. He replied: ‘I know there is a God because in Rwanda I shook hands with the devil. I have seen him, I have smelled him and I have touched him. I know the devil exists, and therefore I know that there is a God.’

Today’s Old Testament passage reminds us about how dark a place the world can be without God. Let us return to the New Testament passage for today – which reminds us that Jesus brings light into this dark world.

In a staggering claim, Jesus naturally puts himself in the place of God, and says that he is ‘the light of the world’ (John 8:12). A world without God is a world of darkness. Yet Jesus said, ‘Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ (John 8:12).

When we turn to Jesus we come out of the darkness of life without God into the light of life with him. Not only that, but as we live with God, seeking to please him, we embody together the ‘light of life’ to bring light into our dark world.

You really can make a difference to the world around you. Your life, in Christ, can shine like light in the spiritual darkness in the world around you.

Lord, help us to be a community that brings your light to a dark world. Help us as individuals and as a church to live with you, to please you and to bring the light of life, love and joy to those around us today."

1. Help me bring the light to this dark world. Thank You for Your grace. Hallelujah!

2. Thank You for patience and understanding, Lord. Just thank You.

3. Praise You for spiritual gifts that I can be of service to others.

The Aim Is To Please

"John 8:12-30

Always try to please God

Do you realise that you can give God pleasure? Jesus says, ‘I always do what pleases him’ (v.29). This should be our aim in life – to please God.

Jesus models for us a life with God. He says, ‘I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me’ (v.16). He says, ‘The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone’ (v.29a). Throughout this passage, we discover something about Jesus’ perfect relationship with his Father.

Jesus says, ‘I know where I came from and where I am going’ (v.14). So many people struggle in life because they don’t know where they came from or where they are heading. So many struggle with a lack of purpose and direction in their lives. In a close relationship with God, we can know where we came from, and ultimately where we are heading.

Jesus’ relationship with the Father was also the source of his purpose and direction day by day. He says, ‘I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me’ (v.28). He says, ‘The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone’ (v.29a).

This is the model for us. God was with Jesus. Jesus knew he was never alone. There was not a single thing he did without God. At every moment his desire is to please God: ‘I always do what pleases him’ (v.29b). This is what gave his life such power and effectiveness. ‘Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him’ (v.30).

Not only was Jesus with God, he was God. As John puts it at the start of his gospel, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’ (1:1).

Twice in today’s passage Jesus says, ‘I am he’ (8:24,28). This is a way God sometimes refers to himself in the Old Testament (see for example Isaiah 43:10). The words translated ‘I am he’ are the same words that are used in the Greek translation of Exodus 3:14–16. There, God revealed himself to Moses as ‘I AM WHO I AM’. This name came to express both the identity of God and the closeness of God to his people.

In today’s passage, Jesus seems to be using this name himself (and he definitely does so later on in the chapter, in v.58). He is telling the people that God has once again come near to them in him. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us.

It is as we look to the cross that Jesus says we have the clearest demonstration of his identity. ‘So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be.” ’ (v.28).

Jesus had complete confidence in his own identity. We have seen how the key to Jesus’ confidence and identity lay in his relationship with the Father. The same will also be true for us. As you spend time with the Father in prayer, in worship, or in reading the Scriptures, you will find that your sense of identity and confidence in who you are in God will grow. You can know where you have come from and where you are heading.

No matter what people say about you, you can walk confidently with head held high. Your identity is in Christ and what he says about you and the fact that he is with you.

Father, thank you that we are able to say, ‘The one who sent me is with me, he has not left me alone’. Help me, like Jesus, always to do what pleases you and always to speak just what you have taught me."

1. Thank You, Lord, for being always there whatever happens. May I always do what pleases You.

2. Praise God for new friends from the other side of the world. Thank You for resetting my mindset.

3. Thank You for good connections.