1)# ’I know …’
Revelation 2:2 (1-7)
Jesus says these words ten times to seven churches within two chapters. Each group of believers is in a different situation facing difficulties and challenges. For some churches, Jesus reassures them that he knows just what struggles they are going through and encourages them to keep going. To other churches, Jesus tells them that, despite their appearance, he knows what is going on behind the scenes, and makes it clear that they must sort some things out.
For you and me today - Jesus knows. No explanations are necessary and no excuses are needed. We don’t need to argue our case or reason things through. We can’t hide anything from him - good or bad. As with the seven churches, Jesus knows, so he can help. If we are struggling with life, Jesus knows and will give us strength as we call out to him. If we are weary in our service, Jesus knows and will refresh us as we rest in him. If we are covering things up, Jesus knows and invites us to be honest and sort things out. If we’ve messed up, Jesus knows and is ready to give healing and forgiveness as we come to him. He knows, so let’s not hide away or ignore what’s going on. Let’s receive the help and reassurance that Jesus offers us again today.
2)# ’The Lord knows those who are his.’
2 Timothy 2:19 (14-19)
This is the reassurance that Paul gives to Timothy and it’s reassurance for us too. Paul has just spoken of two people who have caused disruption and destruction within the Church through their false teaching. The same is happening today and we need to be alert. But Paul’s reassurance is that the Lord knows, has a close acquaintance with, those who belong to him. False teaching doesn’t have to undermine this close relationship, but it does have to be identified, exposed and rejected.
Paul gives encouragements, advice and warnings in these few verses, all of which we must heed. But above all we must hold fast to Biblical truth, which is under pressure more and more from society and even within some parts of the Christian Church, as are those who adhere to it. So let’s read it prayerfully, live it out courageously, so that we are known by the One who is the Living Word.
3)# ’Knowing what had happened to her.’
Mark 5:33 (24-34)
Just as Jesus knew that power had gone out from him, so this lady knew that power had rushed into her and she had been healed. There was no need for the doctors to examine her, no need to get a certificate of health. ‘She felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.’ She was unnoticed, except by Jesus, but not unaware that something had happened. Knowing this for herself, she is helped, by Jesus, to make it known to other people.
When the Lord touches our lives, we’ll know about it. The Holy Spirit will confirm with our spirit that he is at work in us. Whether it is spiritual cleansing, physical healing or a new way of living, we will know something has happened. However recent the touch of the Lord has been in our lives, there’s no better time than now, to tell other people and have our faith in Christ affirmed.
4)# ’Still living by faith when they died.’
Hebrews 11:13 (11-16)
This sounds like a contradiction, but it’s the glorious reality for all who are in Christ. Death may put an end to our mortal bodies, but it cannot touch the life that comes by faith in Christ. Hebrews emphasises the fact that living by faith starts before death and stretches out beyond it. Faith is able to lay hold of that which we cannot yet see or touch physically, and make it real for us and so change the way we live now.
Most, if not all of those listed as examples in this chapter, died physically before Christ had come the first time, yet by faith in the promises given by God, they lived in the reality of all that Christ would achieve through his life, death and resurrection. It may have been from a distance, but it made a difference to how they lived then and so it should do the same for us today. ‘Living by faith’ applies to all followers of Christ, irrespective of our position or profession. Let's let our faith in Christ impact how we live now. It certainly will when we die!
5)# ’So he told her everything.’
Judges 16:17 (14-17)
Playing games with the enemies of God is not a good idea. However strong we may feel, deliberately laying ourselves open to temptation will prove our undoing, just as Samson found out to his cost.
Delilah did not give up easily. She nagged Samson day after day until he told her the secret of his strength. Samson had teased her and played games with the Philistines, but he hadn’t learned the lesson. His physical strength was not matched by inner resolve and he yielded to the seductions of Delilah.
God doesn’t save us in order that we can deliberately lay ourselves open to temptation or misuse spiritual gifts. Any gift which God gives us, be it natural or supernatural, is not for our glory, but for his. As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!” So unlike Samson, let’s heed the warning and not put ourselves at risk today.
6)# ’They look like trees walking around.’
Mark 8:24 (22-26)
Jesus had asked, ‘Do you see anything?’ He had led the blind man, who had been brought by other people, outside of the village, away from the crowds, and applied spittle to his eyes, to encourage the man’s faith. As a result, the man began to see and his faith increased, ready for complete healing as Jesus once again touches his eyes.
Sometimes our faith needs encouragement and one step can lead to another. Christ’s power to work in and through us is not in doubt, but our lack of faith can be a hindrance (Matt 13:58, 17:20). But Christ is willing to help us, even with our lack of faith and, as with the disciples, we can ask the Lord to, ‘Increase our faith!’. So let’s look to take those steps of faith today and experience the kindness and help of Jesus in our lives.
7)# ’The Lord opened her heart.’
Acts 16:14 (13-15)
Lydia was a godly woman. She was a Gentile who believed in God and followed the teaching of the Jewish scriptures. She met with other people to pray and was ready to listen. But there was something missing, that only the Holy Spirit could provide.
As Paul spoke, the Holy Spirit touched her heart. Lydia responded and discovered the new dimension that a relationship with Jesus brings. Her response was clear to see. She was baptised and then provided hospitality for the travelling disciples.
No amount of religious activity can replace the work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s heart. Religion may change the routines of life, but it can’t change the heart of a person, which is necessary, if we are to be in a right relationship with Holy God. Many people today have the religious routines in their lives, but not that relationship with Jesus. So let’s make sure that our relationship with Jesus is right, even today, so that we can then help other people come to know him too.
8)# ’Preserve our family line.’
Genesis 19:32 (30-38)
Self-interest can often be at the root of wrong actions. Lot’s two daughters were so concerned that their family line should be maintained that they took matters into their own hands. The consequences are still with us today.
Self-interest led Lot to choose the more fertile land when he and Abraham separated (Gen 13). Quarrelling between their herdsmen continued for many generations as Lot’s grandsons became nations opposed to the descendants of Abraham. Little did Lot’s daughters realise the long-reaching effect their selfish actions would have. Their descendants continue in enmity towards Israel.
Today’s society is often promoting self-interest, satisfying our own desires. But this is not how it is to be among God’s people. Those with a focus on self, will find it difficult to follow Jesus. Denying self is asked of all disciples. Serving other people for the sake of Christ will happen as a result and the benefits can be of eternal value.
9)# ’Began to talk freely.’
Mark 1:45 (40-45)
Talking freely comes out of a personal experience. For this leper, his healing changed his life and he could not help but tell other people. No doubt he was visibly different, but that was no reason not to tell everyone everything that had happened.
For some of us Christians, the longer we follow the Lord, the harder it can become to talk freely about him. For some reason we chat about church, we chat about God, we chat about ‘our faith’, but we stumble over talking about Jesus. For some of us, the most recent encounter with Jesus is all too far back in the past. For others the fear of what people may say makes it easier to stay quiet. Still others of us have simply not known the impact of Christ in our lives. Let’s make sure our experience of Jesus is up-to-date, so that we can talk about him freely to other people.
10)# ’Which is really no gospel at all.’
Galatians 1:7 (2-9)
Adding to or taking away from the plain gospel of Jesus is not new. Judaistic legalism was creeping back into the Galatian church. As Paul points out, good news that binds us to rules and regulations is not good news at all. It’s a burden.
Christ came to set people free from condemnation and our righteousness before God is through Christ, not through legalism. In our churches today, we can become more concerned about external things than about a change of heart, and our gospel is altered to suit our preferences. Equally dangerous is to make the gospel comfortable by ignoring teaching which challenges our way of living. If we aren’t prepared to preach the gospel of Jesus, better not to preach at all. Not surprising that Paul condemns any who stray from the truth.
11)# ’You did not … but she …’
Luke 7:44 (36-50)
Jesus is very personal in what he says to Simon, because it’s the personal aspect that matters to Jesus. Simon, as a Pharisee, had good standing in society. His hospitality, as far as it went, was to impress other people. Having Jesus to dinner, along with certain friends, would be noticed and be talked about. However, it seems that Simon’s concern for his own benefits, caused him to overlook some of the basic, yet more telling aspects, of Jesus’ visit.
In contrast, the woman had done nothing to impress other people. Her reputation was nothing to be proud of and her company was not desirable. But the biggest difference was in the personal aspect. Simon had done nothing personal for Jesus during his visit, because he had not experienced the same forgiveness that this lady now receives. What she did was not for show, but out of her love for the Lord. As a result she received forgiveness, salvation and peace. It seems that Simon was left with none of these. What we say and do must reflect our love for Jesus, not our love for ourselves.
12)# ’It is not for you to know.’
Acts 1:7 (6-11)
This can be hard to take. We are naturally inquisitive. We want answers. We want to know – just like the disciples. We feel that it would make things so much easier if we knew this, that or the other. Theological differences would be sorted, once and for all - or maybe not!
Yet the One who knows everything, knows that it’s best for us not to know some things. That way we need to keep trusting him. It means we all have things to learn and it helps us to realise that what we do know now, in terms of Christ’s teaching and God’s Word, is relevant for this life. What we don’t yet know, can wait.
And one thing we do know is that as we trust the Lord, he will keep us to the end and one day we shall know as we are known, by God, and that will be fully (1 Cor 13:12). To all who trust in the Lord, the Holy Spirit gives a peace that passes understanding, even in times of uncertainty. For now, that’s better than knowing everything.
13)# ’Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.’
Habakkuk 3:18 (17-19)
Our situations and circumstances will change. Things happen that we have little, if any, control over which can deeply affect us. Like Israel, facing imminent captivity, life may look very bleak at times, but our circumstances must not prevent us from rejoicing in the Lord. He is still our God and Saviour. Is our praise of him dependent on things going well for us? Should we not praise him for who he is and all that he has done - even when life is tough?
We may prefer good times to bad, but the Israelites became complacent during the years of plenty and forgot the Lord their God. The same can happen with us. The Lord knows that through hard times, our experience of him can become more real. Praising God when life hurts, deepens our relationship with him, more than when life is easy. Let’s try it today and let the Holy Spirit enrich our lives.
14)# ’If I just touch his clothes.’
Mark 5:28 (24-34)
Here is another lady who sets us a good example. Effective faith doesn’t need a fanfare. Even in the hustle and bustle of the crowd, this lady’s faith was strong enough to make just a touch enough for her healing. Like this lady, let’s not let the disappointments of the past discourage us, nor the fact that other people are seeking Jesus’ attention. She did not feel the need for an invitation or for special permission, even though her condition meant she was unclean. Stretching through the crowd her faith reached out to Jesus in the gentlest of ways, but the healing she received was no less powerful as a result.
It’s not an impressive ‘song and dance’ that Jesus is looking for from us, but the simple honest faith in him, expressed in whatever way we can. Jesus draws attention to this lady, not to shame or embarrass her, but to recognise and reward her faith. It also encourages us to remember the importance of putting whatever faith we have into action and trust Christ to make it count for his glory.
15)# ’Like a tree planted by the water.’
Jeremiah 17:8 (5-8)
This is a description of the person who trusts in the Lord. It is in sharp contrast to the one who trusts in human strength and turns away from the Lord (v5-6).
This tree ‘sends out its roots by the stream’. How we need to root ourselves in Christ Jesus, the Living Water, and rely on him each day. Obedience to his teaching provides the solid foundation for life. This tree is not burned by the heat or withered by drought. Heat is oppressive, drought leaves us parched. Life is not always easy or pleasant, but the water spoken of here, by Jeremiah, is not from external sources, but from the Holy Spirit living within us. Green leaves indicate a healthy and fruitful tree and as we abide in Christ and he in us, so we will bear much lasting fruit for God’s glory, whatever our circumstances might be (Jn 15).
So whether we are going through some fiery trial or a time of feeling dry and alone, let’s allow the Holy Spirit to refresh us so that we can continue to bear fruit to bring glory to our heavenly Father.
16)# ’Oh that one of you would shut the temple doors.’
Malachi 1:10 (6-10)
Things had got so bad that God would rather someone shut the temple doors than allow unfit sacrifices to be made. The Israelites were treating God with contempt by giving him the lame, blind and ill animals, whilst keeping the best for themselves. Perhaps they thought he wouldn’t notice or care, but he did. Maybe they thought it didn’t matter, but it did.
How often do we give God second best, the left-overs after we’ve enjoyed what we wanted for ourselves, be it time, money or possessions? The Israelites thought that God would be happy to have them go through the motions whilst their hearts were no longer in it. Our love for God will be shown by what we give to him and what we keep back for ourselves. Let the Spirit of God warm your heart and mine once again, so that we give him the very best of our lives.
17)# ’So we make it our goal to please him.’
2 Corinthians 5:9 (6-10)
The Apostle Paul has been focussing on what is promised for all who remain faithful to Jesus. A resurrected body for a new heaven and earth. It can be easy to be distracted by the things of this life and lose that focus. The danger is that if we do, our priorities can change and our relationship with the Lord can suffer. So Paul underlines the importance of our being right before Christ, living to please and honour him. It’s that relationship which will count for eternity, so must be our priority.
The original Greek for ‘please’ means to be ‘fully agreeable’. It speaks of being in a right relationship, of the same mind. So let’s not be at odds with the Lord. It may mean that we’re not always in favour with other people, but that’s a price worth paying to be right with the Lord and
enjoy all that he has for us now and for eternity
18)# ’The kingdom will be the Lord’s.’
Obadiah 1:21 (19-21)
Through the prophet, God promised both deliverance and restoration for his people. Despite the oppression of neighbouring countries, Israel was not forgotten and God would reign again amongst his people. In the book of Revelation 11:15 a similar declaration is made; ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ and he will reign for ever and ever’. These promises still stand.
Things may look bleak in our society today. The influence of Satan is very real and oppressive. But a Day is coming when Christ will return and take back what is rightly his. He will do away with all evil, restore righteousness and justice, fulfil these promises here on earth, before a new creation comes into being. Let’s not only pray for that kingdom to come, but let’s live and work towards it even now.
19)# ’He jumped to his feet.’
Mark10:50b (46-52)
Bartimaeus may have been blind, but he wasn’t lame. People might have tried to shut him up, but they couldn’t. He’d been sitting for long enough. Now no-one was going to keep him down. Full of faith, he jumps to his feet and stands before Jesus, ready and willing. Willing to blurt out what was in his heart. Willing to risk everything to receive mercy from Jesus. Willing to let Christ change his life completely.
Our western lifestyle has become more sedentary. From remote controls to internet shopping, we move less, yet maintain our comfortable lifestyle. This can creep into our attitudes and actions, even within the Church, as well as our own walk with the Lord. All too easy to sit and let things wash over us. Well let’s be like Bartimaeus, shake off any apathy and jump to our feet, ready for Christ to work in and through us. It’s that same willingness and enthusiasm, evident in Bartimaeus, that Jesus is looking for in all who would be his disciples. Let’s jump to our feet and be ready to serve the Lord Jesus today.
20)# ‘He watches all who live on earth.’
Psalm 33:14 (12-19)
No-one is missed. No-one sneaks under the radar. The powerful and influential, the poor and downtrodden, ‘he watches all’. For those who think they can get away with doing wrong - they can’t. For those who feel they are forgotten and ignored - they aren’t. For those who think they are not accountable to God - they are. The Lord is watching, not as a spectator, but as the One who will dispense justice and judgement on all people.
CCTV may monitor more of our lives than many of us would like, but the Lord sees people’s hearts as well as their deeds. Whilst this statement is a warning for all, it is also reassuring for some. For those who live with respect for the Lord God and trust in him (v18) there is deliverance and security (v19). As we walk in obedience to Christ, and with the help of his Holy Spirit, let’s make sure that what the Lord sees in us, is right motives and right actions. If so, then we have nothing to fear from him who watches all.
21)# ’Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.’
Romans 13:11 (8-13)
What a glorious and obvious truth! The salvation that Paul is speaking of here is linked with the return of Christ who will ‘bring salvation to those who are waiting for him’ (Heb 9:28). As each day passes, so Christ's return comes closer, yet often we are looking the other way to see how long we’ve been waiting, wondering if he will ever come back! As a result we may begin to grow weary and fall asleep.
So Paul urges us, along with the church in Rome, to ‘wake up from your slumber.’ Sleepiness comes when we are comfortable and well-fed, spiritually as well as physically. Times of struggle and hardship can help us to stay awake and be ready for Christ’s return. So let’s encourage one another to be looking the right way in anticipation of his coming again - closer by the day.
22)# ’So do not be afraid of them.’
Matthew 10:26 (21-29)
Jesus is preparing his disciples for what they may face as they go from town to town to proclaim and demonstrate the Kingdom of God. Just as on other occasions, Jesus is open about the opposition that his disciples will meet. Yet with the warning is the reassurance that the Holy Spirit is with them and will give them the power and strength they need to overcome all situations.
The same Holy Spirit is with us today, to help, guide and strengthen us as we seek to live with Christ as Lord. The practical advice Jesus gave then, still applies for us today - as do the promises. We too will face opposition of all kinds. But a right fear of God will override any fear of people and enable us to publicly confess Christ as Lord of our lives. Our confidence is in knowing that Christ has overcome the world, and if he is for us, who can stand against us? We do not need to be afraid.
23)# ’Honour the Lord with your wealth.’
Proverbs 3:9 (5-12)
Most of us have all that we need and more besides. One only has to look at what we can afford to throw away to realise how wealthy we are. So our ‘wealth’ is all that we have, not just the excess. Honouring the Lord with it, is to use our possessions, our money, our food, our time - everything we have - in a way that reveals something of the nature of Christ. Welcoming, generous, alert to the needs of other people, preferring one another, open-handed. That’s being Christ-like.
As has often been said, we can’t out-give God and the promise that follows this command is that if we honour him with what we have, then he will make sure we always have what we need and even more, so that we can continue to be generous towards other people.
24)# ’Your work of faith.’
1 Thessalonians 1:3a (1-7)
Over the next three days, we’re looking at three basics of the Christian life exemplified by the Thessalonian Church. Today our focus is on the work of faith.
In God’s kingdom, work and faith must go together. The one makes a difference to the other - both ways. To work without faith can often mean a lot of effort, but of little eternal value. This can happen with church activities. To have faith without works, as the apostle James writes - is dead, useless (cf Jas 2:17,20). Or as we might say - a lot of hot air! Actions certainly speak louder than words when it comes to faith.
But the Thessalonian believers brought the two together. All that they did was reliant on Christ, was done for his glory and was empowered by his Holy Spirit. They were the means through which God could do his work. They were living examples of what new life in Christ looked like and acted like.
So let’s follow their example and commit all that we do today to the Lord, for him to use what we say and do for his glory and then let’s trust him to make our lives count for eternity.
25)# ’Your labour of love.’
1 Thessalonians 1:3b (1-7)
Any labour is hard work. It requires determination to get through, both physical and mental. There is no short-cut or easy alternative. The focus of attention needs to be shifted from the immediate toil and struggle to the reason for doing it, the end goal. This can make all the difference.
A love (agapé) for Christ was the reason behind the toil of the Thessalonians. As a result other people benefitted and were blessed. Paul encouraged the Ephesians and Colossians to work hard, even in the day job, out of a love for the Lord, as if serving him, not men. This love is not based on feelings, but on a choice that we make. It’s not about what we can get from it, but how our ‘labour of love’ will benefit other people with the aim of showing something of the sacrificial love of Christ for us all. So let’s act out of love for Christ, today, even when it’s hard work.
26)# ’Your endurance (patience) of hope.’
1 Thessalonians 1:3c (1-7)
The Christian life has been described as a marathon, not a sprint. Endurance is required. There will be some obstacles and challenges to overcome, a need to monitor our progress regularly and some encouragements from other people around us. However long it might take, however hard it might become, as Jesus promised, ‘he who endures to the end will be saved’.
But another important element of endurance is patience. Impatience will give up, drop out, be distracted. But patience keeps the end in sight, however far away, knowing that it will come to those who keep going. When the word hope is used in the Bible, it means certainty, there’s no doubt about it. Our hope is in the return of Jesus who will reward all who have endured to the end. In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote that ‘our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us’ when Jesus comes again. So let’s keep going, let’s not give up, because it will be worth it.
27)# ’This fellow is one of them.’
Mark 14:69 (66-72)
The sharp eyes of a servant girl saw what other people had missed. Peter was now cornered. Not wanting to run away from the situation, yet fearful of being seen as a friend of Jesus, he had tried to merge in with the crowd. Despite his remonstrations and curses, there was no denying what the girl saw.
When we belong to the Lord Jesus, it’s no good trying to merge in with the world. It simply won’t work and like Peter, we’ll be very uncomfortable. When the situation puts pressure on us to deny that we belong to Christ, either in word or action, then we must be resolute. Living life to the full is what Jesus called us to, but not at the expense of compromise with the world. So let’s be willing to be identified with Christ Jesus today, whatever others might think or say.
28)# ’Wrestling in prayer.’
Colossians 4:12 (10-15)
This is speaking about intercessory prayer. We can sometimes see prayer as suitable for those who aren't doing anything else or as an added extra to other things. But Paul, and Epaphras, saw it very differently. Intercessory prayer requires spiritual awareness, persistence and determination and is not for the faint-hearted. The idea here is of a struggle requiring lots of effort on behalf of someone else. Prayer is about engaging principalities and powers in spiritual combat. It’s about understanding God’s will in a particular situation and recognising his plans and purposes.
Epaphras did not pray as a sideline, but as part of his main ministry. His hard work was recognised by Paul and spoken of as an encouragement to the Colossians. To wrestle in prayer we don’t need to be the most eloquent or the loudest, but we do need to be ready for the challenge. How we need people like Epaphras in the Church today! Time to stop sidelining prayer and recognise it as a crucial part of the Church’s ministry that we can all share in.
29)# ’Because you are his wife.’
Genesis 39:9 (6-12)
In a society that has diminishing respect for marriage, those of us who love the Lord need to hold fast to Biblical teaching on marriage between a man and a woman. It may not be popular and may be called out-of-touch with modern society, but God is not influenced by popularity or current trends. He simply knows and wants what is best for those he created.
None of us is above temptation and there are many reasonable arguments for being more lenient and tolerant, even excusing wrong behaviour. But Joseph’s restraint and self-control is an example for us all to follow. He understood that to do ‘such a wicked thing’ was a sin against God as well as a betrayal of his master’s trust, and would do damage all round. Despite persistent pressure to give in, Joseph remained resolute even at great cost to himself.
Respect for God will lead to a respect for other people and a right relationship with God will enable right relationships with each other. Whatever it takes or costs and even if we are ridiculed, let’s make sure our relationships are right before Holy God.
30)# ’But because you say so.’
Luke 5:5 (1-11)
It’s not so much what is said, but who says it that makes the difference. Jesus’ suggestion seemed unreasonable in the light of the disciples’ experience. Fish were usually caught at night, not in the day. But sometimes Jesus asks us to go beyond past experiences in order to develop our trust in him. He gave Peter the opportunity to discover a different dimension to life when trusting the Lord. Peter took it and it changed his life. It can be the same for you and me.
The ordinary can become extraordinary as we obey Christ. He can use our everyday situations for his glory. What Jesus says in his word is there for us to apply to our daily lives and discover this dimension to life that he alone can bring. Let’s offer ourselves afresh to Christ; let his Holy Spirit have full control, and discover the extraordinary ways he will use us today.
31)# ’Do not forget the Lord your God.’
Deuteronomy 8:11 (10-18)
We are all prone to forgetting, especially if there is no need to remember. Once the Israelites were settled in the Promised Land, enjoying the bountiful harvests, Moses knew that the ease of life could cause them to forget the Lord and all that he had done for them (v14). They would begin to credit themselves with their achievements (v17) and forget their reliance on the Lord God. It can be true for us all.
When things go well or life gets busy, we can easily forget the Lord. We can become focussed on our achievements and the benefits of our success. It’s at these times that we need to be alert and encourage one another to remember the Lord ‘who gives you the ability to produce wealth’ (v18). Daily Bible reading and prayer, weekly home groups and services are all helpful ways of keeping Christ central in our lives. Some people have Bible verses stuck on their fridges. Others have Bible readings on their computer, phone or other mobile device. Whatever it takes, let’s do it - so as never to forget the Lord our God.