In step

[RiverOL]

Light in the Darkness
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."1

When Robert Louis Stevenson was a young child, as dusk was turning to darkness, he had his face pinned to the window at the front of his house fascinated by the lamplighter coming down the street lighting the old-fashioned gas street lamps.

He called out to his nana saying, "Nana! Come quickly. There's a man coming down the street punching holes in the darkness!"

Wherever we are and wherever we go may God's love shine through us so that by our manner of conversation and life we, too, will "punch holes in the darkness"—the spiritual darkness that surrounds us.

No matter how small you feel your "light" may be, remember that all the darkness in the world cannot put out the light of one small candle—or that of one ordinary Christian!

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to so live that your love and your light will shine through me, and thereby show others the way to Jesus. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Matthew 5:16.

 

[RiverOL]

Love God, Love Others
Morning Encounter:
Read:
When we obey God, we are sure that we know him. But if we claim to know him and don’t obey him, we are lying and the truth isn’t in our hearts. We truly love God only when we obey him as we should, and then we know that we belong to him. If we say we are his, we must follow the example of Christ.

My dear friends, I am not writing to give you a new commandment. It is the same one that you were first given, and it is the message you heard. But it really is a new commandment, and you know its true meaning, just as Christ does. You can see the darkness fading away and the true light already shining.
If we claim to be in the light and hate someone, we are still in the dark. But if we love others, we are in the light, and we don’t cause problems for them. If we hate others, we are living and walking in the dark. We don’t know where we are going, because we can’t see in the dark.
1 John 2.3-11

Reflect:
Few relationships are straightforward. We are all broken and in our brokenness we cause damage. When we become disciples of Christ, we are not immediately perfect and our relationships are still complicated. You only need to be part of a church for five minutes to realise it is seething with the same tensions and conflicts you’d find anywhere else.
But here’s the thing: if we claim to belong to God, we have to learn to love. Loving God and loving others is part of the same package. We can’t let hate fester when we live in the light: simple as that.

Respond:
Loving Father, help me love others as you love me. I want to live in your light. Amen.

Midday Meditation:
“At the centre, [Jesus] commands attention as the risen Lord of Life; and we are compelled to follow after Him and draw from the strength of His character and compassion…We receive insight and wisdom; faith that removes mountains is generated, and a love for others, even for the unloveable, begins to grow….where all is returned to proper proportion and value, the public world can be managed and properly touched. Relationships with family and friends, with business associates, neighbours and even enemies take on a new and healthier perspective.”
(Dallas Willard)

Evening Reflection:
“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ Rather he will ask, “How much love did you put into what you did?”

 

[RiverOL]

Unmitigated Genius

. . . he will teach you all things—John 14:26

What’s the Holy Spirit like? Well, we know he’s a genius, but not the kind we’re used to. His genius is “not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age” (1 Corinthians 2:6). His genius is beyond human discovery. He “searches everything, even the depths of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10). He’s an unmitigated genius. A perfect genius. We also know, he’s here for us. He was sent by God the Father, at the request of our King, Jesus Christ, to bring truth “out into the open” and “make everything plain”—all to “bring out his best in us” (1 Corinthians 2:6-10; John 14:25-27 MSG). He was sent to take you and me “by the hand” and guide us “into all the truth there is” (John 16:12-15 MSG). Think about that . . . “all the truth there is” . . . suffused into our lives. Well, that’s his mission. So, the only question is, what do we do? The answer is, not that much, actually. We just give him a chance, by doing the simple things Jesus taught: meditate, pray, study, fast, serve, confess, repent, worship, celebrate. He does everything else. Of course, the more we do, the better—though, even one of those, even imperfectly done, allows the Spirit to introduce some of his genius into our lives. When we fail to do even a little, though, it doesn’t: “The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can’t receive the gifts of God’s Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:14-16 MSG).

Do something, brother, right now. Even something small. Let’s all do something—and allow the Spirit to inject a bit of his genius into our lives, this day. He’s waiting. He’s right there, right inside your very being, right now . . . excited . . . waiting.

 

[RiverOL]

Authentic Relationships
Morning Encounter:
Read:
We are part of the same body. Stop lying and start telling each other the truth. Don’t get so angry that you sin. Don’t go to bed angry and don’t give the devil a chance.
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Be honest and work hard, so you will have something to give to people in need.
Stop all your dirty talk. Say the right thing at the right time and help others by what you say.

Don’t make God’s Spirit sad. The Spirit makes you sure that someday you will be free from your sins.
Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don’t yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.
Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God.
Ephesians 4.25-5.2

Reflect:
There are parts of the Bible that the most learned theologians can wrangle about for decades and still not agree on the meaning. This is not one of those parts. It is good, clear, sound instructions for conducting your relationships with integrity; in other words, how to relate to people in a way that doesn’t contradict the faith you profess.

Respond:
Think about one person you are struggling to get along with at the moment. Hold them in your mind and read the passage through again. Ask God to show you one particular way you can change your behaviour towards that person.

Midday Meditation:
"When we love people, we love God. When we participate in helping the invisible become visible, we love God. Loving God is then intimately tied to loving the people God created.
Part of loving God is seeing with our hearts into the real and sacred stories of each other’s lives and actively participating in making the invisible visible by calling out the dignity, beauty and worth of every human being we intersect with…”
(Kathy Escobar)

Evening Reflection:
'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.'
(1 Corinthians 13. 4-7 NIV)

 

[RiverOL]

Balanced Living
"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men."1

In other words Jesus developed intellectually, physically, spiritually and emotionally; that is, he grew to become a whole, healthy and well person. God's goal, I believe, is for you and me to do the same.

The reality is that only to the degree that we are made whole will our lifestyle, attitudes, actions, behaviors, and our relationships be wholesome.

When it comes to relationships—especially romantic relationships—most of us want someone who is healthy and whole to be attracted to us. But unless I am healthy and whole, a healthy and whole person won't be attracted to me.

Furthermore, in relationships two halves don't make a whole. Relationships are like multiplication: one-half multiplied by one-half equals one-quarter, while one whole multiplied by one whole equals one whole.

Only whole people find wholesome relationships, and only happy people make happy relationships.

Wholeness is available to all who want it. But only those who truly want to be made whole—and are willing to pay the price—will be. The choice is up to each one of us. Jesus' invitation is open to all.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, with your help I choose to be made whole. Please show me what is my responsibility—what I need to see, hear, and do—and please give me the courage to do it. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Luke 2:52 (NIV).

 

[RiverOL]

Relationship Audit
Morning Encounter:
Read:
Good people have kind thoughts,
but you should never trust
the advice of someone evil.
Wise friends make you wise,
but you hurt yourself
by going around with fools.
Don’t make friends with anyone
who has a bad temper.
Proverbs 12.5, 13.20, 22.24

Reflect:
Have you given much thought to the impact your friends have on you? Proverbs is full of pithy observations about the way things are; these three particular nuggets focus on the truth that we are shaped by those we spend time with and open ourselves up to in friendship.

Respond:
Prayerfully think through your friendships. Are there any relationships you need to consider walking away from - perhaps that are leading you in a bad direction, hurting you, or bringing out the worst in your character?

Midday Meditation:
Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God…Don’t let anyone trick you with foolish talk. God punishes everyone who disobeys him and says foolish things. So don’t have anything to do with anyone like that. You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light and make your light shine.
(From Ephesians 5)

Evening Reflection:
“Ah Lord! who seest the secrets of the heart, Thou knowest if I yet expect anything from myself, or if there be anything which I would refuse to Thee!”

 

[RiverOL]

The Search for Happiness
"Then he [Jesus] said to them, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'"1

Some time ago "former Tyco executive Dennis Kozlowski walked out of a Manhattan courtroom and into a swarm of photographers. He had just been convicted on multiple counts of looting Tyco of hundreds of millions of dollars.

As Chuck Colson wrote, "I have an idea that at the peak of Kozlowski's wealth and fame, he found his life empty and meaningless. I did when I rose to great heights of political power. According to researchers … a growing body of data points to the conclusion that the amount of money accumulated above middle-class comfort level has no impact on our happiness. They found instead that it's social interaction and friendships that give us lasting pleasure in life."2

Amazing isn't it? Modern research is now agreeing with what Jesus taught more than 2,000 years ago. Furthermore, God's Word repeatedly emphasizes the importance of relationships. One of the first things Jesus did at the very beginning of his earthly ministry was to choose the twelve disciples "that they might be with him." He reminded his friend, Martha, that it was more important to relate to him—in the way that her sister, Mary, was doing—than it was to work for him—as important as that was. A new commandment that Jesus gave all his followers was to "love one another."

Jesus also pointed out that when we come with an offering for God and remember that we have an impaired significant relationship, we are to first resolve that relationship and then bring our gift to God.

It has been claimed that 80 percent of life's satisfaction comes from satisfactory relationships. For happiness, yes we do need to have our basic needs met, and there's nothing wrong with wealth if it is gained honestly and used purposely with healthy motives; but of far greater importance is that we not only find peace with God, but also peace with others by forgiving all who have hurt us, and resolving every impaired relationship as far as is humanly possible.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, while not neglecting my work and responsibilities, please help me to sort out my priorities and develop and maintain healthy relationships, first with my family, then with friends, and also with strangers whom you bring into my life. And above all, please help me to love you with all my heart, and always put my relationship to you first in everything I am and do. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

 

[RiverOL]

Christ-like Relationships
Morning Encounter:
Read:
Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God’s Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others. Now make me completely happy! Live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were only one person. Don’t be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought:
Christ was truly God.
But he did not try to remain
equal with God.

Instead he gave up everything
and became a slave,
when he became
like one of us.

Christ was humble.
He obeyed God
and even died
on a cross.

Then God gave Christ
the highest place
and honoured his name
above all others.

So at the name of Jesus
everyone will bow down,
those in heaven, on earth,
and under the earth.

And to the glory
of God the Father
everyone will openly agree,
“Jesus Christ is Lord!”
Philippians 2.1-11

Reflect:
For Jesus, love was the ruling principle in life - love for God and love for each other. But he redefined love, fleshing it out in his teachings, his life and his death, showing us a deeper, wider, more costly version than we could ever have stumbled on or dreamt up. Our call is to love as he loves us.

Respond:
Who could do with Christ’s love through you today? Have your eyes open for opportunities to encourage, comfort and care (Philippians 2.1-4)

Midday Meditation:
'As disciples (literally students) of Jesus, our goal is to learn to be like him. We begin by trusting him to receive us as we are. But our confidence in him leads us towards the same kind of faith he had, a faith that made it possible for him to act as he did.'
(Dallas Willard)

Evening Reflection:
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy.

Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Three Great Abilities
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."1

Three of life's greatest abilities are dependability, responsibility, and availability.

First: Dependability, among many things, is keeping one's word. It's doing what we say we are going to do. It's keeping the commitments we make. It is being authentic; for instance, sometimes, instead of saying what we truly feel and want, we say what we think others want to hear to be "nice," and then we do the opposite, which is far from being nice. It's being dishonest. Such a person cannot be trusted or depended on.

Second: Responsibility; that is, realizing that I am totally responsible for what I say, for what I want, for what I feel, for what I do or don't do, for getting my needs met in healthy ways, and for every area of my life.

Unless I am handicapped, no matter what happened to me in the past relationally, if it were negative, I am responsible for what I do about it and for what I become. As another has wisely said, "I may have been a victim in the past, but if I remain a victim, I am now a willing volunteer." As long as I fail to accept personal responsibility for my life and blame anybody else for the difficulties I have, I will never overcome them. That is, if I keep playing the blame-game, I will B-LAME!

Third: Availability. If I want my life to be fulfilling and meaningful, I need to be available for my family, for having a part in worthwhile causes (without being obsessive), and for being available to participate in God's work here on earth. As I have shared on a number of occasions, when it comes to being involved in God's work, every morning I pray the following prayer of commitment: "Dear God, again today I'm available, please make me usable, and use me to be a witness for Jesus, and, Lord, please help me to be 'as Jesus' in some way to every life I touch this day." I encourage you to also pray this prayer at the beginning of every day.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to become the person you want me to be, to always be dependable, responsible, and available for you to use to have a part in what you are doing in the world today—all for your glory. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV).

 

[RiverOL]

True Wealth
Morning Encounter:
Introduction
As we draw this month’s theme of simplicity to an end, this week we focus on our culture’s insatiable desire for more stuff. We are headed in the right direction when we can receive all we have as a gift from God and recognise that all we have been given is not ours to hold onto, but is to be made available to others. It’s also perhaps worth getting some perspective on wealth - if we have hot and cold running water, clean clothes to wear and food to eat each day that puts us on the Global Rich List. The Discipline of Simplicity calls us to deal with the root problems of a consumer society.

Read:
A good reputation and respect
are worth much more
than silver and gold.

The rich and the poor
are all created
by the Lord.

When you see trouble coming,
don’t be stupid
and walk right into it—
be smart and hide.

Respect and serve the Lord!
Your reward will be wealth,
a long life, and honour.

Crooks walk down a road
full of thorny traps.
Stay away from there!

Teach your children
right from wrong,
and when they are grown
they will still do right.

The poor are ruled by the rich,
and those who borrow
are slaves of moneylenders.
(Proverbs 22.1-7)

Reflect:
According to the author, a good name (or reputation) is worth more than silver or gold. Jesus takes this a step further: ‘Be happy that your names are written in heaven’ (Luke 10.20). Joy doesn’t come from what we own, the resources available to us or even the power or influence we have, but from knowing who we belong to.

Respond:
Are you tempted to use your resources or influence to impress others? How might God call you today to see your complete worth in him?

Midday Meditation:
‘What matters is not the accomplishments you achieve; what matters is the person you become.’
(Dallas Willard)

Evening Reflection:
“The Christian discipline of simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward life-style. Both the inward and the outward aspects of simplicity are essential.”

 

[RiverOL]

Living With Urgency

The night is about over, dawn is about to break — Romans 13:11-14

No question, a lot of us men are living in “I know, I know” mode . . . in “I’m gonna do it, but just not right now” mode. You see, we know what’s important; we’ve just convinced ourselves we’ve got all kinds of time. And, because life is crazy busy right now, we’ve resolved to get around to doing what we know we should be doing, later—when things slow a bit. We’ll change our ways, later. We’ll get around to actually living out our faith, later. But, what if there’s no later? What if this day, today, was our last day? It couldn’t possibly be. Waking up this morning was just like waking up yesterday. Tomorrow’s sure to be the same. There’ll always be plenty of time . . . right? Well, the Apostle Peter wrote that God’s right now “restraining himself,” because he loves you and me (2 Peter 3:8-9 MSG). He’s “holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change” (2 Peter 3:8-9 MSG). But, warned Peter, it won’t last forever: “. . . when the Day of God’s Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief” (2 Peter 3:8-10 MSG). When the last day comes, the “space and time” God’s been giving us will vanish. So Peter made his appeal: “Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life?” (2 Peter 3:11-13 MSG). So Peter made his appeal: live with urgency.

Take a look at your life. Where are you spending money and talent? Where, and with whom, are you spending time? What’s being neglected? What needs to change? Are you willing, brother? It’s time—time to shift into “I’m on it” mode.

 

[RiverOL]

Worship & Wealth
Morning Encounter:
Read:
After you have finished the grain harvest and the grape harvest, take your sons and daughters and all your servants to the place where the Lord chooses to be worshiped. Celebrate the Festival of Shelters for seven days. Also invite the poor, including Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows.
The Lord will give you big harvests and make you successful in everything you do. You will be completely happy, so celebrate this festival in honour of the Lord your God.
(Deuteronomy 16.13-15)

Reflect:
Scripture does not seem to rule out wealth for a Christian. Sometimes, as in the book of Job, it seems that wealth is a sign of God’s blessing. These verses today remind us that wealth should lead us to thanksgiving and worship. Jesus also seemed to be comfortable receiving invitations to eat with wealthy people he always left his hosts with a word of caution about their responsibility to the poor (see for example Luke 7.44).

Respond:
Reflect on these verses. What resources or wealth are you be grateful for today? How might God be calling you to care for those who have less than you?

Midday Meditation:
‘Simplicity is the only thing that sufficiently reorients our lives so that possessions can be genuinely enjoyed without destroying us. Without simplicity, we will either capitulate to the ‘mammon’ spirit of this present evil age, or we will fall into an un-Christian legalistic asceticism. Both lead to idolatry. Both are spiritually lethal.’
(Richard J. Foster Celebration of Discipline)

Evening Reflection:
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art;
thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

 

[RiverOL]

Forgiveness Versus Reconciliation
"We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."1

We know that we need to forgive all who have hurt or offended us, but are we to be reconciled to them? Wherever possible this ought to be our goal, but it isn't always possible as reconciliation is dependent on both parties.

Primarily we need to be reconciled to God. We do this when we confess our sins to him and receive his forgiveness. However, for our own wellbeing it is imperative that we forgive any and all who have hurt us. This can be extremely difficult if the one involved won't even admit what s/he has done. This, then, makes genuine reconciliation almost impossible.

According to some folk we can't forgive this type of person. If this is so, some of us are going to carry grudges for a long time. In these instances forgiveness is a choice. We can choose to forgive or we can cling to our hurt and anger and hurt ourselves.

To genuinely forgive we need to get rid of our hurt and anger by expressing these feelings, not necessarily to the one who hurt us, but to an understanding person to rid ourselves of these bottled up destructive emotions. Once we do this, forgiveness becomes possible even if there is never any reconciliation.

Keep in mind, too, that forgiveness doesn't mean that we allow the person who hurt us to hurt us again. With these people we need to have healthy boundaries to protect ourselves. Remember, too, that meekness is not weakness. Lack of healthy boundaries is.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to forgive all who have hurt me and be reconciled to them wherever possible. But help me to forgive regardless of the other person's response. And may I always admit and resolve my part in all conflicts and be reconciled to you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 2 Corinthians 5:20.

 

[RiverOL]

More, More, More
Morning Encounter:
Read:
You cannot be the slave of two masters! You will like one more than the other or be more loyal to one than the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
(Matthew 6.24)

Reflect:
In our western society, money and the love of it is everywhere. We talk of ‘retail therapy’ to relieve a bad day or cheer us up. Branded goods make us feel better about ourselves. Advertisers continually manipulate our dissatisfaction in order to get us to buy more stuff. Jesus was right, having two masters doesn’t work – desire for more money, more wealth, more stuff can so easily outweigh our desire for God.

Respond:
How much do money, possessions, and wealth occupy your time, energy and thoughts? Consider fasting from advertising for a week – refuse to look at adverts on TV, in magazines or online.

Midday Meditation:
‘Because we lack a divine Centre our need for security has led us into an insane attachment to things. We really must understand that the lust for affluence in contemporary society is psychotic. It is psychotic because it has completely lost touch with reality.’

(Richard J. Foster Celebration of Discipline)
Evening Reflection:
Find rest, my soul, in God alone, amid the world's temptations;
When evil seeks to take a hold, I'll cling to my salvation.

Though riches come and riches go, don't set your heart upon them;
The fields of hope in which I sow, are harvested in heaven.

O praise Him, hallelujah, my Delight and my reward;
Everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God

(Stuart Townend My Soul Finds Rest in God Alone)

 

[RiverOL]

Be Vigilant, Be Watchful, Be Prepared
"So be prepared, because you don't know what day your Lord is coming … You also must be ready all the time. For the Son of Man will come when least expected."1

"The unofficial creed in the American homeland war on terrorism, Paul Gunther writes, is this: 'Be vigilant, be watchful, be prepared.' Be vigilant in matters of security, whether at an airport, a government institution or in the back sorting room of your office. Be watchful for signs of terrorism: a back-pack left unattended, a strange request for chemicals at a fertilizer plant, a white powder in the mail or unusual behavior by a neighbor down the street. Be prepared to call the police or FBI. Be prepared to evacuate a building. Be prepared to take defensive measures when your life or the lives of others is threatened. 'Be vigilant, be watchful, and be prepared.'"2 This motto should apply to every country in this day and age.

To be prepared, of course, is nothing new. As a kid I learned the same lesson in the Boy Scouts whose motto was, "Be Prepared." But it goes back at least two thousand years earlier when Jesus promised his followers that he would return to earth to take his true followers home to heaven to be with him. He advised them to be prepared for his coming because he will come when people least expect it.

However, Jesus did say that there would be certain signs that would precede his return to earth—such as an increase of earthquakes, pestilences, wars and rumors of war, etc., etc.

Howard Sugden used to say, "All the signs that Jesus said would precede his second coming have been happening since his first coming 2,000 years ago, but today they are all standing up at once!"

Only God knows the exact day and the hour of Jesus' return. It may or may not be in our lifetime. But of one thing we can be certain, as Jesus' first coming to earth is an indisputable fact of history, so will be his second coming. The important thing for us is to be vigilant, be watchful, and be prepared!

 

[RiverOL]

Can't Get No Satisfaction
Morning Encounter:
Read:
If you love money and wealth, you will never be satisfied with what you have. This doesn’t make sense either. The more you have, the more everyone expects from you. Your money won’t do you any good—others will just spend it for you. If you have to work hard for a living, you can rest well at night, even if you don’t have much to eat. But if you are rich, you can’t even sleep.
(Ecclesiastes 5.10-11)

Reflect:
The love of money, desiring more and even gaining more money can wear us out. Poverty brings all kinds of problems, but the writer of Ecclesiastes advises that having lots of money doesn’t provide a better alternative. Wealth can breed another kind of restlessness and anxiety. Practising simplicity can break the grip that money has on us.

Respond:
Are you a spender or a saver? Either way, what kind of grip does money hold on you? How can you find freedom?

Midday Meditation:
‘People whose lives are rooted in this identity become, over time, strangely resistant to consumerism. They begin to love their enemies, and so they are not secured by any tribal group. They live beyond the boundaries of in and out. And they give up the chase for more. Somehow there will be enough for whatever is needed. Someone has whispered in their ear, “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
(Mark Powley Consumer Detox)

Evening Reflection:
What good is it to gain the whole world, but lose your soul?
What good is it to make a sweet sound, but remain proud?
In view of God’s mercy, I offer my all

And take my life, let it be everything, all of me
Here I am, use me for Your glory
In everything I say and do, let my life honour You
Here I am living for Your glory

 

[RiverOL]

It Matters

. . . work with a smile on your face . . . you’re really serving God—Ephesians 6:5-8

How do you think about work, about your work? Is it awesome? Drudgery? A calling? A means to an end? Separate from your faith? An expression of your faith? God designed us, built us, for work (Genesis 2:15). Work is his gift, not his punishment, nor even a necessary evil. It’s how we’re brought into how he’s blessing and helping his sons and daughters (Ephesians 4:28). You see, God provides his blessings and help . . . through people . . . through us. The blessing of a house, for example, is given by God, but through the people who build it; who assist in its purchase, like the realtor and the banker; who make and sell the furnishings; who maintain it; and even those who insure the house against its loss. All this seemingly secular work becomes sacred when it’s done (1) to love and serve God and his purposes, and (2) to love and serve God’s sons and daughters. It may not seem like it sometimes—especially with supply chains as long and complex as they are today—but it does. There’s no menial or meaningless work as long as it helps someone else in a positive way. It’s in this, in being part of God’s blessing and helping others, that we find our purpose and meaning (Matthew 20:26-28). It’s also how we find joy. Our King, Jesus Christ, teaches us this: “You’re far happier giving than getting” (Acts 20:33-35; John 15:11-15 MSG). Contrary to what our culture teaches, we’re happier exhausting ourselves for the good of others—putting their needs before our own.

Who are you serving? Who are you blessing with your work? How might God view it? Spend a few moments in prayer, asking these questions . . . and listening . . . listening for the Holy Spirit.

 

[RiverOL]

Blessing Others
Morning Encounter:
Read:
After the Lord your God gives land to each of you, there may be poor Israelites in the town where you live. If there are, then don’t be mean and selfish with your money. Instead, be kind and lend them what they need.
(Deuteronomy 15.7-8)

Reflect:
The author appeals to Israel to treat the poor at all times with an open hand and an open heart in a continual attitude of generosity and love. Jesus picks up this theme also: “When people ask you for something, give it to them. When they want to borrow money, lend it to them. You have heard people say, “Love your neighbours and hate your enemies.” (Matthew 5.42-43)

Respond:
Who could you bless financially today? Are you able to give some money secretly to someone? Could you place a gift in someone’s handbag or drop a gift voucher through their door without them knowing?

Midday Meditation:
‘Giving is what we do best. It is the air into which we were born. It is the action that was designed into us before our birth… Some of us try desperately to hold onto ourselves, to live for ourselves. We look so bedraggled and pathetic doing it, hanging onto the dead branch of a bank account for dear life, afraid to risk ourselves on the untried wings of giving. We don’t think we can live generously because we have never tried. But the sooner we start the better, for we are going to have to give up our lives finally, and the longer we wait the less time we have for the soaring and swooping life of grace.’
(Eugene Peterson Run with the Horses)

Evening Reflection:
‘Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest your weary ones. Bless your dying ones. Soothe your suffering ones. Pity your afflicted ones. Shield your joyous ones. And for all your love's sake. Amen.’

 

[RiverOL]

According to His/Her Ability
"The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea."1

"There is a story of a 33-year-old truck driver by the name of Larry Walters who was sitting in his lawn chair in his backyard one day wishing he could fly. For as long as he could remember he had wanted to fly but he had never had the time, money, or the opportunity to be a pilot. Hang gliding was out because there was no good place for gliding near his home. So he spent a lot of summer afternoons sitting in his backyard in his ordinary old aluminum chair—the kind with the webbing and the rivets, the kind most of us have.

"One day Larry hooked 45 helium-filled surplus weather balloons to his chair, put a CB radio in his lap, tied a paper bag full of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to his leg, and slung a BB-gun over his shoulder to pop the balloons when he wanted to come down. He lifted off in his lawn chair expecting to climb a couple of hundred feet over his neighborhood. Instead he shot up 11,000 feet right through the approach corridor to the Los Angeles International Airport. When asked by the press why he did it, Larry answered: 'Well, you can't just sit there.' When asked if he was scared, he answered, 'Yes … wonderfully so.'"2

Oops! Surprise! Surprise! Admittedly, Larry had no idea what he was getting himself into. Sure, he would have been wise to get some practical advice from the folk who use weather balloons. Crazy? Yes, but at least he had the courage to give what he wanted to do a try. I'm not suggesting that we do anything crazy, but at least let's do something worthwhile with our lives.

As I've said before, just about every Christian I have ever asked the question, "Do you believe God has a purpose for your life?" answer, "Yes, I do." But when I ask them what it is, most don't have the vaguest idea what it might be. In a sense they just sit there and do nothing about it. As the old adage puts it, "Better to have tried and failed than never to have tried at all."

God's instruction to each of us is to give/do/work "each according to his/her ability." In other words, whatever abilities we have we need to put them to the best possible use doing God's work here on earth. The way we do this is by helping others according to their need—according to our ability to help.

Suggested prayer; "Dear God, please help me to get with your program—what you are doing in the world today—and not sit around waiting for some kind of a 'special' call, but by putting to use my God-given abilities in your work for your Kingdom. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

 

[RiverOL]

Who Are You?
Morning Encounter:
Read:
You are the one
who put me together
inside my mother’s body,
and I praise you
because of
the wonderful way
you created me.

Everything you do is marvellous!
Of this I have no doubt.
Nothing about me
is hidden from you!

I was secretly woven together
deep in the earth below,
but with your own eyes
you saw
my body being formed.

Even before I was born,
you had written in your book
everything I would do.
(Psalm 139.13-16)
Reflect:
Who are you? In our consumerist culture we create our identity with the things we buy and wear. Brands and logos influence us and form us. Creating our own identity can lead to exclusivity and prejudice towards those who are not like us. We need to find a deeper identity to break the grip of creating our own. Psalm 139 reminds us that God is the author of every detail of my being. He is the one who gives us worth, meaning and identity as his children.

Respond:
Reflect on which brands and logos you buy into. Do any of these resonate with you – Adidas, Apple, Starbucks, Ikea, Sony, Prada, Fat Face, Hollister, Audi… can you think of others that you connect with? How do these brands create you?

Midday Meditation:
‘People spend money on personal –appearance products and services, clothing and luxury items such as watches and cars, not simply out of desires for those particular products, or even because they enjoy reimagining and recreating themselves, but to maintain their status in society. Keeping up with the Joneses has become a full time job.’ (Vincent Miller Consuming Religion)

Evening Reflection:
Blessed are you, Lord our God.
How sweet are your words to the taste,
sweeter than honey to the mouth.

How precious are your commands for our life,
more than the finest gold in our hands.
How marvelous is your will for the world,
unending is your love for the nations.

Our voices shall sing of your promises
and our lips declare your praise.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.