Category: Devotions

On this day of Pentecost I begin a new book and it is from an apostle who was there on the first outpouring, James.

Jesus appeared to James following his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7).  Jerome, a fourth century Christian author, records a legend which says that James had made a vow to not eat or drink until he had seen Jesus raised from the dead.  Supposedly, Jesus appeared to James and said, “My brother, eat thy bread, for the Son of man is risen from the dead”

Galatians 1: 18-19 Paul mentions James as the brother of Jesus.

The appearance to James changed his brother’s life.

But of course before this appearance we see James the seeker after His Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ in the days leading up to Pentecost.

Acts 1: 14 “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”

In that place were people who were angry, disappointed, failures, the unworthy and the ignorant. In that place were those in grief and dealing with the trauma and loss of what they had experienced. In that place all had a sense of fear of what would happen now.

And yet, in this place they began to do what they would do throughout the years of the early Church, they would pray. And by doing so they would begin to experience the divine exchange when heaven touches earth. It would not be in the Temple as they and every Jew believed was the place for this but it would be in the ordinary places of life. In an upper room. In any place where you stay. In this place here right now. This is the space and the time to do what is the most important thing on earth, to pray. No matter who you are or what you have done or what you have experienced, you can pray.

James became a leading figure in the church at Jerusalem.  When Peter was released from prison he came to the house of Mary and told of how the Lord had instructed him to tell James and the brethren of his prison escape. Acts 12

When the controversy arose over certain Judaizers who were demanding the circumcision of Gentle Christians, Paul and Barnabas met in Jerusalem with the apostles and elders, and James played a significant role in that meeting (Acts 15)

Paul who referred to James, along with Peter and John, as pillars in the church who had extended to him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, and encouraged their work among the Gentiles (Galatians 2:9-10).

It is moving to hear James refer to his brother as “our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory” James 2:1. Can you imagine what this phrase meant for James? The Lord of glory had once slept beside him, ate at his dinner table, played with his friends, spoke to him like a brother, endured his unbelief, paid the debt of his sin, and then brought him to faith.

It may have taken 20-30 years of faithful, prayerful witness by the Son of God, but the miracle occurred: his brothers believed. May the Lord of glory grant the same grace to our beloved unbelievers.  Legend has it that James was stoned to death in Jerusalem.

James writes to Jewish Christians who have been displaced and dispersed. They are in the biggest storm of their life since they found Christ as Saviour.

This is the first Christian community, forced to leave their home, scattered all over the place, they’re suffering, they’re facing despair and they’re being persecuted. The Jewish nation is crumbling into parties and fractions. It is the half-brother of Jesus, James, who is trying to navigate them through this storm? It is about 50 AD, so after the death of Jesus.

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.” (James 1:1)

James writes to those ‘scattered among the nations’. He urges them to be patient and to persevere during the trials and temptations, to continue to live consistently with what they learnt previously in Christ and to live humbly in God. 

The Apostle’s heart was to bring comfort, to reassure them that they haven’t done anything wrong to be in this situation, but they can still trust God, still rejoice in the things of the kingdom, wherever they are, in all places, and at all times. 

As we close this amazing letter of Hebrews we do so by reading of 3 very important truths to live by. Your relationship with God, having friends in your life and living by grace.

“Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly. ²³ I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. ²⁴ Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings. ²⁵ Grace be with you all.” (Hebrews 13 v 22-25)

The writer says that this letter was brief. Well this is my final blog on Hebrews (the 138^th one!). Whether you think Hebrews is brief or not I guess it would have not taken too long to read it aloud in one go. The questions is what is the impact? Will they be obedient to its challenge? Will they remain devoted to Jesus Christ and resist the return to Judaism?

And you? Will you do what God has called you to do?

Secondly, don’t rush past the individuals. Timothy having been released from prison is wanting to come to see them along with the writer of the letter. ‘All your leaders’ and ‘all the Lord’s people’ and the Italians who are obviously living in the writer’s region. The point is: community. Relationships, belonging, fellowship. This is so important. I have just come from my denominations annual conference and what a joy to see so many people who are classed as friends. Guests from overseas commented of what they saw in the depth of friendship being witnessed.

And you? Which people are you so grateful for today?

And finally, Grace.

But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9)

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29)

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (Hebrews 12:15)

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. (Hebrews 13:9)

Grace be with you all. The final verse.

This whole letter has not been an easy listen for its readers. There is much to challenge them. But it ends with grace. These early Christians were thinking of giving up, some already had. They needed to persevere just like Jesus endured the cross. We don’t know who this writer was nor to who it was written for. It was written for us.

It was written that we might trust what God has said in His Word.

It was written that we might walk in holiness within the finished work of Christ.

It was written that we might honour the person of Christ and not water down this orthodox position.

And it was written that we might not fall away into heresy.

And you? How will you continue as a Christian? It has to be Grace. There is no other way.

We are not given the detail of what they thought they needed. But going through persecution and the doubts of their faith it is not too difficult to realise that they are reliant on God. It could be that they feel they have failed in some way, perhaps because of their desire or even decision to return to Judaism and now wonder if they can be brought back to the position they once held. Don’t we all experience that at times?

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹ equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13 v 20-21)

You have not been put here to simply struggle, to be overwhelmed by life’s predicaments.

God has a purpose for your life and it is to do good works.

The ultimate is not just faith in Jesus, following Him and going to heaven. It is also to do good to those here on earth.

Imagine for a moment if every disciple of Jesus woke today with one thought only and that is to do good. To alleviate someone’s hurt, to listen to someone, to kneel before a sword-wielding child with the soothing words to heal that troubled soul.

The immature enter ‘their’ church and are more interested in ‘serve us’ than ‘service’. After a while they begin to say ‘it’s not working for me here.’ NO. The church was never meant to work for you.

The mature follower of Jesus stops asking ‘who’s going to meet my needs?’ and starts asking, ‘whose needs can I meet?’

You don’t need a title or a trophy to do a good work. You don’t need training to be nice to someone, to help them smile and to make life a little easier. You just have to think less of yourself.

Wherever you are you can do good to others and that is the calling on your life. Many years ago I buried a man who thought he would be healed because ‘God has something for me to do, I don’t know what it is yet Pastor but I know He will tell me.’ I buried him with regret that this man had not seen the importance of good works. He died before he realised God was his equipper.

Your Equipper tells you to move today.

You may feel paralysed by your situation: Move is the command. You might be incapable but move and see that you are more than capable. He is your equipper.

Your hand may be shrivelled: Move is the command. You may feel your best days are over but move and you will see everything restored. He is your equipper.

You may drifted asleep in the garden of Gethsemane. Move is the command. You may have slipped away from where you should be but move and you will be reconnected to God. He is your equipper.

With this command comes the ability to do just that. That is the equipping.

I have seen those in self-pity get up, those who used to have passion for Jesus get up, those who gave away their potential get up, those paralysed by a stronghold in their life get up, those in the grip of guilt and self-condemnation get up.

He is your equipper.

The Bible is full of God who loves as a shepherd.

Joseph described God, “God who has been my shepherd all my life” (Genesis 48:15)

Isaiah prophesies, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (40:11)

And of course David says, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” (Psalm 23:1)

^“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹ equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13 v 20-21)

Lean into Jesus your shepherd today:-

1. He is speaking to you through His Spirit, listen to Him.
2. He is leading you, follow Him.
3. He lays down before you during the night to protect you, trust Him.
4. He knows everything there is to know about you, relax in His love.
5. He has all authority, be confident.

When we are the sinner we cry for mercy. But the natural response when we are sinned against is to cry for justice.

The blood of Abel in Genesis 4 cried for justice. It was a prayer of ‘Get him God.’

The blood of Jesus is not ‘Father get these murderers’ but “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)

^“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹ equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13 v 20-21)

What has the blood of Jesus done for you?

It has forgiven you.  “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7)

It means God will never be angry with you. “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. “ (Romans 5:9)

It gives you a relationship with Jesus. “Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” (John 6:53)

It gives you a close relationship with Jesus. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13)

I am cleansed now and tomorrow. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (I John 1:7)

I can silence the voice of my enemy. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Revelation 12:11)

I am good in God’s sight.  “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed…” (Romans 3:24-25)

Never lose sight of the power of the blood of Jesus.

The only time in this whole letter does the author refer specifically to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus is here.

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹ equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)

It is the centre of what we believe. It is the offence of the gospel. It is why there is only one way to heaven through Jesus Christ. It is why Jesus is more than a prophet. It is why Jesus is the Son of God, God himself. It is why those who put their trust in him will never die but be raised to new life.

This one thing, the resurrection of Jesus.

It is what unites and divides.

Resurrection, it is not only the foundation of our faith but the true essence and meaning for our faith.

Why so?

If Jesus Christ was not raised then he lied about his own resurrection (Mark 9:31).

If Jesus Christ was not raised then the cross has no power to save (1 Corinthians 15:3).

If Jesus Christ was not raised then there is no hope that anyone be raised (1 Corinthians 15:18-19).

If Jesus Christ was not raised then God who raises the dead has not vindicated him (1 Corinthians 15:20).

If Jesus Christ was not raised then sin and death cannot be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

If Jesus Christ was not raised then there is no new life in God now (Romans 6:4).

You speak to people today and many will hold to a nice thought that people are still alive after their death. But it is the resurrection of Jesus Christ and all of the effects of that amazing act which changes everything.

1. Every mistake, every failure, every regret needs to be brought to look at the empty tomb of Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus makes everything okay.
2. All your question marks, the decisions for your future, wondering which way to go and what to do needs to be brought to look at the empty tomb of Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus gives purpose to your life.
3. Every challenge, every obstacle, every enemy needs to be brought to look at the empty tomb of Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus gives power to you to overcome whatever you are facing.
4. All your fears, perhaps even life-threatening diseases, infirmity and old age creeping in, they all need to be brought to look at the empty tomb of Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus gives eternal life to you no matter what you are carrying or however old you are.

No need to rely on your own strength because Jesus has been raised by God!

If you have never seen the clip from America’s Got Talent show and a man called Archie Williams then you must search for it on Youtube!

Archie sang “Don’t let the sun go down on me.” It is hard to watch without tears. He went onto the stage and opened up with this sentence: “I was just incarcerated for 37 years for somebody else’s crime. DNA freed me.” He later explained, “On the morning of December 9 of 1982 a 30-year-old white woman was raped and stabbed in her home. I was arrested on January 4. I couldn’t believe it was really happening. I knew I was innocent. I didn’t commit a crime. But being a poor black kid, I didn’t have the economic ability to fight the state of Louisiana.”

He continued: “At the trial, none of the fingerprints at the scene matched mine. Three people testified that I was at home, but they wanted somebody to pay. I was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole or probation.  Days turned into weeks and into months and into decades. It was like a nightmare.”

He concluded with these words, “Freedom is of the mind. I went to prison, but I never let my mind go to prison. This is how I got peace from praying and singing”

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, ²¹ equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13 v 20-21)

However you would describe your situation today. In your pain; with all your mixed emotions; perhaps distractions and even your failings. This morning you can either wake with those thoughts the most prominent or with this truth if you begin with God: He is your God of peace.

Don’t be tortured by your ‘prison’ today. Don’t allow this ‘prison’ to be the place you live in. Bring your God back into the centre of your ‘prison’. He is the source and the giver of peace. He creates peace and He makes peace. In the worst of disasters your God is in the middle making peace even if it is you that has created the disorder. If today you lay down your weapons of judgment for others and for yourself and invite your God of peace to come to you, He will.

“Morning Paul – praying for you today as you carry the burden of all the churches under your care …”

That was the text I received yesterday morning from one of my ministers. It was unexpected but not only was I immediately encouraged I understood that the ancient practice of praying for each other had not lost its power.

In these closing remarks the author is asking for prayer. They have looked back to their ancient heroes of their faith, leaders in their past but they are being pointed to their present generation of leaders who need prayer.

 ^“Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honourably in every way. ¹⁹ I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.” (Hebrews 13: 18-19)

How many times do you say or have it said to you, “I’ll pray for you”? We all know that it is either a) often used out of a sense of care and because we love that person; b) it is focused on getting the person out of the situation, we want them to be healed immediately, we don’t want them to suffer or c) it means nothing!

“Pray for us” is the request.

1. There is a belief that prayer works.

When a person goes on being filled with the Spirit of God in their lives that God who is actually Spirit, Breath, like a Wind, resides in Christ followers. It is then when prayer (which is simply a conversation with God) becomes not only understandable but believable. That prayer does work. Prayer impacts our world. For God is here.

• There is a specific request.

There seems to be some constraint upon this leader. They want to be restored soon. Simply meaning they want to return. Every Tuesday morning a Pastor calls me asking for any prayer requests. What a lovely thing to do? Never be afraid to ask. But if you are a leader never be afraid to ask for specific prayer either.

• It is in the context of faithfulness.

Not every leader is wholesome, healthy and safe. There are a few rotten apples. But the majority are and most probably your leader can say, “we have a clear conscience and desire to live honourably in every way.” The leader was saying ‘I am trying my best’. That’s all we can ask for isn’t it?

I sat with a Pastor this week and simply asked, ‘Are you happy?’ I’m not sure he was ready for that question. I asked it because he didn’t look it. Not that he was at fault for not looking happy it was what was happening in the church. I think without being unrealistic an unhappy leader is an unhappy church.

“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” (Hebrews 13 v 17)

Next week my denomination will see a major hand-over of leadership when one General Superintendent steps down after 8 years leading us and another takes the baton. I along with the Ministers of the denomination will commit ourselves to not only a willing acceptance of their leadership but to the placing of our confidence in their appointment by God as our leader.

It is what happens throughout the denomination when people become members of our churches. When I was a Pastor I stood with the new members of the church with a short ceremony of accepting them into the church. These are the instructions and the details of that welcoming ceremony:-

Reception into membership

You will be given the opportunity for a “few words”.

Here we would encourage you to declare your submission in 3 ways:

1. To God – to acknowledge that He has led you into this church.
2. To the Pastors/Eldership.
3. To the Fellowship of believers present.

The membership will be asked to stand, the eldership will gather around you and the Pastor will make a commitment to yourselves. These words will be said:-

“In responding to your trust, and in submitting to you as your Pastor, on behalf of the eldership, we receive you into the membership of the church. In doing this we acknowledge our commitment in:

Instruction: First, I commit myself as Pastor to teach and feed you the Word of God, with the aim that you fulfil the plane the Lord has for you as a man or woman of God.

Correction: Second, in that same regard, I am committed to counselling or correcting you, should you ever drift from the truth of God’s Word. I am committed to doing everything possible to keep you in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Intercession: Third, we commit ourselves to pray for you. We will uphold you in regular intercessory prayer as we, the eldership, continually bring the church to God’s throne.

Protection: Fourth, we commit ourselves to standing by you in any time of need, burden or personal crisis. You will never be alone if you will let us know when hard times arise.

Devotion: Finally, we commit ourselves to loving you. Jesus said that this trait should mark His disciples, and we intend to live out that divine order of love. Its essence is not so much in affection as in commitment. Regardless of how close socially we may or may not become, we are always personally committed to you. Should you ever feel you have been hurt, neglected or misunderstood, you will know it is unintentional, because we will never do anything to violate you in any way. Our total commitment is to love, serve and help you become the person God created you to be.

Reception: We embrace you, and in Jesus’ name receive you into this fellowship. Please know that you are loved and received.

In your church you will have something similar. It is a beautiful moment when the member says ‘God has led me, you are my Pastor and this is my church.’

You can see from the words I used that I believed the importance of being a shepherd (they keep watch over you as those who must give an account).

The NIV doesn’t translate brilliantly in my view when it says not to make the leader’s work a burden. The Greek is to do all you can so that they are not ‘groaning’. I am thankful to God for the people I have had the joy of shepherding and I still do that role in a different way. They do bring me joy and I feel I have their confidence.

This is what I will commit to next week (actually I already have).

What about you? We all have a leader of some sort? Will you take this verse today and do something now or plan to do so when you can? Let their work be a joy. Make sure you have a happy leader for what you sow you reap.

Don’t turn away from what you have found. Don’t let go of the truth. We also have an altar (the cross) and we have our own High Priest (Jesus) and so there is no need to return to Judaism. That is the message. “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. ¹⁶ And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” (Hebrews 13 v 15-16)

Whatever you are going through right now there are things you can implement immediately that will help you come through. Here are the 5 things.

1. Be thankful for something. (offer to God a sacrifice of praise)

Whatever difficulty is before you it is limited in its grasp of your life by the power of the praise you give to God. You can silence the voice that is against you by praising Jesus. Be thankful for who He is and what He has given you.

• Live in the awareness of Christ. (let us continually offer)

Give yourself to abide in Christ, to remain, to continue, to stay and to wait. Keep your confidence that your sins are forgiven, don’t let go of the truths you have been taught, love how He loves you.

• Be vocal. (the fruit of lips that openly profess his name)

What is limiting you today? What is trying to silence you? Is it insecurity, fear, emotional coldness or spiritual exhaustion? Decide now you are going to remove whatever it is that stops you calling on Jesus. Yesterday and today may be taken as a day of insignificance, of failure and maybe limitation. But not today. Do not be silenced. Shout even louder. You are never too loud.

• Do something good to someone. (do not forget to do good)

…. And start with someone who doesn’t deserve your goodness.

When you question whether it was worth it; when you ask whether you have been taken for a ride; when you see nothing from your acts of kindness it is then when you are bordering on the entrance of Goodness.

Goodness is a life where you look like God, especially in front of your enemies. They may be ungrateful and they may not recognise what you do but He sees. God can see you identify with Him for this is who He is and what He has done and does today.

So if today you meet that awkward, self-centred, seemingly unavoidable person then be kind. Be like God and then step into Goodness.

• Give. (to share with others)

People are never convenient. If you wait till you feel like it, you will never have genuine fellowship, nor if you wait for things to be perfect. There can be a fantasy of what community should be like.
“He who loves his dream of community more than the Christian community itself becomes a destroyer of the latter … If we do not give thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed, even when there is no great experience, no discoverable riches, but much weakness, small faith, and difficulty; if on the contrary, we keep complaining that everything is paltry and petty, then we hinder God from letting our fellowship grow.” Bonhoffer. a German pastor who was martyred for resisting the Nazis
We have no claim to anything except we are a child of God, a servant to the King. We have no claim on anything we have or title we have gained. All that we have all that we possess belongs to Him. We do not own a penny. But He owns it all. So when we give we give what is His.
You want to please God today? Then focus on the above 5 things …” for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”