Mar 2nd

Exodus 13     Job 31     Luke 16     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

The 3 readings today show people in very different places. In the Exodus passage, the people of Israel had just experienced a big scale miracle by “God’s mighty hand” (vv 3, 9, 14, 16).   They are told to remember this amazing experience by having a yearly ritual/celebration and by reminding each other and telling their children. This is to be like a physical reminder (v 9). Following on from the big scale miracle, God guides them; He chooses the long route as He knows they are unlikely to cope with the direct route (v17). And the people of Israel have the visible presence of God with them as they travel (vv 21, 22) to guide them and to enable them to do what they were supposed to do (travel).

Job wishes he was in the presence of God (v 35-37) so that he could justify himself by means of his life seemingly lived blamelessly and in accordance with God’s law. I suspect there aren’t many of us who can measure up to the way Job lived his life. But even if we could, that would be no guarantee for a happy, healthy and prosperous life as we can see from the book of Job.

In Luke 16, two worlds are contrasted. We live in our visible world and are surrounded by the ways of this world. However, no one can serve two masters (vv 13-15). We are asked to live with our focus on God and His purposes alone. It is not wrong to have worldly wealth but we should use it in a way that through it we will be “welcomed into eternal dwellings” (i.e. our focus should be on building God’s kingdom).

In vv 16-17 Jesus confirms that the law is still valid.

The last passage in this chapter is again about the importance of living this life for God. One day it may be too late. If people harden their hearts they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead (v 31), exactly what we find after Jesus’ resurrection.

Let us pray for God to soften our hearts, to be focussed only on Jesus in everything we do (Col. 3, 23) and to seek His presence and guidance.

(women’s ministry)

Mar 1st

Exodus 12     Job 30     Luke 15     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

I remember losing my 2-year old daughter in a shop in the middle of a large shopping centre. I searched the shop, but she was nowhere to be found. I was distraught and everything else paled into insignificance. I was a mother on a mission, with a single-minded determination to find my lost child.

When I reflect on my feelings then and the readings today from Luke 15 – the shepherd leaving his flock to search for the lost sheep, and the woman searching diligently for her lost coin – there is a persistence and single mindedness in the search: a reminder of God’s deep desire for the ‘lost’ to be found and a longing to bring them home to him.

The lost son, after living a high life, returns home covered in shame and lack of self worth, expecting a stern rebuke and scolding; and yet his father – our heavenly father – has no reprimand, no condemnation as he runs, arms outstretched, defying all the legalistic culture, lifting his robes and embracing his wayward son with true unconditional love.  There is freedom, extravagance and total forgiveness.

What of the elder son? Condemning, critical, full of self-pity and religiosity, holding onto the ‘oughts’ and ‘shoulds’ and keeping himself outside the party. He keeps himself imprisoned.  He is the one who misses out.

In each story there is rejoicing and celebration for the lost being found and the prodigals returning to God. Let our own attitude be like that of Christ Jesus, persistent in the search to see the lost found, unconditionally loving to the prodigals and with a love that sets people free.  Let’s not miss out on the party!

(Women’s ministry)

Feb 29th

Exodus 12-1-20     Job 29     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

The Lord says, “..And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you.” (Exodus 12:13). If just the blood of lambs can offer so much protection; how much more the precious blood that was shed for us on the cross? Every day we hear news of so many horrifying things happening around the world, but we have a Sovereign God. God is always in control and always watching over us. He knows our going out and our coming in (Psalm 121:8).

In Job 29, Job remembers his former days and reflects about how he was like a king (Job 29:25). Moreover, he states that he was sure that his prosperity would last until his dying day (Job 29:18-20). However, God had different plans for Job and even though he was led through an unimaginable difficult path; in the end God restored double. It is vital to trust God in difficult circumstances, especially in times when we cannot see the future. We tend to look back and wish for the past but the wise king Solomon says that it is not wise to do so (Ecclesiastes 7:10). Instead, we must fix our eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

 “..But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13,14)

(women’s ministry)

Feb 28th

Exodus 11     Job 28     Luke 14     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

As human beings we often pride ourselves on our ingenuity and expertise.   Even in Job’s time, probably over 3,000 years ago, complicated engineering, including mining for minerals and precious metals in quite deep shafts (v4) was evidently relatively commonplace.

However, Job realises that for all of his knowledge, mankind often looks in the wrong place for wisdom, and indeed, usually does not recognise it when he sees it.   If it were something he could find in a mine, he would be quite likely to discard it as worthless! (v13).

I chose to reflect on Job today because when I read the other set passages, I found them both too difficult.  On reading the Exodus passage, my human understanding struggled to comprehend how God could cause children to be put to death in order to fulfil His purposes, and on a personal level Jesus’ direction in Luke Ch 14 to love and care for those we find difficult struck a little too close to home.  It is not often that Job is considered to be the easy option!

But then it struck me that my struggle with God’s word illustrates what Job was describing.  My human understanding of God’s purposes falls short - wisdom “is hidden from the eyes of every living thing” (v 21).  But “God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells” (v23). 

Even though we usually want everything explained to us, sometimes all we can do is to accept that “the fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding” (v28).

(women’s ministry)

Feb 27th

Exodus 10     Job 27     Luke 13     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Some time ago our mums' group decided to tackle a study on Job. I can't remember now our reasons for what might appear an odd choice, but it proved to be an exciting study. It challenged us on not only our attitudes towards suffering but also how we might respond to those who are suffering. In today's chapter from Job, we read part of Job's final speech. Despite all Job has been through physically and psychologically, he doesn't become embittered or allow his friends' talk of him being punished by God to sway him from his devotion to God. In the opening six verses he holds in to his integrity and trust in God's goodness and justice. In many graphic images he describes the life of  evil men.

            As well as learning much about Job, the characters of the 'friends' are always worth considering. Their inadequate 'support' is infamous. Quick and articulate in their condemnation of Job, their 'voices' resurface and resonate down the centuries. They can be heard in the synagogue ruler who is angry that Jesus heals a woman on the Sabbath and the Pharisees in Luke 13. Today they can be heard in the mouths of politicians condemning the actions of rich, the media when reporting stories of neglect and abuse, and parents at the school gate.

            The parables in Luke 13 seek to encourage us to consider the nature of God's kingdom. During today, why not pray that your words will either help someone know about God's kingdom or will help to build up someone's faith.

(women’s ministry)

Feb 26th

Exodus 9     Job 26     Luke 12     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Pharaoh deliberately and resolutely chooses to harden his heart against Moses’ appeal to let God’s people go to worship Him, becoming progressively more resistant to God’s will – 8:15, 8:19, 8:32, 9:7.  Ultimately, we read the devastating words v12: the Lord hardens Pharaoh’s heart and uses his stubborn pride for His purposes. (See Romans 9:14-21 for Paul’s comment on this.)  These clearly supernatural plagues will demonstrate His power and cause His name to be proclaimed in all the earth.

In God’s judgement, He continues to show mercy, v19, giving the opportunity for those Egyptian officials who feared the word of the Lord to take action and protect themselves, their slaves and livestock.  It seems extraordinary that there are others who continue to ignore the word of the Lord – with expected consequences.

The results are devastating v25 – and Pharaoh says the words we long to hear v27 – but they are manipulatively spoken, empty and insincere, calculated to bring reprieve from disaster.  There is no deep remorse or real recognition of his wrongdoing; no heart-felt repentance.  He continues to lead his country on a path of destruction v34,35.

• Pray for our own political leaders – that their hearts and minds would be discerning and receptive to God’s guidance – that decisions and policies affecting various aspects of our national life – in particular marriage and the family - would reflect God’s Word, His laws and His will, and shield us from the consequences of ignoring and rejecting them.

(women’s ministry)

Feb 25th

Exodus 8     Job 25     Luke 11     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

The finger of God

The plagues continue; however, the Egyptian magicians are not able to replicate the plague of the gnats and therefore warn Pharaoh (v19): “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh still doesn’t listen.

Jesus uses the same expression in Luke’s gospel when He defends Himself against the accusation that He is driving out demons by Beelzebub. He points out the logical flaw that Satan would be fighting himself if this were the case; therefore the logical conclusion is that Jesus is driving out demons by the finger of God (v20). He goes on to explain that it is not enough to drive out an evil spirit, since it will return with seven even more wicked spirits, if the void is not filled with God’s presence (by listening to the word of God and obeying it).

Thanks to Jesus we don’t have to be concerned, like Bildad in Job 25, about how we can be righteous before God. But God’s graciousness goes even further than that (Luke 11:8-13): Jesus encourages us to approach God with boldness and persistence since God answers prayers and will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.

Heavenly Father, thank You, that when we ask, we will receive, when we seek we will find and when we knock the door will be opened.  Please fill us with Your Holy Spirit.  Amen.

(homegroup member)

Feb 24th

Exodus 7     Job 24     Luke 10     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Judgement

A righteous sufferer himself, Job describes many forms of injustice done to the vulnerable. He acknowledges that the perpetrators, although they may be exalted for a little while, will ultimately be judged; he asks God, however, why there is delay.

In Exodus, the forms of the miracles and plagues chosen by God spell judgement against Egypt in themselves. For example, pharaohs used to wear a cobra head-dress as a symbol of their sovereignty and, due to its life sustaining importance, the river Nile was worshipped as a god.

We read in Luke’s gospel how Jesus prepares seventy-two disciples before sending them out. He warns that there will be more severe consequences on judgement day for those who reject Jesus despite hearing the gospel or seeing the miracles, compared to those who hadn’t had the gospel of the kingdom preached to them. When they return with joy following their experience of demons submitting to them in Jesus’ name, Jesus tells them that he gave them the authority to overcome all the power of the enemy. However, instead of rejoicing in spirits submitting to them he tells them they should rather rejoice that their names are written in heaven, since their salvation is more important.

Lord Jesus, thank you that because of you our names are written in heaven and we don’t need to fear judgement.  Amen.

(homegroup member)