Trials and Tribulations, and a God who, in Christ, raises the dead – and offers Hope.

Some serious issues stayed with me this week; and interrogated my soul. Deep down in my soul! And I am sure it was the same with a lot of other Jamaicans, who love their country, and are bewildered by the seemingly endless problems, personal and national, which have come to test our resolve as a people to exist in peace and harmony.

The Dirk Harrison speech at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, which made the headlines in the Daily Gleaner, and clips carried on RJR’s Public Affairs program Hotline, and hosted by popular talk show host, Emily Shields was one. The former Contractor General, inter alia, without naming anyone, revealed that Dons, and members of the Police Force, along with Members of Parliament, were guilty of corruption, causing some contractors never to bid for government contracts anymore, as the 15% profit was severely eroded by them having to pay out money to the accused. And more sins were revealed!

You should take the time to read it:

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20191024/harrison-likens-municipal-corporations-corruption-cesspool

The interview with, again by Emily Shields yesterday, a young man who, as reported in the Jamaica Observer, has been diagnosed with stage four Colon Cancer was another one. “How would I react to such a terrible diagnosis”, came to mind, as I listened to the riveting interview. An interview which both fear, great fear, and yet hope, great hope in God, and His ability to do miracles, touched my soul. And volunteerism too, as this youngster, wants to live the rest of his life, if God grants him leave to do so, to reach out to other youngsters in his community and lead them hopefully to better life. And I thought, isn’t this the essence of who we are as a people, God-fearing and caring, despite events and actions which paint a different picture. I’m sure the host was not the only one moved to tears yesterday.

Brought to mind one of the most quoted, by the late Ian Boyne, Grace Kennedy lectures, written by Professor Don Robotham, entitled Vision and Volunteerism and a quote I posted recently on Twitter:

To my way of thinking volunteerism is an expression of moral and civic unity of a society. it is a measure of its state of spiritual integrity. Total strangers in a society take steps to assist others in that society without seeking a reward

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/he-is-only-23-and-has-stage-four-colon-cancer-young-man-seeks-help-to-pay-for-treatment_177726?profile=1373

The wickedness and evil, about which our Lord Jesus “ out of the hearts of men come all kinds of wickedness”, was on full display last night.And another issue which provoked my soul:

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20191026/mob-kills-man-after-splashing-pedestrian

And which act of egregious evil elicited this reaction on Twitter from noted sports journalist Karen Madden:

Getting splashed is annoying disgusting even but in no way shape nor form does it justify taking a life. Wah do wi? #TVJNews

Finally this morning, the Daily Gleaner headlines, “ out of evil comes good”,my words, according to one Jamaican; a story which lifted my soul.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20191026/baby-moses-god-has-special-purpose-newborn-dumped-pit-latrine-say-st

And the Holy One of Israel, the God of Jacob, who is always ahead of us, and behind us, led me to send an email to my church yesterday. A. Message which in essence posed the challenge, “ Can God raise Jamaica and its many and complex problems from the dead”. And the answer is not just a glib Obama type response “ Yes He can”. But one rooted in the reality that “ Our religion is founded on the promises of God”. A extract from the second of two meditations quoted in this section of this blog: the Christian response to the news of the day.

THE EMAIL SEND TO MY CHURCH

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20191024/harrison-likens-municipal-corporations-corruption-cesspool

Having read the headlines about this Lecture – organized by St. Luke’s Anglican Church – in the Daily Gleaner yesterday, and having heard clips of Mr. Harrison speaking at the function, on Hotline on RJR yesterday, and having heard from the people in Majestic Gardens yesterday, about the war between them and a neighboring community, because it is alleged that gunmen from their community attacked and killed three men across the road, and the barricades in the roads, speak volumes abut their fear of reprisals, ‘my soul has been troubled. I would recommend that you read this account above downloaded from the online platform of the Gleaner this morning.

Then consider this extract of a meditation I just read in my #earlymorningdevotions

CHRIS TIEGREEN

BELIEVING

Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? Acts 26:8

…….In defending your faith, never back down from the Resurrection. Paul said our faith depend on it ; if it didn’t happen, our faith is worthless and we are above all people to be most pitied ( 1 Corinthians 15:19). By the Resurrection, Christianity stands or falls. It is nothing to be ashamed of.

Even so,it will sound like an outrageous claim to many. But God honors faith in the resurrection of His Son. That is what salvation hinges on, and He has a way of powerfully convincing people through His Holy Spirit that Jesus is alive. Don’t just believe in the resurrection of Jesus, boldly defend it. It’s the power of God to save.

Belief in the resurrection is not an appendage to the Christian faith; it is the Christian faith – John S. Whale

Comment: the following thoughts came to mind. That if God can, and has raised the dead, then He can, and only He can, change the hearts and minds of Dirk Harrison’s accused – politicians, Dons and those steeped in the mire of corruption. Only God can raise “the dead”, the minds set on death, in Majestic Gardens – Backto -, and the men across the road, and Mountain View where mayhem reigns once again. And all areas currently under the state of emergency! And those who society – I am unwilling to label human beings like that, but understand where they are coming from – call “ taxi germs”.

It certainly doesn’t mean that as a people of faith we ought not to advocate for systems to be put in place to curb wrong doing in our land. But the the more important point, is that, as people of faith who believe that God can raise the dead, we cannot give up Hope, that one day Jamaica will be a better place.

And that such a Hope is based on the sobering reality that the God who raised Jesus from the dead, has appointed us, in Christ, to be the Hope. “ For we are to God the aroma of Christ” – last night’s devotional reading. #FromBulBaytoSixMiles. And elsewhere! What a privilege! What a responsibility!

Lord renew thy church beginning with me: Lord renew the church that the church may renew the nation(s). “ Lord will Thou not turn and quicken us that thy people may rejoice in thee “ – a prayer uttered in the vestry each Sunday morning prior to the start of the service, and on which I have been pondering and praying about for some time now. For a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit each day, on the church!

Jesu (s), the very thought of thee with sweetness fills the breast; but sweeter far thy face to see, and in the presence rest – greeted me as I began my devotions this morning. And which greeting led me to ponder deeply, again,on

“ My God, I love thee; not because I hope for heaven thereby”.

Peace.

In obedience

LWJ

P. S. And God can “ raise the dead” in every situation we face today. Or will face tomorrow! “Lord keep me safe as in thee I have taken refuge” – the Psalmist. My prayer, minutely, not literally so, but intense; for the past couple of days

EXTRACT FROM THE SECOND MEDITATION ON THE BOOK OF ACTS BY CHRIS TIEGREEN

UNAPOLOGETIC

It is because of my hope in what God has promised that I am trial today. Acts 26:6

In the arena of ideas, Christians are often passive listeners. Our society generally lifts up the sciences as factual, and only humors the faithful as opinionated. But God has called us into the courtroom of this world,wherever we find ourselves in it, to give a defense of of the hope that we have within us. We have answers, even when the world doesn’t ask the right questions. We are authorized by heaven to speak.

That doesn’t mean we have all the answers, of course. No one does, except for God. But we can point people in the right direction. And where we start is where Paul focused his argument in Acts 26. He defended his faith in the promises of God…….Ours (religion) is founded on promises.

….we may not understand all of God’s promises thoroughly – why he sometimes heals and sometimes doesn’t,or how everything will pan out at the end of time – but His track record is solid enough for us to present it as evidence in the court of public opinion. We can point to fulfilled promises and powerful prayers as case strides in the reality of God.

Final Comment: Young Mathew Gordon (23) spoke passionately about his faith in God. The God who performs miracles, even as he faces what, on the face of it, seems like a death sentence. But he is realistic to admit, humbly, “ thy will be done”. And yet, still trust God. We need, as children of God, in a troubled word, to demonstrate that kind of faith in the God who, with great power, “ raised Jesus from the dead”. And to understand, and cherish, and be emboldened by the promise, that, the very same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, is with us and in us, to help to rescue Jamaica land we love. The question is “ do we believe God”. And do we believe in The Resurrection from the Dead. St. Paul certainly did. And He is the one who primarily, as anointed by Jesus, on the famous road to Damascus, taught us the Christian faith.

Peace.

LWJ

Kanye West #Sundaymorningservice, Gay Pride and the Mercy of God in Jesus Christ

“I am blessed, I am Blessed, every day of my life I am blessed”. Words from a popular sanke sang by the mass choir last night at the hugely successful Kanye West #Sundaymorningservice on a Friday night in city Kingston. Sentiments which run deep in the psyche of most Jamaicans; even for those who are not “born again”, and baptized “by water and by fire”. And a culture of praise which emerged out of our history of enslavement and “ Emancipation” from evil, which recognizes the presence of a Most High God, and is mindful of His blessings and equally so, His Judgement. A narrative passed on to generations of Jamaicans, it’s in our DNA, by the Christian Church,and the Rastafarian movement -which despite, what appears to be in the minds of some, serious “ demonic competition”, still has a powerful influence on the internationally acclaimed Reggae Music. And which Reggae music at its core, unlike the other popular genre dancehall, remains to this day, a “ message music”. To uplift and to “ chant down Babylon”!

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20191018/court-appeal-overturns-interim-injunction-granted-mobay-pride

This is the challenge, the rootedness of the Christian ethic in the minds of the Jamaican people, despite our “ wickedness” as manifested in the high murder rate and other social ills, that the “ Political Wing” of the LGBT community faces when it tries to, under whatever guise,insert into the narrative, that “ Same Sex Marriage”, is worthy of debate and a useful discussion that the Jamaican people ought entertain.

For the time being, pro tem , as our Latin Scholars would say, the move by Mobay Pride to go ahead, with, what they claim is, an important discussion, has been thwarted by the Court of Appeal. But who knows what will happen next, as the intent of powerful voices within the International Community, headed by the UN, using the argument that it’s a human rights issue, is to coerce small countries like Jamaica, by whatever means, subtle or “ upfront” to accept this extra Biblical union as normative.

How then does the Christian Church respond to these two issues? And we need to emphasize this point lest we conflate the two and lose our way as compassionate truth telling people. And which confusion is part of the diabolical plan of the “ enemy”. For the truth is that the authentic Church, made up of rescued sinners, redeemed by the Blood of Christ, “ by His stripes we are healed”, can never, or ought never, be part of any movement which aims to persecute LGBT people, on the basis that their lifestyle is recognized as sin in the Bible. I tell you a story! It’s a commentary I read this week by one of my favorite theologians – The Complete Works of Oswald Chambers.

THE BASE IMPULSE ( WHICH IS REALLY THE ROOTEDNESS OF SIN IN HUMAN HEART)

“The Base Impulse revealed itself in the time of our Lord in three great types of sin – the sin of the publicans, the sin of the Pharisees and the sin of the Saducees.

In every country there exists a lost class, a class that has given way to the sins of the flesh till its sin can no longer be concealed. What others do by stealth, they do openly. Such a class existed in our Lord’s day in Palestine, and the popular name for them in that day were publicans and sinners, or publicans and harlots, or the lost sheep of Israel ……..

The attitude of Jesus to this class was one the most singular and characteristic features of His career, and, when fully understood, reveals clearly perhaps more than any other circumstances the secret of His mission”.

Comment: I have no doubt in my mind that Jesus, if He were present today, and the church as the body of Christ ought to consider this carefully, would visit and spend time, spend quality time, with in the LGBT community. And perhaps would not set foot in some of our churches! But in order to do what?

Listen again to Chambers:

“ Our Lord’s conduct was not due to any insensitivity to the wickedness of open and carnal sins, not that He was lenient to those sins. He drew near to those sins to make them for ever impossible in the lives of those guilty of them. Jesus roused the conscience of the worse of them by presenting the highest good…..

We have to find out why Jesus was beside Himself with rage and indignation at the Pharisees and not with those given over to carnal sins. Which state of society is going to stand up to a ripping and tearing Being like Jesus Christ Who drags to the ground the highest respected pillars of its civilized society, and shows that their respectability and religiosity is built on a much more abominable pride than the harlot’s or the publican’s. The latter are disgusting and coarse, but these men have the very pride of the devil in their hearts.

Ask yourself, them, what is it that awakens indignation in your heart? Is it the same kind of thing that awakened indignation in Jesus Christ? The thing that awakens indignation in us is the thing that upsets our present sate of comfort and and society. The thing that made Jesus blaze was pride that defied God and prevented Him from His right with human hearts. Sin is the independence of human nature which God created turning against God. Holness is the same independence turning against sin. Sin is not doing wrong things, it is wrong being.

Comment: And all of us, according to the Bible, are “ wrong being” on account of the Fall in the Garden of Eden; the genesis of “ all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. All of us, you, me, and all Gay people. So the struggle is not against LGBT people, for we are all in the same boat, literally and metaphorically, as we all live in Jamaica and hope to live in peace. But the struggle is definitely against the “Political Wing”, the Pharisees who would have us believe that the Bible is irrelevant,even irreverent and that Sin is an outdated construct in this modern society where the highest goal is the protection of human rights. Which completely ignores the lived reality of the Jamaican society that, “Jesus came not for the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance”. And to bring freedom to the oppressed and Justice for the marginalized! In other words “ Talk de Truth”. A subject of an email written to my church this week, before Kanye West’s #Sundaymoringservice was announced, but after the first ruling of the Court, heralded by the Gleaner in clearly an intentionally provoking ( to Christians) headlines.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20191017/gay-battle-pride-shames-church-protesters-mayor-obtains-stay-against

EMAIL

TALK DE TRUTH

This morning I opened Chris Tiegreen’s “ The One Year Wonder of The Cross” Devotional, randomly and found a most instructive reflection on Acts 13:11. And very timely in this age when, once again, the age old debate, of what is the Christian response to the homosexual and same sex marriage debate. An issued highlighted by the recent ruling of the Court .

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20191015/mobay-pride-granted-interim-order-rent-cultural-centre

The meditation does not answer many of the pertinent questions raised in the ruling of the court, for example, the rights issues, of any citizen. But it can help us to tell the truth about what the Bible clearly and unequivocally deems as sin…talk de truth!  Admittedly among many other sins. But the location is incontestable. And the truth is that, yesterday on pondering on this issue, I had in mind writing a comprehensive piece on the issue of homosexuality  and how do we as Christians handle this controversial subject in an age where the culture and the narrative is being carefully orchestrated for us to accept it as just another lifestyle.  And which thoughts no doubt emerged because it was  the subject of a conversation between my wife and myself this week as we were watching television and a quote about a “ lesbian kiss”, came out of nowhere. Boom! Actually it wasn’t the program  we were watching but it was inserted into a promo about an upcoming show.

BE TRUTHFUL

Now the hand of the Lord is against you.

Acts 13:11

IN WORD

God opposes the deception of the enemy. We’re much more tolerant of spiritual lies than He is. We want to be tolerant and forgiving , both admirable qualities in themselves, but we confuse gentleness and patience with compromise and passivity. We don’t draw the lines that God would have us draw. But Paul did. He understood how God feels about active rebellion in this world. He knew that God has an archenemy intent on slandering His name and distorting His truth.And he realized that lives wee at stake. He didn’t compromise his message, and he didn’t ignore the threat to it. He represented God well.

Does that mean we should go through life harshly condemning everyone who disagrees with us? Or worse yet, condemning everyone who doesn’t quite embrace the whole of biblical truth? Hardly. That’s not what Gd calls us to do. We are given the responsibility of pointing out those who actively oppose the work of the Spirit of God- gently when the offense is unintentional, bluntly when it is not. Most of all, we are to tell the truth.

IN DEED

That’s hard for us to do. The truth can hurt,and we often want to run away from it. We hesitate to challenge distortions that secular society makes about Christians and our faith. Sometimes we’d rather just let it drop.

But God is a truth telling God. He told us the truth when it hurt – read any one of the prophets for a case study – and He has never compromised His ways. He has been patient without resigning to passivity. His integrity remains untainted. 

That’s the call of the Christian – to let our integrity remain untainted. We are to live in a corrupt,truth-twisting world without getting caught up in its deceptions. The hand of the Lord is against those who oppose the gospel, even while His love for them calls them to Himself.  if we can live with that balance, opposing falsehood while loving the deceived, we will be a lot like God.

Truth and love are wings that cannot be separated, for truth cannot fly without love, nor can love soar aloft without truth. – Ephraim the Syrian

That was yesterday! Today things have changed a bit. But not substantially.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20191017/pride-shames-church-protesters-mayor-obtains-stay-against-ruling

Lord renew thy church beginning with me; Lord renew the church that the church may renew the ( confused and deceived)  nation(s).

Peace.

In obedience

Sent from my iPad

Sent from my iPad

I

Chris Tiegreen continues with another meditation on the story in Acts 13. A warning for all who believe that Christ has died, Christ is Risen and that Christ will come again. To judge the living and the dead! The Pharisee who believes he is righteous and does not need a Savior, and the sinners who cry out for help and turn to God in repentance with the “ excellency of a broken heart”.

BE DISCERNING

You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Acts 13:10

IN Word

The truth tellers need of God need to be able to recognize falsehood. In order to do that, we first first need to be acquainted with the truth. …….If we became confused abut the gospel , it’s probably because we’ve allowed our hearts to flirt with its rivals. We’ve taken a subtle turn here and a twist there, calling it a search for truth or spiritual fulfillment. But those subtle and simple deviations are often a willful resistance to the Word disguised as an open mind. Our deceptions spring from a desire to make God’s truth a little easier to embrace, and those deceptions begin when we aren’t discerning. A little bluntness might serve us well. Listen to what I shared from another friend on facebook this week.

ANGLICAN ARCHBISHOP TELLS SAME-SEX MARRIAGE SUPPORTERS TO LEAVE THE ANGLICAN CHURCH

Dr. Glenn Davies, the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney bluntly told Anglican supporters of same-sex marriage, that they should leave the church rather than “betray God’s word”.

Addressing the 51st Synod of the Diocese of Sydney, in his final address to the Anglican church’s parliament, Davies delivered a scathing denunciation of progressive elements within the church that they had “entered treacherous waters” and called on those who supported same-sex marriage to leave.

“I fear for the stability of the Anglican Church of Australia. These developments have the potential to fracture our fellowship and impair our communion. I have stated this on numerous occasions at the annual National Bishops’ Conference, but sadly to little effect,” said Davies, who is the Synod president.

“My own view is that if people wish to change the doctrine of our church, they should start a new church or join a church more aligned to their views – but do not ruin the Anglican Church by abandoning the plain teaching of Scripture. Please leave us.

“We have far too much work to do in evangelizing Australia to be distracted by the constant pressure to change our doctrine in order to satisfy the lusts and pleasures of the world.”

Davies directed his strongest criticism at church branches that had moved to bless same-sex unions, such as the Wangaratta diocese in Victoria. That decision has now been referred to the church’s internal appeals tribunal.

Davies said to bless same-sex unions would be to “betray God’s word”. He conceded “our view of marriage is not a popular one in Australia” and was also now contrary to the law.

“Nonetheless, God’s intention for marriage has not changed. We honor him when we abide by his instruction. We cannot bless same-sex marriages for the simple reason that we cannot bless sin,” Davies said.

Read more: https://virtueonline.org/sydney-anglican-archbishop-tells-same-sex-marriage-supporters-leave-anglican-church

Tiegreen concludes with a sharp reminded of the times in which we live :

“ The heart of the believer needs to be well trained in seeing deceptions, whether it comes from our own tendencies or the philosophies of this age. Regardless of how easily we confront others, we need to confront our own misconceptions. Our hearts must be tuned into God’s. That requires a deep commitment to prayer and honesty …..

The truths I know best I have leaned on my knees – John Bunyan ( Pilgrims Progress for those who might have forgotten ).

I close with a post on facebook this week, as I pondered and shared my thoughts on the Word of God appointed for reading in my church tomorrow’s #SundayService.

This extract from one of the readings in the worldwide Anglican Church is very instructive in times like these;

The Epistle

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

…….In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

Ruel Reid’s downfall : Grace and Mercy in Christ Jesus

When Ruel Reid, former Minister of Education and Information was relieved of his post, in other words, fired, by PM Andrew Holness early this year, it came as a shocker to most Jamaicans. Controversial, yes! Impatient, yes! Intemperate, yes! Even a bit arrogant, yes! But to be accused of malfeasance, of some sort or another, although the PM never released any details, and people were therefore left to speculate, and later to infer from questions posed by a parliamentary “watchdog” committee, that kind of behaviour would never have been in the minds of most folks.

For this was no ordinary Cabinet Minister, as he was also, using the popular Jamaican, and even biblical, term, “ a man of God”! A man whose voice was heard regularly on radio,” the big 95”, on a Sunday morning. A man who spoke of, and believed in, based on his public utterances, the “Living God God” and His Son Jesus Christ, and invited others to put their trust in the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, also.

http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/how-things-came-crumbling-down-ruel-reid

This week the ‘floodgates opened”, as this Christian man, this high ranking official, this man in whom many had placed their trust,this family man, was arrested, along with his wife and daughter, and two others; and spent the night in jail, and is now out on bail. Is he guilty of the charges of corruption and conspiracy to defraud the CMU of over $50 Million? Only time will tell! But what is beyond a shadow of doubt is that the Prime Minister of Jamaica, his former boss, and by whom Reid was employed when the PM was a line Minister, prior to his elevation to PM, had what we assume were solid reasons for dismissing Ruel Reid from the high office of cabinet minister. Many questions, more than answers, are being posed, and many comments, and even predictions, are going the rounds as Jamaicans try to process and understand this shocking news.

The question which exercised my mind, is how did this Christian brother, someone who I know and spoke with, in my capacity as a National Road Safety Manager, interacting with government officials and cabinet ministers on a regular basis, and even shared a moment in time with at a National Awards Ceremony, how did he arrive there? In this place of public disgrace! And not just him, but wife and daughter also! How? For even if exonerated of criminal charges by a court of law, the fact that he was fired by the PM, for whatever reason, means that in the court of public opinion, he will forever be found guilty.

Also this week, one before and the other after, the “ breaking news” was heard by the ‘whole world’, I wrote two messages to my church. And a couple of nights ago, I came upon a very profound quote which ought to make all of us pause, and reflect on it deeply. For whatever the reason for this “ wild career” that has been the journey of Ruel Reid and his co-accused thus far, in Christ, there is the opportunity for forgiveness and mercy, if we exercise, what the famous theologian Oswald Chambers terms the, “ excellency of a broken heart”. But in order for us to arrive there, at the, “ excellency of a broken heart”, we first have to believe in the God of mercy; the One Who in the Person of Jesus Christ of Nazareth died on Calvary for the forgiveness of sins. All sins! Big and small! Private or celebrated!

And then “ join in the suffering for the gospel”, so that we may come to understand, like Paul, “ not to rely on self, but on the God who alone can raise the dead”. For the reason for the downfall of all, ultimately, and not just Ruel Reid, has its genesis in the Biblical truth that “ all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”; and that “ out of the hearts of men come all sorts of evil”. And therefore Jesus, Who died for us, the whole world, calls us to be holy, as God is holy. But first we need to obey His call to “die to self”. And self-love! A virus which has invaded the hearts of all mankind, since the Fall in the Garden of Eden, where mankind first learned to disobey the Creator God; and which virus is a thousand times worse, spiritually, than Dengue, and HIV, and Ebola

THE FIRST EMAIL

The Collect

Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Grace preceded me yesterday! For as I was about to have lunch, again, for it happened already for that morning, “ Join me in suffering for the Gospel”, came to mind. And during my lunch break I duly opened the Bible to :

THE WORD OF GOD

“So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.”

2 Timothy 1:8-12 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/2ti.1.8-12.niv

What’s the context for this revelation? Our own Lord Bishop’s “ Service of Recognition on Thursday this week” as we celebrate his elevation to be The Primate and Metropolitan ArchBishop of the West Indies. The awesome power of Prime Ministers and Ministers and the contentious issue of Minister Reid’s downfall; one who occupied a leadership role in the church. At least certainly on radio!. Our own journey as children of God living in a “ corrupt generation”!

The point is that suffering, and don’t miss “ by the power of God”, is an important part of our journey. Suffering for what purpose though? Have a look at words that “follow”. Just as important as the grace that “preceded “ “ He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own uprise and grace.

It’s a point that I dare say many of us, and me foremost, have missed during our journey. The fact that we have been called to holiness. Yes, holiness involves both Justice and Righteousness, and therefore we are called to stand beside the poor and the marginalized – the widow, the orphan and the stranger. But more importantly achieving this holy life to which we have been called, demands death to self. As “ flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of God”. A point the famous theologian and Christian martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer, made when he wrote that, “ when God calls a man he calls him to die”. Which is exactly what St.Paul meant when he wrote to the Galatians:

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Galatians 2:20-21 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/gal.2.20-21.niv

And death to self can only come through the circumstances which lead to suffering of one kind or another. For some it is appointed severe suffering, while for others it is suffering of a different kind; all according what God sees in our heart. And God will allow this suffering, if we submit to His leading us “; by His grace preceding and following us, according to the Collect. And by is Word:

“In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son?

It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.

For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it.

How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. “Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.”

Hebrews 12:4-13 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/heb.12.4-13.niv

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-11 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/2co.1.3-11.niv

The eternal message from all of this is that “ God raises the dead”. God alone can make us holy by the Power of the Holy Spirit. As we recall that we have died in Christ, and have been raised, just like Him, to a new life. ( Romans 6: 3-4)We cannot achieve this by “ tippy toe”, viz., trying our best to become holy. And every circumstances that is challenging and difficult according to the wisdom in my Classic Devotional Bible, is meant to lead us to die to self.

“ It is through accepting the circumstances that come to us in life that self is crucified”- Hannah Hurnard.

So what does all of this have to do with our Lord Bishop? And errant Politicians. And all of us who journey with Christ. The higher monkey climb the more him expose ——in this context, exposed to temptation! In other words, it becomes even more difficult to die to self when you are in an exalted position in both the Christian Life and in life generally. No wonder that puzzling comment by Paul that “ that man was given over to Satan to save his soul”.

It therefore means that all Christians and all Christians who are leaders in our church, need our constant prayers. Which is what happens every Sunday morning during Intercessionary prayers.

But it ought happen every day. Day after day. Without ceasing! And not just for our leaders in the Anglican Church, but as I have been led to pray daily, in recent years, for all the denominations. Name them – Pentecostals, Church of God, Baptists, Moravians, Seventh Day Adventists…… And for the collective church across the world, naming the countries. Jamaica. Barbados. Venezuela. The Bahamas. Syria….

For by such prayers countries are rescued. And individuals who make up the church. As there is no rescuing Jamaica without the rescuing of the Church. My understanding of a prayer which has “haunted” me for years. Taught by a Bishop and mentor who suffered much – Herman Spence.

Lord renew thy church beginning with me: Lord renew the church that the church may renew the nation(s).

Peace.

In obedience

LWJ

THE SECOND EMAIL ( Always take the “ road less travelled “ and keep your eyes on Jesus, in order to be safe from the temptation of the evil one, who has come not just to “ steal and kill, but to destroy”.)

OCTOBER 9

Building on the Atonement

…present…your members as instruments of righteousness to God.

ROMANS 6:13

I cannot save and sanctify myself; I cannot make atonement for sin; I cannot redeem the world; I cannot right what is wrong, purify what is impure, or make holy what is unholy. That is all the sovereign work of God. Do I have faith in what Jesus Christ has done? He has made the perfect atonement for sin. Am I in the habit of constantly realizing it?

The greatest need we have is not to do things, but to believe things. The redemption of Christ is not an experience, it is the great act of God which He has performed through Christ, and I have to build my faith on it. If I construct my faith on my own experience, I produce the most unscriptural kind of life— an isolated life, with my eyes focused solely on my own holiness. Beware of that human holiness that is not based on the atonement of the Lord. It has no value for anything except a life of isolation— it is useless to God and a nuisance to man. Measure every kind of experience you have by our Lord Himself. We cannot do anything pleasing to God unless we deliberately build on the foundation of the atonement by the Cross of Christ.

The atonement of Jesus must be exhibited in practical, unassuming ways in my life. Every time I obey, the absolute deity of God is on my side, so that the grace of God and my natural obedience are in perfect agreement. Obedience means that I have completely placed my trust in the atonement, and my obedience is immediately met by the delight of the supernatural grace of God.

Comment: I read this reflection by Oswald Chambers for part of my #latenightdevotions and pondered on it deeply. Especially the lines highlighted. And even posted something abut it on Facebook.

Then this morning in my #earlymorningdevotions I was led to once again reflect on the words of “ Be Thou My Vision” in in particular : “ be all else but naught to me, save that thou art”.

I’m glad that the Lord sent the wisdom of Oswald Chambers into my life! Why? Because so many of us, and perhaps me in particular, are so busy doing things for God, that we need to stop and seriously consider these truths. And the times are very instructive! For, assuming that Minister Reid, a prominent Christian educator, speaking on prime time radio on a Sunday morning,having been dismissed from the Cabinet and the Senate,is guilty of some kind of malfeasance, even if not elevated to the level of criminality – yet to be proven – one is forced to ask, how did he arrive there?

Clearly both the writer of the great hymn, “ Be thou my vision” and Oswald Chambers, author of the best selling devotional, “ My Utmost for His Highest”, are being used by the Holy Spirit to warn us not to go down that road. For that road of being active for God, without building on the foundation of the Atonement wrought by Christ on Calvary, and considering other things more important than keeping a focus on God Himself, is fraught with danger!

And the danger may not rise to the level of malfeasance. It may be disobedience, even for seemingly a good thing. Like Saul and Samuel! And then we are confronted with the words that ought to lead us to repentance with a broken and contrite heart:

“But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.””

1 Samuel 15:22-23 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/1sa.15.22-23.niv

It may be naked ambition, or greed. Which is idolatry! It may be that we make our desire for Justice for the marginalized and quest for human rights for the victimized our “cause celebre”. And marginalize the call for repentance of sin and the need for salvation!

It may be how some pastors have been seduced into calling themselves Apostles, or how some folks cherish the thought of being prayer warriors, and warm to the title of of “ Man of God, and too eagerly want to be “prophets”.

The point is that, big or small, there is danger ahead when we “ Turn our eyes from Jesus”. And then the Lord Himself in similar manner to how He addressed the early church declare :

You have forsaken your first love! Even though He commended the Church in Ephesus for “ hard work and perseverance”.

We must be eternally vigilant my friends, and that warning is for me first, that we don’t build our faith and go on mission based on any other platform save that, Christ has died, Christ is Risen and Christ will come again. Otherwise disaster will arrive at our front door,in various forms, private or public, one fine day. And, and yet, thank God for Jesus, we can repent and ask for mercy. And pray for mercy for those who have strayed. For “ there goest I but for the grace of God”.

The words of this wonderful hymn comes to mind as I close. And recall Frank James including it in a sermon one Sunday a long time ago:

Turn you eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grac

Peace.

In obedience.

LWJ

The third and final message I posted on Facebook. This one provides not only a bookend to the this week’s inspired word from the Lord, but more importantly offers hope for the Reid’s and for all accused and for all guilty of doing wrong :

FACEBOOK

Wisdom of Oswald Chambers on a night of great moment for the Reid’s. And for Jamaica!

“ Experimentally the meaning of life is to attain the excellency of a broken heart, for that alone entails repentance and acceptance, the two great poles of Bible revelation. “ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit” – why we don’t know but God has made it so.

Beyond the Podium with #MommyRocket: To God be The Glory

Jamaica’s two spirit queens had contrasting results at the IAAF Games on now in Doha Qatar. Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce won the Women’s 100 M in spectacular style, beating a quality field including the new British star, Dina Asher Smith, and Ivory Coast’s Marie -Josee Ta Lou. Many are now claiming that, #MommyRocket – as she is now known, replacing the #PocketRocket, ever since the birth of her son Zyon, who was the co-star after the finals – is now the face of the sport after the era of the legendary Usain Bolt.

On the other hand #FastElaine, Elaine Thompson, the double Olympic Gold Medalist, 100M and 200 M, in Rio just three years ago, failed to spark. And ended up without a medal in the 100 W finals, and withdrew from the 200 M semi finals, after her long standing Achilles Tendon problem acted up.

So for Jamaica it was a bitter sweet moment, as we all expected that both Shelly and Elaine would have been on the podium receiving individual medals of the Gold and Silver kind. Nevertheless we all celebrated with Shelly, and all the other medalists who have once again placed this “Small but Tallawah”, island, Jamaica land we love, #BrandJamaica, high on the international scene. And who knows maybe the best is yet to come next year at #Tokyo2020 at the Olympic Games!

However, looking, as recommended by the famous book written by Trinidadian Novelist and Cricket Analyst, C. L. R. James, “ Beyond The Boundary”, at Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce’s reaction to her win, in letters written to my church and our leaders this week, I would suggest that we have a lot more to celebrate and learn from this remarkable athlete.

THE LETTERS – MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY AFTER SHELLY’S HISTORIC WIN

#NUMBERONE #SUNDAYNIGHT

THE WORD OF GOD

“And he said unto me,

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 KJV

https://www.bible.com/1/2co.12.9-10.kjv

The passage came into my head shortly before retiring tonight. For good reasons. But more importantly after reading the Word, it come to me, that this is the essence of Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce #RoundTwo

Think back to #RioOlympics. To disappointment. To toe injury. To a dark place. To break away from MVP. To reconciliation. To recommitment. To 2019Doha.

And in all of that, her first reaction today was to “ Give God all the Praise”.

As a nation we could, and ought to learn much from #MommyRocket.

Listen to what one of the all time great theologians had to say about these “six words”. And by extension the other “nine word”.

SIX WORDS ARE ENOUGH

Karl Barth

Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9

My grace is sufficient for you……..Some of you may have heard that in the last forty years I have written many books, some large, but I will freely and frankly confess admit that that these six words say much more and much better than all the heaps of paper with which I have surrounded myself. They are enough – which cannot be said remotely of my books.

What can be old in my books can be at most that from afar they pint to what these six words say……

And the Collect ( the collective prayer) appointed for this Sunday agrees with Barth:

The Collect

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity:…..

COMMENT: I know that it is hard, but not impossible, for any political leader or aspiring leader, or group of politicians, policy makers, or those in waiting, to accept this truth that : “ my grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in weakness”.

I would therefore suggest that as we celebrate with Shelly Ann, we consider the States of Emergency and the reasons for them; the amount of informal settlements that we, as a people have created for our fellow human beings to live in; the extent of the lawlessness currently on show on our roads; and the devastation of family life, occasioned by many factors, but not withstanding the myriad of causes, the negative impact such a phenomenon has had on our social intercourse. And then consider if what we need is stronger leadership or a leader who is prepared to accept the truth,like Shelly Ann, that “ when I am weak ( in Christ) then I am strong”.

And then, just maybe the Lord, the God of mercy, and pity, might hear and forgive, and cause “ showers of blessings to fall on our country”; and “ streams of living water”, the Power of The Holy Spirit, to flow from such a “ weak leader”. Rather than the devastation and destruction that many are prophesying for our nation. On account of our collective wickedness! For, can so much blood continue to flow on our streets, and “ cry out to God”, and things continue to the same? Can so much corruption, misplaced priorities and personal disobedience to God, among the ruling class in our land, continue to happen without remorse, without even “ blushing”, and the God of Justice not act to defend the poor and the widow and the stranger and the vulnerable?

In obedience, there is much more to be said…but these six words are more than enough. And if obeyed, that life will point to the Only One, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and Him Crucified Who can rescue our land. Can heal this nation!. Which is the direction in which Shelly Ann is pointing tonight. That is, if we “ have eyes to see”. I.e. if we would just humble ourselves and believe. Then we would, as the promise, which cannot lie, declares, “ see the glory of God”

Peace

LWJ

#NUMBERTWO. #MONDAYMORNING

The message from last night continued this morning during my #earlymorningdevotions. Primarily to those who confess Christ but also to the entire society and especially our leaders.

Two related truths which have escaped the attention of some elements of the church, and led to the downfall of many Christians, and caused others to lead a lukewarm Christian life – following Christ from a distance, came to mind as I was reminded about a passage of Scripture which resonates well with last night’s message. Along with a meditation from a former slave ship owner turned not only Christian, but a Priest in the Anglican Church. One who influenced the great slave reformer William Wilberforce.

One truth is the fact that only the Holy Spirit can convict anyone of sin. Not any message from me, or any Pastor or Bishop, unless it is the work of the Spirit. And the whole purpose of whatever I write is to convict people of sin, so that they may come to love the Lord Jesus and be obedient to his Word. The message from John Newton!

The second truth is one which has been sacrificed at the altar of the so-called “ prosperity gospel”, ( that serving Christ leads to material gain and blessings) which is no gospel at all. And flies in the face of the eternal message of those “ six words” about which the Lord led me to write to you last night. About Grace and Mercy! The message in both the Word from John the Revelator, and the inspired word from Rev. John Newton.

The second truth is that “ flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of God ; you must be born again”. That unless the Holy Spirit invades our soul, and transforms our thinking, and we therefore come to, “ have the mind of Christ”, we cannot serve Christ effectively. For He died on the Cross of Calvary and was raised from the dead, not just to make us better human beings, but to give us “ new life”. The same life that He had.

But first we must be convicted of sin, and repent and desire with all our heart to be made new by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Then the “six words” will apply. My grace is sufficient for you, as we have accepted that we need to become not just weak, but dead to our present life, in and through the death and resurrection of Christ. For as the well known theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer stated, “ when the Lord calls a man ( or woman) He calls him to die!” Then and only can we become strong and help, not be the strongman, lest anybody boasts, to rescue Jamaica.

THE WORD OF GOD

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Revelation 3:6, 13-20 NIV

https://www.bible.com/111/rev.3.6,13-20.niv

THE ENCOUNTER

John Newton

Verse: Revelation 5.9

An evil long I took delight,

Unawed by shame or fear,

Till a new object struck my sight,

And stopped my wild career;

I saw One hanging on a tree

In agonies and blood,

Who fixed his languid eyes on me,

As near his cross I stood.

Sure never till my latest breath

Can I forget that look:

It seemed to charge me with his death,

Though not a word he spoke:

My conscience felt and owned the guilt,

And plunged me in despair;

I saw my sins his blood had spilt

And helped to nail him there.

Alas! I knew not what I did!

But now my tears are vain:

Where shall my trembling soul be hid?

For I the Lord have slain!

A second look he gave, which said,

‘ I freely all forgive;

This blood is for thy ransom paid.

I die, that thou mayst live’.

Thus, while his death my sin displays

In all its blackest hue,

Such is the mystery of grace,

It seals my pardon too…..

This kind of teaching has stopped my ‘wild career’. Hope it will stop yours too. And if you think otherwise, you have not yet plumbed the depths and truth of the scriptures, or have elected to ignore it:

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Viz,. “Put on Christ”. But it all begins with repentance, “ with a broken and contrite heart, O God you will not despise”.

In obedience.

Peace.

LWJ

#NUMBERTHREE #WEDNESDAYMORNING

2 Timothy 1:1-14

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

This is my second or third reading of this (extract from the) Epistle for Sunday. And it is full of dynamite. Nay even Fire! For this thing about rekindling the “ gift of God that is within you”, goes to the very heart of discipleship. Paul then reminds us that all the baptized, and all the confirmed, by the “ laying on of hands of the Bishop”, have received a gift. Which no one can take from us! This gift that is not a spirit of “ cowardice, but of power, and a love and self-discipline”!

But this gift of the Fire of the Holy Spirit with Whom we were baptized by Jesus “ I baptized you with water but one to come will baptize you with fire”, has to be “rekindled”, fanned into flames daily. How?

Listen to Paul carefully. Spirit of Power, love and self-discipline ( or self -control). So every time, and every opportunity that comes along that threatens to cause us to fear, is an opportunity to demonstrate our belief in the gift that is not a gift of cowardice. And so we fear not by the Power of the Gift!

Every opportunity we get to demonstrate God’s love to the poor, and the marginalized, the widow the orphan and the stranger, is an opportunity that God sends our way,like Lazarus and Dives, to fan into flames the gift of ( sacrificial) love.

Every time an opportunity arises where it seems hopeless, and that we just cannot manage, is an opportunity for us to fan into flames the gift of the power of the Holy Spirit, who alone can manage certain circumstances. In fact, any circumstance where a redeemed child of God is placed!

Every time, and very opportunity that arises where we need to exercise -self-control, and self-discipline, and God He knows how frequent those situations arise,as He is the One who allows them to happen to test our faith and self-control,is an opportunity to rekindle the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the Christian life, in a sense, calls for several disciplines.

Finally, and I was led to write about this earlier on this morning, in order that the gift is rekindled regularly, we need to have the only vision that a Christian ought to have in this confusing and confused world. God Himself! Not mission! Not church! Not heaven in and by itself! Which is the essence of the message of one of the all time great teaching hymns of the church.

BE THOU MY VISION

1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;

be thou my best thought by day or by night,

both waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

2 Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word;

be thou ever with thee and I with thee, Lord;

be thou my great Father, I thy true son;

be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

3 Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;

be thou my whole armour, be thou thou my true might ,

be thou my soul’s shelter, thou my strong tower:

O raise thou me heav’n-ward, great Pow’r of my pow’r.

4 Riches I need not, nor man’s empty praise,

be thou mine inheritance, now and always:

be thou and thou only the first in my heart,

O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure thou art.

5 High King of heaven, thou heave’s bright Sun,

O grant me its joys after victory is won,

great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.

In obedience.

Peace

LWJ