Friday 15^th March

Psalm 133 

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers (and sisters) dwell in unity” (verse 1)

 This wonderful psalm is a constant reminder of God’s desire for His church. There really is nothing like unified, corporate praise and worship of our Heavenly together in unity. The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 84:10, that one day in the house of God is better than a thousand elsewhere. There is no truer saying than this. Being in God’s house, where His people dwell in UNITY commands a blessing and is God’s desire for His people. Look at God’s original design in the garden of Eden. He walked face to face with Adam and Eve, in unity and togetherness until of course they decided to break that communion and unity with Him. God’s purpose for mankind was that all people would be united in love and in their worship and adoration of Him. He will be our God and WE will be His people. Yet the truth is that so often unity takes a back seat in some churches. What does a unified church look like then?

In verse 2 we read of the blessing Aaron received as the high priest by the anointing of oil on his head. The significant thing here is that the oil symbolizes blessing. Not only did the oil go down from his head, but onto his beard, robes and most probably to his feet. Also as high priest Aaron would wear the breastplate bearing all the names of the tribes of Israel. When oil was poured on his head, God’s blessing was not just for Aaron but also over the unity of Israel. The significance of God’s anointing is the abundance of His free flowing blessings for unified worship to Him. This imagery is used to describe God’s blessings in corporate unity. The blessing of God’s favour is never ending. Moreover, oil in the Bible is often used to describe the Holy Spirit. Not only do we receive God’s blessing and favour but also the Holy Spirit’s anointing in equipping us to serve Him. Only with His blessings can we be a truly unified body.  

Finally in verse 3 David gives the example of the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. The significance here is that water brings life. David uses the imagery of God’s divine provision of water as a symbolism of unity. Where unity is there is life. Where life is God is at work. A unified church is alive and active both corporately and in their surrounding community.

 How good and pleasant is it when churches live together in unity. Not just as a body of believers but also as a worldwide body, working together for the glory and extension of God’s kingdom. For there is a blessing in unity, there is life in unity and there the Lord has commanded a blessing. UNITED!!

Thursday 14^th March

1 Peter 5:7

 I recently read a wonderful illustration of how carrying burdens can affect your daily life.  

“A lecturer when explaining stress management to an audience,

Raised a glass of water and asked

‘How heavy is this glass of water?’

 Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

 The lecturer replied, ‘The absolute weight doesn’t matter.

It depends on how long you try to hold it..

If I hold it for a minute, that’s not a problem.

If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my right arm.

If I hold it for a day, you’ll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it’s the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.’

He continued,

‘And that’s the way it is with stress management.

If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later,

As the burden becomes increasingly heavy,

We won’t be able to carry on. ‘

‘As with the glass of water,

You have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again.

When we’re refreshed, we can carry on with the burden.’

‘So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don’t carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow.”

This great example of the consequences of holding onto burdens can live as a reminder of the danger that it has. The weight of our burdens however big or small increasingly becomes heavier throughout our lives if we do not lay it at the feet of Jesus. The only difference between this example and what the Bible teaches us, is that once the burden is laid down at the feet of Jesus, there is no need to pick it up again. It is dealt with. Finished. The price has been paid for. The weight of our burdens disappears at the finished work of the cross. 

1 Peter 5:7 tells us that we should give our cares to Jesus. Why? Because He cares for us. Jesus cares about the smallest of things to the largest weight and He is ready to take our burdens from us. This also requires humility to know that there is someone greater than ourselves and that we don’t have to try to fix everything in our own strength.

Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30 shares a similar message using the imagery of yoke. There are many interpretations from this text but the underlying tone is that of a God who wants to release us from our burdens and carry them for us. The laws of the Pharisees often became a heavy a burden for people to obey and carry. Jesus describes it as a yoke. A yoke was designed to keep an ox or oxen together as they ploughed the fields and to make sure that they kept in a straight line. Jesus reassures His listeners that His yoke is easy. His ways are not burdensome like the Pharisees endless laws that burden the people of Israel. Why? Because Jesus is next to you helping you. He has already lived the perfect life and carried our burdens for us. Now He lives to help us in our lives and to set us free from the weights that hold us down. Not only does He liberate us from the laws burdens but gives us grace to carry on and follow Him. He helps us worship Him.

What’s in your glass today? How long have you held it for and is your arm aching from carrying it? I encourage you today. Leave it at the cross and feet of Jesus. His yoke is easy and light. No matter what you carrying, once laid down, don’t pick it up again. He cares for YOU!

Wednesday 13th March

1 Corinthians 13:2

There are some verses in the Bible that directly speak to you heart. Today’s passage is one of them. Faith without love in your life is as nothing. Wow. 

During the last few days we have looked at the power of the prayer of faith. Faith in us and through us strengthens our belief that when we pray, God answers. There are so many examples of men and women of God, both in the Bible and in our lives today, that are so full of faith that they literally could ‘move a mountain’ with their prayers. Yet Paul highlights an extremely important challenge and characteristic that a Christian should do and have in his/her life….LOVE. 

1 Corinthians 13 is most commonly associated with weddings. The poetic beauty of what love is and isn’t, challenges the couple (or those reading it) about the worth of love and its importance in everyday life. However what is commonly skipped over is the imagery of the “super Christian” who has all spiritual gifts and ‘faith to move mountains’ but if they lack in love, then it is all meaningless. Of course this example is found in the first 3 verses of 1 Corinthians 13.

 Lets be more specific here. Verse 2 says “and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” Love is the key to a fruitful Christian life. Love is God’s core. If we lack in love then our prayers become self-centred and instead of believing for the impossible, we become so engrossed in our own lives that we forget to listen to the Holy Spirit’s promoting in our hearts. Without love not only do our prayers become self-centred but our lives become self-centred. Then we become as nothing. 

I believe that the kind of faith (πίστιν) talked of here, is the faith we have been discussing this week, to see and believe God’s work in action where humanly speaking it is impossible. The underlying truth however, is that if we lack in love firstly towards God, then ourselves and then ultimately others, then our faith is meaningless, fruitless and comes to nothing expect egocentric thoughts and desires. 

Are you seeing God’s mighty powers through your life? Are witnessing His miraculous healing power? Do you have a fruitful faith filled prayer life? If you answered no to any of these questions then I challenge you to search you heart. Is love being shown and lived out through your life? For without love, we are nothing.

Tuesday 12^th March

Matthew 17:19-21, Luke 13:18-19

 Yesterday we learnt of what faith means in practical everyday life. We learnt that if we have the faith of a mustard seed we can move a mountain. We can have a hope and an assurance of things we might not be able to see with our physical eyes change in the Spiritual realm in accordance with God’s will. We learnt that what seems impossible with man can be more than possible with God. Finally we learnt that actually, a lot more people have faith that just God-fearing Christians. They just don’t know it yet.

I wanted this morning to go back to the imagery of a mustard seed and give an alternate or complimentary interpretation. Although the mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds in the known world, when planted it doesn’t stay small. I’ll explain. When Jesus used the imagery of a mustard seed, was He just talking just about the size of our faith or is it possible that His metaphor was deeper than that. You see when you plant a mustard seed, it grows into a huge plant that often resembles a tree. Jesus used this illustration when explaining about the Kingdom of God in Luke 13. It grew so large that birds could lay nests in it. Could it be possible that here Jesus is not solely talking about the size of your faith but also the process by which your small faith can grow into a large tree/plant.

 Think about it like this. Sometimes when we are on our own praying about something, our measure of faith to believe God for the impossible is somewhat limited. We might put some worship music on to create an atmosphere of faith and engage with God’s presence. This might temporarily increase our faith. Or how about when you are in a corporate setting of prayer whereby the sound of the other believers petitions and praises towards God almighty increases your faith in your own personal prayer. Or even greater still how about when you witness a miracle first hand or receive a prophetic word. Does this not increase your faith? The truth is that different settings and atmosphere can increase or decrease our faith. The target is to have unwavering faith so that whatever context or situation we might find ourselves in, we still can have faith to believe that what we will ask for, in accordance to God’s will, will be answered.

 Look at Jesus’ faith. No matter what context He found Himself in, He always had the faith to deliver people from demonic oppression or from life long paralysis. There is of course one exception to this, where Jesus could not perform any miracles other than lay hands on a few sick people, found in Mark 6:5. However that was not down to Jesus’ lack of faith or ability to heal but rather was a rejection of His divinity in His hometown.

Sometimes faith needs to time to grow in our hearts. We might be in different seasons of our lives and different contexts when we pray but our faith to believe God for all things should be consistent as was shown in our one true example, Jesus Christ. The season you may be in right now might be at the seed stage (and that’s ok) but once watered into God’s fields of provision watch and see the fruit of the harvest. Let your faith grow from a mustard seed into a living tree and soar to the heavens, to God’s very heart. Ask God to increase your faith so you may have the full assurance that what you will, you will receive. Amen.

Monday 11^th March

Hebrews 11:1, Matthew 17:19-21

 I recently watched a film that touched my heart called ‘Salmon fishing in Yemen’. During the film there is conversation between a rich Siekh and a knowledgeable agriculturist who has a particular interest in fishing. The conversation starts from the Siekh’s desire to start salmon fishing in Yemen although the fishing expert is adamant it won’t work due the warm climate. The conversation goes like this…

“Do you believe in God Mr Jones (from Siekh) …No… I’m more of a facts and figures kind of man (from fishing expert). Why not? You are a fisherman. Tell me Mr Jones how many hours do you spend waiting to fish? (from Siekh)  Actually hundreds of hours sometimes (from fishing expert). Is that a good use of time for a facts and figures man? Why do you wait so long before you catch a fish? Is it because you have faith that eventually you will catch you rod into the river and catch a fish? (from Siekh). I say Mr Jones… I think you are a man of faith.”

 Faith. It sounds like such a simple word but often requires believing the impossible. However faith is not a far-fetched ideology but a practical real belief in what is not seen but unseen. Again faith is not believing into thin air for some crazy wacky idea but it is simply trusting in the one who made the world has the power to sustain it and provide for His creation. Hebrews 11:1 interprets faith as being the substance of things hoped for. The NLT translates it as this “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Again it is not randomly hoping or wishing for something but rather trusting that what we have prayed for, God in His perfect will will answer. It is confidence that we can believe that what we ask, will be answered.

 Too often I have hear people say “I don’t have enough faith to pray for this and that”. I want to challenge that thought process this morning. Jesus said, that in order to move a mountain we need to have the faith of a mustard seed. This was spoken in the context of the disciple’s lack of faith. A father brought his demon possessed son to the disciples who could not deliver the boy from his oppression. After Jesus had delivered the boy’s demons, they asked why they could not. Jesus then replied to them and said it was because of their lack of faith and added that if anyone has the faith of a mustard seed, they can move a mountain. Jesus encouraged them to believe in what they are praying for.

 What is your faith like this morning? Do you know that a mustard seed is one of the smallest grains/seeds in the known world? You have more faith than that when you trust a chair to hold your weight when you sit on it. Or even greater faith is to know that when you sleep you will wake up in the morning. Just as Mr. Jones had the faith to believe that when he cast his fishing rod into the Scottish river that he would catch a fish, so we should have faith that when we pray God will answer our prayers in accordance to his will. Faith is the back bone of our prayer life. Pray with the Holy Spirit’s guidance to the Father through the Son, Jesus Christ! Watch and see what God will do through your prayer of faith.

To all the mothers who read this blog,

Mothers are to be remembered and honoured this day, because raising children is not a job but lifestyle. The difficulties of waking in the middle of the night to feed a crying baby, to the adrenaline pumped terrible two’s, to the adolescent teenage rebellions. A mother must stay steadfast and be a rock to her children in every season of their lives. Sometimes this pressure is over looked as they battle to feed, clothe and bath their children and so often maintain a full time job whilst balancing the role of a wife and keeping the house in order. Today we honour you mums, respect your lives and appreciate all you do for us.

 May God continue to fill you with wisdom, love and patience as you continue your journey in raising future servants of our Lord Jesus Christ. We appreciate you but more importantly your role as Mother is favoured by God almighty. He watches over you and is proud. We bless you in Jesus’ Name.

Anthony Achilleos

p.s. Might a add an extra appreciation to my own mother who has stuck with me through the rebellious seasons of my life and whose prayers have kept me in the faith. Mum, I love you xx

Friday 8^th March

Joshua 1:9, 1:13, 3:9, 5:15, 6:20-21, 21:43-45, 24:15

The closing study of Joshua’s life ends with a summary of all the lessons we have learnt from this Godly obedient servant of God. So often in this wonderful book we read of God’s instruction and Joshua’s deliverance of those instructions to His people and how God truly was him in every step of the journey into and whilst conquering the land promised to his forefathers. Above are key verses in the book of Joshua that highlight his obedience, servant heartedness and submission to God’s voice and direction in his life.

Two of those verses mentioned above have really stood out to me during this journey through Joshua’s life. The first is Joshua 5:15 and the second is Joshua 21:43-45.

We read in Joshua chapter 5, verses 13-15 of the commander of the Lord’s army. Although we have already discussed this topic I wanted to bring to your attention another key lesson that I feel we can learn from and replicate in our lives. The key to leadership is submission. Joshua was commissioned to lead. His role was clear. He was a leader. The people already submitted to his leadership in chapter 1 after Moses had handed the baton of leadership to him. It was clear Joshua was the man in charge. However, we read in verses 13-15 that there is someone else in charge whose authority is far greater than that of Joshua’s. Joshua knew that he was supposed to lead the people in the conquest of Jericho’s walled city yet here we see a dialogue between Joshua and the commander of the Lord’s army whereby it is Joshua who is taking orders. Joshua in total submission falls flat on his face, worships and even takes his sandals off in an awareness of holiness. He knew his place. Joshua was aware of his role as “leader” however he was also aware that all authority given to him was subject to God’s ultimate authority and leadership over him. It takes a humble leader to admit that they are subject to greater authority. No matter what role you are in at work, school or in a church context, know that your leadership is submissive to God’s ultimate authority. That is the key to successful leadership; Submission to God. Joshua’s submission to God and acceptance of His unconventional war tactics led to the defeat of Jericho. We too can overcome battles in our daily lives if we just learn to submit to God in all we do.

The second verse I wanted to highlight is Joshua 21:43-45. The reason we can submit to God’s authority and leadership is simply because He knows best and what He says He will do, He will do. This passage stands as a reminder of God’s faithfulness, the truth of His promise and the confidence in His words. Joshua knew from the beginning of his role as leader that God would lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land. Why? Because He said He would. In chapter 1 verse 13 Joshua finds himself encouraging others with this promise. Skip a few chapters forwards and we read of the fulfilment of this promise. Verse 44 says, “The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that the He had sworn to their fathers.” And again we read in verse 45 “Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true (NLT).” What wonderful words of encouragement. Joshua knew that God would keep His promises. And it was in full confidence in God’s words that Joshua could submit to God’s authority and consequentially lead the people of Israel effectively.  Here again we are reminded that God says and does exactly what He promises. What a faithful, merciful, trustworthy and true Father we serve.

Today take courage in God’s promises, submit to His Divine authority, be a humble leader and know that God does what He says He will do.

 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Amen

(Joshua 1:9)

Thursday 7^th March

Hebrews 12:3, Joshua 24:2-15

 A friend of mine shared an amazing story with me yesterday. Her encouraging words prompted me to share her story with you as I feel it links in well with our passage this morning.

 Her church was hosting a weekend away conference. On the Saturday there was an opportunity to either play sports, go for a walk or stay indoors to do some crafts. Neither one appealed to my friend. She is currently suffering from cancer and physical exercise easily tires her. The only option left was crafts but this too was not ideal as she says she is not good with her hands. The object of the craft was to take a piece of string and some-how design a cross-like shape by weaving the string together. There were only one or two people in the room with her. They finished in less than 30 minutes leaving my friend highly discouraged. She began muttering under breath of her discontentment and felt like giving up. Unknown to her, there was someone else in the room who had been listening to her grumblings. The room started to fill up with a few more people eager to make cross’ from the string.

 Suddenly the person who was in the room with my friend from the beginning came up to her and said, “I have been watching you get frustrated. You don’t have to give up because you have cancer…. Do you know that you can persevere? Look what is in your hands. You can persevere because of the cross.” At these words her heart was greatly encouraged and she continued until she had finished. What took others 30 minutes took her 2 hours and 30 minutes but the lesson learnt was priceless. Our situations might look bleak and hopeless; we might be suffering with long-term sicknesses or financial difficulties but when we look to the cross we can persevere. Jesus has gone before us, tempted and tried in every way so we don’t have to struggle. Instead we can look to the cross, draw strength from the risen King and rejoice in the victory won.

Joshua’s final message to the Israelites, after they conquered all their enemies and distributed the lands to all the tribes of Israel, was to encourage his people to put the Lord first in their hearts and lives. Joshua reminds them of their history from the days of Abraham to the saving grace shown to them as they were led out of Egypt en route to the Promised Land. Joshua reminds his people of God’s faithfulness towards them as they journeyed through the wilderness and even after they had crossed the River Jordan and defeated the people of Jericho. 

Then in verse 13 his speech reaches its climax. He tells them how God gave them land that they did not labour for, cities they did not build, food and drink from vineyards and olives groves that they did not plant. God had been merciful and faithful towards His chosen people. However Joshua reminds them that their forefathers missed out on God’s inheritance for them because of their rebellion to Him in worshipping unknown and foreign gods. He warns them to stay away form such idols but that the decision was their own. He had made a decision for his family that they were going to worship and serve the Lord. Verse 15, my favourite verse, says this “You know God’s faithfulness and how He never gave up on you. You can serve the empty idols but you know what, as for me and my house, we are going to serve the Lord” (paraphrased).

This morning I want to ask you a question. Whom will you serve? Will you serve and submit to the hardships and trials in your lives? Or will you chose to serve the Lord God Almighty who endured the cross to make it possible for you to persevere? Don’t give up on God, He never gives up on us.

Wednesday 6^th March

Joshua 6:1-21

Nobody likes to read about war. War saddens my heart. In fact sometimes when I read some of the Old Testament stories, as we have been discovering this last week, there is the harsh reality that God commanded people to be killed at the hands of mighty men of valour such as Joshua. The truth is that opposing God only has one end. It is hard to fathom yet when we understand God’s holy and divine character, we realise that no matter who you are, we all fall short of God’s glory. The only difference between saint and sinner is the recognition of that fact and being reconciled to the Father through accepting Christ’s atoning work on the cross. So we no longer are enemies of God but friends of God, no longer face the wrath of God but abide in His grace. 

The simple truth is that this was the case with Israel’s enemies. They opposed God and His people. They built altars and worshipped false idols. They replaced the Almighty Creator God with created beings of no worth and value. Because of their rebellion there was only one end! Utter destruction at the hands of the Joshua’s army. In fact God commanded that they utterly destroy all living creatures and livestock. We read in verse 21 of the account of Jericho’s devastating defeat. The victory had been won and Joshua’s men and were triumphant. The only people who were saved from God’s judgement on Jericho, were Rahab and her family. God had brought His justice on the land and given His chosen people their first victory in the Promised Land and the beginning of the covenantal promise He had made to Abraham, Moses, Isaac and Jacob. 

Why have we explored this subject today? Well, in essence the reality of war and death, especially at the command of God’s Words, are hard to swallow and understand. However, it is important to remind and encourage ourselves with the truth that God is sovereign and He is with us when we face adversary and hardships. The end result may not be the same as in Old Testament times as we now live under the banner of grace but God’s desire to see His creations living in purity, obedience and holiness is still as strong today and it was then.

Let this then be the encouragement for you today. That it is not too late to turn back to God and let Him have the victory in your life. It is not too late to make your peace with a Jealous and Holy God who desires your full love and adoration. He never gives up on you. He never gave up on Israel. It is we who give up on Him just as Israel did. But there is hope. God is for us and not against us. He wants us to draw near to Him. He wants us to step out in faith and receive the blessings He has for us. I leave you with these song lyrics from Matt Redman in his inspired song, Never Once. Remember God is faithful and He fights for us.

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

 Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Tuesday 5^th March

Joshua 6:1-21

 Yesterday’s devotion took the focus off Joshua’s abilities or strengths as a leader and focused entirely on God’s provision for him and his people through the ‘commander of the Lord’s army.’ Today, the focus is still God’s victory, but through an obedient vessel willing to hear what God says and act upon His unconventional tactics.

As Joshua converses with the Lord as to how they will defeat Jericho, those inside the walled city are trembling in fear. A great expectation about the Israelites imminent attack had fallen upon the people of Jericho. They had heard of Israel’s great victories through God’s provision and were doing everything they could to defend themselves from the mighty hand of the Lord. Verse 1 says that they were so afraid that all access both into the city and out of it were locked up as a method of defence.

 The Lord again reminds Joshua that he goes into the battle with a 100% guarantee of victory. See when God is with us the odds are always in our favour even when circumstance might say otherwise. Moses’ parting words to Joshua to be strong and courageous were now paramount to this young leader as he prepared his troops for battle and received his tactical orders from the Lord.

Verse 3 -7 tells us how Joshua was to defeat Jericho and penetrate their protective walls. God commanded Joshua to send 7 priests and the ark covenant to walk around Jericho’s walls once a day for 6 days. Then on the seventh day, Joshua and the priests were to march around the walls 7 times. On the seventh time they were to blow their ram’s horns and shout in a loud voice. Then the walls of this fortified city would collapse and they were to charge and claim their victory. Now if God said I want you to walk around the city, blow a horn and shout, would you really think that victory was possible? YES!! Why? Because God had said it would happen. That was the assurance Joshua had. What God says He will do, that is exactly what will happen. Joshua had full confidence in his orders and relayed that exact message to his troops. Sure enough in verses 12-20 the victory was theirs. The walls of the mighty city of Jericho crumbled to the floor and their enemy was defeated. The victory had been won.

 Looking back at this story and Joshua’s journey with God, it is clear to see that his faith never wavered as he had a full assurance in God’s promise and His voice. He had ears to hear and the confidence to act upon God’s word. We may not have to ever face a situation of Jericho’s size or have to cross the Red Sea by foot by we know that in whatever situation we are faced with, both big and small, we can have full assurance that when God promised He would never leave us or forsake us, He meant. His presence goes before us and in Him the victory is won. God has issued the victory cry and shouts over us in triumph. Go and walk in your victory.