6^h February

 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You honour me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.”

Psalm 23:5

 God’s goodness cannot be put into a measurable figure or quantity. His faithfulness cannot be matched by any human endeavour. We have learnt that God is our protector, provider and deliverer, yet for all the verbs we can use to describe God’s character, none will ever do justice to the awesomeness of our God.

Today we learn an even more incredible truth about our Good Shepherd’s character in verse 5 of this wonderful psalm. David again uses the imagery of God providing for his every need, as he did verse 1 “I shall not want”. Yet the preparation of this feast is so much more than food. It is so much more than a table. In fact it encompasses all those things and more. David is using this imagery to describe the victory that he has in the Lord. That no matter what comes against him, God will purposefully prepare and lay out a spread that runs over with His provision and present it to him in spite of his circumstances. What intimacy and what assurance in an Almighty God.

The enemies that David described may not always come in the form of physical or spiritual foes, it may be circumstances or natural disasters, yet whatever it is we can rest in the fact that God has bought His table of provision right in the centre of the storm and has laid it out for us to feast on. The battle has been won and God is the Victor. All we need to do is rest in His victory. Let your cup of blessing run over. Feast on His provisions and know that whatever you are facing, God has prepared a table of victory for you this day. YOU are blessed. Go and share that blessing with others.

5^th February

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4 

Yesterday we learnt how the Lord promised through this wonderful psalm, to walk with us through our darkest valleys. God promised that He would protect and comfort us with His rod and staff. Yet how does this imagery translate in to our modern ideology?

David knew that when his flock were in danger, he had his staff to protect and rescue them. Interestingly the design of shepherd’s staff had a hook at one end. This was primarily used to reach sheep that had fallen and pull them up or out. It was also used stop the sheep from going near poisonous brambles and thorny bushes. The rod was also used to direct the sheep or to keep them in line. David knew that his own rod and staff was there to protect and watch over his flock. Yet he uses the same imagery when describing how God looked after and delivered him.

David’s life was full of trials, persecutions, and journeys into unknown territories. Yet throughout his life he learned to be in full trust of an Almighty God who looked after him just as he looked after his own sheep. God does not change and His promises are as true today as they were for David. He leads us with His rod, rescues and delivers us with His staff and guides us through life’s darkest valleys.

Speaking from my own experience whilst living a life of rebellion, I can truly say that at my darkest hour, when Christ reached out to me as my Good Shepherd, I reached onto His loving staff and He pulled me out of the hole I had dug my self into. God is merciful and its not to late to grab His staff too and let Him pull you out of the hole you find yourself in and re-direct your path.

4^th February

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4

 What a wonderful passage and promise. These words are as true today as there were for David. They are words of comfort, peace and promise.

David, in verse 4, continues in his description of the Lord as his Shepherd. We have heard in the preceding verses that God was his Provider and Protector. In today’s verse we learn about the sovereignty of an Almighty, Caring and Personal God.

David knew all too well of the dangers that waited in the perilous dark valleys as he tended his father’s flock. Most certainly the flock of sheep must have wandered to places that were dangerous and treacherous for not only sheep but for men too. Yet he took comfort in knowing that God was with him.

The great thing is, is that no matter where we find ourselves, whatever dangers face us, God is there to protect us. That dark valley may not always come in the literal form. It may be a situation where there seems to be no hope, no light at the end of the tunnel or no way out. Yet whatever it is, know this: that God is with you. David was sure that God was always there and took comfort in knowing that God walked with him through the valley. God may not always give us an easy route out of a hard situation. However, what we can be certain of, is that no matter where or what situation we face, He is “close beside” us. His rod of protection, deliverance and comfort helps us know that when we are in the darkest valley, we need not be afraid. It’s a promise. God is with us, to protect and comfort us! If you are walking through the darkest valley, take courage and know that God is lighting your path and walking close beside you.

3^rd February

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths bringing honour to His Name.”

Psalm 23:1-3

How often do we take for granted what God has given us? In this western world, we can simply turn on a tap and water comes out or stand under a shower of flowing hot water; a luxury that is so often overlooked in our prayers of thankfulness.

Yet our God is so much more than a provider of our physical needs. In fact He is all we need! Jesus in Luke chapter 15 tells us the story of the lost sheep. He explains that God cares about every individual so much that he pursues us with His tender love and care. Even if we find ourselves lost in the wilderness, He still chases after us, as a shepherd does for his lost sheep. When we are found He rejoices with great gladness. The picture of that lost sheep on top of his master’s shoulders highlights the Good Shepherd we serve; a Shepherd that never gives us on his sheep.

The role of a shepherd is not just to protect his sheep from danger, as we heard about yesterday but it is also to provide for a sheep’s every need. They have nothing but to rely on the shepherd’s provision. If the land is dry and famished then it’s a shepherd’s role to lead them to pastures new. His job is to shear their wool in the right season. Just as a sheep has no other option than to rely on his shepherd in order to survive, so we must fully rely on our Provider, Jesus the Good Shepherd. If you are lost in wilderness, shout out to Jesus and grab onto His loving staff. Let Him lead to green pastures and peaceful streams. Remember He is our everything! He is all we need and more!

2^nd February

  “The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths bringing honour to His Name.”

Psalm 23:1-3

 In today’s passage, we are reminded of God’s all sufficient provision and care for us, His sheep. David knew all too well what the role of a shepherd was. Before he became King, this was his occupation. His primary role was to tend for his father’s flock in the fields.

In the first book of Samuel, in chapter 17, the Israelites are confronted with an enemy that simply could not be beaten. His name was Goliath: a Philistine champion from Gath. He stood over nine feet tall, was a true warrior ready for battle and ready to fill the Israelites with fear and destroy anyone who confronted him. All the Israelite warriors were so fearful that no one wanted to fight him, then even ran away at his taunts.

However there was one man bold and brave enough to face this giant: David, the shepherd. He explains to King Saul that in his job he had encountered many enemies. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats…. When a lion or a bears comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth.” David was so confident in God’s mighty power (as he had experienced so many times before), that he was sure that God would protect him from Goliath. He had no hesitation to face and eventually defeat Israel’s enemy!

The same is with us today. God is our Shepherd; he protects us and watches over us. If we are need He comes to our rescue. If we are in danger, He fights for us. All we need to do is trust in His victory and not in our circumstance. We are sheep in His flock and we can trust that He will protect us because He has already won the battle. Be confident in God’s mighty power. Let your Goliath tremble at the sight of your Good Shepherd!

31st Jan – 1st Feb

“There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you.”

James 2:13

Un-forgiveness spreads like cancer. It eats us inside, causing our hearts to become hard, bitter and resentful. Even when we are not in the same room as a person who has wronged us, we find ourselves arguing with them. That is a sure sign that there is un-forgiveness in your heart.

When Jesus uttered the words “forgive them as they know not what they are doing”, He broke the stronghold of un-forgiveness towards His executioners . In His death and resurrection He defeated any power that un-forgiveness had and liberated us to be free from its chains and bondages. Yet part of showing that same forgiveness to others comes from acknowledging you have been forgiven. If you have repented from your sins, there is no separation between you and your loving Father. God Himself has pardoned you. When we realise that, we can be set free to forgive others. With the same measure of mercy we have been shown, we should show mercy to others.

This weekend show mercy to someone. Release them from being held captive in your heart. Liberate your own hearts by letting go. If it’s too painful then ask The Lord, the greatest example, to help you and guide you through it. There is great joy in knowing that you are forgiven and that because of your forgiveness, you can forgive others.

“But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you“

30^th Janaury

 “Jesus said, “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

Luke 23:34

So often the best lessons learnt are those that are taught by example. Here in today’s passage we learn one of the greatest lessons that can be learnt, taught by someone living it as He is being crucified.

Jesus had just been betrayed by one of His disciples whom he had invested in for the last three years. Judas in cold blood led the temple guard to Jesus in the dark of night, in the garden of Gethsemane, and betrayed His Friend, Rabbi and Master with a lifeless kiss. Moments later Jesus is being spat upon, called blasphemous, having His beard ripped out, hit with a staff, and judged by the false accusations presented against Him. He then is flogged to cowardly leaders who betray the just authority that was given to them by sentencing and executing an innocent man (who by the way had done nothing by the Roman law to deserve death). Then in Jesus’ darkest moment of complete vulnerability, when the crow cried out, Peter one of Jesus’ closet friends and disciples betrays Him by denying He ever knew His Master.

Yet here, after all of the above, Jesus cries through a beaten, broken and almost lifeless body, “Father forgive them, they know not what they are doing.” What love!! You almost have to double take. Did Jesus really just say that? After all He has been through? If anyone has the right to be angry, hold resentment, scream, shout and curse, then it’s Jesus! But He doesn’t do that at all. All the comes out of Jesus, even in His darkest moment, is LOVE..

If there is someone whom you are holding animosity towards, bearing a grudge towards or simply can’t forgive; look at Jesus as your example. He had every right not to forgive but He did so liberally. You are forgiven, so you must forgive yourself and with the same measure you have been forgiven, forgive others! Jesus showed us how to do it. Go and do likewise!

29^th January

“Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ”Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No Lord, “ she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. GO AND SIN NO MORE.” 

John 8:1-11 (NLT)

Have you ever heard about the idea of the judgemental pointing finger? Every time you point a finger at someone, look at your hand. There are three fingers pointing back at you. Although this has a humorous undertone, there is a truth in that picture that’s highlighted in this story.

As we talked about yesterday there was only one person without sin and only one who had the right to judge and throw a stone at the adulterous woman: Jesus Christ! Yet He didn’t. He didn’t condemn the woman; instead He showed immense grace and mercy. However He didn’t leave it there. He leaves her with the most powerful words in this story, “Go and sin no more.”

The ‘GO’ symbolises a complete pardon from the sin…. It’s almost like Jesus is saying, ‘you are forgiven, Go, you’re a free woman’. He then says, “Sin no more”. This is an even deeper statement. When Jesus forgives us He wants our lives to be radically transformed though the power of the Holy Spirit. Repentance is walking in the opposite direction to the way you were living. God does have an unlimited resource of love, mercy and grace but He also will not be mocked. He wants our lives to change. In fact when we are saved, we become a NEW CREATION. Just as he commanded this adulterous woman to change her lifestyle, so He does with us.

When we think about what work Jesus has done in our lives and how much He has saved us from, when someone else does wrong to us, instead of pointing the judgemental finger or picking up the condemning stone to throw, remember the same measure of forgiveness you have been shown, is the same measure you should show to others. GO AND SIN NO MORE!

28^th January 

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. The Law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 

John 8:1-11 (NLT) 

In today’s passage, John tells of the account of the woman caught in adultery.

The story starts with Jesus teaching in the temple. As He was teaching the Pharisees and Scribes bring in a woman caught in the very act of adultery. This was fresh off the press. They threw her down at Jesus’ feet and then laid down the law. Interestingly they quote the Law of Moses to Jesus (Leviticus 20:10, Deuteronomy 22:22). They knew that Roman law prohibited the death sentence unless decided by a Roman court. So if Jesus let people stone her, then they could report Him for treason and get Jesus arrested. On the other hand they knew that if Jesus went against the Law of Moses (their law), then He would be classed as blasphemous or even at worst, a false prophet.

Yet Jesus in His wisdom and grace, turns to the crowd and says to them, ’sure you can stone her, feel free, but let the one without sin throw the first stone!’ Amazingly one by one they all left because no one was without sin and no one had the right to condemn. Well not everyone left. One person remained. Jesus. Why? Because He was the only one without sin. He had every right to stone her yet the words that come out of His mouth were words of acceptance, forgiveness and kindness. ‘I don’t condemn you either’.

Jesus did not come into this world to waggle a pointed finger at everyone who had broken the law and sinned. He knew no one could keep it. That is why He came: To live a sinless life, as an example to us and by doing so set us free from the law and the power of sin. Remember today that Jesus came to save you and not condemn you!

 “God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him!”

27th January

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them white as snow. Though they are like red crimson, I will make them white as wool.”

Isaiah 1:18

Sin is serious. Sin has consequences. Sin leaves scars. Yet there is no sin that’s too big for God to forgive, to heal you of or to set you free from.

In today’s passage taken from the first chapter of Isaiah, God is communicating with the people of Judah. They had abandoned Gods laws, God’s righteousness and purposed to live a life in opposition to Him. The first few verses in this chapter are almost like a conviction statement being read out in a court. The verdict was guilty. Even Jerusalem, once so faithful is now branded as a promiscuous prostitute. The situation was looking bad.

Yet in the bleakness of utter condemnation, a light shone in the darkness… Gods never ending, unlimited resource of grace, love and mercy. The judge and prosecutor slams down the judgement… “Let’s settle this”. The next sentence absolutely blows the readers mind.. “Though your sins are like scarlet”..”though they are red like crimson”, “I will make them as white as snow”..”as white as wool”. What a promise. God promised to not only forgive their sins, but to wash them completely clean in His love.. What love is that!

The interesting thing is that although God would and did forgive them, the fullness of that complete personal washing was only fully fulfilled at the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was made complete when the sinless Son of man, both fully human and fully God, came and gave His life as a sinless, spotless lamb, bearing our punishment on the cross. He had a clear conviction statement that declared we were guilty, yet in His goodness, presented Himself in our place, as our replacement.

Jesus’ words in Luke 4 are so ever true today, “He has sent Me to proclaim that CAPTIVES WILL BE RELEASED, THE BLIND WILL SEE AND THE OPPRESSED WILL BE SET FREE!” Take your healing, claim your forgiveness and be free. We are no longer prisoners, our ransom has been paid and our crimson stains are washed clean.