Omission

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‘Go you into all the world.’ This is what the Great Commission tells us but all too easily the commission becomes the omission – the time is not right, I’m waiting for the call, Lord, not there, not now. We can make all the feeble excuses imaginable.

It might not be time for our Great Commission but what about the small commission, what about that un-glamourous call? The lady over t he road needs our help putting her bins out. We could write a letter of encouragement to someone or even send a text. We could become really expansive and make that a phone call or visit. There will be no accolades for doing these things but they are still a commission!

Great commissions are seen by everyone but small deeds of compassion are of equal value. Jesus made this quite clear in His sermon on the mount. God sees these actions and will give His own reward. May our commission become a submission.

Graciousness

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Proverbs 22:11 tells us ‘He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king as a friend.’ As Christians we are to be gracious and show love to others. Again in Proverbs we read ‘A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.’ But I am not a Christian who thinks that I should keep quiet under any circumstances. The important thing is how I do it.

How can we keep remain silent when a medical appointment is cancelled without notice or essential medicines are not available at the chemist because of mismanagement? What about the door slammed in your face or a workman failing to turn up without any explanation? Although I can feel anger on my own behalf I am even more annoyed when a vulnerable person is badly treated. I have the verbal ability, mental capacity and courage to object. They do not always.

We know this is not a fair world and there are many injustices but as Christians we still need to be gracious. Proverbs again gives us an answer. ‘A gentle answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.’ Proverbs 15:1

Balaam and His Donkey

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The life of Balaam is a complex one. He was thought to be a non-Israelite, a wicked prophet but not a false one. As he grew up in the area where Abraham had lived, it is likely that he had come to know about God in that way. As a soothsayer who foretold the future, the meaning of his name – Destroyer of People was not an auspicious one!

Being gifted and eloquent he came to the notice of Balak king of Moab, who was afraid of the power of the Israelites. The king offered money to Balaam to curse this nation. It would appear that in his heart Balaam wanted to issue this curse but seemed to ask God’s instructions first. Eventually God allowed him to journey along to carry out this cursing. This is where the donkey behaved with the wisdom of a man and Balaam acted with the folly of a donkey.

Balaam ‘s life was saved by the donkey who protected him from the angel with a sword. The cursing turned into a blessing. God was faithful to His chosen people.

Creation

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The other day I had the privilege to hear the oratorio ,’The Creation’ written by Haydn in April 1798. I think of all the oratorios this my favourite with the composer’s rhythmic and melodic harmonies bursting forth. Taking just over four minutes to perform it is based on the first few chapters of Genesis telling of the six days of creation and the time Adam and Eve spent in the Garden of Eden up to the time of the Fall.

The performance took place in the beautiful Carlisle Cathedral. The setting was magnificent, especially the famous blue and gold ceiling depicting the heavens. The atmosphere was sublime especially when the choir sang the chorus ‘The heavens are telling the glory of God, the wonders of His work.’

As I sat listening I was surrounded by the beauty of the cathedral built by the skill of man through the gifts of God and the beauty of God’s creation outside as the daylight gave way to the softer glow of the dusk.

A Secret Visitor

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Sadly my friend is in hospital after a fall with a suspected broken hip. I was so sorry when this happened to her and was pleased when I was able to visit. I trust that my company was a slight help to her but then I fell to thinking about why I visited. Was it because I wanted people to know I’d been and then say ‘Well done, Carol!’

Jesus warned about showing our good works before men. In Matthew 6:1 He says, Be careful, do not do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them.’ I enjoy hospital visitation and belong the the hospital chaplaincy team. Because I enjoy it does it mean it is of no value? Surely what matters is whether it helps the patient.

In the end my conscience was assuaged . No-one knew I had visited her. X-rays have shown that she has not broken her hip but she is still in a lot of pain. I shall continue to pray for her in private.

Up

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I’m sorry but I’ve pinched this from someone else, but it is so good I wanted to share it.

”It’s time for our church to wake up and sing up, preach up and pray up and never give up, or let up, or shut up, until the church is filled up or we go up.’

I would love to be in a church like that, but it’s up to me to sit up and take notice. I mustn’t leave it to others, I need to do my part.

Why Did He Weep?

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John 11:32 tells us that Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus. Pope Leo the Great says ‘In His humanity Jesus wept for Lazarus; in His divinity he raised him from the dead.’ Why did He weep? He wept because He was bereaved of a great friend. He wept in sympathy for his friends who were also bereaved. He was weeping for our infirmities because mankind also faces death.

In His weeping He is also weeping for us today. He is besides us in our pain, partings and sadness. Psalm 30:5 tells us ‘weeping may remain for a night but rejoicing comes in the morning.’ He knows that weeping is not the final answer.

So as Jesus weeps, He is weeping for the past, for His present and also for our present.

United

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Each week I go to a Bible study with another denomination from the one I belong to. I also join with a prayer group again with another denomination. Although a protestant myself, I’ve just been to a lecture from a Catholic author. I’m sure that each Sunday our services are different, but what we all have in common is that we love the Lord and believe that He died for our sins and believe in the sovereignty of the Bible.

It is sad when the world sees parts of the church working against each other. According to the Bible it is not God’s wish that we should be at loggerheads. We need to concentrate on what we have in common. Emphasis on our similarities and the same leader should be in our minds. As the hymn writer says ‘The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ our Lord.’ S. J. Stone

United in Prayer

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As I live alone most of my praying is done with no-one else present. That is fine, I find a place that is comfortable and quiet and have a conversation with God. This means that without any distraction I can concentrate on prayer and the conversation I am having. But I’m sure God doesn’t want us always to prayer alone. He made us for fellowship and He knows the power of corporate prayer.

By praying with others, a solid and united prayer is going up to heaven. When we are praying together there is also the opportunity to be vulnerable about our struggles. It is only too easy to give the appearance of having everything together in our Christian life. What a privilege it is to hear of others’ difficulties and to have the opportunity to jointly pray about them.

The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes ‘Two are better than one,’ and Jesus says ‘where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst.’

The writer of Hebrews reminds us, ‘Let us consider how we might spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are i n the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.

And James 5:16 says ‘Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

Cloud Cover

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Every morning as I pray I sit looking up at the sky. By turning my eyes heavenwards I helps me to concentrate on God and not on earthly things. My mind is so easily distracted that I need this prompt.

Yesterday the sky was a vivid blue which led to a warm sunny day. This morning the sky is overcast and grey and a gentle rain is falling. I’m sure it’s not scientifically correct but I felt as if the world was clothed in a protective blanket. (although I expect the sun was probably shining in Africa or even Manchester!)

I had a feeling of protection and safety. I know that God is present in rain or shine, but my feeling this morning was one of sanctuary and security. The psalmist knew this feeling only too well. God was his rock and hiding place. Therefore I was reminded once again of God’s love and started the day rejoicing in spite of the rain.