“Lord, consider the threats [of the religious leaders] and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:29-30).

I find the response of the early church to persecution challenging. When we experience difficulties we pray for God simply to miraculously replace our discomfort with ease. Not so the early disciples. I was reminded of this fact this morning as I read in the book of Acts. After being arrested and spending a night in jail, Peter and John report was happened to the early Church. Nowhere do you hear in Luke’s account that they prayed to have the Church saved from this type of persecution. No, they prayed for courage amidst the persecution. The early believers assumed that ‘troubles and trials’ were their lot just as Jesus had predicted, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you” (John 15:18-19).

How often do today’s Christians waste their time praying for the world’s favour, rather than for divine courage? Rather than praying for an end to persecution and for our own personal safety and comfort, maybe we should be spending more time praying for ‘miraculous signs and wonders’ for the purpose of convincing a world that God really does exist. How we live on this planet, whether in obedience to Him or in obedience to our own willfulness, really does matter. These days there is much talk about repentance, returning and revival. But do we really understand what God requires, what it is we are to repent from? What are we wanting to return to–God’s ways or pre-COVID days? Do you actually recognize the ‘dead state’ of the Church that requires reviving? God knows the motivations of our hearts–what lies behind the words in our prayers. But do we? Just a little something to contemplate today...

~ Pastor Jane

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
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If you’re like me, you’ve been keeping an eye on the progression of the coronavirus cases in Canada and specifically in Ontario this fall as our province has begun the process of opening up. If so, yesterday marked a discomfiting milestone–over 2,100 new cases in Canada and 700 in the province alone–a one day high that has not been seen since the onset of the spread of the COVID-19. Those who predicted a ‘second wave’ can take little comfort in having been right. Unfortunately this is just the beginning of the newest build-up and is likely to climb much higher very quickly. In the face of this continuing and exacerbated situation, I have had one overwhelming thought; I am so glad that I am not one of our provincial leaders attempting to discern a solution! It is not pessimistic to wonder if there even is one...aside from God’s divine intervention! So what can we do? May I suggest that aside from trying to abide by the rules around mask wearing, social distancing, frequent hand washing and isolation when necessary, that there really is only one solution...prayer!

What should we pray about? We can pray for God to intervene and miraculously eliminate the virus (though it is my conviction that He is permitting it to allow for a greater purpose than we have yet to acknowledge on a global scale). We can pray for the safety and health of our family and neighbours. We can pray for the healing of those who are sick. We can pray for the comfort and peace of those who have lost loved ones. But may I also suggest that we get very intentional in our prayers for our civic leaders–our elected government officials. How many of them couldn’t even have dreamed of the crisis they have been called upon to navigate on the day they were cheered for their electoral victories? I for one do not envy their role. But today’s verse reminds me of the role I need to play in their success as our leaders; I need to be praying for them–interceding on their behalf and thanking God for their leadership. I can’t imagine having to walk in their shoes these days...and many are probably having trouble with it themselves. Pray for their well-being–emotional, social, physical and spiritual. Pray that they have wisdom and discernment that comes from God as they attempt to address the newest surging numbers of infections. And pray that we as a populace will learn to comply and support them.
~ Pastor Jane

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
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When I think of how we are told to imitate God as His children, it’s helpful for me to picture this scene. Ladies, you go to the bathroom and find your make-up bag in disarray...powder on the counter, lipstick smudges on the mirror and the overpowering scent of your perfume used to excess. You follow the scent and find your two year old staring at themselves in the mirror–face covered with lipstick and mascara, perfume heavy in the air, feet adorned with your favourite heeled shoes and wearing an assortment of your clothing, hats and/or jewelry. They are excited to see you. They want to show you how beautiful they are...just like you! In their childlike way they are showing how much they value the relationship they have with you, by trying to imitate you. Is this not the perfect picture of how we are to imitate God?

Teaching Series: “Be Different” based on 1 Corinthians
Today’s Topic: “Week 3: Defensible Leadership” (Chapters 4 + 9)
Communion and Testimonial Sunday - Mary & Morris McLean

For further study:
“Enduring Word” Commentary - https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/1-corinthians-1/
(retrieved September 9, 2020)
Bible Project - 1 Corinthians - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiHf8klCCc4
New International Biblical Commentary - 1 Corinthians - Marion L. Soards

Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians because they were getting off track.  They came from and lived in the ‘sin city’ of Corinth.  Word had gotten back to Paul concerning the fact that some members of the congregation were sliding back into their old way of doing things.  These same individuals had begun to excuse their poor behaviour by dismissing Paul and his teaching.  Today, we’re going to look at chapters 4 and 9 where Paul defends his authority and explains his leadership style.  He doesn’t mince his words.  We will at times hear him move from sarcastic correction to fatherly encouragement as he uses metaphors and rhetoric to solidify his points.  His desire is that they follow his example–as a faithful follower of Christ–and to understand his motivations for serving them as he has done.

Chapter 4:1-5
“So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. 2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. 3 As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. 4 My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.  5 So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.”

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

Why was Jesus so big on this concept, ‘treat others the way you want to be treated’ or in other words, ‘love your neighbour as yourself?’ I think it’s because He understood the Father’s heart...as well as the human heart. From God’s perspective we are equally His children and equally loved; like children, we sometimes disobey which may require discipline, but it will never diminish God’s love for any of us. The human heart, however, needs this reminder to serve as a check. Jesus knows too well that our choice not to treat others as we want to be treated is just the first step in our process of dehumanizing others. If we don’t have to treat them well, they must be of less worth and as lesser beings we feel free to continue to dehumanize the ‘other.’

​“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:9-21).

I recently received a forward of a message given by a Pre-tribulation Pre-millinealist Dispensational preacher. If you don’t know what that means, it’s really not that important for this devotional. Suffice it to say that his message was a familiar one...it entirely aligns with the teaching I received about the end times as a child in the church I grew up. But it’s not the only view...and is no longer one I strictly hold to. The video left me somewhat disturbed though and my knee-jerk reaction was to mount a rebuttal...a response I quickly rejected.

“When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too” (Mark 11:25).

“It’s not fair!” Haven’t we all caught ourselves pouting this common refrain? The problem with ‘fairness’ is that it is entirely subjective. What one person deems fair, another protests unfair. For example, is it ‘fair’ to give each child a piece of cake that is identical in size or give a portion that is in direct proportion to the child’s size and appetite? Is it ‘fair’ that the young adult born into a wealthy family owns two vehicles, while another from a less affluent family must take the bus? Is it ‘fair’ that one individual grows up with opportunities to go to school, sleep under a roof in safety and eat when hungry, while others have none of these? When asking the ‘fairness’ question, the correct answer is judged by the responder. Depending on your point of view, we can argue the fairness question from both sides and come up with entirely different results. Which is why God doesn’t. He isn’t concerned with fairness; His concern is for justice. In fact, if there’s one thing that God cannot tolerate it is injustice.

For further study:
“Enduring Word” Commentary - https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/1-corinthians-1/
(retrieved September 9, 2020)
Bible Project - 1 Corinthians - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiHf8klCCc4
New International Biblical Commentary - 1 Corinthians - Marion L. Soards

We’re going to pick up where we left off in 1 Corinthians, but first a little review:

• Corinth could be dubbed “Sin City” and the phrase to “Corinthianize” was coined in the first century to mean ‘partying, drunkenness and sexual promiscuity.’  It was a centre of commerce and intellectual debate, served as a major intersection for trade and entertainment and was renowned for its temples and sexual license.
• Paul had come to the city in around 51 AD and following his departure for Ephesus a year and a half later, Apollos would soon follow to lend his expertise and knowledge to the fledgling church
• However, by about 54 AD, word had reached Paul’s ears in Ephesus that the Corinthians were in need of some correction.  They had become a fractured group, busily debating their individual status based on which of their previous teachers they chose to associate, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Peter” or “I follow Christ.”  Each claimed a superiority over the others.

Last week we concluded our study of 1 Corinthians chapter one; today, we are going to examine chapters two and three, where Paul expands on his ideas about where real wisdom comes from, the foolishness of choosing sides in the Christian community and the need to not simply claim the name of Christ, but to serve Him with serious intent in order to produce quality results.

Chapter 2:1-5
“When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.”

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming...You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected” (Matthew 24:42,44).

Have you seen the signs? It’s coming! And whether we are prepared for it or not, its impending arrival will not be delayed. The signs are all there and increasing daily. The temperature has plummeted, the yellows, oranges and reds are beginning to ‘pop’ and the seeds for next year’s growth have begun to spread in preparation for their upcoming months of dormancy. Winter is on its way! As Canadians we all know the signs, whether we look forward to or dread the cold and snow that is winter.

And soon the preparations will begin...changing the tires on our vehicles, closing up our summer retreats, tarping or otherwise covering shrubs and AC units, insulating windows and calking cracks...and let’s not forget digging out all of our winter attire. If we put these items off, we run the risk of having the first snowfall catch us off guard. It’s a game of chance we Canadians often play with winter...not wanting to make preparations too early should winter hold off and we enjoy an extended autumn. Sometimes the gamble pays off and sometimes we regret our procrastination.
The Bible also speaks of an event that will be preceded by signs...

​“I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it” (John 17:14-16).
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In it, not of it. As Christ followers, Christians are to stay engaged in this world, yet remain unaffected by it. We are to set an example of God’s transformative work in our lives, not mirror the ways of those without God. We are to be different, not ‘fit in.’ Instead of adding to the problems, we are to promote a real solution. Throughout history, believers have adopted different approaches to the ‘in it, not of it’ challenge, but have often gotten off track. We know how easily it can be to give in to our sinful self and so we isolate from the world...but then we are no longer ‘in it.’ Conversely, we have tried to be ‘relevant’ and not turn people off...but have often found ourselves becoming ‘of it.’ I was reminded of an old analogy that may help...