Thought for the Day
16th April - Trust - Chris Fry
Trust is a truly baffling concept: complex; multi-dimensional; sometimes inappropriate. My father has always been all-trusting and has been exploited as a consequence. At the other extreme, I know people who are incapable of trust and consequently miss out on the benefits that accrue from human kindness and selfless giving.
That is the human angle. But where does God feature? Why should we trust God? After all, the whole world is suffering as a result of this virus, some grievously – people dying; lost jobs and livelihoods; separation from friends and family. This list is endless.
Really tough times compel us to dig deep and trust is a vital component of this mindset - trust in our friends, those at the front-line and most important of all, trust in God.
I looked at a number of bible verses but this one jumped off the page: Isaiah chapter 41 verse 10 – “do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand”.
Trust in our heavenly Father and Creator is fundamental to our very nature as Christians. If we can’t trust God, then what hope is there? As the verse from Isaiah so eloquently states, God is always with us. He will protect us and give us strength. He will empower those in Government, care homes, hospitals and the research labs who are fighting for us all.
So, trust your own judgement, trust others and trust in God, as He is with us, always.
Dear Heavenly Father. Strengthen and guide us, help us trust you more and bring these things all together to help us emerge from this dark tunnel and once more into the light. Amen
That is the human angle. But where does God feature? Why should we trust God? After all, the whole world is suffering as a result of this virus, some grievously – people dying; lost jobs and livelihoods; separation from friends and family. This list is endless.
Really tough times compel us to dig deep and trust is a vital component of this mindset - trust in our friends, those at the front-line and most important of all, trust in God.
I looked at a number of bible verses but this one jumped off the page: Isaiah chapter 41 verse 10 – “do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand”.
Trust in our heavenly Father and Creator is fundamental to our very nature as Christians. If we can’t trust God, then what hope is there? As the verse from Isaiah so eloquently states, God is always with us. He will protect us and give us strength. He will empower those in Government, care homes, hospitals and the research labs who are fighting for us all.
So, trust your own judgement, trust others and trust in God, as He is with us, always.
Dear Heavenly Father. Strengthen and guide us, help us trust you more and bring these things all together to help us emerge from this dark tunnel and once more into the light. Amen
14th April - Trust - Phil Marsh
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:12)
When we think of ‘trust’ we may first think of God as trustworthy, not necessarily ourselves. Yet as Christians this is what we are called to. Jesus says let your yes be ye and your no be no. Don’t swear by anything, He says, you frankly shouldn’t need to. Let your ‘yes’ be a trustworthy yes, and your ‘no’ a trustworthy no. {emphasis mine}.
Here’s the thing. God’s kingdom is trustworthy. Where you to describe the nature of God’s kingdom you would have to concur that it is a trustworthy kingdom, reflecting God’s faithfulness, God’s trustworthiness.
So we then, as part of realising God’s kingdom in the here and now, need to be trustworthy. So when we’re asked to stay home for the benefit of the weakest in society, we are trustworthy in that. When we say to someone ‘I’ll pray for you’, we are trustworthy in that. Over time, that trustworthiness is seen.
In this season, in the midst of isolation, we may yet be discovering new ways of connecting with people, even building new relationships. We may have joined a local Whatsapp group or community volunteers, or even just found ways of deepening connection with one or two others, neighbours even, over the phone. Some churches have experienced new people joining them online in this season. It has been remarkable to see new connections being formed even in the face of isolation. Indomitable human spirit, yes, but even more a sign of the creative energies of God’s spirit at work amongst us.
What is going to count in large amounts moving forward, is how trustworthy we are with those new connections in the future. If when the all clear is sounded those new connections are perpetuated and invested in further, then we will not be being faithful to the new relationships that God is building in this season.
So may we be prayerful, and attentive to who God is connecting us with, who we can connect and to who we can commit ourselves to continuing to invest in moving forward.
Loving Lord, as you direct our steps in this season bring our attention to new people around us. Give us the grace to extend friendship and care, and keep us faithful to this act of love as we seek to follow you in every way. Amen.
Here’s the thing. God’s kingdom is trustworthy. Where you to describe the nature of God’s kingdom you would have to concur that it is a trustworthy kingdom, reflecting God’s faithfulness, God’s trustworthiness.
So we then, as part of realising God’s kingdom in the here and now, need to be trustworthy. So when we’re asked to stay home for the benefit of the weakest in society, we are trustworthy in that. When we say to someone ‘I’ll pray for you’, we are trustworthy in that. Over time, that trustworthiness is seen.
In this season, in the midst of isolation, we may yet be discovering new ways of connecting with people, even building new relationships. We may have joined a local Whatsapp group or community volunteers, or even just found ways of deepening connection with one or two others, neighbours even, over the phone. Some churches have experienced new people joining them online in this season. It has been remarkable to see new connections being formed even in the face of isolation. Indomitable human spirit, yes, but even more a sign of the creative energies of God’s spirit at work amongst us.
What is going to count in large amounts moving forward, is how trustworthy we are with those new connections in the future. If when the all clear is sounded those new connections are perpetuated and invested in further, then we will not be being faithful to the new relationships that God is building in this season.
So may we be prayerful, and attentive to who God is connecting us with, who we can connect and to who we can commit ourselves to continuing to invest in moving forward.
Loving Lord, as you direct our steps in this season bring our attention to new people around us. Give us the grace to extend friendship and care, and keep us faithful to this act of love as we seek to follow you in every way. Amen.
8th April - Trust - Karen Burnett-Hall
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Crossing a bridge like this in Papua New Guinea requires a great deal of trust. You have to trust that those who felled the trees had chosen ones that can bear your weight. You have to trust that the lianas that form the “rails” and cradle are still full of sap and won’t snap. Most of all, in the middle you have to trust that you can keep your balance as you step from the trunk that is getting thinner to the one that is getting wider towards the far bank. For those few steps you have to let go of the liana on one side and reach, several steps later, for the one on the other side, while the river twenty feet below froths and churns.
On life’s journey it might seem that we’re on the middle section of that bridge: the pathway seems uncertain and the familiar hand-holds out of reach. There’s no going back but going forward seems precarious. But God IS there: his love never fails. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3: 5–6) |
Prayer (based on Psalm 23)
Lord, you are my shepherd; you make me lie down in green pastures, and lead me by still waters; your goodness restores my soul.
So, though I walk the darkest path, I will not fear the evil one, for you are there to comfort and strengthen me, and in your endless mercy you surround me with your love.
So help me trust in you alone. Amen.
Action
Make a cuppa, sit in your favourite chair, sip your drink. Think: you trusted the kettle to boil, you trusted the chair to support you when you sat, you trusted the handle to carry the mug to your lips. Smile. God is so much more trustworthy! Commit yourself to him once again.
Lord, you are my shepherd; you make me lie down in green pastures, and lead me by still waters; your goodness restores my soul.
So, though I walk the darkest path, I will not fear the evil one, for you are there to comfort and strengthen me, and in your endless mercy you surround me with your love.
So help me trust in you alone. Amen.
Action
Make a cuppa, sit in your favourite chair, sip your drink. Think: you trusted the kettle to boil, you trusted the chair to support you when you sat, you trusted the handle to carry the mug to your lips. Smile. God is so much more trustworthy! Commit yourself to him once again.
6th April - Trust - Jeremy James
I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands. (Ps 31:14,15)
On Easter Tuesday, Ruth & I will be celebrating our wedding anniversary. At our wedding 36 years ago, those words from Psalm 31 were sung by a friend during the signing of the registers. As we embarked on marriage, we were heading off into something that was new and, to us, largely unknown; but we were confident that our times, everything that life would hold, would be secure in his hands. We trusted then, as we trust now, in him.
How could we trust then? How can people in these strange times with so many unknowns trust now? Cue another hymn. “Great is thy faithfulness” was one of the hymns sung at our wedding, and we have chosen it on every significant occasion since – the baptisms of our children, my institution as Vicar, my final service when I retired as a Vicar. Our trust is based on God’s faithfulness – his complete and utter dependability – our sure and certain knowledge of his unfailing love – his perfect love demonstrated to the full in the events of Good Friday and Easter.
Also sung by the choir during the signing of the registers was “The heavens are telling the glory of God; the wonder of his work displays the firmament” (words from Ps 19). Today, look at the sky or some other part, large or small, of God’s creation and simply dwell on the wonder of it. Let it remind you of his greatness, his goodness and his faithfulness; and let it encourage you to trust him even when things are difficult.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Amen.
On Easter Tuesday, Ruth & I will be celebrating our wedding anniversary. At our wedding 36 years ago, those words from Psalm 31 were sung by a friend during the signing of the registers. As we embarked on marriage, we were heading off into something that was new and, to us, largely unknown; but we were confident that our times, everything that life would hold, would be secure in his hands. We trusted then, as we trust now, in him.
How could we trust then? How can people in these strange times with so many unknowns trust now? Cue another hymn. “Great is thy faithfulness” was one of the hymns sung at our wedding, and we have chosen it on every significant occasion since – the baptisms of our children, my institution as Vicar, my final service when I retired as a Vicar. Our trust is based on God’s faithfulness – his complete and utter dependability – our sure and certain knowledge of his unfailing love – his perfect love demonstrated to the full in the events of Good Friday and Easter.
Also sung by the choir during the signing of the registers was “The heavens are telling the glory of God; the wonder of his work displays the firmament” (words from Ps 19). Today, look at the sky or some other part, large or small, of God’s creation and simply dwell on the wonder of it. Let it remind you of his greatness, his goodness and his faithfulness; and let it encourage you to trust him even when things are difficult.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Amen.
3rd April - Hope - Yvonne Biss
Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Over the last few weeks we have added a number of new words to our vocabulary; coronavirus, social distancing, self isolating and maybe Whatsapp and Zoom. It can all seem a little overwhelming at times but God promises not to abandon us. We’re all encouraged by a God who stirs us to move ahead, someone who believes we can do the task he has given and who will be with us all the way.
Take a few moments to look out of your window, to look for signs of new life, for buds on the trees, flowers beginning to bloom, for hope for the future. Ask God to show you that He is with us always.
Dear Father I ask that you fill us with that boundless hope you promise. Help us to see that hope is in the world all around us. Amen
Have a rummage in you gardening box and find some seeds to send to a friend, colleague of family member and share the hope that we have in God.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Over the last few weeks we have added a number of new words to our vocabulary; coronavirus, social distancing, self isolating and maybe Whatsapp and Zoom. It can all seem a little overwhelming at times but God promises not to abandon us. We’re all encouraged by a God who stirs us to move ahead, someone who believes we can do the task he has given and who will be with us all the way.
Take a few moments to look out of your window, to look for signs of new life, for buds on the trees, flowers beginning to bloom, for hope for the future. Ask God to show you that He is with us always.
Dear Father I ask that you fill us with that boundless hope you promise. Help us to see that hope is in the world all around us. Amen
Have a rummage in you gardening box and find some seeds to send to a friend, colleague of family member and share the hope that we have in God.
1st April - Hope - Chris Fry
These are un-precedented times. People are bewildered, frightened and angry, prevented from living their lives in anything approaching normality. There is no precedent, nothing to compare this with.
Hard as this sounds, it is more important than ever not to abandon ourselves to hopelessness. Let’s use this opportunity to help others whose need is greater than ours.
The bible helps us. 1 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all consolation, who considers us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction, with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God”.
What an inspiring passage! We can take comfort in the fact that God cares so much for us that there is nothing he won’t do, including giving up his own Son to death on a cross.
In our covid-wracked world, God is working through our Government, our front-line medical teams and other essential workers to save lives: to get us through this. It is early days, but hopeful news is already coming through: infection rates falling, supermarket shelves filling up, retired NHS staff returning and amazing stories of community spirit.
If you can, offer up your services. If you have to isolate, keep yourself sane by virtual contact. Maybe read that book that has gathered dust for 20 years. Most importantly, plan for the future because rest assured, the sunlit uplands, if not yet in sight, will burst forth at some point.
Dear Lord Jesus. Thank-you for our wonderful NHS and all the amazing people working hard and in difficult situations to get us through this. Protect them, care for the lonely and vulnerable and inspire all of us to help each other. Amen
Hard as this sounds, it is more important than ever not to abandon ourselves to hopelessness. Let’s use this opportunity to help others whose need is greater than ours.
The bible helps us. 1 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all consolation, who considers us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction, with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God”.
What an inspiring passage! We can take comfort in the fact that God cares so much for us that there is nothing he won’t do, including giving up his own Son to death on a cross.
In our covid-wracked world, God is working through our Government, our front-line medical teams and other essential workers to save lives: to get us through this. It is early days, but hopeful news is already coming through: infection rates falling, supermarket shelves filling up, retired NHS staff returning and amazing stories of community spirit.
If you can, offer up your services. If you have to isolate, keep yourself sane by virtual contact. Maybe read that book that has gathered dust for 20 years. Most importantly, plan for the future because rest assured, the sunlit uplands, if not yet in sight, will burst forth at some point.
Dear Lord Jesus. Thank-you for our wonderful NHS and all the amazing people working hard and in difficult situations to get us through this. Protect them, care for the lonely and vulnerable and inspire all of us to help each other. Amen
30th March 2020 - Hope - Graham Biss
Romans 5:1-5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
5 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access[b] to this grace in which we stand; and we[c] boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we[d] also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
I am a project manager in an organisation that prides itself on delivering projects on time so we are not allowed to use the word "hope" in any of our management updates. The word "hope" implies we are not in control maybe trusting to luck rather than proactive management of all the risks. But "hope" is so common in our vocabulary. So much of our lives and events around us are out of our control and it is really difficult to stop using the word when we desire something but are not really sure it will happen - like my projects!!
The passage from Romans teaches us that because we are justified by faith through Jesus we can know with confidence that we have peace with God. We can expect with confidence to share in God's glory (his beauty and radiance). We can expect with confidence that he will be with us in our suffering, helping us endure, helping us to have his character in adversity and hope that in all things God works for our good (Romans 8:28). It also teaches us that when we have faith our hope does not disappoint us as God's love pours into our hearts by his Holy Spirit.
Unlike my projects and events in the world our faith is a beacon of hope and something that through God's love we can boast about in the midst of these uncertain times.
Make a note of all the times you say "hope" during the day and what it is you hope for. Then reflect on how the hope we have in faith is so much bigger and how we can renew our minds each time we use the word hope.
5 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access[b] to this grace in which we stand; and we[c] boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we[d] also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
I am a project manager in an organisation that prides itself on delivering projects on time so we are not allowed to use the word "hope" in any of our management updates. The word "hope" implies we are not in control maybe trusting to luck rather than proactive management of all the risks. But "hope" is so common in our vocabulary. So much of our lives and events around us are out of our control and it is really difficult to stop using the word when we desire something but are not really sure it will happen - like my projects!!
The passage from Romans teaches us that because we are justified by faith through Jesus we can know with confidence that we have peace with God. We can expect with confidence to share in God's glory (his beauty and radiance). We can expect with confidence that he will be with us in our suffering, helping us endure, helping us to have his character in adversity and hope that in all things God works for our good (Romans 8:28). It also teaches us that when we have faith our hope does not disappoint us as God's love pours into our hearts by his Holy Spirit.
Unlike my projects and events in the world our faith is a beacon of hope and something that through God's love we can boast about in the midst of these uncertain times.
Make a note of all the times you say "hope" during the day and what it is you hope for. Then reflect on how the hope we have in faith is so much bigger and how we can renew our minds each time we use the word hope.
27th March 2020 - hope - karen Burnett-hall
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Psalm 42, verses 5 and 11
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help 6 and my God. 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. |
Before Jesus was born God’s people faced many ups and downs in life, both personally and as a nation. Whoever wrote Psalm 42, like the majority of us, could look back on good times, but now he has hit the doldrums. As life seems to close in around us we may well feel that his thoughts are a reflection of our own. But though he writes of his difficulties, even so, in the midst of them (verse 5) he tries to rise above them and challenges himself to turn again to God in hope. And though he seems to sink again, nevertheless hope in God shines out in the final verse as he tells himself – and us – to put our hope in God and praise him.
Find a view from one of your windows that you cherish. Look for something you hadn’t spotted before –a sign of spring, or even the pattern in a neighbour’s brickwork. Focus on it as you pray.
Heavenly Father, though my horizons have been restricted, help me to see signs of hope around me, and to praise you for the little things I never noticed before. Amen.
Share what you spotted with someone you love.
Find a view from one of your windows that you cherish. Look for something you hadn’t spotted before –a sign of spring, or even the pattern in a neighbour’s brickwork. Focus on it as you pray.
Heavenly Father, though my horizons have been restricted, help me to see signs of hope around me, and to praise you for the little things I never noticed before. Amen.
Share what you spotted with someone you love.
25th march 2020 - Active Hope - Phil Marsh
Psalm 39:7
And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you
I wonder if you remember the Moomin’s created by Tove Jansson. The books often started with the Moomins in deep hibernation awaiting the coming of spring.
In this season of self-isolation and social distancing, I wonder if there are people who intend a Moomin-like hibernation, in anticipation of the eventual but inevitable spring.
I am not sure that this is the stance that Christian Hope calls us to. The promise of tomorrow, the promise of God’s kingdom come, is not a promise we simply wait for, but one we are called to work for. Hope becomes manifest in our active living in the present, believing in the promise of tomorrow. It isn’t escapism or wishful thinking, but hope properly understood is that which drives our current living. Hope is, in reality, something that a Christian is meant to literally do. As Christians our hope in God’s promises for tomorrow means that we can engage with today with real vigour and strength because of the certainty we have in God. Today might not make sense, but with God at the helm, our ultimate future is so secure, that nothing today can thwart it. Let us then live in the light of that confidence.
As Proverbs 23:18 says; Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
How then shall we live today? With our futures secure, how might we extend hope and peace to others.?
Who might we ring today? Who might we pray for? If we are bug free, who might we offer to do shopping for? Or cut a neighbours lawn? How might we live creatively in this new and temporary season, in a way that actively lives out of hope not fear?
Lord, you hold my life, and my future in the palm of your hand. Holy Spirit, In this space I find myself today, in this season, show me how I might live as one who has hope, and inspire me to act in accordance with the faith and trust you have given me. In the name of Christ our Lord, Amen.
And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you
I wonder if you remember the Moomin’s created by Tove Jansson. The books often started with the Moomins in deep hibernation awaiting the coming of spring.
In this season of self-isolation and social distancing, I wonder if there are people who intend a Moomin-like hibernation, in anticipation of the eventual but inevitable spring.
I am not sure that this is the stance that Christian Hope calls us to. The promise of tomorrow, the promise of God’s kingdom come, is not a promise we simply wait for, but one we are called to work for. Hope becomes manifest in our active living in the present, believing in the promise of tomorrow. It isn’t escapism or wishful thinking, but hope properly understood is that which drives our current living. Hope is, in reality, something that a Christian is meant to literally do. As Christians our hope in God’s promises for tomorrow means that we can engage with today with real vigour and strength because of the certainty we have in God. Today might not make sense, but with God at the helm, our ultimate future is so secure, that nothing today can thwart it. Let us then live in the light of that confidence.
As Proverbs 23:18 says; Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
How then shall we live today? With our futures secure, how might we extend hope and peace to others.?
Who might we ring today? Who might we pray for? If we are bug free, who might we offer to do shopping for? Or cut a neighbours lawn? How might we live creatively in this new and temporary season, in a way that actively lives out of hope not fear?
Lord, you hold my life, and my future in the palm of your hand. Holy Spirit, In this space I find myself today, in this season, show me how I might live as one who has hope, and inspire me to act in accordance with the faith and trust you have given me. In the name of Christ our Lord, Amen.
23rd March 2020 - Overflowing Hope - Debbie Hill
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Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
Feeling overwhelmed by what’s going on? Do you have people depending on you at the moment and you feel as if you are struggling to support them? God reminds us that HE is the source of joy and peace and that, even in such difficult times, he is able to fill us to overflowing so that his presence is seen and felt by others. Take a few moments now to stop and be still. Put your hands out in front of you and turn them palms upward. Ask God to fill you up to overflowing by his Holy Spirit so that you can bless others. Loving heavenly Father I ask you to fill me up again and again during this day. Help me to be full of your joy and peace so that I might be a blessing to others. Amen. Send a colleague, friend or family member a text today to tell them you are thinking of them and praying for them. Offer to chat if they would like to. |