wellspring anglican

E100 Blog

E100 Bible Challenge

An amazing journey discovering how the whole Bible fits together. The story running from Genesis to Revelation and it’s all about Jesus.

We have a group of bloggers who will be posting their thoughts and reflections:

11 July 2012

1 Peter 1:1-2:12

A current SBS news service tagline is ‘News from home if you live in the world’. Sadly, the news which follows is so often of events and people I wouldn’t want associated with my ‘home’. Testing days. This first letter from Peter, by way of contrast, could be (somewhat clumsily) tagged, ‘News from home when you are at present an alien’.

It seems to me, although it may be just my antennae fine-tuned by the reality of cancer, that the closer one gets to the end of the Bible, and maybe also to the end of life, the more frequent the references to the last days, to heaven and to the temporary nature of our sojourn here. This passage is a case in point, with its many allusions to that better place to which Christians look and the reckoning which is to take place as part of the final winding up of the present order.

For example, 2:11 reminds us that we are strangers in this world. 1:4 refers to an inheritance which can never perish, spoil or fade. There are others, such as 1:13 and 2:12.

Christians have been accused of seeking ‘pie in the sky when you die’, although I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who became a follower of Jesus for this reason. Nevertheless, the promise of a heavenly home and eternal respite from the trials and suffering which this world brings are a wonderful source of comfort and perspective in this grey, sad world.

CS Lewis, in chapter 22 of ‘Letters to Malcolm’ and writing just before the end of his life, confesses to being accused of allowing the next world to ‘loom so large’ in his thinking, to which he responds, ‘But how can it loom less than large if it is believed in at all?’

I’m trying to let this passage soak into my mind, especially such sentences as, “Though you have not seen him, you love him…and are filled with …joy’, and, ‘Live such good lives…that…(others) may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us’.

Blessings

Russell Morton

6 July 2012

1 Thessalonians 4: 13-5: 11

We as biblical Christians have for a long time spoken less and less about the end times. Fire and brimstone no longer erupt from our pulpits. When it comes to judgement we have gone silent. Perhaps a previous generation had over emphasised it. But it has left a vacuum in our lives. We may understand grace. However, in recoiling from punishment as a motivation for the godly life, we may have left ourselves with little will to energise the good life.

The coming of Jesus is addressed by Paul in our passage today because he wishes to engender hope (4: 13). Whether people die before Jesus comes or are still alive, there is no sense in which one is privileged or another disadvantaged (4: 14-17). All of us will come into the very presence of Jesus (5: 17).

The coming of Jesus is not a time to be feared for the Christian. It is a time of hope, expectation (4:13, 5: 8-9). We hope, we expect salvation, rescue (5: 8-9), not wrath, judgement (5:9). We shall be rescued from the coming judgement of God. This news is to encourage us, to build us up (5: 11). It is not just designed to relieve our fears but also to build up our characters.

It is this hope of salvation, this expectation of rescue that invades our present. There is a sense in which we already are in the presence of Jesus by his Spirit. So, we begin to live as we will be: people who are self-controlled (5: 6, 8); people of faith, people who trust Jesus (5: 8); and people who love (5:8). Faith, hope and love are the habits of our lives. As we practice faith, hope and love each day they become more and more a part of who we are on the inside as well as the out, more and more a part of who we are as human beings, recreated in the image of God.

Andrew Osborn

05 July 2012

2 Timothy 3:10 - 4:8

All scripture is God-breathed

When I was a little girl and went to Sunday School, I was expected to learn a different Bible verse every week, even from the age of five. The very first verse in the list was from Ps 119:105 and spoke of how God's Word showed me the way and prevented me from falling. My memory may be getting worse, but this still stays with me.

The Bible is central to my faith and my understanding of God. When our boys were little and asked the juicy questions of life, I took care to point them to Scripture, to find out what God had to say about the issue of concern. I felt it was important for them to ground their understanding of life in what God had to say. In a world of flexible values, God's truth is never changing.

Some people read a book only once. Others read a favourite book many times, and it becomes like a friend to them. Scripture can be read in many ways. In the E100 challenge we have been ploughing through both Old and New Testaments relentlessly. We've been on a journey. But what a pleasure and comfort to sit with just one or two verses and be still and listen to God speak to us through them.

Not all we read will bring us comfort. The Holy Spirit at times challenges us and brings us unease. Our choice is to turn away, ignore and avoid the challenge, or take on the challenge and let God transform us and deepen us. Only then can we be prepared to take on the agonies of life and stand firm to the end of our time here, and be prepared to meet with our God for eternity.

Jenn Cavanough

4 July 2012

2 Timothy 2:1-26

I still have my 1956 edition of ‘The Observers Book of Pond Life’, inscribed as a gift from ‘CHM’. Clarence Hector Meggs would be approaching 120 were he alive today, but was hugely important in my formative years as an adopted grandfather who took me under his wing, encouraged me, gave me interesting books suited to my age with quality Christian content. I’m not sure I realised it at the time, but I now see he was taking seriously the potential of older Christians getting alongside younger, mentoring, nurturing and encouraging. I’m grateful to God for CH Meggs, and his memory came to the fore when I read 2 Timothy 2.

Perhaps you too can look for, or look back to, such assistance from older, wiser Christians in your formative years. Or perhaps you are in a position to offer such to someone younger in the faith. I took a call a few weeks back from a young man currently at the university who wanted to explore an issue which had arisen in his Bible study group. I confess it gave me a very warm feeling. A church in Sydney which I occasionally attend has ‘seeded’ its young adults’ small groups with an older couple each to build up precisely these relationships. Seems to be working really well.

Note also from our passage the emphasis on quality of character. Timothy, young though he is, is to be ‘strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus’, that divine help, that undeserved mix of God’s power and favour available to us. Timothy is to be ‘kind to everyone’. Think on this for a moment. To whom is it easy to be kind? To whom hard? And what about argumentativeness! I suspect the original meaning of the term ‘fundamentalist’ may well have been a person who concerns himself or herself with the fundamentals which unite us as Christians and not with the multitude of less central matters about which one can always pick an argument. In that sense (only), I wouldn’t mind being known as a fundamentalist! Catch you next week.

Russell Morton

03 July 2012

1 Timothy 6:3-6:21

To be happy with their lot, people generally want 15% more than they have at any particular point in time, or so they say. Usually this is said in relation to money, and it reinforces the idea that money and happiness are inseparable. My life is currently filled with thoughts of money – studying overseas ain’t cheap, and this very afternoon I’m off to the bank to talk about starting a lifelong slavery to debt. But it discomforts me, the thought of losing financial autonomy, the knowledge that if I go down that path I will be forced to make particular decisions that prioritise paying back that debt. So I’m also seeking other methods to get there, options that won’t place the debt collector at the top of my list of life motivations. This isn’t only because I’m an avid Barefoot Investor reader, nor because of an oversized distrust of banks. I’m simply unwilling to take my money out of God’s hands, and put it into a corporation’s.

It’s hard to read this particular passage without hearing the thousands of ‘money sermons’ playing through my head, about fiscal responsibility of the individual and the community, of the ownership of money, and it’s hard not to fall back to those well-worn cliches.

But if the love of money is the root of all evil, then those themes need to be repeated over and over. I work in a sector that sees absolute poverty on a daily basis, the iniquity created by greed and mismanagement. Right now I have no debts (apart from HECs, shhh!), and have neither a high income nor high costs, so I can’t (and don’t want to) tell those of you who have mortgages or credit cards how to spend your money. But the central theme of responsible use applies to everyone, of rejoicing in all of the Lord’s blessings, including money, at all times. Only then will we be blameless and truly participating in creating the Kingdom now.

Imogen Wegman

02 July 2012

1 Timothy 3:1-3:16

I have to say, I love Timothy (the book that is..)
At our school, the student leaders (aka Prefect Board or student council) study what it means to be a leader and they often come out with these fantastic quotes as to what a leader is. I count myself fortunate that I don’t have to search the web or through a plethora of sites dedicated to quotes. I can turn to a few passages throughout the bible to get a well-rounded definition of what it means to be a leader.

In writing this book, Paul makes it very explicit as to what the church can look out for to conclude whether their leader is suitable or not. I can imagine this being written as a check list for potential applicants can be judged against. Often in the church people say ‘well it all comes down to their motivation to tell whether someone is sinning or not’. In this passage it demonstrates some of the more external signs that a leader or deacon (someone who serves) are acting in accordance with a Godly faith or if they are there for their own power and glory.
The first thing I do when reading a passage like this is to take Andrew and David and start working through this list and checking it off.

Can I say, I don’t think that this passage is to be limited to just our Ministers. Anyone who has a position of leadership in our church should also be held accountable to this list. Whether you lead the Sunday school, international students, church service, a bible study group, T2, Man Church or the youth group (apologies if I missed any group)I think this is a good list for you to keep yourself accountable to.

If you are sitting back saying this doesn’t apply to you well can I suggest that we are all servants of God and therefore the majority of people could be argued to fit into the second category.
I realise that when Paul was writing this he was probably only referring to those in places of authority but I want to challenge you to live a life which brings glory to God.

Questions? Thoughts?

Phil Banham

29 June 2012

Colossians 1:1-23

If you were to die tonight and God was to ask you why should I let you into my new creation, what would you say? Colossians gives a very clear explanation of the length and breadth of what it means to be a Christian. And there are surprises. Jesus is portrayed as the image of the invisible God (1: 15). He lives as humanity should have lived in the image of God (Genesis 1: 26-28), in a relationship of worship of his heavenly Father and expressing God’s rule in the world appropriately. Jesus has made all things (1: 16), he keeps all things functioning (17), and he makes it possible for a broken and sinful humanity (21-22), world to come back into a relationship, harmony with God (20), he sets us free from all that enslaves us, he brings forgiveness of sins, through his death on the cross. All this implies something extraordinary as to his person. We recapture what it means to made in the image of God (3:10) through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Again and again and again the answer to our question is the cross of Christ.

What does it mean for us to follow Jesus? We follow Jesus by trusting in him, loving other Christians and by the hope of transformation both on the last day. But more than that, that hope has broken into our present. It means that change is possible now. We can begin recapture the image of God in concrete ways on earth as it will be in heaven or more precisely in the new creation. For we have been raised with Christ already, I hesitate to say, spiritually speaking (3:1-4). In practical terms this will look at first like changing the way we behave. Paul uses the metaphor of changing clothes (3:9-10). It will mean not behaving in certain ways (sexual immorality, impurity lust evil desires greed, anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, and lies - 3:5-8) and behaving in new ways (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another, forgiving one another, love, peace, thankfulness, word of Christ dwelling in us, singing psalms, hymns & spiritual songs - 3:12-17). And not just some of these but all. These new ways of behaving are to become our habits, so that what comes by second nature become our character. And all this is the work of the Holy Spirit. Personally , the notion that I can become more like Jesus one step at a time, over a life time is inspiring and liberating.

Andrew Osborn

28 June 2012

Philippians 4:2-4:9

Rejoice in the Lord

A challenge to do things in a different way

Paul is not interested in whether we see ourselves as right or wrong, but that as a family of believers we work together in unity. It is up to each of us to take responsibility to move towards unity, to heal divisions within the fellowship, united by faith regardless of ethnicity or background. Our responsibility is to support each other in this effort. Heaven will have no divisions. The challenge is to model this in our fellowship. How can we be effective in the world if we are divided?

Paul speaks of the peace of God which keeps our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This can only happen if we are transformed into the likeness of Jesus. How does the world see us? Does the world see our behaviour as a matter of personal choice - a quaint behavioural response? Or does the world observe a God-directed response outside of us, as transformed by God we move beyond disunity and choose harmony and unity, putting aside our own desires and ego?

Human history does not have a glowing record of such unity. It is only through the powerful peace of God that unity can be restored. Unity being a mark that differentiates us from the world. How do we gain this peace, this wholeness? By handing our anxiety over to God through prayer and thankfulness. And to rejoice, always. That nothing matters as much as Jesus and His love for us, resulting in joy regardless of whatever else may be happening.

The final exhortation involves our relationship with God and with each other, that we look beyond our usual selfishness to a new way of being, to whatever is pure and lovely. Not in an ethereal way, but in a grounded roll-up-your sleeves way. To model our relationships on Christ is no small ask but the consequence is worth it.

Lord – this is bigger than me. Grow me!

Jenn Cavanough

27 June 2012

Ephesians 6:10-6:20

Hi, back again after all and, hey, what a great (and deservedly familiar) passage. Several things struck me on re-reading.

Firstly, notwithstanding our little day to day battles with sin and selfishness, we’re called to be involved in no local, inconsequential skirmish. There’s a cosmic battle going on in which we are, it seems, called to play our bit parts. Our world is a battleground for the souls of men and women. What a privilege to be involved. Are we?

Secondly, what a great deal of the ‘armour’ available to us is familiar…God’s Word, truth (Yes, that’s why as Christians we immerse ourselves in the study of Scripture.), righteousness (No option; our lives need to reflect our profession.), readiness to speak up for the Gospel, faith (Trust in our great God) and, of course, constant and fervent prayer. There’s a list for you. Talk about back to basics. Nothing metaphysical or mysterious here.

And thirdly, even that great messenger of the Gospel, Paul, asks for prayer for himself. Are you, like me, better at giving than receiving? In this brush with cancer, I’ve had to learn to accept that people want to do things for me, and especially to pray for me, and there’s very little I can do for them either proactively or in return. When you’re physically low, you can also be spiritually weakened and so much more in need of prayer. No such scruple for Paul, it seems. He craves the prayers of his co-workers. Now there’s a powerful example to emulate.

Russell Morton

26 June 2012

Galatians 5:16-6:10

Just this morning I’ve almost finished reading ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’, the anti-slavery novel sometimes credited with starting the American Civil War. It’s fascinating and terribly sad , written by a passionately Christian woman in the 1850s. Its power comes through contrasting the different lives various slaves have as they are sold from one owner to another, from loving family-like situations to hate-filled degrading exploitation. The central character, Tom, has unwavering faith even in the darkest of situations, and although he can barely read, he teaches all those around him both through words and actions.

As I swapped that book for The Bible this morning, Tom’s persevering faith is still resounding through me. As I read this passage I found myself ticking them off against his actions. By the end of the book [spoilers ahead] he belongs to the worst of masters, is beaten for refusing to obey a brutish and wrongful order, and is constantly persecuted by the master who finds him discomforting. He loses his spark (briefly) but never his faith nor his yearning for the salvation of those around him.

It’s easy to have self-control when that offered is only minor, it’s easy to be joyful when the painful situation has an exit, it’s easy to be kind when you will be rewarded. But that isn’t what we’re asked to do. We’re asked to love when it is humanly impossible, to have faith in the darkest of places, and most of all to help others do the same. These aren’t gifts for only ourselves, to challenge each of us through the difficult times, they’re gifts to be shared with everyone, to hold our faith together, and to demonstrate our trust in God in the hardest of times.

Imogen Wegman

25 June 2012

Romans 8:1-8:39

What a passage

When I first sat down to read this, my mind wasn’t in it. I read it quickly hoping to get the meaning so I could dust this writing off as soon as possible. God had other plans though!
None of the passage was making sense. Nothing! Even the message translation didn’t make sense. I knew I was in trouble.
Whether we have no time for God or we have all the time in the world, fortunately God doesn’t feel that way about us. He isn’t doing this so he can move on with his next project. God is never too busy for our small and insignificant issues. He doesn’t get distracted by the T.V. or by a damn good book. He is in it for the long haul. He doesn’t just stick a band aide over our hearts and send us off in the other direction but he continues to work at healing us so we are right with him and we are able to spend eternity in his awesome presence.
Some people I would go out of my way to help and then there are those other people who I would go out of my way avoid. In god’s eyes we are all imperfect and underserving but like Paul writes, he sacrificed his only son to make things right.
I love the final verse

‘For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’

It makes me think of story about the shepherd who went searching for his lost sheep. The sheep didn’t magically disappear but walked off on its own. We are unfortunately like those sheep and even if we do not want to be found, God’s love is with us. Even if we are running in the opposite direction God’s love is with us. Even if we make it clear that we do not want to be followed, God’s love is with us. God isn’t patiently waiting for us. He has fought for us and won. All we have to do is acknowledge the fact that God fought for our lives and that is it, He will do the rest.

Phil Banham

22 June 2012

Acts 25: 1-28:31

Our present passage tells the story of Paul’s trip to Rome. He has been arrested by a Roman official in order to rescue him from a rioting crowd (Acts 21:27-36). Throughout he will be portrayed as someone very similar to Jesus. Plots will be hatched to kill him (25: 3). He will be seen to be innocent of the crimes of which he is accused (25:7; 25). He will heal the sick (28: 8-9). He will use the occasion of his arrest and trials to speak of his conversion, Jesus, his death and resurrection, forgiveness of sins, faith, repentance, appropriate deeds and the inclusion of the Gentiles in the people of God and the goal of all this is that his hearers might be persuaded to become Christians (26: 1-29; 28: 17-31). Paul does not need to appeal to Caesar (26: 31-32).

He could have been set free. Perhaps it was the only way he would not have been murdered prematurely (25: 3). But most of all my suspicion is that Paul believed that God was fulfilling his plan for him, Paul to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. (1: 8; 9: 15). It will involve an elaborate journey by sea. God will deliver Paul from ship wreck (27: 41); murderous soldiers (27: 42); and a lethal snake bite (28: 3-6).

At one level it is inappropriate to transfer this to us. This is on the scale of salvation history. God is fulfilling his promise to include the Gentiles in the people of God and this story articulates Paul’s unique part in that (28: 25-28). And yet at another level, it is a challenge for us to look for God’s presence in our lives. Where is God in the divine coincidences? Who is God leading us to today? What opportunities is He providing? How does He wish for us to bless them with practical love? Who does He wish us to speak of the Jesus? It is a challenge to take the plunge and be bold (28: 31).

Andrew Osborn

21 June 2012

Acts 16:1-20:38

Last year Paul and I spent a few weeks drIving up the east coast of the mainland. We used a sat nav to guide us to where we planned to go. We met some people for the first time, but spent most of our time with people we know and love.

Missionary Paul's journeys in these chapters were more numerous and covered a greater distance. His sat nav was the Spirit of Jesus, who warned him of where he should not go. Paul had at least ten different travelling companions, and connected with many people, including a jailer, ordinary Jewish people, prominent Greek men and women and Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.

His journeys were not without adventure. While our greatest thrill was whale watching, including one adolescent male which appeared to be torpedoing the boat, Paul experienced an earthquake, prison, beatings, encounters with the legal system, was the cause of numerous local uproars, and debated Athenian philosophers. Makes our trip look boring!

What I appreciated about this account was the sense of energy underlying each encounter. Paul took every opportunity to speak the good news. He engaged authentically with local believers, and had a profound impact on community leaders. All the while he supported himself by his trade.

This reading left me with a strong sense that Paul's whole focus was on serving the Lord with every part of his being. He preached to deliver a clear message and not for personal gain. He challenged when necessary, regardless of the consequence to himself. He took every opportunity to do Kingdom work, despite significant difficulties. Paul was willing to be faithful to the end, and was prepared to leave security behind even though he knew life was likely to become more challenging. Am I prepared to do the same?

Jenn Cavanough

20 June 2012

Acts 15:1-15:41

One of guiding principles of missionary society CMS is that, under God, everything depends on the quality of the people sent forth, a principle which is seen clearly in this chapter. And what an encouraging, heart-warming chapter it is.

Here we have a fragile but rapidly-growing early church being threatened by potential disagreement and discord at the top levels of leadership. Why is the response so positive? Well, we have people who speak their minds in love, people who explain their positions carefully and listen to other views, people who commit to writing their decisions with clarity and generosity, people committed to the Good News of Jesus and to everyone being given an opportunity to respond, people who lead by example and with humility.

Following Jesus can be a hard call. Mind you, the cost of not following Jesus is much greater. There will probably always be some folk who will want to make it harder by adding requirements to the core of the Gospel, especially from the baggage they bring from their own backgrounds. We must be sensitive and alert to such attempts to add to the good news. But can we also determine to be warm and generous like the people in verse 3, people who are very glad whenever they hear of God working, even if in unexpected ways? Or like the people in verse 4 who welcomed the emissaries and their news of the impact of the Gospel? Or the courteous listeners of verse 12? Or the encouraged readers in verse 31?

Even the disagreement over personnel in verses 36-41 results in two teams, not one, being sent forth to visit and ‘strengthen the churches’. Bit of a win-win really.

Dave’s back next week to take over. Nice talking to you.

Russell Morton

19 June 2012

Acts 13:1-14:28

I’m a big fan of maps and itineraries. For me half (poetic-licence) of the joy of travelling is in the preparation, the anticipation, the hours of looking for the best routes, the most interesting places to see. I’ve just spent half an hour trying to get Google maps to make me a map of all this travelling, complete with distances, just to get an idea of what we’re talking here. And it was too much, even for Google to cope with. The closest I can tell, using modern roads and routes, is that we’re looking at somewhere around the 2000km mark. So Hobart to Port Macquarie. Primarily by foot. With podiatrist-unapproved-footwear and no travel insurance. Yikes.

But what really stands out isn’t the distance travelled, it’s the places visited. The New Testament takes us all over the Mediterranean region as Jesus and the Apostles travel from place to place, often without any pre-determined itinerary, waiting to see where they will be led to next. They aren’t going to see the sights or buy the t-shirts, they are going to see the people. Whether a town is large or small they give it their best, focussing on those living there.

This passage resonates with me and my chronic travelbugitis. Sometimes it’s easy to think ‘I haven’t really been anywhere interesting (you know, THOSE places) *sigh*’, but instead I should be saying ‘I haven’t always done God’s work in the places he’s called me to, sorry.’ Where-ever we are, whether it’s Moonah or Mongolia, we need to be there to see the people, and be there because it’s where God wants us to be, not because it’s the cool place to see.

Here’s all the places (roughly), and the directions do for steps D to M, just without the Cyprus bit. http://goo.gl/maps/uwLA

Imogen Wegman

18 June 2012

Saul’s Conversion

When I used to think about my testimony and how I would share it with people. I was ashamed because I never had a road to Damascus story, it didn’t involve any deafening voice in the sky or blinding light. Unlike Saul who literally had a road to Damascus story. He had a blinding light experience and a voice in the sky.

Was I jealous…. Definitely.

I remember leading on one camp and on the camp there was this boy who was rather annoying and I struggled to trust anything he said as his behaviour left a lot to be desired. During the camp he gave his life to Jesus and literally overnight his persona had started to change. He was a completely new person to the one I had seen the day before. I was sceptical for the remainder of the camp but their commitment was legit and they are now still continuing to serve God with enthusiasm and eagerness.

Saul grew up as a son of a Pharisee and he was trained under Gamaliel who was a Sanhedrin expert. He eagerly persecuted the early Christians and supported the stoning of Stephen. This man was so aggressive in his faith he was spreading fear among the early Christians. Imagine how Ananias would have felt when God had called him to help Saul. Ananias clearly says to God that he is concerned about helping this man and I assume he is not overly convinced that Saul won’t do something nasty to him. Ananias wasn’t to know the conviction Saul had felt towards following Jesus as I wasn’t convinced by the campers repentance and life changing experience.

Saul’s initial walk is not an easy one. In the first few months of Saul following Jesus he is faced with blindness, conspiracies to kill him and even the Christians were refusing to spend time with him. I can’t comprehend how Saul must have felt, leaving the Pharisees and turning his back on them and following Jesus but all his other followers want nothing to do with you.

These experiences seemed to have built a strong foundation for someone who is instrumental in the early Churches survival.

I think in summary, be amazed at what God can do. If he can turn someone who is eagerly persecuting the Christian church into one of the most influential Christians. Imagine what God can do with you :D

Thoughts? Questions?

Phil Banham

15 June 2012

Acts 10:1-11:18

Recently I had a conversation with a friend about becoming a Christian. His complaint was that most of the stuff written about how to become a Christian was written by Christians for Christians. It just did not seem to connect.

The story of Cornelius’ journey to faith is a long one. Cornelius is described as one who is devout, God-fearing, generous to the poor, and one for whom prayer is his regular practice. There is an openness about Cornelius.

And he is not alone. The mention of whole family, servants, and a devout soldier, remind us that family in the first century is an extended notion describing the people who would have lived in his house.

There is also a touch of the miraculous about Cornelius’ story. An angel visits him. He is given very specific instructions about who can connect him with God and how to find this man. This all unfolds just as predicted. Peter, too, is given a very specific set of instructions. Having heard the message, Cornelius and his companions experience the gift of the Holy Spirit in a most demonstrative way.

One could be tempted to draw generalizations from the details of the story as to how my friend or indeed any one might connect with God. There needs to be an openness and, or God will demonstrate himself in not just in word but also in deed.

The problem is that God seems to turn people who are closed, in the bible, just the previous chapter in Saul, and no doubt for some of us in our personal experience. And the notion that God must prove himself to a skeptical audience to gain our allegiance seems outrageously self-focused on our part. And the point of the passage seems very clearly to be that all people can connect with God, Jews and Gentiles.

Which brings us back to our original question. My suggestion is keep on doing what I suspect you are currently doing: pray. Pray that God may lead you or your friend to himself. Pray that God might lead you to the next step. You may not see the total answer yet. What you are asking God is to show you the next step. Take that step. (And after that the following step.)

Andrew Osborn

14 June 2012

Acts 8:26-40

I found this to be an immensely encouraging read.

Philip, a busy man, but called by God to go somewhere for a reason only known by God, went. His humility as shown by his preparedness to leave his work to go on an undefined mission in obedience to a call by God challenges me to also be prepared to set aside my 'list' in favour of God's list.

I am a person who needs to know, and find it difficult to operate in circumstances that are not clearly defined. Philip, ignorant of the reason he had been sent on the trip through the desert, shone in his ability to seize the moment as it unfolded.

The Ethiopian, a man of considerable status and influence in his home country, showed a similar humility. Although no doubt a person used to exerting authority, he nevertheless had a teachable spirit. In his deep desire to learn, we see a humble openness to a stranger who was able to provide answers to his questions.

His humility was also displayed in his eagerness to be baptised, seizing the opportunity as it arose. This must have been an amazing experience for Philip, who was seeing God revealing His desire for the Gentiles to be told the good news. It certainly wasn't taking long for the gospel message to spread beyond Jerusalem. That a stranger of a different race was sent a direct messenger from God demonstrated the inclusiveness of the gospel.

Jenn Cavanough

13 June 2012

Acts 6:8 – 8:8

One of my cherished memories of Barber Pervaiz is of him bowling medium pacers to me in a staff cricket match just a few weeks before his death nearly ten years ago now. Barber, in his early twenties and the adopted son of a local pastor, was identified as a Christian in a country where more than 97% of the populace are Muslim. Recently engaged, Barber worked in the school office. He was returning to his desk when heavily-armed fanatics caught him in their sights in the school grounds.

He was given no chance to elect to be a martyr but I have no doubt that’s what he was. I wonder how many of us in the West, put into a situation of being threatened with martyrdom or recanting our faith in Jesus, would choose death.

On the other hand, it seems likely that Stephen was well aware of the risk he was running, his only defence being the words which his Lord and Master would give him to speak when dragged before the governing body. False charges of blasphemy are not unknown, even today. For Christians living in some countries this is a risk they run. They said later his face looked like that of an angel. I don’t think I’ve seen an angel but I can guess what they meant. I reckon he foresaw the outcome, had made up his mind and was at peace with the decision.

Michael, a friend of Barber, later said of him, “On 5 August (2002) he batted like a superstar!”

Russell Morton

12 June 2012

Acts 3:1-4:37

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished…” (4:13)

How often do we catch ourselves thinking we’re ordinary? How many times a day do we think act as though we’re just one of the crowd? How regularly do we forget that we are a super conductor of God’s power and downplay our capacity? Just one look at Peter and John, two very average 1st Century men, should remind us of just how wrong we are to underestimate our potential. But while Peter and John are inspiring for what the ‘unschooled, ordinary’ person can achieve, they know exactly where their power comes from, and give it due credit.

So let’s rephrase the original question. How often do we remember how special we are and give praise to God and credit to the Holy Spirit? When someone queries our actions are we quick to speak frankly about their roots? Peter and John saw their leader killed for speaking the truth about himself, but they still allow the Holy Spirit to take them and speak the truth to the Sanhedrin. They have no fear of the consequences, even knowing what the precedent is.

The lesson from this isn’t just that anyone can achieve anything through Christ. The lesson is that we must not be afraid of acknowledging Christ’s achievements through us.

Imgoen Wegman

11 June 2012

Acts 2:1-2:47

Today the bible has been translated into about 2000 to 5000 languages or dialects depending on which site you choose to believe (even Klingon). Today it is almost assumed that we can get a copy of the bible and the Gospel in our own native language. Going back to this passage’s time the gospel was only able to be spread by word of mouth. Imagine the amazement of the disciples and those around them to the miracle that was occurring. For the very first time those who may not have spoken Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic were able to hear what had happened and the amazing gift that Jesus had given.

I think it is typical of most incredible occasions that there will be those who do not understand or are ignorant towards what is happening. Imagine how amazing it would have been for all these people (the passage suggests at least 3000) to hear the good news in their own tongue. Even while this is happening there are those few who doubt or do not understand what is happening and their first reaction is to jest and make fun of.

Put yourself in Peter’s shoes. You are witness to one of the most incredible moments of your life (excluding the time spent with Jesus) and there are people making fun of you and your friends. That’s something that gets my goat. When you and a group of people are doing something incredible and people decided to bag you out. I think Peter’s response is one of love and he uses the opportunity to minister to them. Even when being persecuted, their first response is to testify and to proclaim the good news.
Take home thought: Even when we are being persecuted, how do you respond? Is it out of love or spite?

Thoughts, Comments?

Phil banham

08 June 2012

Acts 1:1-1:11

Our present passage tells the story of the ascension of Jesus. Jesus has given instructions to his disciples (2): no doubt regarding the kingdom of God (3). He has given convincing proof of his resurrection from the dead (3). He tells his followers not to leave Jerusalem until they have received the promised gift from the Father (4): no doubt the Holy Spirit (5). The Holy Spirit will be an empowering force in their lives to enable them to bear witness to Jesus (8), a witness that will be of global proportions.

Why do the disciples ask of the ‘restoration of the kingdom of Israel’ in the context of the resurrection (6)? It would seem that they are looking forward to Jesus defeating Israel’s enemies: in other words, a military defeat of the Romans. They are close, but not quite. Jesus has been raised as Israel’s Messiah. As such, Jesus is the ruler of the heavens and the earth (Psalm 72:8). The message of the ascension: as every Roman knew, the one who ascends into heaven is enthroned as the divine Emperor. And how is this Emperor going to take command of the world-wide empire he has recently be enthroned as Lord? He will send his messengers throughout his domain to bring the good news of his ascension and his wise and just rule. The disciples are going and telling the world that Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, is the world’s true king. God’s king is coming (11), God’s kingdom is on its way. These emissaries (the disciples) tell how one is to get ready: by turning from self-rule to God’s rule and trusting in Israel’s Messiah who has delivered them through his death and resurrection. The death of Herod Agrippa, a human king with divine pretensions, is evidence that Jesus’ rule is not just heavenly, but has concrete earthly implications.

The death of Herod Agrippa, the birth of the church is evidence for those of us with little faith that things can change here on earth today. All types of people can become followers of Jesus, not merely children, not merely those going through a change of life. Jesus is the world’s Messiah. The resurrection, the ascension are a call to us to tell the good news that Jesus, the world’s king, is making everything new. We speak of his coming and to invite people begin to experience this newness by repentance and faith.

Andrew Osborn

08 June 2012

Acts 1:1-1:11

07 June 2012

John 20:1-21:25

Four disciples: four responses

Mary and the missing body
Mary had two choices of response. One was to weep in grief at not only the death of someone dear to her, but at the loss of his body. The other was to respond with joy in the knowledge of his resurrection. The reality, which she could not initially see, was that Jesus was risen. In his graciousness he appeared to her and she responded in joy. Our response?: to trust in the Word and hold onto hope.

Thomas and the testimony of others
Thomas had two choices of response. One was to believe without seeing for himself. The other was to believe only when he could see and touch Jesus. The reality, regardless of his disbelief, was that Jesus had risen. In his graciousness he appeared to Thomas and he responded with belief. Our response?: to show the same compassion and grace to others who find it difficult to believe.

John and Peter and their response to Jesus
John, the disciple closest to Jesus, was the first to recognise Jesus, and acknowledged him. Peter, in his typical impulsiveness, jumped straight into the water to greet him. The other disciples simply stayed on task to get the job done. Jesus knows us in all of our weakness and dysfunction. Our response?: to love him above all else. Our focus?: to mind our own business and let him deal with others in his own way, to get on with our own work and calling.

Regardless of my response to him, Jesus continues to reveal his grace and love. His gentleness, care and humility needs to be reflected in my response to others.

Lord, help me to see others through your eyes.

Jenn Cavanough

06 June 2012

John 19:1-42

What a brutal world this is and, it seems, always has been. Daily we see images of the increasingly sectarian violence in Syria, now spilling over into the Lebanon. This morning I read, in a copy of the Guardian Weekly headlined ‘Syria becomes the new Bosnia’, a review of a newly-published book detailing the history of the First Crusade, a blood-thirsty assault by men loyal to Pope Urban II and Emperor Alexios on an equally blood-thirsty Turkish ‘infidel’.

Whilst you and I may have imagined that serious religious differences were a root cause of this conflict, though not an excuse, author Peter Frankopan sets out to make the case that cheap political interests of Pope and Emperor were the real reason for the campaign.

Similarly, our passage today which forms the background narrative to this extremely brutal yet most solemn and central event in the Gospel story, comes replete with cheap violence and undertone of political gain and self-interest.

Yet it had to be that way. Jesus himself reminded his listeners that he did not come to call the righteous. Rarely are human lives consistently demarcated by exploits undertaken for good and noble ends. We share the tawdriness, the meanness, the violence and the self-interest of fallen humankind, but the great news is that Jesus willingly accepted the consequences by surrendering his life to restore that key relationship with God which we have broken.

Friends this week told us about sending a child’s book of Bible stories to a young grandchild, first alerting the parents who confiscated the book because of its ‘adult themes’, citing violent death by crucifixion. Yes, there is a way in which to introduce children to central tenets of the faith, but no avoiding the reality that Jesus’ violent death was and is for a world which, by its behaviour, consistently demonstrates the great need for forgiveness by and reconciliation with its Creator.

Russell Morton

05 June 2012

John 18

My two least favourite days of the year are the day before the exam, and the day before results are released. They’re full of pacing, double-guessing, procrastinating, distraction and cake-baking, all with an undertone of pessimistic despair. Last Monday was no different, it was worse if anything. “I’ve been listening to all this information all semester, but what if I didn’t get it?” or even worse “Oh yikes! I get that now! Is it too late to re-revise everything on that topic, I don’t think I understood it properly before!”

It’s not one of life’s crossroads, where there’s a genuine choice to be made. This is a moving walkway, where time warps, and lollipops and scary monsters jostle for space along the sides.

How then would it be to wait outside the High Temple while the man you thought was infallible and on top of everything is inside being interrogated. You’ve been listening to him all this time, and the penny’s only just starting to drop. And suddenly you wish this was a crossroads, not a travelator, that there was a choice to be made.

Every Easter we are given a chance to suddenly realise the significance of all that stuff we’ve been listening to for the rest of the year. But as lecturers always tell us, it’s easier to understand something if we’ve been studying it, writing summaries, getting it into our heads for all the time leading up to the big event. Then we won’t be shocked when it happens, we won’t gloss over it hoping it’s ‘not that important’, we won’t be left out in the cold like Peter wondering what’s just happened.

(Thanks Karrie for filling in fantastically last week for me.)

Imogen Wegman

04 June 2012

Luke 22:1-46

Firstly apologies about not supplying last week’s e100.

The first thing that smacks you in the face with this passage is Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. So many questions arise when I read this.
Why did he do it? He was so close to Jesus (the inner 12) and he felt such an attraction towards money that he was willing to pawn off his teacher and saviour for a purse of money. It’s sad that Jesus spent all this time talking about not letting Gold control you and that was what led to his betrayal.

Was this the only way? – Was this God’s sovereign will that it would happen this way. If so, later on did Judas repent and would Judas be in Heaven?

The Passover supper. This was Jesus’ opportunity to enhance the traditional celebration of the Passover and update it to contain a celebration and a memorial of what Jesus has done for us.
Jesus makes it very clear that one of the 12 will betray him and hand him over. The news of this would make any person sick in the stomach and I am guessing that Judas’ stomach would have been churning and writhing around making him feel rather sick. If not, then you would hope that it was.

It seems quiet sad that Jesus has said “One of you guys are going to betray me” and shortly afterwards the conversation has moved. If I was the one going to be betrayed, I wouldn’t appreciate the conversation going anywhere for the rest of the evening. Can you imagine saying to your closest friends “One of you are going to betray me” and the conversation then turning to who will be considered the greatest. Ouch.

I get confused with the part of the passage which is talking about if you do not have a purse, take it and if you do not have a sword buy one. It seems such a contradiction that Jesus who rebuked violence and wealth would be encouraging his disciples to go and store up money and weapons. I was reading and some scholars have theorised that this wasn’t a literal instruction but more of a warning. The disciples were used to being accepted into a town and having their needs met and as they travelled in a large group seemed to be fairly safe. Although we know that the disciples are due to travel a great deal along dangerous roads and potentially not be greeted as warmly. Even Paul mentions later in Act’s that he was working as a tent maker to support himself.

This passage brings up so many questions that it is hard to know where to start. Have fun :D

Phil Banham

1 June 2012

John 11: 1-57

Our present passage tells the surprising story of the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. We know it is surprising by the reaction of his sister Martha, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” (John 11: 24) There are two sects of Judaism in the first century of whom the New Testament documents speak: the Sadducees and the Pharisees. The former did not believe in the resurrection, the latter did. However, as Martha affirms the Pharisees expected the dead to be raised on the last day. No one thought that resurrection might occur before the last day.

This is an extra-ordinary miracle or sign. It is meant to point us towards Jesus, that he is the Messiah and that believing in him we might have eternal life (John 20:31).

Martha is right. We, who trust in the Messiah, will be raised on the last day. However the extra-ordinary thing is that this resurrection life has broken into to our present as it did with Lazarus. And it is because that resurrection life has broken into our present that we have hope. We can change. We do not need to wait for the new heavens and the new earth to begin to bear the image or the glory of the God. That future is open to us now, at least in part. And we begin to bear that image, glory of God by following Jesus (John 15: 12). We can love one another (John 13: 34). We no longer need to remain people who are fractured by dysfunctional relationships. We can obey Jesus’ commands (John 14: 15). And the changes that we effect now have significance for the new heavens and the new earth. They will written into its tapestry.

Andrew Osborn

31 May 2012

Mark 5:1-20

What do I hold of greater importance? Justice, compassion, status, career, wealth?

Jesus, with infinite compassion, stood his ground with a man regarded as dangerous. Jesus chose to interact with him, recognising that the man was not in control of himself, but was under the power of evil forces. The end result of the interaction was the complete transformation of the man. Jesus response? Go and tell others! No personal glory or gain but a desire that His Father be glorified.

The man's neighbours marvelled at the change, but their astonishment was replaced with anger when they saw their profits racing into the sea. How much value do we place on the lives of those who are not disadvantaged in some way? It concerns me deeply to hear people say that we cannot afford to provide appropriate financial support to disabled people. We are happy to have our own personal freedom, in fact, take it for granted, but somehow as a society are unwilling to make it possible for something as easily accessible as a wheelchair to be provided in a spirit of equity. Am I truly more deserving simply because my body is whole?

The deeply disturbed man who could not have known Jesus, nevertheless recognised Jesus as the holy one. His neighbours may have marvelled at Jesus accomplishment, but they wanted nothing to do with him, annoyed at their financial loss.

What is my response to Jesus' active and transforming presence? Do I welcome his intervention into my life, and give praise and honour to him, or do I respond with annoyance, because my plans are my own? May my desire be that I be transformed into the person God has in mind for me.

Jenn Cavanough

30 May 2012

John 9:1-41

Right now I’m battling pancreatic cancer. In this situation, all kinds of questions arise such as, “Why me?” or, “What did I do wrong to contract this disease?” One benefit of science is that at least we now understand the causes of most illness and don’t need to lay the blame capriciously on sinfulness.

But for the Christian, suffering brings deeper considerations and they crop up in this passage when Jesus says of the man born blind, “This happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” Which, given the whole tenor of Scripture, is not to say that this man’s suffering was engineered for God to demonstrate his power, but rather that this man’s suffering is a profound opportunity to ask the deeper question, “How can one respond in this situation so that God’s love and God’s purposes are revealed to those around me?”

This guy certainly appears to have cottoned on. He was not being captured by parties with their pet theories or closed minds. He was happy to rehearse the facts as he knew them, for whomever wished to listen. The facts could speak for themselves. His dogged sticking to these facts were his way of allowing God’s work in his life to shine through. He may have been born blind, but here we are two millennia later able to praise God for Jesus’ healing of his eyesight because of his clear-headed conviction.

So the question is not, “Why me?’ but “How then can I live so that my absolute trust in both the short- and long-term purposes of a faithful God can shine through the adversity of cancer?”

Russell Morton

29 May 2012

“Jesus Walks on the Water” Matthew 14:22-36

When I was a child the most amazing and exciting part of this story was that Jesus could walk on water – what a miracle! I tried it myself many times, but the closest I got was walking through very shallow puddles exclaiming, “Mummy look, I’m walking on water like Jesus!”

Now, as an adult looking at the same story, I’m struck not so much by that miracle, but that Peter, a good old normal person like me could too, and that even mid stride as Peter is actually walking on the water, he doubts, fears and starts sinking. I find myself asking how Peter could possibly doubt in that miraculous moment, and if I were in Peter’s shoes, would I also be sinking?

Perhaps instead of this passage’s heading being ”Jesus Walks on Water” it could be “What Makes Us Sink?” What stops us walking in faith and doing amazing things in God’s strength?

Perhaps now is a good time to spend a minute in prayer, answering Jesus’ question; “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” and asking Him to replace our fears with faith.
Lord, we are sorry for how quickly we are distracted from you, and how easily we stop trusting you despite the many ways we’ve seen you work in our lives. Please fill us with faith, so that we might be a community of believers who can do things beyond our human comprehension through your mighty power and for your glory.

Amen

Karrie Malan

24 May 2012

Luke 10:25-37

Ouch!
... all I have to do to gain eternal life is to love?
To love You and to love my neighbour? I fail before I even try.

Loving costs. It can cost me my security, my money, perhaps even my reputation. It's so easy to turn from my neighbour with the excuse that it's not my business, or surely someone else would do a better job, or I'm too important or busy to be concerned about that person. I've paid my taxes, I've done my bit.

Besides, don't I get a say in who my neighbour is? I'm quite willing to make time and space for people like me, isn't that good enough? Surely, God, you don't mean the very person in the world I can't stand, and would do anything to avoid? You don't mean them, do you?

Ouch!
There's nothing I can do to earn my way into Your favour? But I try so hard to be like You. I do what you ask of me, most of the time... So eternal life has nothing to do with my intrinsic worth or how hard I try to grow in my relationship with You? Your undeserved compassion and mercy is what You offer? There's nothing I can do to match that. You ask me to show the same compassion and mercy for others? I'm beginning to see - Your desire for me is that Your love for me be reflected in my response to my neighbour.

Lord, grant me that love. Grow my love so that the personal cost is no longer important to me. Grant me Your eyes to see my neighbour with the same love with which you see me.

Jenn Cavanough

23 May 2012

Matthew 13:1-13:58

I enjoyed Peter Sellers’ last film Being There, about a New York gardener Chance whose simple statements about gardens, plants, weather and so forth are interpreted by the educated public as parables about the economy and business. When at the end of the film he walks on water, the film seems to be saying that that public is infinitely gullible.

Jesus’ technique was the opposite; his parables really were disguising deeper truths, requiring the listener to dig deeper for the real meaning. Curiously, like Chance’s they were frequently about farming/gardening…although the reason for this was to use what was familiar to his hearers. And Chance knew no other world.

Jesus’ puzzled disciples are treated to a full breakdown of the hidden meaning of the parables of the sower and of the weeds and the tares but, it seems, then left to their own devices in regard to the parable of the mustard seed, the yeast, the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price and the fishing net.

Of course, each of the seven parables is at heart about an aspect of the kingdom of heaven – that it is hidden but quietly growing along with evil imposters, that there will be a final reckoning when the true nature of everything will be revealed and evil finally dealt with.

How encouraging it is to read at the end of this chapter that even Jesus was misunderstood, that people sneered at him because they could only see the carpenter’s son, not the reality of their only hope – the Messiah. Makes the business of speaking up as one of Jesus’ followers just that little bit easier, I reckon.

Russell Morton

22 May 2012

Matthew 6-7

Yesterday Phil had a little crisis when he realised the ‘line has been unfairly moved’, and the ten commandments are no longer the final word. ‘Oh yikes!’ we all thought. But our concern was perhaps a little premature.

Where the first half of the Sermon on the Mount is the smack, the second half is the hug that comforts away the tears. It still has teeth, it hasn’t forgotten that there was good reason for the smack, but it’s saying ‘It’s ok, I still love you, here’s what you should do.’

This is the simplicity section – why babble when a few words will suffice? God isn’t deaf, he doesn’t need endless repetition to note all our prayers down, but he can hear our smallest whisper, our ill-defined little needs.

This is the true faith section – for a good deed to be worthy of heavenly reward, there must be absolutely no desire that any person see it being done. Giving, prayer, fasting, all are for the Lord and the Lord alone.

This is the possessions section – trust on God for everything. This does come with a caveat though – there’s no promise of smooth sailing in v34, but there is a promise of a sturdy ship.

This is the cautionary section – this is no easy path, but it has the best reward. It has dangerous yet enticing side paths, and even the right path will sometimes be difficult to find. But it will always be there for those who look with their hearts.

Finally, Jesus says, check your foundations. What does your faith rely on at its deepest of levels? These instructions teach a person how to build the strongest of foundations, one built on love, faith, and trust. Belief built on hatred, disrespect, or jealousy will only lead to collapse. So forgive, move on, step forward onto the solid path of light.s

Imogen Wegman

21 May 2012

Matthew 5:1-6:4

Blessed are the cheesemakers

When reading this my mind instantly jumps to Monty Python's “Life of Brian” a comical movie about a man who was raised next door to Jesus and there is a scene where Jesus is preaching and someone mishears Jesus saying “Blessed are the Cheesemakers”. The beatitudes are wonderful and confusing at the same time. They seem comforting but when you look closer, there seem to be contradictions. How can someone who is poor in spirit be happy? How can those who are mourning be comforted? All these things, I think are being fulfilled by Jesus being there. Those who are poor in spirit and now fortunate enough to have Jesus here and the Kingdom of God is close.

When reading through the 10 commandments, I generally feel pretty good. I can honestly say I have never stolen or murdered anyone, I have never slept with my neighbours wife or stolen his oxen. Bam!! I am an awesome Christian. Well Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking, they believed that they were right with God because they were not murdering or sleeping with others. Jesus knew what was on their heart and stated that now their thoughts were just as damning as their actions.

Let's review my list, I still haven't killed anyone but I have gotten angry at plenty of people. Ok but I still haven't slept with my neighbours ….. oh lustfully looking at a person is just as bad. Ok so out of that I probably haven't come out on top although I can proudly say I haven't had any thoughts about stealing my neighbours oxen. Speaking of my neighbour, he has this sweet as car which is low, sleak and sounds fantas..... oh ok so that is what the passage is about.

It feels like the line has been unfairly moved and now it is impossible to get to heaven because everyone sins. If you are feeling this it isn't impossible and fortunately God gave us a way to be with him and it is as simple as breathing/thinking/blinking (select which one you find easiest). The way is throught Jesus (spoiler alert).

Thought? Comments?

Phil Banham

18 May 2012

Matthew 3:13-4:17

In the broad sweep of this section of Matthew chapters one through four, we see Jesus portrayed as Israel’s Messiah (or Christ) in the genealogy (1:1-17). In the history of Israel the Messiah is a representative figure. What do we mean by that? Like Israel, Jesus goes down to Egypt and returns (2:13-15). He will relive the exile to Babylon (2:16-18).

In his baptism (3: 13-17), we see Jesus engaged in an act of covenant renewal, a chapter replayed in the history of Israel again and again. Baptism is a rite surrounded by repentance and confession of sins (3:2; 6). John senses the inappropriateness of Jesus’ participation (3:14). Jesus tantalisingly speaks of how he is fulfilling all righteousness (3:15). But in what way?

Finally, we come to Jesus’ testing in the wilderness (4:1-11). But unlike Israel, where Israel failed, Jesus succeeds. Jesus acts as the representative of God’s people, both Jew and Gentile (4:15-16). Where Israel failed, where you and I fail, Jesus has succeeded, and in his success is our own. As Matthew’s story begins we too are called to make an act of covenant renewal.
The kingdom of heaven is near. Soon we shall be in the presence of God’s king, Jesus. We are in the presence God’s king when two or three are gathered in his name. We invite his presence. Yet, when it comes to the things of God, we are all too aware that we have failed. We repent. We confess our sins. And again with his help we will produce fruit.

Random thought: treat today as a ‘good friday’ do something kind for a work colleague, perhaps the one who you find most difficult (5:43-48).

Andrew Osborn

17 May 2012

Luke 3:-3:20

John the Baptist is a pin-up boy for political incorrectness. John didn't pull any punches. And he didn't win any friends. But what a message!

John presents two challenges in this passage: to point us towards Christ, and to challenge us with God's standard of righteousness. What will our response be? To honour God by submitting to Him, or to kill the messenger and continue on our way regardless?

Just where do we stand before God? Can we inherit a Godly relationship from our parents, relying on family ties to keep us in favour with God, or does God see right through us to a core that does not reflect a Godly character? Luke speaks of fruit, evidence of true repentance, a changed heart and a changed life.

I'm currently reading The Christian Mind by Harry Blamires, whose challenge is similar to that of John's. It's easy to compartmentalise our spiritual life and our secular life. The world says to put me first, to provide for my security, to protect myself. John's challenge is to do the opposite: to share our surplus with those who have less, to not take more than we need, because of some misguided sense of entitlement, and to be content with what we have.

How do we reconcile our relationship with God with our earthly desires? I'd suggest to do as John did. We take our eyes off ourselves and our self interests and we put our eyes on Jesus.

Jenn Cavanough

15 May 2012

Luke 1:1-1:80

The historian in me likes the Book of Luke simply because of his introduction. “I have carefully investigated” Luke writes, giving the reader some quality assurance. The study notes in my Bible tell me that Luke was a highly educated physician, worth remembering when reading about some of the more impossible-seeming parts of Jesus’ life.

The virgin birth is one of the most commonly targeted foolishnesses of the Christian faith—popular culture will tell us all it’s ridiculous, impossible, and ‘obviously’ just a young girl hiding an indiscretion. Yet Luke, a learned doctor who speaks to eyewitnesses of the events, Luke, who applies his learning to every aspect of his account, doesn’t hesitate before recounting the circumstances surrounding John and Jesus’ birth. There comes an age when women are physically unable to have children anymore, a fact Luke would well understand, just as he would understand other … er… facts of life.

What we see here is equal credit given both to the birth of John and of Jesus. One is not considered more miraculous than the other, both are treated as simple facts. I imagine Luke’s eyebrows going up at this moment in the story, but in his meticulous way he would have sussed out the truth of it all—verse three suggests his investigation is for his own faith, the recording of it a later idea.

In deriding Mary’s experience, popular culture forgets about the miracle of Elizabeth’s son. And two children born out in impossible circumstances makes them just a little more possible. And then there’s Sarah, and Hannah too. All have different reasons they shouldn’t be able to have children, but they do it anyway.

Imogen Wegman

14 May 2012

John 1:1 – 18

Instantly in this passage you are introduced to 2 parts of the trinity. The Word (Jesus) who is with God and is God. Instantly my mind starts running these discussions to try to understand it. I also go to a little bit of maths to try and make sense.

1+1=1!

What? Wait, no that isn't how it works. What about if The Word and God make up to become 1.

½ + ½ = 1.

That does work better but doesn't take into consideration some other pieces of information.

The Word was present with the Father and assumably the Spirit at the beginning. So The Word (from now we will call him Jesus) is a separate individual to the Father but He also possessed Divinity (Godness).

If Jesus has unlimited power along with the Father and the spirit, the way I represent it in my mind is as follows.

∞ + ∞ + ∞ = ∞

Now I feel that it should be 3∞ but I know that because in maths infinity is a concept and cannot go higher.

This is how my understanding of the trinity goes, I know that Jesus and God and the Holy Spirit are all equally powerful but when combined they do not make an equivalent Megazord (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zord

). They are in fact their God in their own right but God in 3 parts.

Hopefully, you don't get scared away from the incredibility of the trinity by the fact that the maths doesn't seem to add up for a simpleton like me. I think it is super exciting and when I do think about it a small explosion occurs in my head.

Trust in the fact that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are God and if one of them leaves it doesn't mean they are a third weaker.

Thoughts? Questions?

Phil Banham

11 May 2012

Malachi 1-4

The book of Malachi is a call for God’s people to renew the covenant. Yahweh has not rejected his covenant people, Israel (1: 2). It is not that He’s not had cause: the people bring blind animals for sacrifice (1: 8); the priests have not set their heart to honor Him (2: 2); the priest’s teaching causes the people to violate the covenant (2: 8); the people inter-marry with people of other nations (2:14) – it is uncertain whether this is a sanction on idolatry (following the gods of their spouses) or divorce (leaving their first spouse), either way it’s a breach of the covenant; and if it’s not about divorce Malachi 3: 5 is; they call good evil (2:16); they do not care for the poor and powerless (3:5); and they do not reverence God (3:5).

Even though Israel has broken the covenant (2:8), Yahweh has not rejected his people. He calls them to renew the covenant. Yahweh will purify his people (3:2-3). He promises if they return to him they will again enjoy His blessing (3:10).

Interestingly Yahweh engages in a dialogue (actually six) with Israel (e.g. 3:16). Israel sins (not bringing appropriate tithes and offerings 3:10), Yahweh rebukes, they object (it’s futile to serve God, evil doers prosper 3:14-15) and Yahweh’s promises end time justice (3:17-18).

Along the way we have a reference to John the Baptist (3:1) and Jesus (4:2).

My personal likes

1.A no holds bar call to doing our best for God

2.A call to being faithful alone to Him

3.A very concrete call to care for the poor and the powerless

4.God is not going to give up on us, his people, he will purify us.

5.God dialogues with us. Prayer is a real two way communication.

6The promises God has made have begun to be fulfilled in Jesus, bring on the new creation!

Andrew Osborn

10 May 2012

Jonah

What ending would you have given this story?

From whale to worm... and those annoying Ninevites... Jonah was not having a good week.

It seemed that no matter where Jonah turned nothing seemed to be going his way. His determination to head in the opposite direction when God directed him to go to Nineveh resulted in a free ride in a whale, and a re-direction to Nineveh. I found it encouraging that Jonah seemed to acknowledge God’s compassion in his deliverance.

Jonah's response to the genuine repentance of the people of Nineveh is puzzling. Perhaps he was put out by the ease with which they turned to God? Had he hoped to see God's wrath being poured out? Was his mood so black that although he had been blessed by God's compassion, yet he could not find the same compassion for others?

In chapter four we see Jonah's acknowledgement of a 'gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love'. How often do I find myself with my head and heart out of synch? Although I might have an understanding and knowledge of God's grace and compassion, does my heart respond accordingly?

Then, the worm... where again we see Jonah's anger at the loss of his shade, followed by an abrupt ending to the story. The dramatic tension generated by Jonah's mood swings culminates in an unfinished story. What next for Jonah? Did he resolve his fits of anger? Was his heart eventually touched by God's compassion? How do you think you would have responded? What ending would you have hoped to have read?

Jenn Cavanough

9 May 2012

Daniel 6:1-6:28

Daniel in the Lion’s Den is one of those enduring Bible stories. It’s in every kids Bible, and might even make the top 20 let alone the top 100 Bible stories. What is it about this story that so captures our imagination.

First, it’s the fact that doing the right thing is rewarded in the end. The right thing in this case is not so much a behaviour, but loyalty. Loyalty to God. Loyalty in the face of opposition and danger.

And that is the second, that doing the right thing is more admirable in trying circumstances. The enemies of God at times actively plot and conspire against God and his people. Thankfully they do so in vain, according to Psalm 2.

But it doesn’t always feel that way. When Daniel is in the Den, when we are under fire, when our values our out of step with our tolerant age, when our voice is discordant with the symphony of self, it feels like we are fighting a losing battle.

Well we may lose the odd battle, but Jesus has won the war over sin, death, and the devil. A place of favour is reserved for us at the table of the king, and a place of judgment is reserved for those who would conspire against God and his people.

David Rietveld

8 May 2012

Jeremiah 1:1 – 3:5

‘Subtlety’ isn’t generally a word people associate with me, and while I don’t like confrontation, I will say what needs saying, occasionally a little more bluntly than strictly necessary. But Jeremiah is in a completely different class of messengers, and is definitely not a man to pull his punches. He’s a straight speaking prophet of God, and we’d better not forget it.

He’s not given much of a choice – ‘tell them, or there’ll be humiliations galore, with you at the centre’. But here we also see the Lord’s reassuring power – ‘Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.’ In this context the promise is enormous. Jeremiah’s message is nasty, something you’d expect to hear from a malicious teen girl not the Lord Almighty. But it’s not surprising, the Israelites have had this coming, they’ve been determinately ignoring all the warnings, and there comes a time when tact just isn’t going to cut it.

And then we look around the world today. What would Jeremiah say to us now? This is a warning against seeking out other gods. And that means all other gods, whether overtly worshipped or not. Buddha, money or the perfect partner, they’re all the same in God’s eyes, and chasing them means running away from him. Saying you’re not really chasing them doesn’t count – he knows your heart, and knows when you’re just grovelling. But the continuing theme throughout these readings is that of redemption. Why would God persistently keep sending messages to the Israelites if he wasn’t longing to take them back?

Imogen Wegman

7 May 2012

Isaiah 51:1-53:12

This week I struggled.

First time I read through, I didn't have a clue what this is talking about.

Second third and fourth readings resulted in the same. Initial conclusion, this passage is not one you can rush through. It has so many images which and metaphors that they all start running into each other.
I found this passage frustrating for me because I didn't get it straight away. I couldn't understand what the main message was. I couldn't summarise the main points. I couldn't think of what to reflect on. Suddenly while reading chapter 53, the lines saying “surely He took up our pain and bore our sin” stands out like a sore thumb. The prophetic words written a decent time before Jesus are predicting and entailing everything which happened. He was pierced and he paid the price for us. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter yet he did not open his mouth”.

I think that the 3 chapters have a past present and future focus to them. It looks at Jerusalem’s past, where they are from, what is happening in the near present and finally what is to come. The huge promise that is God's beginning of the finale.

Finally out of all the confusion, there is this final line “For he bore the the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” That was all done for me, I am one of those transgressors. Someone so unworthy and undeserving, I received this gift of pure love.

Phil Banham

4 May 2012

Proverbs 16:1-18:24

The book of Proverbs opens with the injunction ‘the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge’ (Proverbs 1:7) and it ends with the tale of a woman who does just that (Proverbs 31: 10-31), her life is summed up in ‘Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised’ (30). She is wise and her life bears the fruit of God’s blessing.

Our present chapters show us how the ‘fear of the Lord’ is lived out in all its practicality in some very specific spheres: How do to godly planning (Proverbs 16:1-9); How to live life under authoritative rule (Proverbs 16:10-17); the blessing of a humble life(Proverbs 16:18-20); how to use our speech well (Proverbs 16:21-33 & 18: 1-8); how to do being a ‘son or daughter’ well (Proverbs 17:1-33); and then some random advice (Proverbs 18:9-24).

My personal likes

1.
‘Commit to the Lord whatever you do’ (Proverbs 16: 3): why because I think at times I can make plans and then ask God to sanctify them.

2.
‘a brother is born for adversity’ (Proverbs 17:17): there is nothing like a good friend in hard times. I know because I have experienced it, and thank those of you who have been that for me.

3.
‘the tongue has the power of life and death’ (Proverbs 18:21): my words can be destructive, I know I have seen it. Equally my words can also be creative, I know, I have seen. I’d like to see it more.

Andrew Osborn

3 May 2012

Proverbs 1:1-4:27

One of the things I take great delight in is seeing the beginning of wisdom in little children. When my three year old son was trying to sort out the difference between good people and Christian people, it was clear that he was trying to sort out truth from the various facts he had gathered which suddenly did not seem to fit together neatly.

Wisdom is more than a collection of facts. It's a simple thing to gather information and facts. Wisdom involves a deeper level of understanding and response.

What is the difference between a wise person and an intelligent person? According to Proverbs, an intelligent person wants to learn, asks for advice, studies and learns and as a result, grows in understanding. A wise person loves wisdom, and learns from mistakes, becoming even wiser. So where does God fit into this picture? Can we become so wise that we no longer need God?

Proverbs talks about the wrong type of wisdom, our own wisdom. Our ideas may be good, but they can only be second best. God, the giver of wisdom, can never be bested. True wisdom comes only from Him, so there is no point in being proud of our own ideas or intelligent contributions. For us to be truly wise, we need to look to God to correct us and to continue to guide us in the best way.

Proverbs 3 has some of the most encouraging words in scripture: we are encouraged to trust in God with our whole heart, and not in our own understanding. Walking before God in humility is a profound experience, because we are able to learn to let go of our own desires, and to let God open the way for us to move forward - not the way we may have planned, but a better way. God wants to be part of every part of our life. We are wise if we give Him our life, for essentially it belongs to Him, not to us.

Jenn Cavanough

1 May 2012

Psalm 51:1-51:19

I’m a little particular about my Bible translations – I prefer the NLT for general reading, but find its Psalms lacking in spirit, and bereft of the very poeticism that sets them apart from the rest of the Bible.

So today it was back to the NIV for appreciating David’s pain, sorrow and anguish following his folly with Bathsheba. Today this E100 plan really comes into its own – the story is fresh in our minds, and hear we see how hard it hits David when Nathan comes with a message from God. And it certainly does hit him hard – his ‘bones are crushed’ as he recognises the evil of his actions (in the NLT it says ‘you have broken me’, how much stronger is the image of ‘crushed bones!).

Today as I came to verse 10 I started singing it to the well-known Keith Green tune. But when I reached the second line I was struck by the difference. Where other translations say ‘right or ‘loyal spirit’, today I read ‘steadfast’ and was struck by the image of ever-enduring loyalty that invoked. David is sorrowful, but doesn’t dwell on his sins. He trusts in the Lord to cleanse him, and then promises to forever be faithful, to praise Him so that His mercy will be known. We know David makes more mistakes, and his own psalms record his tumultuous emotions, but he isn’t asking to be made perfect, only to always be faithful to his king.

Imogen Wegman

If you don’t know the song, it’s here:

Create In Me a Clean Heart! with lyrics (Keith Green)

www.youtube.com

Create in my a clean heart gospel music,

27 April 2012

2 Kings 25:1-30

The fall of Jerusalem

The covenant God made with David’s line was conditional upon their obedience of the law. Covenant entry was by the gracious gift of God, but to remain in the covenant was dependent upon their right response to this graciousness of God: obedience.

The consequence for not holding up to their side of the bargain was to be evicted from the land. That is what is finally recounted in our present passage. Both Josiah and Hezekiah’s reforms are too little to late. The die is cast. The final two kings: Jehoiachin and Zedekiah are described as doing ‘evil in the eyes of the Lord’ (2 Kings 24: 9 & 19). It is possible to see hope in the elevation of Jehoiachin to the Babylonian king’s table. However, we leave this puppet-king eating defiled food at the table of a pagan king. This is in stark contrast to Daniel who seems to point the way to survive the exile.

The exile does not spell the end of God’s dealing with his people Israel. He will purify his people through the exile. This is a word of hope, as new covenant believers nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8: 38-39). However, it is also a word of challenge: we are to live in such a way that shows that our faith is genuine (1 Peter 1: 6-7). Through our trails God is creating in us this genuine faith characterized by: perseverance, character, hope and love (Romans 5: 3-4; 1 Peter 1: 8 & 4: 8).

Andrew Osborn

April 26 2012

1 Kings 16:29-19:18

This reading has all the ingredients of a blockbuster movie: an unlikely hero, lots of bad guys, an evil king and his even more evil wife, spies, ravens, an innocent woman and a child, and a supernatural event involving lots of fire.

A movie is more than a series of events. Underlying every good movie are a number of riveting themes.

Chapter 16 highlights the choices for evil made by Ahab and Jezebel. God gives us freedom to make such choices, but He is quite clear about the link between godly choices and prospering. Those who harden their hearts against God do not prosper in the long run.

Chapter 17 highlights God's power over nature, over rain from the heavens and over the creatures of His creation. Despite the claims of many scientists, God controls nature, and mankind is impotent in its face. Famine happens, people suffer, but God provides for His own. Ravens, egocentric creatures who do not nourish their own offspring, are used by God to feed his prophet.

The hero of these chapters, Elijah, moves between heroic action and stillness. How do we respond to God's calling? Do we have the courage to speak out boldly regardless of consequences, as Elijah did with the powerful Ahab? Are we sufficiently humble to wait patiently when God has no work for us to do? To be still and to wait on Him, as Elijah did.

Chapter 18 and 19 tell the story of the challenge Elijah presented to the prophets of Baal to prove the power of their god. What can we learn from this? God's faithfulness? God's concern for His people to turn towards Him? How does God speak to us? With might and power as in the fire which burnt up the altar, or in a still small voice as to Elijah?

Good action movies leave viewers exhausted. These chapters have so much more to offer. This is only the trailer.

Jenn Cavanough

April 24 2012

1 Kings 2:1-3:28

A work colleague and I were recently arguing about the nature of wisdom, whether it’s only intelligence, or intelligence plus, or something completely different entirely. I say it’s having knowledge, understanding the nature of that knowledge, and knowing how to use it in each independent situation. I can’t remember what he said because, obviously, I was right. But what I forgot to do, in my arrogant eagerness to win this argument, was include God’s part in wisdom.

When I say ‘wise person’, you say ‘Ghandi’, ‘the baboon from The Lion King’, or ‘Confucius’ to name a few.* Our society seems to inherently associate wisdom with spirituality and wrinkles. It isn’t just ‘knowing everything’, it’s having a deeper understanding of how that knowledge relates to everything else, and being able to apply it. Solomon gets it. He acknowledges God’s sovereignty over his position, and allows that to show through the decisions he makes. As a result he is called wise, and his decisions are held with respect and even awe as coming from God.

Wisdom isn’t something we teach ourselves, it requires observation of God’s movements in the world, acceptance of them, and most importantly always asking ‘what is the most Godly answer to this question?’ It seems to me that only when we factor God into the smallest parts of all our knowledge can we really start to be wise.

How do you define ‘wisdom’?

Imogen Wegman

April 23 2012

2 Samuel 11:1-12:25

David, David, David....

The man who conquered Goliath and was anointed by God. What a man! The statement 'the bigger they are the harder they fall' comes to mind for this story.

When I had read this story previously, I was thinking one initial thing. Why was Bathsheba bathing naked where people could see her? I read a commentary and it said that at that time of day when all the men would be out in the fields or at war, this was the best time for women to be bathing. Ok so this is pretty normal for the women to be bathing at this time. So, why was David standing on his roof at a time when everyone knew would be the most likely time for all of the female population to be bathing? Maybe this one doesn't need answering.

Overall did David make a wise choice to go onto the roof at the time when he knew women would be bathing and then stare dumbfounded at an extremely attractive woman for longer than a quick glance? Stupid choice number 1, check!

Now after David had had a decent goggle at Bathsheba he decided to find out some information about her. The ancient version of facebook stalking. After he found her profile he discovered that she was married and her husband was serving at the front. So instead of moving on he decides to befriend her and send a message. Is it a smart choice to send a message to a woman whose husband has been away for who knows how long and invite her over so you can serenade her with your damn fine harp skills and add some alcohol into the mix? Stupid choice number 2, check!

David, the quick witted person discovers that doing the no pants dance with a woman is how babies are made. So instead of admitting to his dance party, he decides to bring home Uriah and have a casual chat to him about the weather, war and his personal life. Uriah being the disciplined man refuses to go home and David decides to try and “fix” things with alcohol because this is always the best problem solver. When this doesn't work, David is out of ideas so has him killed. Was it smart for David to try to cover up his tracks by attempting to get a highly trained man who is loyal to king and country drunk so he will sleep with his secretly pregnant wife? Stupid choice number 3, check!

I realise I have not involved Bathsheba's mistakes in this (mainly because of time) so I think that it is important to know that no matter how Godly and God focussed you are; if you have even a moment where you let your guard down be aware that the devil will be there waiting to make you trip. There are so many examples of this happening (recent example of Michael Guglielmucci) that is isn't a case of it won't happen to me. It could and it might happen and most probably when you are least expecting it.

Remember you never expect to trip over.

Thoughts or comments? Please say below

Phil Banham

April 20 2012

2 Samuel 5:1-7:29

The thing that is striking about a king in Israel is that it was not meant to be. Yahweh is Israel’s king. For God’s people to ask for a king is a rejection of God’s rule over them (1 Samuel 8: 7). Israel wishes to be like all the other nations, she seeks security in a realm other than the security that God himself offers.

This is a classic description of sin. Yet God in his graciousness acquiesces to her request. The first attempt in Saul is a dismal failure. The second attempt in David begins spectacularly. Everything that David does he does well. And this is where we are in the narrative at the zenith of David’s story. We are at that point where God works kingship into the covenant. It is incorporated into the unfolding covenant with his people, which began implicitly in creation; was made explicit to the person of Abraham, in many ways in the form of promise; and applied to the new context of the wilderness at Sinai, for the people of Israel. Here we have the covenant contextualized for the new situation of Israel in the land under a divinely appointed king. David brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Not with not its hiccups. The death of Uzzah, who acts inappropriately towards the ark, fills David with anger and fear. Perhaps this interlude prepares David for the humility that will follow. David having built a palace for himself, asks the prophet Nathan if he might build God a temple (literally, house). The prophet replies that it is God who will build David a house. Here we have a play on words. The house that God will build for David, is his line. His descendants will rule forever. It is David’s son who will build the temple. Ultimately, things will not go well for Israel and her king. They will continue to reject God’s rule, and the punishment of defeat and exile will result. Nevertheless, God will not forget his promises. A descendant of David will resume the throne of the people of God, Jesus of Nazareth. In Jesus, God will reestablish his rule over his people.

Completely appropriately, this person is not merely a human being, but rather the disciples come to conclude the unthinkable that he is God. Yet something that began with Saul and continues in David has been introduced. For equally unthinkable is that humanity has been taken up into the deity. It will mean that this Jesus is uniquely placed to live God’s way and provide the way through his death and resurrection for God’s people to be recreated in God’s image. It means hope for us, his people, for now we are connected to God in Christ. We, our humanity, has ascended with Christ, and it means that change is possible. We can live the new life that God in Christ calls us to: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, love, peace, and thankfulness (Colossians 3: 12-17).

Andrew Osborn

April 19 2012

1 Samuel 23:7-24:22

We meet three men: a King, his son and his son-in-law.

Let's start with the son, Jonathan. A true friend of David's, he took the opportunity to encourage his friend to continue to place his trust in the Lord God. Jonathan was aware that God had chosen David to be the next King of Israel. He could have shown jealousy towards David who would rule in his place, but he was committed to supporting his friend regardless.

The King: a man chosen by God to rule Israel, but flawed. An impetuous man who could not be trusted to keep his word. A man spurred by hatred for David, determined to kill him. Yet the leader of Israel.

Last of all, David, with all the marks of Godly leadership. A man who inquired of God instead of following his supporters' advice. A man who was not motivated by personal glory and admiration. A man who did not have a revengeful heart, but who was willing for God to work His way in His time. A man who wished to overcome evil with good. A man with the strength to not follow the counsel of his supporters, but to look to God for guidance. A man who was willing to express regret for the disrespect he had shown the Lord's anointed.

What a contrast in leadership.

Jenn Cavanough

April 18 2012

I Samuel 16:1-18:16

Whenever one reads a story, or watches a movie, we ‘identify’ with at least one of them main character. Take a nature doco for instance on cheetahs. You want the cheetah to catch the gazelle. But if you’re watching a doco a gazelle you’re gunning for the gazelle to get away.

Who do identify with in David and Goliath story? David of course! And the application then becomes ‘have you killed any giants lately?’ If you would only trust God and step out in faith you too can defeat the giants that paralyse your life.

Goldsworthy (author etc) informs us this is the wrong way to read this narrative. David is a saviour figure, who foreshadows the ministry of Jesus. Jesus is the man with God’s own heart, who defeats the ultimate enemy of God’s people – Satan.

So where are we in the narrative? Who ought we to identify with? Goldsworthy proposes the cowering Israelites who need a saviour. That’s us! In the first instance I suspect Goldsworthy is right. But I can’t get away from the fact that the way narrative is framed leads us to identify with David, in a way that we don’t identify with Jesus when we read the gospels. Given that, in Jesus our ultimate enemy has already been defeated; in the second instance, it is true that we can step out in faith and confront the giants that paralyse. Happy hunting :-)

Dave R

April 17 2012

1 Samuel 8-10

I remember once in grade 3 I was dared to creep into the classroom at lunch and turn an ‘L’ into a ‘P’ on the blackboard, so that ‘Luke’ became ‘Puke’, just because he wasn’t one of the cool kids, and I wanted to be. I also remember getting into trouble. This is a memory full of shame and embarrassment. I knew it was wrong, rude, mean, disrespectful and unkind as I was doing it. But I didn’t care, I wanted to look like a rebel to fit in with the crowd, and so I ignored my hesitations and went for it.

The Israelites are suckers for peer pressure. “Everyone else has a king, why can’t we have one too?” they ask. They nag at Samuel, they know the consequences, but they don’t care. All the cool nations have kings, Israel wants to be cool too. Samuel sighs, confers with the Lord, and finally agrees to find them one. The people are hankering after a physical ruler, someone they can communicate with face to face, someone to hide behind from other nations. In their heads they know God can do that, but they don’t understand it in their hearts.

So Samuel finds them someone. He’s rather impressive as an individual, but his heritage is less so. And yet he follows the Lord’s bidding and steps up to lead as king, despite a mixed reception. Sounds familiar actually. Now who else comes out of nowhere to lead God’s people forward? I think you know this one.

How often to we seek to find a physical substitute for God in our own lives?

Imogen Wegman

April 16 2012

1 Samuel 1:1-3:21

Ok, today is full of many small random thoughts, see if you can link them up with which part of the passage it is.

How often have you (I know I have) asked God for something saying “if you give me …. I promise that I will stop doing …. “. Well Hannah said a similar prayer to God but she followed through and the promise she made was more than a new years resolution style promise, she promised whoever she gave birth to would be given to God. What a lady to make such a promise!

Poor Eli,
Such a wonderful man of God has his reputation spoiled by his 2 selfish sons.

How would your heart feel if God said “The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your priestly house, so that no one in it will reach old age”? Hopefully you would know that at that instant you and your family had done something bad in the eyes of God. How would you respond, would you try to recover what little honour you had left or would you take it graciously?

I love the way that God didn't get frustrated when calling for Samuel. I can just imagine the story if God called Samuel the first 2 times and finally God called Samuel saying “Hey Samuel. Nope, no I am not Eli calling you. I'm the creator of the uni.... Ah, stuff it, you didn't figure out who it was so your bad luck.” Fortunately God doesn't think how I do but He is patient and loving. He waits for Samuel to respond in the correct way and then leaps into his judgement. After all this Samuel is then pushed by Eli to tell him what God told revealed. How would you tell that to Eli, I imagine I would try to sugar coat it. Actually, how do you sugar coat “God is going to strike down your sons on the same day”?

Eli responds in a perfect way, not the way a typical person would but the way a man of God would with “Let the Lord do what is right in his eyes”. What a tough place to be in, I guess Eli knew that he had done wrong and deserved what he was about to receive.
I don't know how to tie all of this into one clear and concise thought, hopefully this helps you to pull out some key thoughts on the character of God and how gracious he is to us, his super sinful and unworthy creations. Well what do you know, I did summarise it into one thought.

Phil Banham

April 13 2012

Ruth:1:1-4:22

Becoming a Christian is a bit like getting into a story. We all have stories to tell, the stories of our lives. No matter how mundane we might think they are. But there is another story going on in the universe and that’s God’s story. What he’s done in the past, what he’s doing now and what he’ll do in the future. When we become a Christian we enter into God’s story. Every person has to find his or her way into God’s story. In the book of Ruth, there are three main characters: Naomi; Ruth; and Boaz. Each one has a very different way of getting into God’s story.

Naomi got into God’s story by complaining. Her hard questions of “Why Lord, why?” were never answered, but her complaint was so woven into the plot that her emptiness became an opportunity for God’s provision. In the friendship with the young woman Ruth and the birth of her grandson Obed, she begun to experience the rich and satisfying provision that whets our appetite for when the Lord Jesus returns making a new heavens and a new earth. Perhaps you are a bit like Naomi; perhaps life has treated you hard. The Book of Ruth says that it’s alright to complain to God, listing how you feel he has failed to be just towards you. And as you do you can fight your way through to a real, positive and healthy relationship with God.

Ruth got into God’s story by asking for what she wanted. She asks Naomi if she might return with her to Bethlehem. She asks Boaz if she might glean in his field. In a manner of speaking, she asks him for his hand in marriage. At every turn of the tale, by the strange coincidences the hidden God of providence provides for her. Ruth asks and she receives and the marriage that she asks of Boaz points to the relationship between God and his people Israel in the Old Testament and is fulfilled in our relationship between Christ and the Church in the New. And we like Ruth enter into that relationship by daring to ask for what we want (Luke 11: 9-13).

Boaz got into God’s story by taking up new responsibilities. It meant persistently and generously putting his wealth, resources and position to work on behalf of others. In a time where every person did what was right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25 c.f. Ruth 1:1), when people of substance only took care of themselves, at the expense of the widows and the poor. Boaz seems to stand against the tide. What drew him to faith were the high ideals, the purposeful life it called. The book of Ruth speaks of ample room for all sorts of people to get into God’s story.

Andrew Osborn

April 12 2012

Judges 13:1-16:31

Have you ever met a Christian whom you don't really like? I find Samson particularly annoying. A man born of Godly parents who lived a life of violence and stirred up dissension with his neighbours (to put it mildly). A man who ignored his parents' wise advice as to a suitable marriage match, and who chose a girl who would bring calamity to him and to herself and her family. A man not unlike the rest of us who behave in ways that do not reflect God's righteousness.

Yet it was said of Samson that he was a man of faith. Regardless of his less than shining example of Godly actions, nevertheless he was a man who consecrated himself to serve God. He was not perfect but he was aware of God using him for His own purposes.

God knows our sinfulness. He gets it. That's why His eternal plan included the Easter component. It's good to remind ourselves that we can't make it by our own strength. No matter how hard we try we will not earn God's grace. No matter how much Bible knowledge we have, sorry - that does not count. No matter how much we put into the offering bowl, sorry - that does not count. No matter how nice, how helpful, how caring and compassionate we are, sorry - that does not count.

What does matter is that we continue to strive to walk God's way, even if we don't understand the outcome. When Samson was brought, blinded, into the party, did he understand the part he was playing in the extended story? When God places me in difficult situations will I respond in obedience regardless of the cost? Will I continue to walk God's way even though I falter often and get it wrong? What Samson shows me is that I don't have to be acceptable (too big an ask) but I can be assured that God is holding out His hand to me and encouraging me to keep walking.

Jenn Cavanough

April 11 2012

Judges 6:1-7:25

When I was at Utas I was asked to speak once on the Gideon story. The then president of the Christian group suggested an outline: Gideon was a man called to great task. He had good reason to be wary, so he tested God’s will with a ‘fleece’. Application: when and how can we test God’s will with a fleece. That evening I was discussing this topic with my father (who also happened to be my minister)! He held quite a different view. Gideon’s request reveals a distinct lack of faith. If anything his response verges on disobedience. As my daughter Eden said this morning when we read this passage ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’. That God is gracious and accommodates Gideon does not set a precedent for us to follow.

There you have the two sides to a vigorous debate. Does God command and we simply ought to obey? In the absence of command we have freedom and wisdom, and ought to make proactive decisions. Or does God have a will for our life that we can discern and test? It is only when we are within the will of God that suits our gifting that we will be truly blessed.

Behind each of these two positions sits two sets of presuppositions. The first is driven (in part) by rationalism and a transcendent view of God. God has made us rational beings who can discern his will through understanding universal biblical principles. God is a God of order. The second is driven by individualism. I am unique, and God has made me so I am gifted for this task. God is a God of persons, dealing with us case by case. Both perspectives offer an insight, and both are flawed by the thinking of our day.

I found myself more persuaded by my father’s explanation of the text, and so went my talk. I suspect today in practice I hold a similar but not the same position, for slightly different reasons. We are individuals, but we suffer a common plight – the symptoms follow patterns. God’s response is mediated by my movement to and from him, not to me in isolation. I have wisdom and freedom, to a point, both for good and ill.

Understanding God’s will is not just a topic for debates – it is one of the most functional doctrines. How do you determine God’s will? What are your presuppositions?

David Rietveld

April 10 2012

Judges 4:1-5:31

This reading has completely changed my opinion about the name Deborah, but then I don’t think I’ve ever actually read this story before. Which is strange, since it’s one of the standard ‘Strong Women of the Bible’ texts. Now I see Deborah as the name of a strong woman, one who leads men, who commands authority, and the power of this woman becomes clear.

This particular reading reminds me of some legend, a chapter in The Lord of the Rings, or some other story of bravery and courage from the most unlikely of characters. It even has an accompanying ballard. But this time the tale is true.

Previously we’ve seen the tendency of the Israelites to lapse back to ungodly ways with the passing of each judge. Maybe they get distracted, don’t understand it all, don’t really care, whatever the reason they don’t show long term commitment to the cause. And then comes a judge, a female prophetess, who cajoles them all into action. There are so many reasons this passage is in those ‘Women with Power’ books, but quite frankly Deborah is quite a scary woman.

What stands out to me today is that Deborah isn’t an unexpected hero. The Lord has placed her in a position of power and tells her to use it. She’s not moved from extra to leading lady, God’s plan has her in the spotlight all along. Jael is picked out of relative obscurity, a hero by ‘chance’, but Deborah has been given recognised authority to enact God’s commands.

The Lord works through both women, and both are celebrated for their actions. I suppose that means it doesn’t matter where we are in the hierarchy, our achievements will always be celebrated.

What do you think of Deborah and Jael? Have I understood them right?

Imogen Wegman

April 9 2012

Judges 2:6-3:6

We live in a world where we are surrounded by the 'enemy'. God wants for us to have a holy relationship with him and also wants us to get rid of anything which will take us away from a perfect relationship.
This is what God is trying to do with the Israelites, God commands them not to leave anything from their enemies around. This is for two reasons,
1. To show that they trust in God and are willing to follow his command.
2. To prevent them from being corrupted by idols and stop them from worshipping the Baals (the other nations Gods)
The Israelites were still new to the faith and did not trust God enough. By leaving other nations distractions, they fell away from God and his teachings.

I feel that these things are still applicable today.
For example, I have a friend who went on a summer camp and gave their life to Christ. They were on fire, getting super excited for anything that they could do to show the world that they knew God. Unfortunately, because they was still new to faith something happened where they then fell away. It was such a sad moment because someone who seemed to be going on the right path suddenly abandoned everything they had come to love and revert to their old habits.

From what I have learnt so far (specifically in youth), people new to the faith require protection from corruption by those who are stronger in faith. I am not trying to say that all new in faith are weak. I am simply saying that if we want people to grow into strong Christians who are on fire for God and have a passion which will last, we need to support and protect them as much as we can.

I think I got a bit of track........ Oops

Phil Banham

April 6 2012

Joshua 5:13-6:27

The book of Joshua narrates the gift of the Promised Land and how to remain in it. The focus is on God. God is able to give the land because he owns it. God gives the land in faithfulness to his promises. Israel will remain in the land so long as she is obedient to the law. That is, obedience is the right response to the graciousness of God. The taking of the land will not take place without struggle. Joshua succeeds Moses as the leader of God’s people (Joshua 1). Three times he is told to take courage. It will be a challenge to overcome the Canaanites, work with God’s people and to obey the law. The crossing of the Jordan is a replay of the Exodus/Red Sea crossing (Joshua 3-4). The Ark of the Covenant travels with them. It is the symbol of God’s presence. The circumcision of Israel marks the new generation from the disobedient who died in the wilderness (Joshua 5). As in the Exodus narratives, God is described as a divine warrior fighting for his people.

What follows is Israel’s first experience of the gift of the land (Joshua 5-6). Joshua meets an elusive figure, he describes himself as ‘the commander of God’s army’ and his sword is drawn, a symbol of divine judgment. Joshua accepts his leadership. Joshua is told he is on holy ground seems to imply that this figure is divine. The shut gates seem to speak of how the people of Jericho are closed to the purposes of God. This is the part of the story we find hard to understand. I suspect because we are not well acquainted with the lives of the inhabitants nor the justice of God. Jericho fears demise. The recounting of the taking of Jericho seems more like an act of worship than an act of war. Israel has just celebrated the Passover at Gilgal (Joshua 5:10). She processes around Jericho with the ark of the covenant, the symbol of God’s presence, blowing trumpets to announce God’s presence, once a day for the six days, and then on the seventh day they circumnavigate seven times, blow the trumpets and the walls of Jericho promptly disintegrate. Israel is not to keep the booty for herself; all that may lure her from the faith of Israel is to be dedicated to God. All that is said, implies that the land is given as a gift, and is to be received as such, with thankful obedience.

We as new covenant believers have been promised a ‘land’ (Hebrews 4). It too is a gift of God’s grace. Yet we too receive it by obedience. This side of the new heavens and the new earth this obedience is a struggle, yet it is a struggle that God has provided for in the gift of his Spirit (Philippians 2: 12-13 & 3: 12-13). Nonetheless, we long for that day when we enter God’s rest, when He will clothe us with bodies of quite a different make up and obedience will no longer be a struggle but a joy (1 Corinthians 15).

Andrew Osborn

April 5 2012

Joshua3:1-4:24

I'm really looking forward to meeting Joshua - a man handed the baton of leadership to bring his people through the final stage of their journey to their new land, who acted with courage and strength.

To me, Joshua presents as a person who listened well, and who responded in obedience. A person willing to follow God's instructions closely, and who did not seem to have his own agenda. A person presented with a challenging task, which he executed with finesse and graciousness.

When God calls me to walk an unknown path, how willing am I to put aside my dreams and aspirations? When God asks me to do the seemingly impossible do I try to put in my own little bits, or do I step into the unknown by faith?

For me, the biggest unknown is death. I find great encouragement from Jesus' conversation with His Father in the Garden of Olives, asking if there was any other way, but concluding 'not My will but Thine'.

As the Israelites followed Joshua through the Jordan River, may I be willing to follow my Lord who has gone before me.

Jenn Cavanough

April 4 2012

Joshua 1:1-18

There is an old formula with sermons and public speaking. You have three points. First – you tell them what you’re going to tell them. Then you tell them. Then you remind them what you’ve told them. I always thought of this method as boring. But I have also noted at times God appears to use it. Be strong and courageous Joshua. Joshua – be strong and courageous. Be strong... OK God, we got the point – but why? What is the great challenge? The challenge is obeying God in the Promised Land.

We don’t normally think of obedience as requiring strength and courage. On the contrary, we often view obedience as passive and the soft option. Pioneering and trail blazing take courage, but not obedience. Not so! It takes courage to obey God. It takes courage to move into a new situation and live differently to others who presently occupy that space. It takes courage to trust that God’s law is wise.

And if Joshua didn’t get the point, at the end of the reading the people remind him: You obey God, we obey you – be strong and courageous. So today, trust and obey God, and that will take courage and strength. And encourage a sister or brother to do the same.

David Rietveld

April 3 2012

Exodus 32:1–34:35

It seems the Old Testament is full of these ‘Gargh! Think, people, think!’ moments. Here’s another. The Lord has just shown his magnificent power. He’s fulfilled his promise and rescued his people from Egypt, guided them through a desert (a desert!), and protected them from enemies. We’re talking the entire population of Tasmania, plus a few extras, and the Lord has kept them safe from harm. And they’re not static, they’re nomadic. Six hundred thousand people on the move through the territories of tribes and snakes, and the Lord keeps them from harm. There’s a lesson just in that.

But our passage today isn’t about that. It’s about the foolishness of those people. Moses gets called up the mountain, and they fall into chaos. Suddenly we see, it wasn’t the Lord they were trusting and obeying, it was Moses, and without him they fall to pieces. He’s ‘missing’ for more than a month, and in anyone’s book that’s not a good sign, so in some ways it’s understandable that the mob might get panicky. But they’ve seen what God does, they know his power, and they still give up.

Is it Moses’ fault? We know he was lacking in the confidence department, but did he so underestimate his leadership that he didn’t adequately guide his wards to a strong independent understanding of the Lord? I’m not sure.

Leaders are always told to ‘do themselves out of a job’ – raise others to fill their place. That requires developing a strong understanding of the vision, goals, and strategies of the organisation. And in today’s reading we see the consequences when that doesn’t happen. There’s a lesson in that.

Imogen Wegman

April 2 2012

Exodus 19:1-20:21

What a passage! It will not be possible for me to summarise or cover everything which is in the passage because there are so many small but significant things.

My advice is find a commentary and break down the passage. The key point(s) which I picked up and thought were the most pertinant were.

1. At Mount Sinai
God's chosen people had been living for many generations with a non God fearing country. The Eqyptians had many God's and many superstitions which were not flattering to God and showed no reverance for the power and might of the God of the Israelites. It seems that this was God's chance to shape and mold his people into a race of people who would fulfill their side of the covenant. The rules and strict regulations which needed to be followed were to instill a sense of fear and respect for the power that God had.
I think it is incredible that if we did not have Jesus as our representative, we would receive similar consequences if we entered the Holy of Holy's. To put it simply, we are so sinful and unworthy that if we were to stand in the presence of God, we would be destroyed. Scary??

Remember that God still had a promise to Abraham to fulfill

2. The 10 Commandments
These Commandments, whether you want to acknowledge it or not are the foundations for our societies laws and most of the Western World. The first 4 are fully focussed on God and our relationship with him, the last 6 are between us and our neighbours (everyone else).
The verse which stick with me is the second last one
Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning .

I think that having a fear of God is a healthy thing to have as it is a motivator and a reminder of the incredible power which God has. We will never be able to comprehend how immense God is except when everything is revealed at the revelation.

So while we wait for the big revelation, remember that God makes mountains shake and is in control of your soul.
“Don't be afraid of those who want to kill our body, they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell” and remember he loves you more than you can ever comprehend so you are in the best metaphorical hands ever.

Phil Banham

March 30 2012

Exodus 13:17-14:31

Finally Pharaoh lets Israel go. God leads his people through the wilderness by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night. . Pharaoh is reluctant to lose the services of the Israelites. And God will lead Israel in a circle to entice Pharaoh to seek their recapture. When the Israelites see Pharaoh’s army pursuing them they are terrified. On one side is the Egyptian army, on the other the sea. They are trapped. They berate Moses for this foolish venture. God assures Moses that he will fight for Israel. The night is an anxious (for Israel) and exasperating (for Pharaoh’s pursuers) interlude as God keeps the two apart protecting Israel with the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. He instructs Moses to stretch out his staff, the sea is parted. Israel walks through on dry ground. Pharaoh’s army is thrown into confusion, they realize that God is fighting for Israel, they seek to flee, but Moses has lifted his staff and God returns the waters and the aftermath of death is seen the next morning.

The song of Moses that follows glorifying God for his great act of deliverance God. One of the words used to describe this act is redemption (Exodus 15: 13). What are we as Christians to make of this tale? For me, it is a sign which points to God’s deliverance in Christ, where we experience his deliverance in all its fullness. God in Christ redeemed us through the death of Jesus. The New Testament will make much of this deliverance. We have been delivered from the presence, the power and the penalty of sin. Let us ponder the deliverance that is most apposite to our present text, teasing out its implications for us as new covenant believers. We have been freed from evil one. We are no longer slaves of sin. The Spirit of Jesus leads us away from the acts of the sinful nature: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry, and witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy, drunkenness, orgies, conceit, provocation (Galatians 5: 19-21, 26) and He leads us to bear his fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5: 22-23). Pray that God by the work of his Spirit might lead us as us personally, as a church, as the church into such freedom. . Let’s keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5: 25) today that God might be glorified in us.

Andrew Osborn

March 29 2012

Exodus 12:1-12-12:42

A reading entirely appropriate to Lent - when we remember the first Passover, the first sacrificial lamb.

What does this passage bring to mind? Let's look at some similarities.
The spilling of blood: too easy! Jesus' death.
The protection provided by the blood when the angel of death passed over the house: freedom from eternal separation from our Father and the promise of restored relationship with Him.

The unblemished lamb: the Paschal Lamb - Jesus. Innocent, as declared by the earthly judge, given to die in our place, not because we deserved redemption, but because of God's undeserved mercy.

The sense of urgency around the eating of the Passover meal: perhaps a reminder that our ties to this world need to be loose, so that we can be prepared to respond to God's call at any time.

The bitter herbs accompanying the meal: a reminder of the bitterness of our sin and its impact on our lives and that of others.

The unleavened bread: cleaning the house of yeast which represented uncleanness. A challenge for us to spend time reflecting on what comes between us and God, what we allow to occupy our time, energy or thoughts.

Dear Jesus, clean my mind of unnecessary clutter, and focus my thoughts on your love sacrifice. Help me to respond to your calling on my life with an increased desire to draw closer to you.

Jenn Cavanough

March 28 2012

Exodus 6:28-11:10

Have you ever wondered why some people just don’t listen? Perhaps you have explained something again and again to a family member, a person at work, or friend – but try as you might – they never quite get it. Pharaoh is one of those who just does not get it. It doesn’t appear to matter how clear the sign is – he will not let God’s people go.

But there is this unsettling refrain ‘I will harden Pharaoh’s heart’. Why would God do that? And how can Pharaoh be blamed if God is the cause? First, why. The narrative reveals three reasons. In Ex 7:5 we read this plagues are judgement. Punishment not just for cruelty to Israel, but for worshipping other gods. So the Nile turning to blood is a judgement on a people who worship the Nile. The second reason is so that ‘the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD’. Last – there is a lesson here for Israel. They too need to understand God to be a just God who punishes idolatry, as well as a God who saves them slavery.

So how then can Pharaoh, and be extension Egypt be blamed? In Rom 9:17 Paul affirms that God hardens Pharaoh’s heart so that God’s power be displayed, and his name be proclaimed. He then goes on to say God even hardened the hearts of some of Israel (Rom 11:8). He goes on to say however, that Israel stumbles ‘because of their transgression’. God’s hardening of the heart appears to work in parallel with the inclinations of one’s heart.

That aside, let us return to the question of listening. Jesus says something like ‘Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear’ ten times in the gospels. And it’s not just the unwashed – even the disciples incur this slight (Mark 8). So the question for today – what might God be saying to you that you are not hearing? And what might be hard about your heart, and causes you to be unable to hear? Ask God to reveal to you your blind spot, and to help you minimise it.

David Rietveld

March 27 2012

Exodus 3:1 – 4:17

Just last week in our small group we were bemoaning today’s absence of burning talking bushes. ‘Can’t God just send me a text message or email?’ we asked. ‘Just a short message that says ‘you’re on the right track’ or ‘yes, I want you to decide this way.’?’ But what would be you honestly do if God did jump up while you were walking to work, and say ‘I want you to do _________.’ It’s one thing to know you’ve made a decision with as much consultation with the Lord as possible, but quite another for him to pop up and tell you something completely out of the blue.

Moses is most certainly not too keen on God’s methods. ‘I can’t do it!’ he protests, perhaps stuttering or stumbling as he speaks. ‘I’m just an average guy with a murky past and no charisma! Like anyone will listen to me!’ He tries to get out of it, tries to pass the buck. But God’s not having any of it. He gets a bit stroppy with Moses’ recalcitrance, ‘Look here mister, I’ve got it all under control, you just have to let me work through you.’ And eventually our reluctant hero is convinced through the fool-proof means of fear, convincing argument and compromise.

After reading this story for the umpeenth time, I think I’m glad not to be getting shouted at by God, because it seems to be how he gives out terrifying and incredibly difficult tasks. It’s not that I wouldn’t consider it a blessing (eventually), or that I wouldn’t do it (eventually), and who knows what’s to come, but for the moment I’m just going to have faith that when I make decisions prayerfully it’s ok that I’m not getting loud and frightening responses. I’ll just look harder for the quiet answers.

Imogen Wegman

March 26 2012

Exodus 1:1-2:25

Australian's love an underdog.

In chapter one, every action is driven by fear, the Pharaoh and the Egyptians are scared of a race of people who up until now they have lived harmoniously with. I think this is similar to modern day culture. We are scared of any people who we don't understand. For example, the Africans and the slave trade or The Middle East and the "...War on Terror" or the way international students have been mistreated in Australia.

The way Pharaoh treated the Israelites was fuelled by fear and his actions were missing love yet in all of this God still allowed his people to become as numerous as the stars. He never abandoned them and continually had a plan in place for his people to survive and prosper. I kind of imagine God and the devil playing a game of chess and for every move the devil plays, God is expecting it and has a counter move ready and waiting. The devil moved his piece into place, attempting to wipe out all new born males and God had a counter charge prepared consisting of two faithful midwives.

The devil then tries to attack by again trying to kill all the new born boys and God enables a very special one to survive thus setting God up for a check mate still to come. God is so faithful and sometimes we will feel like the Israelites, alone and oppressed but remember that God has a plan for all of us and he will always be a hundred moves ahead of the devil. The truth is God has already won and the devil hasn't quite figured out what has happened so enjoy the fact that we are not the underdogs but the victorious team.

Phil Banham

March 23 2012

Genesis 45:1-46:7

We meet our story in the middle. Joseph has humiliated and angered his siblings with boastful notions of a grand future, or is he merely naive to the impact. He has been sold into slavery. He has lived uprightly yet wrongfully imprisoned, by a woman humiliated and angered by his rebuff. He rightly interprets the dreams of prisoners and then Pharaoh, king of Egypt. His solution to feast and famine is adopted, and although he does not suggest it, he himself is chosen to fulfill it. God is with him at every turn of the story and so too is the evidence of Joseph’s growing humility. The famine which Joseph predicted hits the land of Canaan. Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to buy grain. Here they trade with the unrecognized Joseph. He accuses them of spying, and so contrives their return with his brother Benjamin.

When they return Joseph tells his brothers who he is. He asks of his absent father. He preempts his brother’s fear of reprisal, assuring them he will not do so. He speaks of God’s leading and provision in his life and the life of God’s people. All that has happened: his slavery; his rise to power are God’s work to deliver his people, providing for them in Egypt. Joseph embraces his brother Benjamin warmly. He tells them to go and bring our Father. Pharaoh hears of the arrival of Joseph’s family and sends gifts, a taste of God’s provision in Egypt. Jacob is convinced by his son’s words and is guided by God in a dream to go to Egypt, although it is noted that this will be a temporary measure.

Imagine what it might have been like to be Joseph; Joseph’s brothers, Ruben who sought to free Joseph but was thwarted; the other brothers who intentionally plotted Joseph’s murder, then his riddance; Benjamin; and Jacob unaware of these machinations, having lost and now gained a son, a brother.

Again, we have a story of reconciliation. Previously, the appeal of Judah for Benjamin’s release and here, Joseph’s self disclosure begins a process of reconciliation between warring brothers that will end with the family reunited in Egypt. Ponder the details of the story (so far) as a model of reconciliation where there is a power imbalance. Is there someone who you are not reconciled to where there is a significant power imbalance between you and them? This is difficult. Ponder too, the reconciliation we have experienced in Christ, a reconciliation where there is a power imbalance. The brothers wonder if Joseph will really forgive. And we can wonder the same of God when it comes to us. The good news is God has forgiven (past tense) our sins in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 18-19).

Andrew Osborn

March 22 2012

Genesis 43:1-44:34

I used to think that tv soapies were a stretch of the imagination until I started work in my current role. Family dilemmas, hurts, abuse, lack of respect between family members and violence are everyday issues dealt with by my colleagues.

The passages in today's reading present similar issues within the one family. But what an encouragement. A band of brothers, who in a fit of jealousy abandoned their brother to an unknown fate, now present as protective of the favoured son of their father. We see the abandoned brother, now unrecognised, placing his siblings in a difficult situation to see how they react. What kind of response did Joseph have when he realised the change in his brothers, especially that in Judah? A man who was willing to trade his life for his little brother's. A man who showed a deep concern for his ageing father's well being.

It is just so easy to carry the hurts of our past into our present, leaving little room for the work of God in the lives of those who have hurt us. How often have we judged others according to their past behaviour. It's important that we not place our trust in others blindly. However, just as God gives us space to grow and change, so also do we need to show His grace by accepting the possibility of change in others. And more proactively, do we have a responsibility to pray for those who have hurt us, that they may know God more deeply.

Jenn Cavanough

March 20 2012

Genesis 39:1-42:57

This part gives us 16 years of Joseph’s life, summarised into a neat little timeline of dreams, interpretations, and stewardship. There’s the well-known dreams with the fat and skinny cows, the wheat, the bread and grapes, but for the reader there’s also the rhythm of ‘oh no! oh phew!’ as the Lord stands right there beside him the whole time.

There’s the wife o...f Potiphar, who reminds me a little of the serpent and apple combined into one, but this time the lesson’s been learnt and Joseph refuses temptation over and over. Of course, it doesn’t end well. Or does it? He gets thrown into prison, and before we know it he’s made allies and is overseeing the place. Next come Pharaoh’s officials, gloomy because of unintelligible dreams. One guy gets the good news, one guy gets the bad news. We don’t know how they respond, but I imagine the baker wasn’t too pleased – he seems to expect something favourable too. It looks like Joseph’s got a good chance of getting out now, but the cupbearer forgets about him completely. Oh no!

Two years later, and we catch up with Joseph again. He’s a bit scruffy now, and this time it’s Pharaoh who’s having the dreams. Mr Cupbearer remembers about Joseph, and he’s summoned. He’s got good news and bad news, and it all ends with the heading ‘Joseph in Charge of Egypt’.

Here’s this guy who (as Phil noted) starts out as an annoying little brother, and ends up saving hundreds of thousands of people from starvation. God’s there for every step, pushing and prodding, and even when things look bad, they’ll actually turn out to be good. Joseph doesn’t always seem to see it, and neither do we when we’re in the ‘dungeon’. Maybe we just need to step back, and try to objectively see our chapter in God’s Great Big Book of Life. Maybe then we’ll notice the explanatory note: ‘The Lord was with him/her.’

Imogen Wegman

March 19 2012

Genesis 37:1-37-36

The Story of Joseph and his magnificent coat.

... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeSYfO2mBoI

This is one of those stories that as I read it I sit back and go; "ooo I know what is going to happen next". Because of this I miss some interesting and important things which occur at the beginning of the movie, I mean story.

... I have two key thoughts for this passage.
1. The older brothers are justifiably annoyed with Joseph as he goes around singing and telling them all about his prophesies, dancing in his coat of many colours. What a prat! The second youngest son of Jacob is so high and mighty. He should learn to hold his tongue and not be so boastful. Joseph if he was 4 years old would be bad enough, if my brother at 17 was going around telling me that he had a dream where I was worshipping him I would probably take his lego and destroy it.

2. What a bunch of nasty brothers that hold a grudge, just because Joseph got them in trouble, so much so that they are willing to kill him or sell him off to the highest bidder. They are so overcome with jealousy and hatred towards Joseph that it destroys them. I get annoyed with people and have even secretly hoped that they would trip up the stairs or drop their phone or stub their toe but I have never gotten so worked up that I had started plotting with other people to kill them. 2 words 'Anger management'.

I think this story points out a few things to me.
a) How damaging anger and jealousy can be to a family.
b) How tactful people should be with prophesy and words from God
c) How God uses the worst situations and uses them for good (still to come!)
See more

Phil Banham

March 16 2012

Genesis 32: 1-33:20

The conclusion of Jacob & Esau’s story can be recapped simply: Jacob meets angelic beings, a portent of success? He sends messengers to seek favour of his estranged brother (of whom he deceived, stealing his birth-right & his Father’s blessing, in the ancient world the sum total of his possessions & future).

He hears of Esau’s imminent arrival with 400 hors...emen, and fears for his life. Jacob is frightened and distressed but this does not paralyze him. He takes defensive measures. He prays to the God who has called him home; he sends abundant gifts; and divides his family, that all may not be lost. The size of the gifts with which Jacob seeks to placate his brother indicates the gravity of his offence, and the abundance of God’s blessing. Jacob’s gifts are intended to seek his brother’s favour, grace, forgiveness. But still Jacob has no peace. He struggles with God in the night. The man who cheated his brother, fears for his life, prays that God might not leave him in the lurch. He arises the next morning with the gracious blessing of God, and a new name. God’s answer to the deceiver, to human unworthiness, is grace, and a limp, reminding Jacob that he is forever dependent upon God’s grace. The next day he meets Esau, who runs to meet & embrace the newly named Israel, and they weep with joy. It is a story of surprising reconciliation. Israel as the new man is now prepared to meet his brother Esau. His cowardness is changed to courage, arrogance to humility, and he gives back out of the blessing what he stole. Esau too has changed, no longer is he planning murderous revenge, unexpectedly he runs, meets, embraces, weeps.

He reluctantly accepts the gifts. He warmly invites him to his home. After so many years of hatred, this full and free forgiveness to the deceitful brother is a model of divine love which Israel acknowledges. Jesus seems to allude to this scene in the father of the prodigal Luke 15: 20, Paul in commenting on God’s work of reconciliation in Christ 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21). Yet the old suspicions of Jacob still seem to lurk, and we are left with a very human ending to our story. The details of this story have much to teach us of reconciliation. Ponder and pray if there be someone you need to be reconciled with, meditate on the details of the story and put them into practice.

Andrew Osborn

March 15 2012

Genesis 27:1-28:22

I have a sister who is close in age to me. When we were little it amused my parents that my sister was content with their answers, whereas I always had more questions. How tiresome! As I grew I had even more questions, and desired knowledge and wisdom. I think I thought if I could find the answers then perhaps the world would make sense.

I learned two things: th...e more you know the more you know you don't know; and that knowledge without love is nothing. Knowledge of itself does not serve a purpose unless it is used in a Godly way.

In this reading we see a family torn apart by a misuse of knowledge, using a suggestion of truth for personal gain. A wife betrays the trust of her husband and twists the understanding of the paternal blessing by encouraging her son to cheat his father. A brother puts himself forward to gain the undeserved blessing which God had ordained should go to the eldest son. The other brother responds with resentment and hate. The father grieves the betrayal.

Jacob may have been an obvious choice as leader. Instead of leaving God to work His will and way, Rebekah took things into her own hands. By using her own reasoning and judgement, she may have achieved a desirable outcome, but the collateral damage was significant.

It is difficult to continually hand things over to God to do His will. It is easy to think we know best. We like to think we know best. Perhaps we need a God-encounter similar to that which Jacob experienced to be drawn into a relationship with God that moves us beyond our own knowledge to trust in the God who knows all. Perhaps we need to put aside our own desires and wait on God, as Jesus did.

Jenn Cavanough

March 14 2012

Genesis 21:1-22:19

Gen 22 is one of those embarrassing OT stories. God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son. Christopher Hitchens in particular has a field day with this. And does God change his mind, or is he playing games? Let me comment briefly on the ‘anomalies’ before we reflect on the passage.

God hates human sacrifice. At times God commands the Israelites to destroy certain p...eople groups. But this is not sacrifice. This is judgement – ironically often judgement on nations who do offer childhood sacrifice.

So this request by God was never going to end in human sacrifice. It was always a test. In order to be a real test Abraham needed to sense the demand was real. God does not change his mind, merely reveals more to Abraham. Calvin has this helpful term ‘accommodation’. That is God accommodates himself to us in ways that we can understand, but may not reveal all that he is or thinks.

That aside, what of the test? God does not tempt us, but he does allow us to face trials that develop perseverance (James 1:1-15). In fact James says we should see trials as a joy – because they grow us.

Abraham passes the test. I’ve had a test or two this week. My first response was anxiety, frustration, and to attempt to solve it. Not faith or prayer, and certainly not joy. How have you gone?

It would be remiss not to place this incident in the larger frame of God allowing the sacrifice of his own son for our sins. Just as God provided a lamb for Abraham, God provides the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world for us. So if you failed, or doubted, you are forgiven – just remember to trust more next time.

David Rietveld

March 13 2012

Genesis 15:1-21

As an avid dreamer, I always appreciate the dream sequences in the Bible. I don’t dream in a biblical fashion – no malnourished cows, towering statues or booming voices for me, just good ol’ aliens, car chases and miscellaneous plot points to keep the night time dark interesting.

But Abram gets a spooky dream. My dreams are usually a lot of fun, there’s no ‘dreadf...ul darkness’ descending, no portents of future enslavement, the worst is usually someone getting to the cream eclair before me. And I woke up from that one feeling pretty let down.

Abram gets all the highs and lows in this interaction with God. From finding out he’ll have a skyfull of descendants to being told how they’ll all suffer, what must he be thinking? But in the end there’s a final promise of justice, lands, and everlasting peace.

It’s a big promise. If I had a dream in which God laid the next four generations of history out, I suspect I’d consider cutting back on my cheese consumption. But Abram doesn’t. He receives two messages when he’s awake, another when he’s in an induced sleep, and doesn’t doubt any of it. ‘Abram believed the Lord’. That’s it, he just trusts him. He has questions about the practicalities, but not out of doubt, he’s just looking for a guarantee, and God doesn’t seem to mind giving him one.

God’s got a big picture plan, a truth so neatly demonstrated here. On Sunday night Will Briggs suggested that instead of looking at immediate consequences of contemporary big issues, we look at whether they’ll destroy the end promise of Jesus’ return. Just as there’s comfort for Abram, knowing good times will come to his descendants eventually, so is there comfort for us, knowing God’s made a great big promise that will not be broken.

Prayer: Everlasting Lord, thank you for the promise of peace, please help us to trust in your plan and live it out day by day.

Imogen Wegman

March 12 2012

Genesis 12:1-20

The Call of Abraham

This is the first time we meet Abraham and his faith is instantly put to the test.

From what I could find out, Abram's family and father lived in Ur which would have been a place of pagan religion. The father of Israel starts from an unexpected place, a place of Idol worship and a city dedicated to living a life away from God. With a huge ste...p of faith, Abram turned his back on pagan worship and followed God.

I think it is really encouraging to know that even the man who is the ancestor of Israel started off a little bit shakey. A bit before the age of 75, when most modern day people would be slowing down, Abram is just starting. God made him a covenant, a promise which will be honoured by God no matter what.

The story's pace really picks up when Abram arrives in Egypt where he seems to take his safety into his own hands. A man who has trusted in God to guide him over 1000 kilometers towards Egypt freaks out and decides to tell a lie about his marriage status (due to the local custom where if someone wants another mans wife they can kill the husband).

I used to think about how these incredibly blessed hero's of the bible's faith could possible wane when they experienced God on such a personal level. Then it hit me, we also live such a blessed life and we all encounter faith hurdles on a variety of scales. I think this passage can be an encouragement because even the super strong of faith struggle. It's not through your own strength that things get done. When you trust in God and take steps in faith, you will be amazed at what He will do through you :D

Phil Banham

March 9 2012

Genesis 11:1-9

It is hard for me to read this passage without remembering with fondness Arthur Dent placing a fish in his ear in order to understand the Vogons speaking on the intercoms of the spaceship, that he & Ford Prefect have just hitched a ride, escaping just in time the destruction of the earth.

Here again we read a story of God’s judgment (the fall & the flood Genesis 3 & 6). For those of us unaware of Ancient Near Eastern literature (of which I hastily include myself), the spoofs of the story go unnoticed. In stark contrast to the gods of their myths, the diverse languages of humanity are not the result of a god with a peculiar sense of humour. Nor is this a temple built by the gods with special bricks, but by humans who the one true God must travel the long journey down from heaven to observe. Humanities greatest achievement is pathetic in the eyes of Yahweh.

But more than that humanities motive is horrific. Humanity desire to kick God out of heaven, that we might do our own will, creates our own morality, meaning. This God subverts by undermining humanities ability to communicate, to collaborate, to share technology. The word Babel (or Babylon) means confusion, and sounds like the word for folly.

This is not a criticism of self-determination, collaboration, culture, technology, rather it is a critique of humanity going it alone, living life without reference to the Creator.

Lord Jesus Christ may we be led by your Spirit, guided by God’s word, depend upon our Father in heaven, who answers our prayer, may we listen before acting, pray before planning, act in humility, not arrogance, in obedience rather than willfulness.

Andrew Osborn

March 8 2012

Genesis 8:1 - 9:17

We have a family in-joke about God's wrath and His ability to 'smote'. We are keenly aware that all of us fully deserve to be 'smoted' because we are quite capable of displeasing God. We have often had discussions about the difference between being 'good' but not 'good enough' to survive without God's great mercy. This reading shows God smoting to the extreme, but it also shows God's undeserved mercy at work in the protection He provided and the promise He made.

What fascinates me is that God worked slowly. After being crammed in a smelly boat for many months, I sense that Noah is desperate to get out. However, he has to wait... And wait. Many times I pray that God will relieve me of some tiresome situation. Surely in His power He can reach in and change things to make life easier. Not just for me, but for others as well.

What did Noah learn while waiting in his creaky boat? What do I learn by waiting for God to somehow show His hand? Is God more interested in process or outcome? When I wait on God to show Himself in the tricky bits of life, perhaps God is saying "Open your eyes and look for me. I am more interested in My relationship with you than with a comfortable resolution."

God 's mercy in this passage also focuses on His promise. God gives - but God also expects us to take on responsibility. His promise to never again destroy humankind is accompanied by a direction to value the life of people. We are also directed to show respect for the creatures that He has made available to us for food. We are given much, but with that gift comes a responsibility.

One of the most beautiful visual feasts is that of the rainbow. God's promise, beautifully wrapped, but transient. Impossible to reach out and touch. Impossible to capture. Impossible to exploit. Holding all of the colours of creation visible through water and sunlight. So many more things to ponder...

Jenn Cavanough

March 7 2012

Genesis 6:5 - 7:24

The Arab spring at first warmed my heart – the masses rise up against the unjust and self serving strong man. But as things have worn on, my optimism has waned. The things people will do to hold onto power, new regimes that appear no different to the old ones – hardly inspiring stuff. History is as much as a testimony to human depravity as it is to human decency. The flood narrative is an even more disturbing state of affairs: corruption, violence, every inclination is evil.

At times like this we call out for justice. Who will right the wrongs? Who will stand up for the oppressed? How will the abusers get what they deserve? Who will dispense justice? The answer is God. Note that God is not just angry, but deeply troubled (6:6). The scriptures repeatedly reveal a God who judges the nations; a Son of God who separates the sheep from the goats. At times our generation underplays this dimension to God. We do so at our own peril. Fear is a right response to God.

But the flood narrative is also a story of hope. God makes a way possible for a righteous man to be saved. His family is saved by extension. As the story unfolds a gracious and faithful side to God comes to bear on a few.

As the narrative of history unfolds we see that another righteous will make it possible for his family to be saved. In the cross God’s judgement and grace come together. Let not man put asunder what God has joined.

Dave

6 March 2012

Genesis 3:1-24

Lord, we pray for clarity of mind and an ever-increasing desire to follow your will for our lives.

This is the defining moment of Christian faith, the moment we failed to live up to God’s expectations of us. It’s a powerfully told story, with the audience crying from their seats ‘Don’t do it! Don’t listen to him!’, but inevitably the ending stays the same and millennia of pain and suffering follow.

The part that always gets me in ‘The Fall of Man’ is God’s apparen

t bewilderment. For him time is not linear, he knows all that is to come, and he knows what his children have done, but he still asks ‘Where are you?’ and ‘What have you done?’ He gives them a chance to explain, but also forces man to acknowledge what’s gone wrong, to understand the error of his ways. I imagine God meting out punishment with tears in his eyes, wandering through the Garden of Eden reminiscing on the times they all had there.

Today we are constantly pulled by attractions beside the path to glory, metaphorical apples strewn along the way. But now we’re reassured the Lord will use our actions of good faith (even when they’re misguided) to do his will. When we love Him with all our hearts, souls and minds and apply that to our deeds, we’ll be ok.

Lord, thank you for working through our most misjudged of actions. Please help us not to seek to be gods, but just to live your way and to know you better.

Imogen Wegman

5 March 2012

Genesis 1:1 – 2:25

The creation story was a stumbling block in my faith journey so I am excited to be able to share my thoughts and processes in overcoming this. As a science teacher I am continually met with challenges and questions about God and Science. I will break this into 2 thoughts which I find helpful;

People can sometimes view God as something which fills in the voids in our own understanding of the world around us. I have to admit that I used to think this and so coming to grips with creation vs. evolution was a bit of a challenge. This is how I came to my understanding which is by no means perfect or flawless; The creation story has been described to me as a poem or a story which was passed down from generation to generation to move their focus off worshiping created objects and move their worship onto the creator. People often look around them and go “how amazing is the sun/plants/animals/sticks/poo/water”. The writers of genesis were saying that God has created everything you are worshiping so worship him because he is better.

At my wedding, my Dad stood up and gave his speech and it commenced by holding up and talking about a stick. As his speech progressed he uncovered the complexities of such a simple object. The cell structure and the molecular components required to create a stick are mind boggling. His line which he was building up to was “be amazed at the simple things”. From then I have been able to look at everything science discovers and all the incredible living and non living things in the world and celebrate the fact that God is in control. After reading this passage one time I decided to google the Big Bang Theory (not the TV show) and I learnt that the theories which accompany the origins of life could potentially be true (and I don’t have the space to go into string theory and quantum physics or universes budding off and creating other Universes) but you know what, I believe that God was there at the beginning and is still around now.

So my take home line which is not mine comes from my dad and is “Be amazed at the simple things and celebrate the fact that God has created everything”.

Phil Banham

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Enjoy and God Bless - Dave

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Blogs contain the personal reflections of the staff member concerned. The content does not necessarily reflect the official view of the staff team, or the policy of the church (if we happen to have one on the given issue). Blogs are about public engagement. It maybe that your comments bring an evolution in the thinking of others. Blogs can be dicey. Please try keep your comments constructive, and spoken in love.