1st Wednesday in Advent Read: Psalm 18:25-32 “You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” Psalm 18:28 (NIV)
How much we take for granted in our technologically advanced world! After my grandmother passed away in 1978, my father gave me the oil lamp that had been sitting on her sideboard and had been used for many years as the ‘Sunday’ lamp. It was the lamp that had been given to them for their wedding in 1926. It was called the ‘Sunday’ lamp as that was the only time it was used. When we got married, I decided to get this lamp working again as it had been unused for many years. Firstly, it needed to be cleaned from dust and any soot. We needed to find a chimney and some wicks (double wicked) and then had to find some oil that didn’t smoke.
Finally, we got it burning and used it as our ‘Sunday’ lamp, until children came. We read about lamps in the Bible and how we are to keep our lamps burning. As I said earlier, we take a lot for granted. Turning on a light switch in no way relates to the work it takes to maintain and keep a lamp usable. Depending on the type of oil used, the lamp chimney needs constant cleaning from the soot. If it is not cleaned and the wick trimmed, seeing and reading by its light is extremely difficult. In Psalm 18 we read about all the work God does in keeping our lamps shining bright. He is faithful to us.
He shows Himself as blameless and pure and perfect, so we know that He is the one to follow. He tells us His stories and shows us His love. He protects us from the evil around us. God does all this to help our light shine. This brings us out of darkness and into His incredible light. God did all the work through Jesus in sending His Son to earth and be the light to follow. Jesus is the way, the truth and the light! Rely on God to keep your lamp burning, lighting your way through each day. Prayer: Lord God, you have done all the work to bring me into your amazing love and presented me with unfailing grace and peace. Help me keep my lamp burning for you to share and light the way for others. Amen.
The Lord’s Blessing 1st Tuesday in Advent Read: Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you”.
Numbers 6:25 (NIV)
Rising out of the desert and towering over the Indian village is a high mountain. Only the very strong can climb it, so all the boys of the village were eager to try. One day the chief said, “Now, boys, today you may try to climb the mountain. Each of you go as far as you can. When you are too tired to go on, come back. But I want each of you to bring me a twig from the place where you turned back.”
Very soon a boy came puffing back with a piece of cactus. The chief smiled. “My boy, you did not even reach the foot of the mountain. Cactus is a desert flower.” Later a second boy returned with a twig of sagebrush. “Well, at least you reached the foot of the mountain.” The next boy came back with a cottonwood twig. “Good! You climbed as far as the springs.” Another boy came back with some buckthorn. “You were really climbing. You got up to the first slide rock.” An hour afterward, one boy came back with a branch of pine. To him the chief said, “Good! You made three-quarters of the climb.”
The sun was low in the sky when the last boy returned. His hands were empty, but his face was shining. He said, “Father, there were no trees where I was. I saw no twigs, but I saw a shining sea.” Now the old chief’s face glowed too. “I knew it! When I looked at your face, I knew it. You have been to the top. You needed no twig to tell me. It is written in your eyes. You alone, my boy, have seen the glory and the peace of the mountain.”
[Story by Catherine Marshall] The very same thing happens to you and to me when we have been with our Father in Heaven and have talked to Him in prayer and felt His presence in our hearts. It shows on our faces. It shines in our eyes. Keep climbing! We show God’s shining face when we know Him – this is His blessing to us. Prayer: Thank you for blessing me with your peace and love. Thank you that you shine your face on me and in turn my face shines to others showing your love. Amen.
Light to Guide 1st Monday in Advent Light to Guide 1st Monday in Advent Read: Exodus 13:21-22
“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light,” Exodus 13:21a (NIV) Fireflies are incredible little insects. I first came across them while camping one summer with my family in Pennsylvania. The little firefly causes a light to glow in its body through a chemical reaction called bioluminescence, which is primarily used to attract the male of the species. Our children had fun catching them in their hands and seeing the glow that shone through their fingers. It was a small bright light that then lit up the darkness and they ran around chasing and following these tiny lights. The people of Israel had left slavery in Egypt and were being led by Moses to the Promised Land.
The people having lived in Egypt knew all the Egyptian gods but didn’t have a personal relationship yet with the true God of Heaven and Earth. To help the people and Moses know that the God of Israel was with them leading and guiding them and never leaving them, God promised to have a pillar of cloud by day for them to see and follow and a pillar of fire by night to light their way in the darkness. It was a visible sign of God’s presence among His people, and it never left them. In Bible pictures we see a huge fire and a huge cloud, but we are not told how big.
But even a small light in the darkness is enough to follow. Even a small light, like a firefly, takes away the darkness and allows us to see and follow! The Bible is filled with the figurative language of Jesus being the ‘light of the world’. It illustrates to us that knowing Jesus and His Father God is to never live in darkness. Knowing Him and His love we are always able to see where we are going.
He lights our way and guides us through our lives – like Moses and the Israelites – God’s presence leads us finally to the Promised Land of Heaven. Follow the guiding light of God through knowing His love in the Bible. Prayer: Lord, you lead me through so many dark places of my life. Light up the way so that I can follow you in all I do. May I always follow your guiding light. Amen.
Let There Be Light 1st Sunday in Advent Read: Genesis 1:1-5
“God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:4 (NIV-UK) Watching TV one evening after dinner, suddenly everything went dark – the power went off. What is the first thing we all went to look for? Torches, candles and matches to bring light to the darkness. I don’t mind the darkness when I am sleeping, but when I am awake, I don’t like the dark. There is something scary of not being able to see what is around. The first thing that God created on the first day was light. Everything was dark and it was formless, but God wanted more… so ‘light’ was created and God said that the light was good. Light is necessary for making all of God’s creative works visible and makes life possible.
Even creatures that live in the nighttime adapt to ‘see’ in the dark. Both day and night belong to the Lord. But it is the light that brings life. I found a quote about light from the National Geographic: “Light reveals the world to us. Body and soul crave it. Light sets our biological clocks. It triggers in our brains the sensations of colour. Light feeds us, supplying the energy for plants to grow. It inspires us with special effects like rainbows and sunsets. Light gives us life-changing tools, from incandescent bulbs to lasers and fibre optics. Scientists don’t fully understand what light is or what it can do.
They just know it will illuminate our future.” But within the darkness before light, we read that already God’s Spirit was ‘hovering’, ready for action as soon as God spoke the words. When you feel that you are in the dark physically or figuratively, know that God’s Spirit is there ‘hovering’ to care for you and lead you into the light. Before light was created everything was a void; dark and deep.
Then in Revelation 21:1, 25, in the end times, God tells us there will be no more darkness and no more deepness – God will illuminate everything. This Advent season remember that God is there bringing you His light and order into your life. God is at work in your life… and sometimes you get to see it! Prayer: My Heavenly Father, all you had to do was speak the words to bring life and light into the world. Light my life this Advent season to see you at work in and through me. Use me to bring light to others.
Amen
The house of the Lord
by Peter Bean
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I was glad when they said to me: ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord’ (Psalm 122:1).
Read Psalm 122
The last day of the church year. A good day to go to the house of the Lord. But where will you go? What do you understand by the house of the Lord?
You might immediately think of a church, referring to the physical building. But most aren’t open on Saturdays. And is that what is really meant? This psalm is very much a ‘local’ psalm, praising Jerusalem and all that it involves. But when we read and hear Jesus, we remember he said, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up’ (John 2:19). He relocated the house of the Lord to his own self, his own body (John 2:21).
And Paul said, ‘Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit’ (1 Corinthians 6:19a), echoing Jesus’ words, ‘I will be with you always’ (Matthew 28:20b). This suggests perhaps that the house of the Lord is now contained within each one of us! ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me’ (Galatians 2:20a).
So, perhaps, today, you don’t need to go to the house of the Lord, but you are carrying the house of the Lord around with you. When you go shopping, do some gardening, watch the children’s sports, go for a walk along the beach or in a park or ring a friend, the house of the Lord is present. The Spirit of the Lord is alive within you. What difference will that make to your shopping, gardening, cheering, walking or listening?
Perhaps, then, we can all see what is best (verse nine) for the house of the Lord and all who have the Spirit of God living in them.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you have changed history. Thank you for being willing to dwell in me through your Holy Spirit. May I bring honour and glory to your house every day. Amen.
Despite the cold spring in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, it is mulberry-picking time, which means mulberry jam, pies and mulberries every way you can imagine. Peter prays that you enjoy whatever God offers you each day. Having now paraphrased Psalms 1–100, Peter invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any of these psalms, send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
Grow in grace and knowledge
by Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18a).
Read 2 Peter 3:1–18
Note how Peter ends his letter – the same way he began: grow in grace and knowledge.
And grace and knowledge are exemplified in verses eight and nine. One day, like a thousand. The Lord is not slow, but patient. No-one knows when Jesus will come again. We long for it, as did these readers almost 2,000 years ago.
But no-one knows. Some people believe the End Times are now. But they don’t know! Some people think the events in the Middle East are signs of the End Times. But they don’t know! Some people see earthquakes and floods as signs of the End Times. But they don’t know! None of us knows!
But what we do know is that the Lord wants people to be saved. He wants us to live peaceful lives. He encourages us to grow in grace and knowledge of who Jesus is.
The end of the church year – today being the second-last day – is not actually about the End Times, the end of the year. It is about the goal. The word for ‘end’ can also mean ‘goal’! The end or the goal of the church year is Advent – the coming of the Christ-child, the One who brings peace, the One who shares grace.
What would you rather spend your time on? Endless speculation about when, where and how Jesus might return? Or living peacefully, growing in grace, walking with Jesus, and so, sharing in the new life that is offered to each one of us, here and now? And that will be fulfilled when all things on Earth and in heaven are made new.
I don’t think there will be too much speculation then. But there will be plenty of grace and peace.
Coming One, Patient One, fill us with peace and grace. Make us knowledgeable about compassion and mercy. Let us live as your people every day. Amen.
Despite the cold spring in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, it is mulberry-picking time, which means mulberry jam, pies and mulberries every way you can imagine. Peter prays that you enjoy whatever God offers you each day. Having now paraphrased Psalms 1–100, Peter invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any of these psalms, send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
False teachers
By Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
These false teachers … scoff at things they do not understand … (2 Peter 2:12).
Read 2 Peter 2:10b–22
Hmmm. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with these readings at the end of the church year. What are we to do with them? I struggle to find a verse to use as a starting point (although I have chosen one).
Who or what are false teachers? What are false teachings? Perhaps it might be the tendency to pick and choose a verse or part of a verse that speaks to us. But when taken out of context, does it become a false teaching? Perhaps it is to worship the written word rather than the Living Word!
What gives us life? Is it words on paper? Yes, a verse or chapter might inspire us. Even a well-written poem or a wonderful literary work can help us view life in a different light. But isn’t it what the verse, chapter, poem or literary work points toward that is important?
Scripture points us to Christ. This is perhaps why I struggle with a passage like today’s. I’m not saying we should ignore it, but we do need to read it in context. In the context of the whole book, in the context of Peter’s situation in life – in prison, expecting to die soon – in the context of the entire Scripture. I think it was Martin Luther who said, ‘Was Christum treibt.’ What points to Christ?
Unless we read Scripture through the lens of Christ’s love and sacrifice, of Christ’s willingness to ‘not think of equality with God as something to cling to’ (Philippians 2:6), we could easily fall into the trap that Peter is condemning in this passage.
So, what to do? Thank God for his word, even when it is difficult to understand. Thank God for his Living Word, Jesus, who the written word points to and who gives us life.
Divine Author, there are many things I don’t understand, but I thank you for them all the same. Particularly for the death and resurrection of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, for each one of us. Amen.
Despite the cold spring in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, it is mulberry-picking time, which means mulberry jam, pies and mulberries every way you can imagine. Peter prays that you enjoy whatever God offers you each day. Having now paraphrased Psalms 1–100, Peter invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any of these psalms, send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
Godly people?
by Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
The Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials (2 Peter 2:9a).
Read 2 Peter 2:1–10a
If you have read this whole passage, you might be left wondering what hope is there? Unless you are a holy, righteous person, and so never sin, any of the following might apply: you will not be spared (verse four), you will be condemned (verses three and six), and God will be hard on you (verse 10).
Woe is me! If I may be bold enough, woe is you!
Who among us is a holy, righteous person? Who among us is godly? If we follow the demands in this passage – to avoid false teaching, to not be greedy, to practise hospitality and to be holy, unlike everyone around us – we are in trouble. Because, in reality, we are just like everyone around us.
How much do we fit into society? How often do we accept cultural norms, even though they may be questionable? How often do we live as Christ lived, with grace and peace pouring out from us, with compassion and mercy towards the asylum seeker, the refugee or those who are different from us? Quite often, we fail.
BUT … The great gospel ‘but’! The Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials. Being godly starts with God. Being godly is a gift won by Jesus. Being godly is a daily breath of life from the Holy Spirit.
Nothing to do with my goodness, righteousness or holiness! The only way I am holy is through the gift of love, the gift of presence and the gift of new life – as it was for all the righteous people throughout the Bible. God takes the initiative. God rescues Noah, Lot, David and Paul. God rescues you. God rescues me. He turns us into holy people who can reflect grace and peace, live with compassion and mercy, and practise justice and integrity. Lord, make me holy again!
Thank you, God, for your grace, peace, love and mercy. Help me to rest in these gifts and live as your person. Amen.
Despite the cold spring in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, it is mulberry-picking time, which means mulberry jam, pies and mulberries every way you can imagine. Peter prays that you enjoy whatever God offers you each day. Having now paraphrased Psalms 1–100, Peter invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any of these psalms, send your request to pbean087@gmail.com
Keep reminding each other
by Peter Bean
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Therefore, I will always remind you about these things – even though you already know them (2 Peter 1:12).
Read 2 Peter 1:12–21
Reminders are pretty important in our lives. People set alarms for appointments, get reminder calls and are constantly reminded by road signs about how fast to drive, which lane to be in, and so on. How would we survive without reminders?
The Apostle Peter said he would always remind the people he was writing to about these things. Not what I have just mentioned. But the things that give life: grace and peace, walking with Jesus daily, and allowing the Holy Spirit to move in our lives.
How do you remind yourself, your family and your friends of these things? Perhaps you use a daily devotion (this one?), a Bible-reading guide, a quiet time, or a walk along the beach or in nature. Our wonderful Creator God gives us many reminders as we go about our daily lives. Sometimes, we just need to open our eyes to see them.
These reminders, like the words of the prophets pointing to Jesus, are ‘like a lamp shining in a dark place’ (verse 19). Reminders of Jesus, of grace and peace and of the Creator’s generosity and abundance all bring light to our lives, hope when we are anxious, comfort when we need comforting and life when death seems close.
How do you remind yourself, your family and your friends? If you don’t know how, ask the Holy Spirit to breathe the breath of life in you, to allow your creative side to emerge, to find reminders that assist you to live life fully and to bless those around you.
Remember grace and peace, love and joy, hope and compassion, and live with Jesus in your heart.
Holy Spirit, give us life. Remind us of grace and peace. Enable us to be like a lamp shining in a dark place. Amen.
Despite the cold spring in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, it is mulberry-picking time, which means mulberry jam, pies and mulberries every way you can imagine. Peter prays that you enjoy whatever God offers you each day. Having now paraphrased Psalms 1–100, Peter invites you to read them anew, applying them to your lives. If you would like his paraphrase of any of these psalms, send your request to pbean087@gmail.com