Easter Day +++ Easter Wings

Easter Wings

By George Herbert

Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store,

      Though foolishly he lost the same, 

           Decaying more and more, 

                 Till he became 

                    Most poore: 

                    With thee 

                 O let me rise 

            As larks, harmoniously, 

      And sing this day thy victories: 

Then shall the fall further the flight in me. 

       My tender age in sorrow did beginne 

And still with sicknesses and shame. 

         Thou didst so punish sinne, 

                 That I became 

                   Most thinne. 

                    With thee 

                 Let me combine, 

            And feel thy victorie: 

         For, if I imp my wing on thine, 

       Affliction shall advance the flight in me. 

Risen Christ, for whom no door is locked, no entrance barred: open the doors of our hearts, that we may seek the good of others and walk the joyful road of sacrifice and peace, to the praise of God the Father. Amen.

Holy Saturday (Easter Eve) +++ Come Lord Jesus

Matthew27.57-end    Matthieu 27.57-fin

In the verses from Matthew’s Gospel the security and inviolability of the earthly tomb of Jesus is stressed.  The big rock over the entrance, the guards, even the watching eyes of Mary and Mary Magdalene stress that this was a place that was sealed, a life that was over and a story that had found its end.  But something was happening behind that stone.  Something that would change the world, change our understanding of God and provide a hope that has lasted 2000 years.

We can see Easter Saturday as a bit of a 'nothing day' - no death or resurrection - the in-between day.  Yet something was happening on that first 'in-between day' - something was happening behind the stone.  The plan of God was being worked out.  The 'in-between day' is part of the story of the resurrection, not to be forgotten - because it was all happening behind the stone.  As we wait for the glorious resurrection we can think and pray how God works 'behind the stone' in our lives, in the nothingness, the not important enough, the emptiness, the places where we think we have barricaded them so well that even God could not get it.  God works everywhere, God is present everywhere.  Hallelujah, come Lord Jesus!

Heather Roy

Good Friday +++ Upon a Cross

Good Friday

John19.38-end   Jean 19.38-fin

Today is hung upon the cross He Who suspended the Earth amidst the waters.

A crown of thorns crowns Him, Who is the King of Angels.

He, Who wrapped the Heavens in clouds, is clothed with the purple of mockery.

He, who freed Adam in the Jordan, received buffetings.

He was transfixed with nails, Who is the Bridegroom of the Church.

He was pierced with a lance, Who is the Son of the Virgin.

We worship your Passion, O Christ.  Show us also Your glorious Resurrection.

*********

En ce jour est suspendu à la croix celui qui suspendit la terre sur les eaux;

d'une couronne d'épines, le Roi des anges est couronné,

d'une pourpre dérisoire il est revêtu, lui qui revêt le ciel de nuées;

celui qui dans le Jourdain a libéré Adam accepte les coups et les soufflets;

l'Époux  de l'Église est percé de clous;

d'une lance, le Fils de la Vierge est transpercé.

Devant ta Passion nous nous prosternons ô Christ;

montre-nous ta Résurrection.

*********

Heden hangt aan het Hout, hij die de aarde gehangen heeft boven de wateren;

De Koning der Engelen draagt een kroon van doornen,

Hij die de hemel met wolken bekleedt, wordt in spottend purper gehuld.

Hij die in de Jordaan Adam weer heeft vrijgemaakt,

wordt in het gelaat geslagen.

De Bruidegom der Kerk wordt met spijkers vastgenageld;

de Zoon der Maagd wordt met een lans doorboord.

Wij aanbidden Uw lijden, o Christus.

Toon ons nu ook de heerlijkheid van Uw Verrijzenis.

Antiphon 15. Orthodox Matins Good Friday

John Wilkinson

Maundy Thursday +++ Day of Atonement

                  

Leviticus16.2-24   Lévitique 16.2-24

 “On this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the Lord, you will be clean from all your sins” (Leviticus 16.30).

The Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, was perhaps the most important annual holy day for the ancient Jews. It was the day when the high priest entered the innermost chamber of the tabernacle (and later, the temple) to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the whole Nation. What is the purpose of this sacrifice? The reconciliation of God and his people.

The ritual described in Leviticus 16 had several steps. It included the sacrifice of a bull and the dripping of that bull’s blood onto the cover of Israel’s most sacred relic – the Ark of the Covenant.

It also included the selection of two goats. One was to be sacrificed, symbolizing the necessary payment for sin. The other goat, the scapegoat, was set free, symbolizing the sins of the people being carried into the desert. The two goats representing two truths: Sacrifice and Submission.

JESUS took our place to give us his peace. God sees us blameless because his son took all our blames upon himself.

Because of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins, every day is our day of atonement. Every day we accept that His death paid for our sins. Every day our sins are carried into a desert that we will never have to enter.

In light of that reality how do we approach God in prayer? Do we sit before God as someone God values and loves? Or do we hang our heads as if we still have to earn the acceptance we have already been given through the sacrifice made by Christ on the cross? Do we rush to his presence, or do we hesitate, hoping that what the Bible teaches about forgiveness is true. If we tend towards the latter, then we can claim today as our day of atonement.

Let us go to God today with a heart of gratitude and thank him that nothing stands between us and him.

No other sacrifice is required. No scapegoats. No most holy place. No high priest. Christ’s supreme sacrifice atones for it all.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of eternal Life. For dying in my place and taking all my punishments. For showing me your Grace. Amen.

Grace West

Wednesday of Holy Week +++ Our need for Easter

Luke22.54-end   Luc 22.54- fin

Perhaps the thing that has struck me the most about preparing for Lent this year is how completely I’ve lost touch with how desperately I need Easter. Hiding from both the world and my own sin is as easy as opening my computer or texting a friend - I need not examine the darkness of my own heart if I can find a good enough distraction, and luckily for me, they’re everywhere.

Peter was a disciple, constantly surrounded by people who believed as he did. They were by no means a majority, but there is nevertheless strength in being together. After all his time in this small band of Jesus followers, it might have become easy for Peter to believe that he was ready to suffer and die alongside Jesus. It might have become easy to think that he was past the point of needing to be made whole.

But in the stripping back of Peter’s earthly supports and the comfort of his friends, he had to come face-to-face with his own frailty, his own darkness. “I do not know him!”

This year, whether you have made a change for Lent or not, this is a time to be brought face-to-face with our desperate need for the cross and the empty tomb. May we all have the chance to strip back the layers of our distraction, to confront our need and remember that Jesus has satisfied it in full. May we explore our brokenness so we can truly treasure the One who makes us whole.

Natalie Jones 

Tuesday of Holy Week +++ Hope

Lamentations 3.1-18    Lamentations 3.1-18

As I reflect on this passage, I am brought back to a cathartic song that I always delight in listening to:

I’ve been through the fire

And I've been through the flood

I've been broken into pieces

Seen lightnin' flashin' from above

But through it all I remember

That He loves me

And He cares

And He'll never put more on me

Than I can bear

 Yes, Indeed, He will never put more on us than we can bear. The author of the passage (Prophet Jeremiah) laments that he is chastised and ‘besieged’ with ‘bitterness and hardship.’ And although he also laments that he ‘dwells in darkness’ and his ‘paths are crooked’, he remembers one very vital thing- the Lord blesses those who put their hope in him.

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3.22-23

During those times when we are faced with difficulties and adversity, we may find ourselves lamenting and falling into that proverbial hole of hopelessness and despair. However, just like iron is cast in fire to become steel, we must see those difficult times as a refining process and continue to prevail.

Do not lose hope because ‘the city will be rebuilt upon its ruins’ (Jeremiah 30.18) and ‘the glory of the latter house will be greater than the former’ (Haggai 2.9).

My hope cometh from the Lord,

Ijeoma Umelo

(From Lent Meditations 2011)

Monday of Holy Week +++ Once Again

Luke 22.1-23   Luc 22.1-23

Someone once told me that Communion is our weekly chance to 'once again' accept Jesus’ sacrifice and in turn to 'once again' offer him our lives.

His offer of grace and forgiveness is always open, and we are never too broken to accept it, no matter how we may feel.

Thank God! :-)

Bethan Sollars

Palm Sunday +++ Dieu est notre rocher

Psalm 31.1-16   Psaume 31.1-16

Dieu est notre rocher

L'écrivain de ce psaume, avait l'espoir en Dieu

On peut avoir l'espoir dans la vie, en pensant qu'avoir beaucoup de fortune porte le bonheur.

Mais dans la vie, on rencontre des combats spirituels, des épreuves.

Parfois les épreuves passent et d'autres viennent, l’homme qui a mis l'Espoir dans les choses de ce monde, sera toujours déçu.

Mais Dieu nous a dit dans psaume 32:8, < je t'instruirai et te montrera la voie que tu dois suivre, je te conseillerai, et j'aurai le regard sur toi >

Frères et sœurs en Jésus Christ 

Écoutons la voix de l’Eternel, l’œil de l'Eternel est sur nous.

Comment nous pouvons surmonter les épreuves ?

Fermons les oreilles aux messages du malin en se branchant à Dieu dans la prière.

Glorifions Dieu en toute chose et à tout moment _

Cela tiendra loin les inquiétudes du quotidien.

Dans la souffrance invoquons le Seigneur

Amen

Frieda Mukanyangezi

39th Day of Lent +++ Open Eyes

John 12.36b-end   Jean 12.36b-fin

This passage from John’s Gospel outlines not only what it means to be Christian, but also the many ways in which we stumble regularly in our faith — just like the Jewish people Jesus spoke to.

In verse 44-46 we can read that belief in Jesus, is belief in God and a belief in salvation from darkness.

What does that mean on a daily basis?

If we manage to say with confidence “I believe in Jesus,” are we also able to say with confidence - “I believe in Jesus, that Jesus is God and that I am saved from darkness”?

Some moments in our lives may lend themselves more readily to this declaration of faith than others. At other times, we might reflect on the news, a hard day at work, tough family situations… and our faith may flounder. Where is God in my workplace? Where is God in the world?

And sometimes it isn’t easy to say “I believe in Jesus.” Sometimes it is easier to stay quiet, because as John writes in verses 42-43, it is much easier in lots of ways to seek the immediate praise/acceptance of those around us, than God’s praise.

But Jesus is not here for our judgment, but for our salvation.

There is so much more to be said on this passage, but today let us open our eyes and our hearts to Jesus’ salvation and the gift of God’s faith. Let us seek to see God’s work in the smallest moments of our days and in the world around us, as we look to know God more in this season of Lent.

*********

Quelquefois, il semble presque impossible pour nous de voire les ouvres de Dieux dans nos vies quotidiennes, mais je prie que pendant ce saison de Carême, on apprendre un peu plus chaque journée de la nature de Dieu.

Laurel Henning

38th Day of Lent +++ Family

Hebrews 13.1–16    Hébreux 13.1-16

For most of the last 30 years we have not lived in our homeland. Our church has been our family. They have looked after children, brought meals and shopped when I have been ill. They have travelled across the country to sit with us in hospital when one of our children was dying. They have prayed with us and written letters to us. They have visited us on the other side of the world and invited us to stay with them. Members of the church family in the homeland visited my mother when she was in a nursing home. We borrow sons and daughters and grandchildren from the church family.

Church is family. Let us praise God together

Refrain To listen click

BIND US TOGETHER, Lord, Bind us together

With cords that cannot be broken.

Bind us together, Lord,

Bind us together,

Bind us together with love.

There is only one God,

There is only one King;

There is only one Body,

That is why we sing:

Refrain

Made for the glory of God,

Purchased by His precious Son;

Born with the right to be clean,

For Jesus the victory has won.

Refrain

You are the family of God,

You are the promise divine;

You are God’s chosen desire,

You are the glorious new wine.

Jane Brown

37th Day of Lent +++ On a Donkey

John 12.12–19     Jean 12.12-19

What use are worldly possessions? All our Lord needed was to be welcomed as a king was a donkey.

We live in or around Brussels, in the rich part of the world, where possessions matter and we can easily be blinded by them. We get so caught up in what we think we require to be happy that we forget that we have something greater. Our Lord came on a donkey, not a fancy horse. All we need to do is to humbly come before Him, welcome Him into our lives and praise Him for the real blessing He has given us: grace

Sara T

36th Day of Lent +++ The Terrors of Death

Psalm55   Psaume 55

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught

We lie awake in the darkest and longest hours of the night. Problems and situations, people and places, the past and the future all turn over and over in our minds – even the smallest whisper of a thought becomes powerful.

We are restless. We are troubled.

My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me.

In the waking hours we are distracted. The walls close in around us. Faces are questioning but never understanding. Nothing is real and yet everything is too intense, too harsh.

We are alone.

As for me, I call to God and the Lord saves me.

We reach out our drowning arm, up from the hungry sea. It is held fast. The troubles are eased, the past fades and the future unfolds before us, brighter than before.

We are loved.

Rosanna Bennett

35th Day of Lent +++ God is Great

Psalm 35    Psaume 35

Why doesn’t God do something?! Day after day the news shows us horror, injustice and evil – and we feel overwhelmed. With David, we might protest, ‘How long, Lord, will you look on?’ (v 17). However, prayer submits the details of our lives to God’s agenda – to his timetable.¹ In the end, we trust in his judgement and justice. Last week’s readings have shown us a God who defends his people and ultimately brings victory through the Messiah (Zechariah 14:9). Here, David – fleeing for his life, suffering injustice, malice and mockery – determinedly praises God: ‘My tongue will proclaim … your praises’ (v 28). God is concerned about the stories of our lives, as well as the big picture.

David’s enemies are violent and deceitful; they are out to get him (v 7). He keeps on trying to do things right – praying for his opponents – but they respond with mockery and bad intent (v 25). The language David uses may seem vindictive (vs 1–10). Yet, here David recognises the reality of evil and expresses his confidence in God who will, eventually, put things right (Zechariah 14:9; Revelation 18:1–19:2). Meanwhile, what can we do?

Sometimes, God calls us to action – for example, ‘Build my house’, as in Haggai and Zechariah – but it is his agenda. Sometimes we must simply wait, bearing the unfairness, our weakness and poverty – praying for those who make our lives difficult (Matthew 5:44). The agents of evil in our world might sneer at our gentleness and passivity, misinterpreting it for weakness (vs 19–21), but, like David, we can depend on God: he is the one who rescues us (v 10), fights for us (v 23), delights in us (v 27). In the midst of our suffering, we can express joy and gladness, as we testify to the greatness of our God on whom we depend.

Emlyn and 'Tricia Williams

(WorldLive by Scripture Union, 15^th November 2015)

¹ New Bible commentary: 21st century edition, 1994, IVP, p507

34th Day of Lent +++ Comparison is everywhere

Psalm 73   Psaume 73

It is deeply rooted in our mentality and we are doing it in our minds all the time.

Good and bad,

Rich and poor,

Happy and sorrowful,

Healthy and sick,

Good luck and misfortune,

My life and your life.

As a Chinese, I grew up with a competitive education, full of personal comparison. "Look at the neighbour! How smart he is." "Oh, Esther, you should really learn from her." All this good advice was crowned with good intentions. How I needed to strife hard to earn a sense of security of my value.

Therefore, I dislike comparison even in the context of someone telling me I am doing better than someone else.

However, there's nothing wrong with comparison itself as this is how we learn about the world and get our knowledge categorised.

But what if my comparison only brings me self pity and a victim role?

"Look at the others. Lord.

Why am I, the daughter of Almighty Creator suffering endlessly?

Seriously! Look at them and look at me! My tears, my insomnia, my sickness, my shamefulness...do you really care? Do you really know what's going on here?” (v 11)

Psalm 73 said, the psalmist entered the Holy Place of The Lord and he was being enlightened (v 17). He admitted he was a fool yet he knew God was with him (vs 22-23). And, he wrote a completely different comparison.

What a change! What a clarification!

So, I prayed--

May I enter your Holy Place and examine my life in your view, Lord. May I hold peace and strength towards the ends of my life even if I might seem to be like a loser to the others. May I abandon the illusion of happiness but  choose wisely the narrow path that leads to eternity. Amen. 

Esther Schouppe

Fifth Sunday of Lent +++ Waiting

Psalm130   Psaume 130

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,

    and in his word I put my hope.

I wait for the Lord

    more than watchmen wait for the morning,

    more than watchmen wait for the morning.

(vs 5-6)

Waiting has always been hard for me. As a kid, there was no time in my little brain for waiting; this is a characteristic that has stuck with me way into adulthood.

Throughout the last 18 months, I have learned a lot about waiting. At times, I have felt like the Psalmist where my whole being was waiting, yearning for answers and conclusions.  Often, I felt that I wasn’t waiting for the Lord, but for paper work to process, for job interviews to happen, for landlords to sign leases.

In all of this, I have learned that I am still not very good at waiting; however, the times I found the most peace were the moments I put my hope in the Lord and the unending, daily goodness He has for us. The paperwork still needed to process, the move still needed to happen, ultimately, we would still have to wait, but I slowly learned to LIVE in the waiting, to live waiting to see, glorify and love Him.

Bailey Douqué