PrayBee

Author: Mark

  • Pilgrim IV: Belief in the Holy Spirit

    Pilgrim IV: Belief in the Holy Spirit

    I enjoy talking about the Holy Spirit at church, there are many varied experiences and views of how it has had an effect on people and influences our lives.  Before looking at the well-known passage below, we were all encouraged to share how or when we have experienced the presence of God in our lives.

    This section of the Pilgrim course focused on Acts 2:1-4

    The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

    2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

    Footnotes:

    1. Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11

    Reflection included:

    • What comes to mind when you hear the words Holy  Spirit?
    • Why do you think it was so important to early Christians?
    • Do you experience the presence of God today? Would you call on the Holy Spirit?

    This, of course, is not the first time we’ve looked at the Holy Spirit during Bite Nites, and certainly not the first time we’ve looked at what happened during Pentecost in relation to it.

    To put it into context, we’re in the middle of one of the largest celebrations (if not one of the longest running festivals of all time).  People are arriving from many different places and countries, and there are many different languages and dialects being spoken among the people. in situations like that, we’re all too aware that misunderstandings are easy to arise.  It is not only the language but also the cultural differences, expression, slang, mannerisms among others that cause us problems when we communicate.

    The marvellous event to follow, happened to all of the disciples gathered in the room; not just a chosen few. Imagine their delight when they realised that what they were saying was being understood by people who previously could not understand them.  There must have been so many problems communicating before this, taking a long time for understanding to be communicated and at times missed altogether.

    Now that they were able to communicate across the language barrier with ease, that everything they’d had difficulty in expressing in other languages can suddenly be expressed simply because the person hearing them can understand them, must have been an exhilarating experience.  You can almost sense the joy and happiness radiating from their very core.  It’s no wonder some of the onlookers thought they were drunk; they would have been under the influence of extreme happiness with not a drop of alcohol in sight.

    There were other opinions too, people who refused to believe their eyes or their ears, and those who thought it was magic at work, or a trick to deceive them; but for those who trust in what they were seeing, and in what they were hearing this is truly miraculous and will have changed their lives forever.  Imagine being there, witnessing this for yourself; how could you refuse to believe in the love of God, His word, His son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit.

    I have to admit that I have admiration for anyone who is multilingual.  I am attempting to learn a few languages myself and I can appreciate how much effort you will have put into learning to be fluent in more than one language.  I was enormously pleased with being able to use the Hebrew phrase Ze Beseder in work today; one of my colleagues told me he’d had some ginger biscuits from the tin on my desk; I believe it was an appropriate way of saying it’s ok and it made me pleased too as he told me I said it correctly (despite my pause to mentally rehearse saying it).

    It’s good to talk :)

    Dear Father, God in Heaven,
    We thank you for providing us with skills,
    with an ability to communicate
    and with patience to learn.
    Assist us in using those skills
    to cross the walls we surround ourselves with.
    Help us to break down all our barriers,
    to use your gifts so that we too can share your word
    and demonstrate your work among us.
    Grant us a bridge over our cultural differences,
    that we might find peace in all our lives
    and make all that is built by mankind good in your eyes.
    Let us see past the limits that we put on ourselves,
    and help us to recognise your Holy Spirit residing within each of us
    and truly see the gifts you bestow on us all;
    that we may serve you faithfully,
    in truth, with all our heart,
    with all our mind
    and with all our body.
    This we pray, guided by your Holy Spirit
    and in the name of Jesus Christ,
    your son,     our saviour and Lord

    Amen

  • Pilgrim III: Belief in Jesus

    Pilgrim III: Belief in Jesus

    This session of the Pilgrim course looks at Mark 1:4-11.

    4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with[a] water, but he will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit.”

    The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

    9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

    Footnotes:

    1. Mark 1:8 Or in
    2. Mark 1:8 Or in

    This is all about looking more closely at who Jesus is, in particular, our views as we were asked to write a tweet (original size) about who Jesus is.   I think I wrote something along the lines of “Jesus is my friend, my brother, my past, my present and my future”; symbolising that he is always with me and the close relationship I have regained.

    There’s also a trend to these pilgrim sessions, they all relate to the part of the baptism and confirmation services where we declare (or is declared on our behalf when you’re a baby) our Profession of Faith.

    • Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
    • Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
    • Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?

    Can you guess what Pilgrim IV is going to be about?

    After reading the passage above, we were asked what we think might have surprised and challenged the people at the time or for ourselves.

    I like the fact that even though John declared he was not worthy to serve Jesus, Jesus still came to John and asked him for baptism. Jesus, who has no sin, is asking John, who baptised people for repentance of sin, to baptise him.

    Surprised? You should be, John was!

    He was well aware of who Jesus was, and that his baptism by water was no match for Jesus baptising people with the Holy Spirit.  Jesus did not need to be baptised, but this simple act sets the scene for how Jesus relates to the rest of humanity, taking the sin of our human nature and delivering us from it,

    I always find it fascinating that we are often surprised by how God does things.  It is a challenge, in ourselves, to accept how some things are done.  In the same way, the people of Israel had enough time to create many preconceived ideas of what their messiah would be like, what he would achieve, how he would drive the Romans out of Israel at the head of the army, and so on.

    I think they got a massive surprise!

    Note: Jesus did eventually conquer the Romans; just not in the way that was expected of him at the time.

    He did not apply brute force, Jesus did not lead an army, he did not wield a sword. He did it all with the word of God, by showing us all how to be righteous in the eyes of God, by freeing us all from sin and allowing us all to share in Gods glory.

    He did all of this through his life, death and resurrection. For me, for you, your family, your friends, your neighbours, your co-workers, the strangers that cross your path.

    Lord God,
    thank you for sending us your Son, Jesus Christ, to be our saviour.
    Thank you for allowing us to build our relationship with you through Jesus,
    He is our light in our darkness, our ship on our endless sea,
    the calm in the storms of life, the peace in our tranquillity,
    and, through his most precious sacrifice, the forgiveness of our sins.

    Amen

  • Pilgrim II: Belief in God the Father

    Pilgrim II: Belief in God the Father

    Our second session of the pilgrim course focused on Hosea 11:1-4

    God’s Love for Israel

    11 “When Israel was a child, I loved him,
        and out of Egypt I called my son.
    2 But the more they were called,
        the more they went away from me.[a]
    They sacrificed to the Baals
        and they burned incense to images.
    3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
        taking them by the arms;
    but they did not realize
        it was I who healed them.
    4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
        with ties of love.
    To them I was like one who lifts
        a little child to the cheek,
        and I bent down to feed them.

    Footnotes:

    1. Hosea 11:2 Septuagint; Hebrew them

    We were asked to reflect on three things:

    1. A time when we felt deeply loved.
    2. What kind of images come to mind when you hear God described as being a father.
    3. Anything we find confusing about the image of God as a father.

    People recounted times when they were being cared for by family and by friends, in sickness, acceptance in social events, when we acknowledge our love for each other, and reciprocation of love.  There are many times when we feel deeply loved, but I suspect we have a tendency, as humans, to take it as granted that we are loved and often don’t spend enough time returning that love; which is also a reflection of our relationship with God.  We don’t spend enough time on our relationships because of other factors, especially when we put our own desires before those of others.

    In terms of God the Father, I see kindness, strength, firmness (when required), guidance, nurturing and other typical fatherly traits,  The classic imagery brought to mind within the verse above is that of a father holding the arms of an infant to prevent them from falling whilst they are learning to walk for themselves.

    This can seem at odds with the image of a vengeful or angry God and especially some of the imagery in the Old Testament, for instance, the plagues visited upon the land of Egypt or the destruction wrought in His name (e.g. removal of kingdoms).  It can also be at odds with our vision of God sitting on a throne.  Our initial thoughts about Kings are not usually of them acting like fathers, but of conquerors and aloof, separate from their people.  My counter here is that kings have heirs to their kingdom, princes and princesses, and those heirs will learn a lot from their king (and his trusty advisors). God is our Father, our Lord, Jesus our King, we are all heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven, with that knowledge in our hearts we must also learn what little we can from God so that we may be suitable heirs.

    Romans 8:17

    17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

    I think it’s important to remember that God is all of the imagery above.  Whose father would not go out of their way to do as much as they can for their children?

    Trust in God, believe in Him, and you can take comfort in His fatherly love for you.

    Lord God,
    thank you for the love you have of all things,
    bless us so that we can grow our relationship with you
    Guide us, teach us, rebuke us when you have to,
    plant within us the seed of your word
    so that it will grow strong in us

    Amen

  • Love The Lord Your God

    Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
    Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV

  • It’s all about Love!

    It’s all about Love!

    Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”This is the first and greatest commandment.And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’ – Matthew 22:37-40 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew22:37-40&version=NIVUK

  • Pilgrim: Jesus

    Pilgrim: Jesus

    Our first session into the Pilgrim course (the week before writing) focused on the following passage from the bible. and what it represents to us as individuals.

    John 1:35-42

    John’s Disciples Follow Jesus

    35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

    37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

    They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

    39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

    So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

    40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

    Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter[a]).

    Footnotes:

    1. John 1:42 Cephas (Aramaic) and Peter (Greek) both mean rock.

    John the Baptist’s followers knew enough of his teachings to understand what he meant by the Lamb of God. It goes as far back as Exodus when the families used lambs blood to protect themselves from the devastation that was to befall Egypt prior to the journey through the desert.  That link between the two explains a lot about who Jesus is to those two disciples of John’s.  It brings to mind the link with God, the overall protection and safety that was offered to God’s chosen people, the sense of command and leadership reflected in history, and the enormity of the power that was demonstrated over time.

    The question Jesus asks them is very open and immensely deep.

    “What do you want?”

    If we visualise Jesus asking us the same question … “what do we want?”.  It is not so simple a question that we can provide a simple answer to, however, their answer, while appearing simple, has a lot of depth, and is quite probably the most perfectly humble answer they could have given,

    “Rabbi, where are you staying?”

    They demonstrate their acknowledgement of Jesus as a teacher, and imply a request to spend time with the teacher so they might learn from him; that is hugely important as pupils in their day followed their masters everywhere (there were no shortcuts to learning) and possibly did chores in between lessons (educational reform had its good points).

    NLP techniques include something called modelling. It’s a process whereby you learn from someone that you admire, want to be like, that possesses traits, skills, and techniques that you wish to acquire.  You model yourself after that person, by doing what they do.  In a sense this is precisely what the disciples have asked to do, but in their time, acquiring knowledge involved being where their model is, at all times, which in this case means being around Jesus throughout the day; listening, watching, absorbing everything and anything that is offered so that you can model yourself off that person. 

    The next key phrase here leaves no doubt in the mind of the reader as to who they believed Jesus to be; after a short time of following him.

    “We have found the Messiah”

    It needs several exclamation marks on that.

    “We have found the Messiah!!!”

    It’s such a powerful phrase.

    People were waiting for the Messiah, living in hope and now they’d found him. I can imagine Andrew rushing around looking for Simon until eventually, he finds him.  I see him there fixing something under a wooden awning, in the shade at the side of a building and you can almost sense the unbridled joy in Andrews’ voice as he trundles up, finds him there and persuades him to come to see; it’s virtually bursting out of him.  The enthusiasm, the happiness, the pure unadulterated innocence of joy.

    When was the last time you had something so joyous you had to share it that if you didn’t, it’d literally bubble up inside and burst out of you?

    Lord, today we have seen one perspective of who Jesus is.
    We know how much he meant to his early followers,
    and the joy they felt in finding him
    and acknowledge that he is the Messiah.
    Grant to us all the same joy in finding our way to Jesus,
    so that we too may learn of him, of your word
    and share in your wisdom.
    For in learning more about Jesus we also learn of you
    and build a strong foundation for our relationship with you
    through Jesus Christ, our saviour.

    Amen.

  • God remains

    God remains

    This is beautiful…

  • Pilgrims

    Pilgrims

    The next several weeks of Bite Nites are going to be fantastic … we’re about to cover the Pilgrim course.

    There were a few options for the baptism/confirmation course that was run at the end of last year through into the New Year, some of which were

    • Emmaus
    • Pilgrim
    • Alpha

    It was the Alpha course that was eventually used for the baptism/confirmation course, so I’m looking forward to what is covered in the Pilgrim course.

    Our introduction to this course was to look at what a Christian Journey is, what a Pilgrim is and to reflect on where we are in our own journey through faith.

    Anyone who undertakes a journey into faith is a Pilgrim.  I remember looking at Pilgrims Progress when I was young (not sure I read it) and imagining the hardships of these magnificent adventures, covering many miles, and taking months or years to complete.  There are so many options now that you could feasibly complete a physical pilgrimage in a matter of hours (depending on the location and available funds of course).  I imagine there are probably some rules for certain pilgrimages and certain traditions to follow along the way or when you get to your destination.

    However, that is not the sort of journey, the type of pilgrimage, that we are about to embark on.  We are not about to set off into strange or uncharted lands.  We are about to start on a spiritual journey into faith, to deepen our understanding so that we might learn where we are at ourselves and move forward into a better relationship with God through Jesus.  We are about to open our hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit each time towards better knowledge, that we might listen and learn, share and grow in our faith together – we will be like pilgrims on a path that have come together upon their journey and discovering the depths of their love for Jesus with each passing week.

    Our path into belief is often described as a journey, sometimes we follow the same way as others; many times we are on the same road but at a different point, and other times we are on entirely different paths.  We are on a pilgrimage, a journey, with many joyous times but not without strife and difficulty.  I am aware that it is not easy being or becoming Christain for some.  Some civilisations have extremes of tolerance for Christianity and freedom of faith, and in some places just possessing a page of the Bible lands you in deep trouble with authorities, or friends and family.  Our journey into faith is one that takes devotion, commitment, patience, reflection, self-realisation and acceptance of who we are and why we are.  It is not a straightforward path to take, some will find it strenuous, and they fail to realise that at that point God is probably closer to them than they understand; I pray that they do recognise He is with us all.

    I have great sorrow for the Christians of this world who are persecuted, but greater joy in knowing that God is walking alongside them on their journey wherever it takes them. I am lucky, I do not share the same complexities as they do and I pray that their journey through faith to God will be a smooth one. We are on our path to God and yet God is already there, walking with us along that path. Knowing that He is with us gives us strength, resolve and comfort.  When we stumble on our route, He lifts us up and helps us find our way.

    Lord God, thank you for being with us on our journey.
    Comfort us when we struggle
    and give us strength when we are weak.
    Protect us from evil as it strives to misdirect us.
    Light our path before us,
    lift the darkness that shrouds us.
    Use the power of your Holy Spirit within us
    to open our eyes and our souls to you.

    Amen

  • Memrise I am sayings of Jesus

    After writing last night, I had a bit of a play on Memrise in the course creation side of the site.  It’s actually quite easy to get something fundamental up and running on the site by supplying a set of words and definitions, then separating it into levels, etc.

    I’ve not supplied any audio at the moment for the course, the recording didn’t appear to work, but that could just be my headset.

    Anyhow, if you’d like to have a go at trying to remember the I am sayings of Jesus you are more than welcome to give this course on Memrise a go:

    https://www.memrise.com/course/2038471/jesus-i-am-sayings-2/

    The course is a fairly basic set up, and it may need modifying to make it more usable.  Please have a go, test it, and let me know if there’s anything you think I might need to change.

    Memrise is free, you don’t have to pay to learn, but if you’re serious about learning then buying premium helps to support the service; you can use the web app, but it’s also available on the Apple store and Google Play.

  • I am …

    For the last several weeks we’ve been going through the ‘I am’ sayings of Jesus on Sundays.  Every week we get to see one of these sayings, repeat it, then again later with some words missing, then lastly with a few more missing in the hope that we will remember them.  I have no doubt that memory retention varies among us, and if I studied them often enough, I’d remember them, so I include them here (I think I’ll try and create a Memrise course if there isn’t one already available).  I pray that in creating this page, I will do better at remembering them.

    [Note: I use Memrise for learning languages, and there are other subjects on there too; including biblical Hebrew and Greek. Some are site managed courses, and some created by students as an aide-memoire to accompany various textbooks and courses, so the quality varies, but the method of learning is the same whether you’re trying your hand at Klingon or French, Russian or Swahili and it works well for me. For instance, I learnt the alphabet for British Sign Language using Memrise during lunch one day.]

    All of the ‘I am’ sayings are recorded in the Gospel of John (all NIV).

    John 6:35

    35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

    John 8:12

    Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony

    12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

    John 10:9

    9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.

    John 10:11

    11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

    John 11:25-26

    25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

    John 14:6

    6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

    John 15:1-10

    The Vine and the Branches

    15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

    5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

    9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

    I like this last one a lot (I do like them all).  They were heading off towards the Garden of Gethsemane, so it’s one of the later lessons, but it’s massive in its implication. That we are part of the vine, part of the process and part of everything that Jesus has taught. That we need to pass that on to others, to plant the seed of hope in people’s hearts and give them hope.  To share the word of God and not horde it, bottle it up or steal it for ourselves. I think all of that is a beautiful thing, that our lives can mean something, to be something for others; that we can have an impact just as significant on the lives of others as Jesus has on us by sharing in His word, in His wisdom and in His love.

    God bless everyone,
    may the light of Gods love shine upon us all
    on this day and all those to follow.
    Open our hearts, be open to the will of God,
    let the Holy Spirit wash us clean
    as Jesus set us free from sin on the cross
    and bathe us in the love of God,
    we go in fellowship with Jesus
    from this day forward
    to be a part of the vine,
    branches that support one another,
    to create and nurture the fruit of the word of our Lord
    and create light where there is darkness.

    Amen.