Copyright 2017 Christina Press and BRF The Bible Reading Fellowship, 15 The Chambers, Vineyard, Abingdon OX14 3FE First published in Great Britain

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1 Copyright 2017 Christina Press and BRF The Bible Reading Fellowship, 15 The Chambers, Vineyard, Abingdon OX14 3FE First published in Great Britain 2017 ISBN Distributed in Australia by: Mediacom Education Inc., PO Box 610, Unley, SA Tel: ; Fax: ; admin@mediacom.org.au Distributed in New Zealand by: Scripture Union Wholesale, PO Box 760, Wellington Tel: ; Fax: ; suwholesale@clear.net.nz Acknowledgments Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version (Anglicised edition), copyright 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Publishers, an Hachette UK company. All rights reserved. NIV is a registered trademark of Biblica. UK trademark number Scripture quotations taken from The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Anglicised Edition, copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America, are used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations from The Message. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois All rights reserved. Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, published by HarperCollins Publishers, 2001 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations from the Good News Bible published by The Bible Societies/ HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, UK American Bible Society 1966, 1971, 1976, 1992, used with permission. Extracts from the Authorised Version of the Bible (The King James Bible), the rights in which are vested in the Crown, are reproduced by permission of the Crown s Patentee, Cambridge University Press. Printed by Gutenberg Press, Tarxien, Malta.

2 Contents 4 Contributors 5 Jill Rattle writes 6 Luke: stories of healing January Victoria Byrne 14 1 and 2 Thessalonians January Sheila Jacobs 29 Esther January 4 February Christine Platt 44 People of hope February Michele D. Morrison 59 1, 2 and 3 John: light, truth, love...19 February 4 March Liz Pacey 74 Psalm March Katy Jack 91 The book of Job...19 March 1 April Lyndall Bywater 106 Promises April Naomi Hutchison 114 Reflecting on Easter and beyond April Claire Musters 129 Joy April Cathy Madavan 138 Recommended reading 141 Order form 142 Subscription information

3 Contributors Victoria Byrne serves on healing teams and loves encouraging others. She is married and works as a pastoral staff member at her Twickenham church. She writes and blogs regularly on life and faith. Sheila Jacobs is a writer, editor and award-winning author of eleven novels, including Watchers. She has also written non-fiction (Insight into Forgiveness, with Ron Kallmier). Single, she lives in rural north Essex and attends an Elim church, where she is involved in evangelism. Christine Platt lives in New Zealand and enjoys the freedom and opportunities that semi-retirement brings. As well as doing local ministry, she travels regularly with teams to East Timor to support the church there in its courageous witness to war-ravaged people. Michele D. Morrison is a passionate believer, excited by what God has done and is doing. A freelance writer, she loves listening for God s voice in the daily routines of life. She moved from California to Scotland when she married, and has four grown-up children. Liz Pacey is a Reader in the Church of England and works as a freelance writer and speaker. She runs Knitwits, a charity knitting group, and is passionate about the links between knitting and spirituality. Katy Jack is a minister s wife and mother of three young boys. A lawyer by trade, she put that career on hold to care for her sons and support her husband s ministry as chaplain in a boarding school. She loves sport (especially netball) and reading the Bible one-to one with students. Lyndall Bywater is married to Phil and lives in Canterbury. She is a freelance writer and speaker, and her favourite subject is prayer. Naomi Hutchison is a speaker and writer who loves to encourage people to take steps in spiritual growth. She has worked for ministries including Ignite and Youth for Christ, and as pastor to student ministries. She lives with her husband and two children in Tunbridge Wells. Claire Musters is a freelance writer and editor, mum to two gorgeous young children, pastor s wife, worship leader and school governor. Her writing focuses on marriage, parenting, worship, discipleship and issues facing women today. Cathy Madavan is the author of Digging for Diamonds; she speaks at events across the UK and is part of the Spring Harvest planning group. She lives on the south coast of England with her husband Mark (a church leader) and their two teenage girls. 4

4 1 and 2 Thessalonians Sheila Jacobs writes I have a confession to make: I love the New Testament but, for some reason, I have never made a particular study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. There, that s out! Now we can begin this fascinating journey into Thessalonians together. Thessalonica was a port, the capital of and largest city in Macedonia, and Acts 17:1 9 gives us a fascinating insight into the beginnings of the church there. On arrival, the apostle and missionary Paul proclaimed Christ and, as verse 4 tells us, a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women became believers. However, the gospel was not well received by many of the Jews (although some were persuaded ) and troublemakers even followed Paul and Silas to Berea, stirring up the crowds against them there. Paul wrote his two letters to the Thessalonian believers during his second missionary journey, the second one probably shortly after the first (around AD52, making them among the earliest books in the New Testament). 1 Thessalonians encourages the new believers, teaches them about godly living and also addresses the things of the future, while 2 Thessalonians seems to have been written to reassure the persecuted Christians, to encourage them further and to speak again of the second coming, putting right some confusion that seems to have occurred. These books have been described as Paul s eschatological letters eschatological meaning pertaining to the last things. The Lord s return pervades the writing, and it s interesting to note that each chapter of 1 Thessalonians ends by alluding to the coming of the Lord. In these often difficult days, when we see so much brokenness, divisiveness and persecution in our world, Christians long ever more for the Lord s return. It s good to fix our eyes on him with our wonderful future hope, knowing that our bridegroom is coming back for his bride, but it s also important to stay grounded in the meantime. We have to live our lives here today, until he comes. We need to live close to Christ right now, and, as we live in his presence, to share the good news with those around us who do not yet belong to him just as Paul did on his missionary journey to Thessalonica. So let s begin the adventure of looking into these books, expecting the Lord to speak into our lives as clearly as he did to the first readers, so long ago. 14

5 SUNDAY 8 JANUARY 1 THESSALONIANS 1 A living faith Our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. (NIV) This chapter is packed with passion. The power that has delivered these Thessalonian believers from the bondage of the enemy has been real in their experience, and Paul knows it. The Spirit of God has come and revealed Jesus to their hearts; they have turned from their old idolatrous ways and have been convinced of the truth of the good news of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Even amid suffering they have received the gospel with joy, which has come from the Spirit of God. They have begun to live lives that imitate both Paul and Jesus himself. In fact, they have become a model to other believers as their faith has become known everywhere (v. 8). They are serving God and waiting for the return of Jesus, who has rescued them from God s wrath; their work is prompted by love (v. 3) and they are full of hope. Wow! I don t know about you, but I am blown away by this portrayal of vibrant, living faith. Dreary, dead religion this is not. Can you remember when you first met with Jesus? Perhaps it was a process or maybe an instant conversion. When I first came to Christ, in my 20s, it was as if someone had switched a light on. I was in a glorious honeymoon period with the Lord for a long while afterwards. Unfortunately, as time goes on, we may become accustomed to being a Christian. Maybe the Christian life loses its exciting edge when it is no longer new. Compromise sets in and other things become important. Church, dare I say it, gets boring. The exuberance we once felt becomes, well, a nice but distant memory. Has this happened to you? Do you want your joy back? Why not ask Jesus to fill you again with his Holy Spirit? Lord, thank you for dying for me and setting me free from the power of sin and death. O Lord, I so desire a fresh filling with your Spirit. Please fill me today. Thank you, Jesus. SHEILA JACOBS 15

6 MONDAY 9 JANUARY 1 THESSALONIANS 2:1 16 Sharing your life Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. (NIV) I have been involved in quite a lot of street evangelism. In one sense, that s hard telling strangers about Jesus. On the other hand, is it as hard as consistently living for Christ among people who know us well? In the passage we are reading today, Paul appeals to his listeners by reminding them that even though he had faced strong opposition (v. 2), he had preached the gospel to them out of pure motives; he wasn t trying to manipulate or flatter them into believing. He wasn t looking for money he worked while he was with them, rather than being a financial burden and he wasn t looking for approval. He just wanted people to know Jesus. Paul shared his life with these people. I wonder how many of us could confidently assert to those we live with that we are holy, righteous and blameless (v. 10). Yet it isn t pride that comes across here; it s love. Paul wants the Thessalonians to live lives worthy of God (v. 12), and he commends them for accepting the word of God as just that, while living under real persecution (see vv ). How passionate are you about introducing people to Jesus? We don t all need to be street evangelists to do so. If the Spirit of God lives in us, we can be sure that his presence will naturally spill over into our daily lives as we depend on him for holy, righteous and blameless everyday living. This isn t a dry religion of works; it s a living relationship with someone who can make a difference to our lives and to those we love, live among and influence. Yes, there will be persecutions, but if we suffer, we follow in the footsteps of the early believers and of Christ himself. When you open your Bible, do you expect God to speak to you? Think about a time when God s presence seemed very real. What difference did it make to your life and the lives of others? SHEILA JACOBS 16

7 TUESDAY 10 JANUARY 1 THESSALONIANS 2:17 3:5 Destined for trials When we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. (NIV) Have you ever heard anyone say, Come to Jesus and everything will be OK? Well, in one sense it will. When we turn to Christ, we find relationship with God, as well as a future hope. We may experience healings, restoration and amazing God-incidences, as well as knowing God s loving presence in our lives. But living for Christ is far from easy. Apart from our own natural inclination to do our own thing, often to our own harm, we are also in a war with a formidable enemy. In today s passage, we read that Paul wanted to visit the Thessalonians but Satan blocked our way (2:18). It is clear that the Thessalonians were having trials; indeed, Paul tells them that Christians are destined for such things (3:3). That s a sobering thought, isn t it? Paul is so concerned that he sends Timothy to strengthen and encourage them (3:2). He needs to find out whether the tempter, Satan, has been successful in somehow luring them away from Jesus. To believe that we will never have any kind of trouble for following Christ is unbiblical (see John 16:33). Jesus talked about the cost of following him (see Luke 14:25 33). In some parts of the world, people are losing their lives horrifically for the sake of the gospel. Our own trials may not be so severe but we all have struggles and temptations, and we may be called upon to a pay a personal price for standing up for our faith at work, at college or maybe even at home. But good news: although God doesn t say we can expect an easy time when we follow Jesus, he promises that he will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He s in it with us. Are you going through trials? Do you need a Timothy to come alongside you? Who can you contact this week, to share and pray with? Or maybe you know someone else who is suffering, whom you can encourage. SHEILA JACOBS 17

8 WEDNESDAY 11 JANUARY 1 THESSALONIANS 3:6 13 An increase of love May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. (NIV) This is such a joyful passage! Timothy has brought good news to Paul about the Thessalonians love and growth in faith. They have happy memories of the apostle s visit and long to see him. Paul is encouraged by their faith. The fact that they are standing firm (v. 8) brings him comfort in all our distress and persecution (v. 7). Paul is full of joy but, interestingly, he says that he is praying that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith (v. 10). The verse printed at the top of this page comes shortly afterwards. Paul prays for an increase of love that might overflow in the Thessalonian believers, and he asks that God would strengthen their hearts so that they will be holy and blameless in the presence of God and when Jesus comes again. Have you ever shared the good news of Jesus with someone, and seen them find faith? Isn t it wonderful, then, to watch them taking baby-steps in Christ, becoming stronger and then, in turn, discipling others? If you are anything like me, you tend to cluck over new believers like a mother hen but we have to learn to let go. For a while, we might be called upon to supply what is lacking in their faith as we stand with them, pray for them, counsel and encourage them. Ultimately, though, we have to take the stabilisers off the bike, so to speak, and let them begin to trust fully in God for themselves. This can be scary but also exciting. It s interesting to note that Paul s prayers for the Thessalonians centre not on miracles and good works but on love. He wants their love to increase and overflow to others. What a great prayer to pray for those we are discipling! Father God, thank you so much for [name a person you know who has recently come to Jesus]. Help me to know how to pray and support them today. Lord, please increase their love for you and others. Amen SHEILA JACOBS 18

9 THURSDAY 12 JANUARY 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1 12 A different life God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God. (NIV) Living in order to please God should affect every aspect of our lives, but it isn t easy to live a life that is holy to God. Most of us do not live in a closed community; we have to deal with everyday life, and that means engaging with a culture with values very different from those of Christ. Following Jesus does not mean looking at the teachings of the New Testament and then going our own way because everyone else does it. God expects us to live a sexually pure life, and, if we reject that instruction, we are, the scripture says, rejecting God. Single or married, we need to avoid sexual immorality (v. 3) and learn to control our bodies. Paul warns us not to hurt other Christians in this way, and actually says that God will punish all those who commit such sins (v. 6). This should surely motivate us to avoid any kind of impure behaviour. Suffice it to say, it is wise to have boundaries in place with the opposite sex. Whatever our marital status, we need to be aware of and avoid situations that may develop into behaviour that will not honour God. In Genesis 39:12, Joseph literally ran from temptation. Sometimes, we may have to do the same. Paul is also eager to point out again the need for love among the believers. He goes on to talk about ambition, and what an amazing ambition it is: to lead a quiet life mind your own business and work (v. 11). He is saying to them, and to us, Live a daily life that will win the respect of non-christians. It s a life that may look very different from that of the world we inhabit. Do you know anyone who is struggling with sexual boundaries? Ask God to give them strength, wisdom and discernment. If the person is you, can you talk with a trusted Christian friend or church leader? SHEILA JACOBS 19

10 FRIDAY 13 JANUARY 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13 18 The future hope For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (NIV) I expect you have heard of the rapture, or read books about it. It s an exciting prospect, shrouded in mystery. Paul teaches here that the Lord Jesus will come again, as promised (Acts 1:11), the dead will rise, and we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Jesus, in talking of the end things, says this: Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left (Matthew 24:40 41). The fact that something sudden and extraordinary will happen one day on earth is assured, but when this event will take place is unknown to us. For me, these verses contain more than the future hope of a mindblowing event that may or may not happen in my lifetime. It is about the hope that lies beyond death. To lose someone you love and to have no real hope of ever seeing them again is an anguish beyond comparison. However, Paul tells his readers that they (and we) need not grieve as those without faith in Jesus do. He uses a gentle euphemism for death, fallen asleep (vv ), when explaining to the Thessalonians that deceased loved ones in Christ are not lost to them for ever. As Jesus died and rose again, so will those who are in him. The rapture seems to be a preferable alternative to death, doesn t it? But whether we will die first or be caught up in the clouds, we will be with the Lord for ever (v. 17). What a wonderful future we have in Jesus! Thank you, Father, for the future hope we have in your Son, Jesus. Thank you that, because he died for us on the cross and rose from the dead, we don t need to face eternal separation from you. Amen SHEILA JACOBS 20

11 SATURDAY 14 JANUARY 1 THESSALONIANS 5:1 11 Children of light You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. (NIV) Paul begins this chapter by referring again to our future hope in Jesus and that the day of the Lord will come suddenly, like a thief in the night (v. 2), when there seems to be peace and safety all around (v. 3). The Thessalonians are warned to keep watch: be alert, awake and sober (v. 6). We are children of the light and day (v. 5), not floundering around in spiritual darkness as the people of the world do and perhaps as we used to. Paul uses the picture of armour in verse 8, describing faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet (see also Ephesians 6:13 17). Our minds need to be protected; we need to keep them fixed on the reality of what Jesus has done for us and who we are in him children of light. When we receive salvation through Christ, God s wrath on sin is diverted from us to Jesus, the sin-bearer. Because he has rescued us from the consequences of our sin, whether we are alive when he comes again or whether we have passed into his presence, we will live together with him (v. 10). It s good to remind ourselves of this, especially when darkness seems to close in all around us. We don t belong to the darkness. We belong to Christ. We have an unbroken, eternal relationship with God to look forward to, not because we have done anything to deserve it but because he loves us so much that he wants us to be with him for ever. No wonder Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to encourage each other in this great hope, and to build one another up in it. I think that s what we should be doing too, don t you? Thank you, Jesus. How wonderful you are, that you have taken us out of the kingdom of darkness into your kingdom of light and life and love because you yourself are light and life and love. Amen SHEILA JACOBS 21

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