This is a sad editorial to write, as it will be the last ever for Closer to God.

Transcription

1 This is a sad editorial to write, as it will be the last ever for Closer to God. We have much to celebrate about our years in publication. We ve been blessed by a vast array of creative, gifted and, most importantly, godly writers who ve poured their energies into helping us engage with the Bible. We know from letters, s and conversations that Closer to God has played a significant role in the spiritual growth of many, and that God has used it to challenge and encourage his people. Scripture Union remains committed to developing the best ways to help people read and be changed by the Word of God; this is absolutely central to who we are and what we do. If daily Bible reading guides are the most helpful way you know to get into the Bible, Daily Bread and Encounter with God are both still available. You will find the order form and a special offer for Closer to God readers in the centre of this issue. It has been an honour and a privilege to be your editor. With Paul, I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:16,17a). Onwards and upwards! Editor, Closer to God 1

2 Writers Lizzie Telfer Lizzie is a youth participation consultant and writer. She is part of a pioneering church community in Aylesbury and loves living life with her husband Pete! Jon Marlow Jon is a vicar in Plymouth, and equips Bible teachers from Devon and Cornwall on the Peninsula Gospel Partnership Training Course. He is married to Tanya. Jennie Pollock A freelance writer and editor, Jennie is grateful that she gets to write, edit and live in central London. She is part of a great community of believers at ChristChurch London and is busily working on her first book. Steve Holmes Steve is a Baptist minister who lives in Fife with his wife Heather (a clinical biochemist) and their three daughters. He teaches theology at St Andrews University. Andy Frost Andy is Director of Share Jesus International and loves to see how the church can engage with contemporary culture. Martin Saunders Martin is a writer, broadcaster and the Creative Director at youth ministry organisation Youthscape. Esther Youlten Esther is married to Rob and has three young children, Jack, Ben and Lucy. She and Rob work as boarding houseparents and have recently accepted a new post at a school in Kenya. Anne Le Tissier Married, and now Granny to one grandson, Anne has a passion to disciple Christians and reach unbelievers through the written word. Andy Evans Andy is a freelance writer/editor who is happily married to Lizzie. He enjoys reading, listening to music and watching retro clips of 70s football on YouTube. Amanda Robbie Amanda is a vicar s wife, a mother, a blogger and an author. 2

3 Contents 1 From your editor 2 About your writers 4 Unlocking the Bible How to use Closer to God 5 Impassioned for us (continued) Lizzie Telfer on Luke Resurrection power Jon Marlow on 2 Corinthians The long goodbye Jennie Pollock on Deuteronomy 8 19, Eyes full of Christ Steve Holmes on Revelation 1 3, Spirit breakout Andy Frost on Ezekiel Miracles and power Martin Saunders on 2 Kings 2 12, Up close and personal Esther Youlten on Luke Staying on track Anne Le Tissier on 2 Kings Lamenting and learning Andy Evans on Lamentations 1 5 Feature 58 The spirituality of mess Amanda Robbie 3

4 Unlocking the power of the Bible The Bible is alive. Its covers contain the most powerful force in the universe: the Word of God. That s why when we read it the words can leap off the page and speak to us personally. These words have the ability to bring about change. The Bible is the handbook for life. Although it doesn t have a precise answer for every question, through reading it we come to know God s perspective and are able to make choices which will bring about good for ourselves and for our world. Reading your Bible with Closer to God, you re part of a worldwide family of people who read the Bible God s message to the world. To get the most out of the Bible you need to do two things: read it expectantly; read it regularly. Closer to God is designed to help you do this. The notes that accompany each reading aim to provide a pattern for meeting with God in his Word. As you listen to God each day, you ll get to know him better and learn to respond to him in love and obedience. Take time to be quiet and ask God to speak to you. There is a Bible verse from the day s reading at the beginning of each day s note. Read it (why not memorise it?), allow God to centre your thoughts on him and what he wants to say to you. Read the Bible. Sometimes there is a paragraph to introduce the Bible passage; sometimes we go straight to the Bible reading. Into the Bible What s the main point of this passage? What is God showing me about himself or about my life? Is there a promise or a command, a warning to take notice of, or example to follow? Let the suggestions or questions take you deeper into the Bible passage. Listen out for what the Holy Spirit is saying to you. Respond to what God has shown you in the Bible passage in worship and prayer for yourself and others. You might like to jot down some of your thoughts and prayers in one of the journal spaces. Decide how to share your discoveries with others in word and action. 4

5 MARCH 30 APRIL 7 Introduction Impassioned for us Writer: Lizzie Telfer Holy week begins! As we journey through the next seven days we will look closely at Jesus death and resurrection through the account of the evangelist Luke. We will be reminded of the prominence of the passion as the beginning of a new covenant, for us and all humanity. Open up the passages to see Jesus glorious divinity and raw humanity, as he lays his life down in obedience to God and glorifies his name in defeating death! Lord Jesus, as I reflect on your perfect grace, let me experience it in a new way and grow in obedience to your sovereignty. Amen. This week s Bible: Luke Here are the readings for this week. Missed a day? Catch up when you can. 3 Luke 22: Luke 22:63 23:25 5 Luke 23:26 46 Weekend Luke 23:47 56 Luke 24: Luke 24: Luke 24:36 53 Find more at: 5

6 DAY 3 MARCH 30 APRIL 7 As you wish Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:42 44 After talking with the disciples, Luke relates how Jesus spent time alone with his Father. Luke s account consistently emphasises how central prayer is to Jesus relationship with God. In his other book, Acts, he shows how key prayer is in the shaping of the community of believers, some of whom were witness to this extraordinary encounter between members of the Trinity. Read: Luke 22:39 62 > Jesus places himself directly in God s will. It s a battle for him; he clearly fights against anxiety (vs 42 44). We see the Trinity at work, as the Holy Spirit strengthens Jesus to do his Father s will. > Is there something God is calling you to do, which seems hard? Are the circumstances surrounding it messy? Be honest about how you feel and ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to submit to God s authority. Holy Spirit, fill me with God s strength to be obedient to your will. Help me be in awe of God and not of my situation. Joshua 1 3; Psalm 37 6

7 MARCH 30 APRIL 7 Betrayed by Israel DAY 4 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. Luke 23:23 25 Luke concludes his narration of Jesus trial by clearly reiterating that it was God s own people, the Jews, who demanded his death, choosing to release a murderer and insurrectionist. Read: Luke 22:63 23:25 > I find it hard to comprehend the desire to release a murderer into society, even if people were blind to Jesus Lordship! > Throughout the mockery, physical brutality and interrogation (vs 63,67 71) Jesus remains sure of his identity in God and of God s will for him (vs 67 70). > This presents a challenge for us to remain sure of our identity in Christ under what might be severe pressure. We can only do it by remaining in him. Memory verse: 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 John 15:4. Thank you, Jesus, that you stood firm in your identity as God s Son and for your faith in who God is. Joshua 4,5; Romans 10 7

8 GOOD FRIDAY MARCH 30 APRIL 7 Embodying forgiveness When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:33,34 Even during excruciating pain, Jesus is obedient to his Father s will and shows forgiveness in two clear instances. The first, as he was being crucified, to his executioners and the Jewish people. The second, to the repentant criminal crucified alongside him. Read: Luke 23:26 46 > Did God say that the act of forgiveness was easy? Jesus experience tells us that we forgive because God forgave us first and that it will most likely be hard and painful. > There have been circumstances where I have needed to forgive others, where I have had to make the rational choice to forgive them before I have felt comfortable about it. Obedience to God has to take precedence over how we feel. > Do you need to take the step of forgiveness and to trust God to take care of your pain and the consequences of others sin? God Almighty, I choose to forgive because you call us to love and you have chosen to forgive me. Help me with the pain. Joshua 6,7; Romans 11 8

9 Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Luke 23:34 9

10 WEEKEND MARCH 30 APRIL 7 Not tossed aside Going to Pilate, [Joseph] asked for Jesus body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. Luke 23:52 54 Read: Luke 23:47 56 Jesus body has a significant burial. Joseph of Arimathea refuses to allow Jesus to be buried as a criminal in a mass grave; he takes his body and lays it in a private Jewish grave. > Joseph clearly understands Jesus identity better than the majority of the Jewish people and this brings him into conflict with the Council (v 50). Honouring Jesus will often bring us into conflict with those around us. Will we still do it? God, guide me further into your will and, if it means disagreeing with the crowd, help me choose your way. Joshua 8,9; Romans 12 10

11 MARCH 30 APRIL 7 Remember his words EASTER DAY Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again. Luke 24:5 7 Read: Luke 24:1 12 Two men (described by Luke) prompt the women to remember Jesus words about his resurrection (v 6). Their message reminds them that Jesus death is not the end. Imagine the mixture of emotions felt by the women after the crucifixion yet now it is their role to proclaim to the disciples that Jesus lives! > Take a moment to absorb the fact that Jesus has victory over death. > Praise God that we can live in relationship with God, in fullness of renewed life, through Christ Jesus! (1 Peter 1:21 23). Thank you, God, that Jesus death was your plan and that I have hope in you, through his resurrection. Joshua 10,11; Psalm 38 11

12 DAY 1 MARCH 30 APRIL 7 An intimate stranger beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:27 Read: Luke 24:13 35 These verses remind me of times when I focus on the visual circumstances of life and perspectives of the world, rather than the sovereignty and truth of God. The disciples seem to be doing the same, rather than remembering Jesus words before he died (Luke 22). > The disciples don t see who this stranger is, who walks beside them. Jesus spends time pointing them to the scriptures and they recognise him when he breaks bread, as he did at the Last Supper. > Do you need to go back to the scriptural truth that Jesus has died to forgive your sins and bring new life? > Think about practical ways you can focus on God, when circumstances seem hopeless. How can you recognise that Jesus walks with you? Lord Jesus, help me fix my eyes on the truth that you walk with me and my hope is in you. Amen. Joshua 12 15; Romans 13 12

13 MARCH 30 APRIL 7 Hope-filled mission DAY 2 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. Luke 24:51,52 Can you imagine the mix of emotions that the disciples experienced as they went through the process of realising that this was Jesus, resurrected? Fear, excitement, joy, relief as they saw Jesus appear, shared food with him, saw Jesus ascend and received his blessing. Read: Luke 24:36 53 > It is important to remember that the same commission from Jesus to the disciples is our commission. We are witnesses to his death and resurrection. > In verse 49, Jesus refers to his promise to give power to the disciples through the Holy Spirit. It is with that same power that we can be effective witnesses. > Spend time thanking God for his forgiveness of sins and draw upon the Holy Spirit for the power to live out this powerful message. Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit thank you for calling me to participate in your mission! Help me to share the good news through my life. Amen. Joshua 16 19; Romans 14 13

14 APRIL 8 19 Introduction Resurrection power Writer: Jon Marlow Has your Christian life turned out how you expected it to? Luke s Gospel ends with Jesus followers returning to Jerusalem overflowing with the joy of his resurrection. In the years that followed, the gospel spread like wildfire and the church was growing, but so was opposition to Jesus message. Life was hard for Christians as their memory of those early days faded. In 2 Corinthians, Paul points back to the resurrection. Through the cross, despite our weaknesses, God is still at work in the world and in our lives. Father God, please help me to know the power of Jesus resurrection in my life. Please help me to rest on your mighty power and not to dwell on my own weaknesses. This week s Bible: 2 Corinthians 1:1 3:6; Psalm 6 Here are the readings for this week. Missed a day? Catch up when you can. 3 2 Corinthians 1: Corinthians 1: Corinthians 1:23 2:11 Weekend 2 Corinthians 2:12 3:6 Psalm 6 Find more at: 14

15 APRIL 8 12 Strength DAY 3 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:9 Before becoming a vicar, I trained to be a structural engineer. This meant that I spent lots of time producing drawings of the steel reinforcement that strengthens concrete beams. These beams were designed to carry whatever load was put on them, be it people, vehicles or more concrete. Here Paul talks about someone who can carry the weight of the heaviest burden God, who can even raise the dead. Read: 2 Corinthians 1:1 11 > Can you think of situations or relationships in your life where you feel that the pressure is more than you are able to bear? > Paul talks about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia that felt like a death sentence (vs 8,9). These troubles included both physical danger and emotional turmoil and yet Paul has faith that God will continue to deliver him (v 10). > What would it look like to see God s resurrection power at work in the pressured situations in your life? Ask God to show you how his power is already at work in those situations which you feel are hopeless, too hard or too much for you to bear. Joshua 20 22; Psalm 39 15