Devotion 2.17/69: Luke 9:25: Journey

A devotional thought presented originally to River Street Cafe, Regent Park Toronto, 05 August 2016. Presented to Arthur Meighen Retirement Residence, 19 October 2016. 

Read Matthew 5:38-39, Luke 9:20-25

Luke 9:25: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:26, Matthew 16:26). Do the ends justify the means?

Recently I read an anthology of sermons by the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. There was one point he kept coming back to that really resonates with me. His opponents accused him of being a communist. When people pointed out to him that, as far as the USA was concerned, many of his causes were communist ones; MLK would reply that he differs from the communists in one key way. “Lenin”, he said, “believed that the end justified the means.” As a Christian I can never believe that the ends justify the means because God reminds us that the means are the end – what you do on the journey reveals who you are in the end. This is true.  

For example if we want to end violent oppression by violently throwing off our oppressors then in the process we will find that we provide the violent oppression for someone else to throw off. Violence breeds violence. The ends do not justify the means. As Gandhi, whom MLK loved to quote, said, ‘an eye for and eye makes the whole world blind.’ If we want the world to see the truth then we need to help our adversary see, not pluck out his eye. If we pluck out his eye he may do the same to us and we will both be left a couple of blind bullies. Gandhi, like Tutu and Mandela after him, is a great example of helping our adversary to see. A society at peace with its former oppressors was created in a way it never would have been through violence. The means of violence always brings the result of violence. The means of peace is what brings the result of peace. And Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

Do the ends justify the means? No, the means are the end. Oswald Chamber says, ‘God is not working toward a particular finish - His purpose is the process itself.’

If we walk along the path of sin hoping to reach holiness we will be sadly disappointed. Conversely if we never walk towards sin, we will never arrive at sin.

He who walks in the darkness does not see the light and she who walks in the light does not get lost in the darkness.

This is true in our relationships with each other and it is true with our relationship with God. Jesus and Salvation isn’t about a destination, an end of going to heaven when we die; Salvation is how we live with God from today unto eternity; it is a means, a way of life. So, can we do evil as a way to try to enter heaven? No. Do the ends ever justify the means? No. The means, which is ultimately our very relationship with our neighbour and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, is all that matters. He is with us and He wants us to journey with Him both now and forever. And that is the means by which we can each live the most blessed life both for now and forever.

Devotion 2.43/95: Luke 6:29: Nonviolence

A devotional thought presented originally to River Street Cafe, Regent Park Toronto, Friday 10 June 2016 by Captain Michael Ramsay and the Arthur Meighen Centre, 15 June 2016 by Sarah-Grace Ramsay

Read Luke 6:26-31

Every volunteer in Martin Luther King Junior’s movement for freedom was required to sign the following pledge.

I HEREBY PLEDGE MYSELF – MY PERSON AND BODY – TO THE NON-VIOLENT MOVEMENT. THEREFORE I WILL KEEP THE FOLLOWING TEN COMMANDMENTS:

1. MEDITATE daily on the teachings and life of Jesus

2. REMEMBER always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham seeks justice and reconciliation – not victory.
3. WALK and TALK in the manner of love, for God is love.
4. PRAY daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.
5. SACRIFICE personal wishes in order that all men might be free.
6. OBSERVE with friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.
7. SEEK to perform regular service for others and for the world.
8. REFRAIN from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart.
9. STRIVE to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
10. FOLLOW the directions of the movement and of the captain of a demonstration.

I sign this pledge having seriously considered what I do and with the determination and will to persevere.

God used the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Junior to change a country and to change our world. God used him to peacefully initiate reconciliation. Here is a key note: This was done in the power of Jesus. When Martin Luther King Jr. was violently killed by his enemies, his friends refused the temptation to respond in kind. They gave up their right for vengeance and thus reconciliation was possible. MLK, just like Bishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela after him, followed Jesus and Jesus' teaching on peace and reconciliation and whole countries and our whole world were changed because of it. Just think, as we follow Jesus and His teaching on peace and reconciliation how much He will change our societies, our communities, and even our very lives.
  
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Devotion 2.03/55: 1 Corinthians 10:11: Signs

Devotional thought presented to Arthur Meighen Retirement Home by Sarah-Grace Ramsay, February 2016

Read 1 Corinthians 10:11-13

We had the opportunity this summer to visit the old Ramsay castle in Scotland. It is great. It has secret passages, stairs hidden in floors and even a secret doorway in a bookcase. One thing I found particularly interesting was while we were exploring a back staircase at the castle: there was a sign that said, ‘turn left for the Spa, turn right for the dungeon’. I would hate to make that wrong turn.

Warning us not to make wrong turns is one thing our pericope today is about. We would hate to walk the staircase of our life hoping for the eternal spa and turn into the eternal dungeon. Now, of course, God is not going to let us wander into an eternal dungeon by accident: He does a lot to point us to the safety that comes from Christ alone. He posts many signs like the dungeon/spa sign on the walls of our lives. 1 Corinthians 10:11 tells us that one such sign pointing us away from the dungeon, towards the eternal spa is the experience of those who have gone before us.

Another sign is the encouragement about how we can trust and follow God to the eternal spa even as we go through very difficult passages. Paul draws our attention to the sign of the fiery cloud leading the Hebrews out of Egypt, the parting of the sea, the manna they ate and the water from the rock they drank in the desert (1 Cor. 10:1-4). These are all signs pointing us to the spa, the grace of God we can experience now and forever as we walk with Him through the stairwell of our life.

God knows that sometimes the staircases we navigate in our life can be dark and scary and sometimes we need the encouragement of 1 Corinthians 10:12, to watch our step so we do not fall. Sometimes there is barely any room to move; sometimes these staircases can get pretty dark and sometimes some have wondered if they can even still see the light of God at all through the troubles, trials, and tribulations that can sometimes line the walls of our lives.

Jack Layton, in his farewell letter to Canadians, wrote “My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” The Apostle Paul offers us this same encouragement. And I promise that as difficult as the staircase of our lives may be at times that there is no testing that has overtaken us that God has not already escorted someone safely through before.

So as dark as our lives may seem at times, we can ‘keep on keeping on’ because God is faithful and He will see us through even the most difficult circumstances. As we serve Him in the midst of our very real struggles I know that He will comfort and sustain us and I know that as dark as our lives may get, he will post signs pointing us away from the dungeon of our trials and towards the eternal spa that is grace of God in our lives.

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[1] Based on the sermon by Captain Michael Ramsay, 1 Corinthians 10:11-13. Presented to 614 Regent Park Corps of The Salvation Army, 26 July 2015. On-line: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.ca/2015/07/1-corinthians-1011-13-sign-on-staircase.html

Week 45: John 1:14: Tradition

Devotional thought composed originally for TSA Devotional Book, June 2015 by Captain Michael Ramsay. Presented to the Arthur Meighen Retirement Home, 16 December 2015 by Sarah-Grace Ramsay

  

Read John 1:9-14

Some people have asked if it matters that traditional Christian Easter and Christmas celebrations are disappearing from school and other public venues. What does it matter? Traditions change: Isn’t Christmas just a tradition?

No. Christmas is a special time when we remember the coming of Jesus, even as we now are looking forward to his return in the near future. Jesus lived 2000 years ago, and the many documents collected in the Bible and other sources tell us about him. He came to live in Galilee when it was under the control of the Romans. His birth is linked to the time of Caesar Augustus. His life and his death are referred to in a number of ancient manuscripts. His whole life and ministry can be seen in the context of Jewish religious life and history. Although his universal message and ministry broke through the boundaries of Judaism, he did belong to the Jewish/Roman world of the first century. Jesus was an historical person but not merely an historical person because in him, God has revealed himself and acted in history on our behalf (cf. Salvation Story, pp 35-49).

Jesus Christ is ‘truly and properly God’. ‘He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made . . .’ (John 1:2-3). The character and being of God were fully present in the life of Jesus, for ‘He who has seen me has seen the Father’ (John 14: 9). The early Christians adopted the word ‘Incarnation’ to describe this truth. The word is not strictly a biblical term, but literally means ‘embodiment’ or ‘in the flesh’ (John 1:14). The Incarnation declares that our God, who was without sin, loved us so much that He even became one of us (cf. Salvation Story, pp 35-49).

First century writers express this truth in different ways. In the Gospel of John we read that ‘the Word became flesh and lived for a while among us’ (John 1:14). In Philippians, Paul expresses this truth as he describes Christ as ‘being in very nature God’, and yet ‘taking the very nature of a servant’ (Phil 2:6-7). In Hebrews, Jesus Christ is referred to as ‘the radiance of God’s glory and exact representation of his being’ (Heb1:3; cf. Salvation Story, pp 35-49).

Christmas is much more than a tradition; it is a time when we celebrate that God, Jesus, “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us…” (John 1:14). “For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

If you haven’t yet come to know Jesus, I invite you to pray and invite him to be part of your life today. If you already have, this week I invite you to introduce someone to Jesus.

www.sheepspeak.com

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[1] Based on the article by Captain Michael Ramsay, Is Christmas just a tradition?  Nipawin Journal (December 2008) On-line: http://renewnetwork.blogspot.ca/2008_12_01_archive.html#1442270715358451668

Week 42: Judges 13:7: Strength

A devotional thought composed originally for Swift Current TSA Devotional Book, June 2015. Presented to the Meighan Retirement Residence by Sarah-Grace Ramsay, 20 January 2016. 

Read Judges 13:1-7

Covenants are important to the Lord. I am reminded of Samson. Samson was bound by a covenant without an expiry date (Jdgs 13:7) that he did not even willingly enter into (Jdgs 13, Cf. 1 Sam 1, Lk 1, Lev 27.28-29) and he struggled to keep. Samson was not to drink nor was he to defile himself. Samson was however a liar at times (Jdgs 16:7ff) and a killer (Jdgs 14:19). He visited prostitutes (Judges 16:1). He put himself and others ahead of God at times (Jdgs 14:17). Samson disobeyed his vows. Samson transgressed his covenant with God. The Lord did not forsake him though (Jdgs 16:22, Rom 3:3,4).

At times Samson did follow the Lord’s direction. At times he experienced the blessings that accompanied his covenant. At times Samson drew on the strength of the Lord and was used greatly by God to accomplish His purposes. At other times Samson sinned.

Every time Samson turned to and drew on the strength of the Lord, the Lord delivered him. No matter what Samson did, the Lord did not leave him. He still reaped the benefits of his covenant with the Lord until one very significant day.

I am sure it was a surprise to Samson who had repeatedly lied, visited prostitutes, sinned, and transgressed his covenant, that one day after his covenant had been violated; the Lord’s strength was not available to him (Judges 16:20). Samson disobeyed his covenant and finally – after being given many chances – the Lord allowed him to experience the natural consequences of this. Samson was blinded, bound, and imprisoned (Judges 16:21).

The story, as we know, does not end here though. This is significant. Samson did not fulfil his vow. Samson sinned. Samson disregarded his covenant. Because he did this, he suffered natural consequences but the Lord did not release him from his covenant (cf. Jdgs 16:22).

God is faithful even when we are faithless. God did not forsake Samson. When Samson repented, when Samson turned to the Lord and drew on the strength of the Lord that was provided through his covenant, the Lord used Samson to save his people and Samson is now forever remembered as a hero of the faith (Heb 11).

This is important for any of us who have made a covenant without an expiry date - be it for work or marriage or some other purpose. We, like Samson, are bound to God through a covenant until death (Rom 7:2,3). As such if we do not live up to our covenant, like Samson, we will find that we are not as effective as we could be and we will find that we will suffer the natural and logical consequences.

However, no matter what we have done, no matter how far we have strayed, no matter how may times we have fallen short of our covenantal promises, while we are still alive there is the opportunity to turn (repent) to the Lord, draw on our covenant and His strength.

This is one of the many benefits of covenant. We are bound to God until we die. As this is the case, rather than suffering the natural consequences of struggling against our vows, let us defend them with zeal and continue to draw on the strength of the Lord because as we do, I am sure that we, like Samson, will see many people saved.

Those of us who have entered into covenants with the Lord be they for work, church, or family; how has God proven His faithfulness even when we were faithless and how, when you were faithful, have you drawn on His covenantal strength in your time of need?

www.sheepspeak.com 

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[1] Based on the article by Captain Michael Ramsay, Covenant: The Example of Samson.  THE OFFICER (March/April 2009) On-line: http://sheepspeak.com/RamsayonCovenantSamson.pdf 

Week 12: John 3:16: Rescue

Devotional thought presented  to Swift Current Men’s Prayer Breakfast, Thursday 04 December 2014; Arthur Meighen Retirement Home, Wednesday 18 May 2016; River Street Cafe, 27 May 2016.

Read John 3:16-21

God loves us. John 3:16 records that He loves us so much that Jesus laid down His life that we may live; therefore, I can’t imagine how much it must hurt Him that some of us actually perish.

I am a parent. Think about this scenario for a moment. The house across the street is on fire; there are children in that house. Your child is able to save them. Your son or daughter – your ONLY son or daughter can reach them so you encourage her, “Go, go, go! Save them.”

Your daughter goes. She suffers every peril in that burning house that everyone else in there is suffering (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:14, Luke 4): There is the deadly smoke, the fire, and the falling beams. She is successful. She gets to the children. She is able to make an opening in the wall. She points them to the way out. She yells for them to walk through the opening in the wall. She makes a clear path so that all of the children can be saved and then… she dies. Your daughter dies so that all these children can be saved. Your child dies so that none of these children need to die but – here’s the kicker: the children do not want to be saved. They die anyway. Your daughter dies so that they can be saved but they choose to stay and die. They do not need to die but they choose not to walk through the opening she died to make for them. They refuse to be saved.

This is what it is like for God when our loved ones reject Him. He sent His Son to this earth that is perishing. He sent His Son to this house that is on fire and His Son died so that we may live but some refuse His love and some reject His Salvation. He sent Jesus not to condemn us to burn in the eternal house fire but to save us; however, like those children, some refuse to walk through that opening that Jesus died to make. John 3:18: “Those who believe in Him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already…” of their own accord because, John 3:19, “people loved darkness rather than light.”

But there is good news here. Yes, the house is on fire; yes, Jesus died, but we - as long as we are still breathing - have the opportunity to walk through the hole in the wall that He created through His death and resurrection. We can walk through the wall from certain death to certain life. All we need to do is believe in Him, obey Him, and walk through that wall to eternal life with the Father because, John 3:17, “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only [begotten] Son, so that everyone who believe in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

Have you walked to safety yet?

www.sheepspeak.com

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[1] Based on the sermon by Captain Michael Ramsay, John 3:16-21: For God so loved the world. Presented to The Salvation Army Nipawin & Tisdale on 23 November 2008 and Swift Current on 12 March 2011. On-line: http://sheepspeaks.blogspot.ca/2008/11/john-316-21-for-god-so-loved-world.html