Becoming Loving - Part 1

Focus Scripture

Matthew 22 : 34-40 (NRSV)

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.’

Daily Byte

Love, it seems, can be a frightening thing. We don’t really trust it, if we’re honest. We think of love as something soft and fickle, something wishy-washy and weak. Clearly Jesus had a different view of love though. He makes it clear that the entire Bible is summed in the twin commands to love God and to love our neighbour as ourselves. This is the only command we’ve been given as followers of Christ! Yet, somehow we would prefer to reduce the Gospel to another set of religious laws, drawing lines to determine who is good and who is bad, who is ‘in’ and who is ‘out’. The law is always the easy way out. Love is much harder and more complex. It requires more of us - more listening, more seeking to understand, more involvement, more time, more energy. But, the law has never been able to heal us or our world. Only love can do that.

How do you feel about the idea that love is our only commandment as Christians? How are you doing in following this one commandment? When are you tempted to replace it with other, simpler laws? How can you allow your worship to reveal God’s love to you more? And how can you learn to express your love for others in your worship gatherings?

Pray As You Go

That’s it, Jesus? Seriously?
Only love? No other command;
no other law?
Nothing else required?

You must know something about love that we don’t, Jesus;
You trust it so much more than we do,
you believe its power so completely;
how else could you have allowed it to drive you to the cross?

Teach me to trust love the way you do, Jesus,
to open my heart to your love,
and to learn to speak and act and think in love as you do;
Give me the courage to make the quest for love,
an essential guiding principle of my life.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming Beautiful - Part 5

Focus Scripture

Psalm 96 : 1 -13 (NRSV)

O sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvellous works among all the peoples.
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
he is to be revered above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Honour and majesty are before him;
strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Worship the LORD in holy splendour;
tremble before him, all the earth.

Say among the nations, ‘The LORD is king!
The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
He will judge the peoples with equity.’
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the LORD; for he is coming,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with his truth.

Daily Byte

The beauty and creativity of God are seen in all that God has made, and in this psalm the celebration is loud, vibrant and creative in return. Singing, rejoicing, bowing, bringing offerings - The Message translation even includes dancing - are all creative ways to express worship, and the context is “the beauty of holiness” or “God’s holy splendour” (vs 9). In worship we are invited to recognise the beauty of God that surrounds us - both in the physical world we inhabit, and in the spiritual reality that flows through and around the physical. Wherever God is, there is beauty, and wherever beauty is, there is worship. All we need to do is join the celebration, and allow the beauty of God’s holiness to draw us into deeper intimacy with God.

In what ways have you become more aware of God’s presence through the created world? How have you become more aware of God’s presence through “spiritual” activities like prayer, Scripture reading and worship? How have these activities helped you to be more aware of God’s presence everywhere and in every moment? When you become aware of God’s presence, how do you usually respond? Can you open yourself to worship and let it teach you to become a more celebratory person, joining the worship of creation whenever you can?

Pray As You Go

What an amazing thought!
What a glorious reality!
Celebration is going on all the time!
Animals and angels,
people and plants,
all caught up in a majestic symphony of praise!

And I’m no gatecrasher - I’m invited, the door is open;
all I need to do is join in,
to see the beauty all around me,
and give thanks
in whatever way I can.

Thank you, God, for your ever-present beauty,
and for the eternal celebration
that reminds me of your grace and love
in every moment.
Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming Beautiful - Part 4

Focus Scripture

Acts 10 : 1-16 (NRSV)

In Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Cohort, as it was called. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household; he gave alms generously to the people and prayed constantly to God. One afternoon at about three o’clock he had a vision in which he clearly saw an angel of God coming in and saying to him, ‘Cornelius.’ 4He stared at him in terror and said, ‘What is it, Lord?’ He answered, ‘Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. Now send men to Joppa for a certain Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.’ When the angel who spoke to him had left, he called two of his slaves and a devout soldier from the ranks of those who served him, and after telling them everything, he sent them to Joppa.

About noon the next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. Then he heard a voice saying, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ But Peter said, ‘By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean.’ The voice said to him again, a second time, ‘What God has made clean, you must not call profane.’ This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven.

Daily Byte

It took great imagination to get Peter, the faithful Jewish follower of Christ, to understand that God wanted to bring Gentiles into the community of faith. It took great imagination for Cornelius, the God-fearing Gentile soldier, to believe that he could invite a faithful Jew into his home. No theological discussions or ordinary reading of the Scriptures could have done this. But, God believed in the power of the human imagination, and so God sends a vision - a gift of the imagination - to Cornelius, which inspires him to send a messenger to Peter. And God sends a vision to Peter to prepare him to accept Cornelius’ invitation. And as a result of these imaginative moments the Church, and the world, are forever changed.

How do you feel about imagination as a gift of God? How comfortable are you using your imagination as a way to communicate with God or to hear from God? How open are you to offering your imagination to God, and allowing God to purge it and make it useful for God’s purposes? Can you start by allowing worship to engage your imagination this week?

Pray As You Go

It’s like a children’s game, this imagination of mine;
it can be fun perhaps,
maybe even creative in a frivolous kind of way,
but, an instrument of God’s reign?
I’m not so sure…

But, then I read of visions and dreams,
of people’s whole worlds being changed
as a result of imaginative moments,
and I have to acknowledge,
you gave us our imaginations, God,
and you want to use our imaginations for your purpose!

Teach me to make friends with my imagination,
to offer it to you as a gift of worship,
to listen to it as a translator of your voice,
and to give me the courage to follow
where my Spirit-led imagination might lead.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming Beautiful - Part 3

Focus Scripture

Matthew 6 : 25 - 34 (NRSV)

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you - you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Daily Byte

It is all too easy to get lost in the stress of worrying about our daily needs. Life is hard, and ensuring that we provide for our families emotionally and materially, that we do what is required for our work, and also do what it takes to keep ourselves healthy, can all feel like too much to carry. But, if we can life our eyes, just for a moment, to look around at the natural world, we may find our faith growing. Jesus certainly believed that the beauty of the birds and the flowers is able to teach us and strengthen our trust in God’s grace and provision. What a difference it makes to life when we take the time to get in touch with nature. What wonderful lessons, and what amazing grace, we find among the creatures and plants that God has made.

How often do you get out into nature just to enjoy its beauty? How does your relationship with the created world (or lack of) affect your soul, do you thing? When you see a beautiful sunset or flower, an amazing animal or a breath-taking vista, does this grow your faith? Why do you think that happens? In worship God teaches us to appreciate beauty and find wholeness and inspiration in it. How can you open yourself to worship and to its lessons of beauty-appreciation this week?

Pray As You Go

When life gets difficult, God,
it’s tempting to just put my head down and work even harder to survive;
It’s tough not to feel like anything beautiful, natural,
unproductive
is a waste of time and energy.

But, you call me to lift my eyes, to open my soul,
to allow the world to teach me,
to sooth my stressed-out mind;
and in the visions of beauty I see,
the birds and the flowers,
the trees and the hills,
I discover your grace again,
and am able to trust you a little more.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming Beautiful - Part 2

Focus Scripture

Ecclesiastes 3 : 1-11 (NRSV)

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

What gain have the workers from their toil? I have seen the business that God has given to everyone to be busy with. 11He has made everything suitable for its time; moreover, he has put a sense of past and future into their minds, yet they cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

Daily Byte

Life follows its own rhythms - there is a time for everything, and we all experience seasons of great joy and seasons of deep grief. Yet, if we will look, if we will open ourselves to the eternity that God has placed in our hearts, we will discover that in every moment, whether sad or happy, whether good or bad, there is beauty waiting to be discovered. God had made all things beautiful in its time, and if we will just open our eyes and hearts to this ever-present beauty, we find healing and strength and joy, even in the midst of the deepest pain. And God has given us the gift of worship to teach us to recognise and embrace life’s many beauties.

When have you found beauty and joy in the midst of suffering and grief? What has enabled you to see it? How does worship help you to be more aware of God’s beauty in the world and in your life? Won’t you make a commitment today to seek for the beauty that is hidden all around you, and allow God to heal you a little more through his ever-present beauty?

Pray As You Go

The Master has crammed His canvas with all that is beautiful filling it beyond capacity with hues and fragrances, texture, tastes and music to awaken the soul.
How glorious to live in this universe, O God!
how our hearts vibrate with the artistry of Your love:
How our senses and spirits are enlivened by the beauty of Your glory
revealed within and around us!
Our praise is too small to express our appreciation,
our joy and our love
that You have blessed us so.

How it must grieve You, O God, when we run from beauty, terrified of the passions it might awaken in us
fearful that is may not last, that it might deceive us.
How your tears must flow when we choose what is ugly, utilitarian, functional alone.

Forgive us, Beautiful God, when we fail to embrace, and enjoy and be
the beauty that You have desired and created;
And when we have robbed others of beauty.

Renew in us the capacity for the beauty which was in Jesus,
and may we both reflect and celebrate Your glory because of it.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming Beautiful - Part 1

Focus Scripture

Psalm 27 : 1-7 (NRSV)

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me
to devour my flesh -
my adversaries and foes -
they shall stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
yet I will be confident.

One thing I asked of the LORD,
that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD,
and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will set me high on a rock.

Now my head is lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud,
be gracious to me and answer me!

Daily Byte

In a world that can be threatening and painful a refuge that provides comfort, safety and strength is a valuable gift. The psalmist seeks such a refuge in the presence of God where he can gaze on God’s beauty and learn from God. Beauty - especially the beauty of God - can be a healing and empowering refuge in times of crisis. Oppressed communities often use art to express their pain and to sustain their life and strength - think of the protest songs of the apartheid era, or the spirituals of the American slaves. In worship God offers this refuge, this place of safety where we can be inspired and empowered by God and God’s beauty.

Where in your life do you feel threatened or at risk at the moment? Where do you feel in need of strength and a refuge? Can you enter worship as a place of safety? In what ways does worship help you to experience God’s beauty, and how does this strengthen and inspire you? Why not allow God’s beauty to heal you this week?

Pray As You Go

It seems frivolous to speak of beauty,
when the world is in pain,
and we feel so threatened and unsafe;
But we gaze on your beauty, O God,
we find a surprising thing begins to happen:
we see the world differently,
we are open to possibilities we missed,
we are filled with hope and faith,
and our strength and conviction rises again.

Thank you for giving us a sanctuary, a place of worship where we can find refuge in you,
and be restored by the simple, mysterious act
of gazing on your beauty.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming True - Part 5

Focus Scripture

John 17 : 10-19

All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Daily Byte

God’s Word is often the source of much controversy. On the one hand there are those who ignore it and believe that it is only a human book that is no longer relevant. On the other hand are those who idolise it and exalt it to a book of magic, and almost a further person of the Trinity. But, for Jesus the word is both important and subservient. It is a signpost that points to Jesus, a sacrament through which God’s presence comes to us, a guide that shows us how to become holy and Christ-like. Without Jesus, the Bible is just words on paper. Without the Bible we would have no real access to the life and teaching of Jesus. In the sense that the Bible leads us to Jesus, and leads us in the way of Jesus, it is truth. But, if it begins to become an end in itself, it ceases to be truth and becomes the worst kind of deception. That’s why Jesus prayed that we be made holy by God’s word and God’s truth.

What is your relationship with the Bible like? In what ways has it been truth for you? How has it pointed you to Jesus, and helped you to follow his way? Have you found the use of Scripture in worship to be helpful? How does worship help you to receive God’s word, and be changed by it?

Pray As You Go

Thank you for your word, Jesus,
for the record of your life and work,
for the wisdom it offers,
and the truth it contains;

Thank you that you meet me in its pages,
that your Spirit speaks to me in its words,
that your presence come to me as I read it.

Thank you for giving me this signpost,
this holy-maker,
this search light,
that examines my heart and life,
and leads me in your ways.

As I follow you Jesus, I give thanks for your word,
even as I remember that it points me to you.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming True - Part 4

Focus Scripture

1 Corinthians 2 : 10-16 (NRSV)

...these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God’s except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual.

Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are discerned spiritually. Those who are spiritual discern all things, and they are themselves subject to no one else’s scrutiny.

"For who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?"

But we have the mind of Christ.

Daily Byte

The mind of Christ. What an incredible thought! Does this mean that we know everything that God knows? Clearly not - our knowledge of the world is still so limited, and there are parts of the universe we have never even seen. Does it mean we never make mistakes, or we always have exactly the right assessment of what’s going on? Again, experience shows us that this is not the case. So, what could it mean that, by God’s Spirit, we have the mind of Christ? It must be related to the fact that Jesus is the truth, which means that as we follow Christ, and allow the Spirit to teach us to live out the Gospel of God’s reign, we get God’s perspective on the world. We think of justice and mercy, neighbours and enemies, the earth and its wealth from a Gospel viewpoint. We no longer think of truth as a set of ideas, and we no longer follow truth according to ‘popular’ opinion. Rather, we recognise truth as a way, and we embrace that way as Jesus did, understanding the world, and relating to it, as Jesus did. And this is the ‘mind of Christ’ that offers us truth.

When have you experienced seeing the world, or a specific situation, from a new, God-oriented perspective? How has following Jesus helped you to understand the world better, to relate to other people better, and to live in a more meaningful way? How does it feel to think of this ‘mind of Christ’ that is developing in you? In what ways has worship helped you to receive this Christ-perspective? How can you be more intentional in allowing God’s Spirit to teach you through worship?

Pray As You Go

It’s your world, Jesus,
and I can’t understand it,
I can’t find my way in it,
I can’t act, or interact effectively,
without you
I need your mind, Jesus,
your perspective,
you example,
your Spirit,
if I am to find abundant life,
and share it with others.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming True - Part 3

Focus Scripture

John 16 : 7-16 (NRSV)

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgement: about sin, because they do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me no longer; about judgement, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

'A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.’

Daily Byte

What an amazing privilege we have! What an awesome gift God’s Spirit is! How wonderful to know that we do not walk this road alone, that following Christ is not just up to us, that we do not have only our own resources to draw on! The promise of God is the Holy Spirit who is available to each of us at all times, and who leads, teaches and empowers us. Now we know that truth is not something static, something fixed that Jesus spoke once and for all, but is a quest, a way, a journey. Now we know that we have a guide who will continue to lead us into truth. Notice that we enter truth. It does not come into us as if we own it or can contain it. It is far too big for us. We can only enter it, swim around in it, immerse ourselves in it, recognising that as much as we discover, there is always an eternity of truth still to be explored. This is why we need the constant whisper of God’s Spirit calling us deeper.

What does it mean for you to be led into truth? How have you experienced the Holy Spirit doing this for you? How has God’s Spirit helped you to view truth humbly, as something far bigger than yourself, something to be discovered for all eternity? How does worship offer you the gift of this humility, and the openness to God’s Spirit of truth?

Pray As You Go

God of infinite, eternal truth,
forgive me when I make truth small,
when I feel that I can capture it,
contain it,
hold it,
deal with it on my own terms;
forgive me when I feel that I’ve got it sorted,
that I no longer need a teacher,
a guide,
a counsellor;

Holy Spirit of Truth,
I humbly invite you to each me,
to guide me, step by tiny step,
for all eternity,
into the truth that is far bigger than me.
Thank you for being so willing
to work with slow learners like me.
Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming True - Part 2

Focus Scripture

John 14 : 1-9 (NRSV)

‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’

Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”?

Daily Byte

The startling declaration of Jesus - I am the way and the truth and the life - has been the cause of much pain both inside the Church and in those the Church has sought to reach. It has become a club with which to beat people of other beliefs and religions over the head. I wonder if this is really what Jesus wants us to do with these words. Perhaps, all he was trying to do was move our view of truth away from ideas, dogmas, doctrines, and towards relationship. Perhaps, Jesus wanted us to see truth not as a ‘thing’ but as a person - a person who shows us what God is really like.

How would it change the way you think of truth to see it like this? What would it mean for you to search for truth by searching for Jesus? And what does Jesus reveal to you about God? What if finding truth is less about getting the ideas right, and more about being connected with God, other people, yourself and the earth? How can you begin to make this quest for truth a bigger part of your life? How can worship help you to search for the truth that is a person?

Pray As You Go

I need to look at you more, Jesus;
I mean really look at you:
what you spoke and the way you listened,
how you treated people, how you prayed,
the stories you told, and the love in your eyes;

I need to get to know you more, Jesus;
I mean not just information, but connection;
your presence, closer than breathing,
your whisper guiding my ways,
your example calling me to follow,
your world, and everything in it, filled with you.

I need you, Jesus, because you are the truth,
and the way to truth and life,
and the life that shows the way,
and the truth about the way of true life,
I need you;
and so I thank you
that you are here right now.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming True - Part 1

Focus Scripture

John 18 : 33-40 (NRSV)

Then Pilate entered the headquarters* again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’ Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’ Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.’ Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?’

After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, ‘I find no case against him. But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover. Do you want me to release for you the King of the Jews?’ They shouted in reply, ‘Not this man, but Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas was a bandit.

Daily Byte

How would you respond to Pilate’s question, “What is truth?” How have you usually understood truth? What role does truth play in your life? Jesus tells Pilate that he has come into the world to “testify to the truth”. This statement is the reason for Pilate’s question, which is never answered, according to John’s account. Perhaps Pilate was not really asking. Perhaps he was throwing his hands up and showing his scepticism of truth through a rhetorical question. There is a similar ‘suspicion’ of truth in our world today, but perhaps that is because we have failed to take the question seriously. From Jesus’ perspective, though, truth is real, available and important.

As you meditate on truth, ask yourself what the word ‘truth’ means to you. In what ways is your life built on truth? In what areas of your life do you think you’re failing to be true? What does it mean for you that Jesus “testifies to truth”? In what ways does your worship help you to find truth and live truthfully? How can you be more open to God’s truth?

Pray As You Go

We speak about truth all the time, God,
defending it as if it was fragile and weak,
as if we were its guardians,
as if we could possibly hold its weight in our hands;

But, truth does not need us to protect it,
nothing we could do can stop it being true,
nothing we could do can make it more true;

But, when we think that our weak grasp of it,
our small understanding of it,
is the whole picture,
we rob ourselves of the wonder, the mystery,
the life-long journey
that the quest for truth can be.

Help us to learn that the power of truth lies not in owning it,
but in always searching,
always questioning,
always discovering;
and help us to learn that truth can surprise us
at any time,
through anyone.
Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming Holy - Part 5

Focus Scripture

Galatians 5 : 13-23 (NRSV)

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence,* but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.

Daily Byte

Paul offers a challenging contrast in his letter to the Galatians. On the one hand he speaks about a “lawless” life - a life of following destructive desires - and a “lawful” life - a life of following the Law of Moses, which brings no freedom or joy. On the other hand he speaks about love as the fulfilment of the law, and of the fruit of the Spirit that is produced in the lives of those who truly follow Christ. There is no law needed for this kind of life. If we ever needed to know that holiness is not about following rules, we know it now. But, this life of love can be a much a harder way to live than following the law. It calls us to be compassionate even to our enemies. It challenges us to offer hospitality even to those we would rather not associate with. It confronts us with our own brokenness and the way it hurts others, while offering us wholeness, leaving us no excuse for not becoming “wholeness-bringing” people. Can there be a more whole way of living than the fruit of the Spirit? And if it is so readily available to us, what stops us from receiving it?

In what ways are you still trying to achieve holiness by following laws? In what ways have you missed the freedom, and the glorious captivity, of living in love? Which fruit of the Spirit do you think are most evident in you life? Which are the least evident? In what ways can your worship help you to grow this spiritual fruit more abundantly in your life? Can you make a commitment now to open yourself to God’s Spirit to do this work in you as you worship this week?

Pray As You Go

It’s so easy to live by the law, God;
just tick the commandments off on a list,
and just silence the whisper of conscience with a legal score card;
no mess, no fuss,
no people, no relationships, no confusing circum-stances to consider.

But, that’s not what you call me to, is it?
You ask of me a much simpler, more complicated thing,
the nurturing of fruit that brings life and love,
the freedom - and the constraints - of character-building, of people blessing, of holiness finding.

As I grow closer to you, Jesus, may I also become more like you,
may the fruit of your Spirit begin to grow in me,
and may I know, and share, the abundant life it brings.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission.

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming Holy - Part 4

Focus Scripture

Matthew 6 : 22-23 (NRSV)

'The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

Daily Byte

Light is a common metaphor for holiness. Light makes things visible, able to be seen and understood. Light guides us and ensures that we do not get lost or hurt by stumbling over hidden objects. Light offers protection and comfort. God’s holiness is like a light that leads us into safe and welcoming paths. And as our lives are flooded with God’s light, we become light to those around us, pointing to the wholeness and hospitality that God offers. That’s why we need eyes that are filled with God’s light - that see things through the lens of God’s wholeness and compassion.

What does light mean for you? List all of the ways you depend on light for your well-being, and give thanks for the gift of light. What does it mean for your eyes to be filled with light? In what ways do you think your eyes may still be filled with darkness? How can your worship help you dispel this darkness in your life, and invite God’s light in still more? Will you commit to one light-bringing act today?

Pray As You Go

How we long to understand, O God,
the simple logic of light;

The power of a single glow to dispel darkness;
the capacity of a single spark to create warmth;
the immense energy in a single drop of sunlight.

It’s a simple logic, this message that you speak;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness cannot overcome it;

We praise you for the light,
and for it’s simple resistance to darkness;
We praise you for the radiance
that never ceases to stream into us and our world.

And we praise you for the tinder that you have placed within us that waits patiently and quietly
for us to allow a single ember into our hearts
so that we might be set ablaze with You.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission.

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming Holy - Part 3

Focus Scripture

Matthew 5 : 33-37(NRSV)

Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.” But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be “Yes, Yes” or “No, No”; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Daily Byte

Words have a frightening power, but it is often not what we say, but what we do that makes the biggest impact. When our words and actions align, when people see us and know us as people of integrity, we find wholeness and bring wholeness to others. But, when our words and actions are out of sync, when what we say cannot be trusted, when what we do contradicts what we stand for, the result is confusion and brokenness for us and for those with whom we rub shoulders every day.

To what extent is your life one of this kind of whole-iness? How do your words and actions align? Do you think people experience you as a person of integrity? Where are the places in your life that you know are not yet wholly like this? Are you willing to offer them to God as you worship this week, and allow God to make you more whole? How can you allow God’s holiness to be your guide as you speak and act today?

Pray As You Go

The simplest word,
easy to say and quickly forgotten,
can leave a legacy of pain,
or a long-lingering joy.
Yet we fill the air with our words,
oblivious, or simply dismissive,
of their impact,
of the lives changed, for better or worse,
by our careless chatter.
Forgive us, gracious and creative Word of God.

Teach us the wisdom of careful speech, and actions to match,
the power of blessing,
the healing of forgiving,
the gift of truth-telling;
And give us the courage to speak out, to act out,
to do or part in filling the world
with life.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission.

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming Holy - Part 2

Focus Scripture

2 Corinthians 5 : 14-21(NRSV)

For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Daily Byte

To experience God’s holiness is to become a new creation. It is a radical change from what we knew before, who we were before, to seeing ourselves and other differently, to living with different values, motivations and attitudes. Two words that describe this new-creation living: love and reconciliation. We are controlled by Christ’s love, and, having been reconciled to God, we are now called to be reconcilers. How better could we answer the call to become holy - whole, compassionate and hospitable?

How has your faith changed you? What does it mean for you to see yourself through God’s eyes? How easily do you view others through the lens of God’s love? Where in your life do you need to experience and share God’s love more? Where do you need to embrace the ministry of reconciliation?

Pray As You Go

A new creation - that’s what you call me;
a new person, with new attitudes and ideas,
new ways of being, new way of relating,
thank you for this incredible gift.

But, to be honest, I don’t always feel new;
all too often the old person manages to creep back in,
take over the reins,
and entrap me in my own brokenness.

Thank you, Jesus, for all that you did to make me new,
and for all you keep doing to help me stay that way;

Thank you, Jesus, that in you I can see myself
and other differently,
and discover the freedom and joy of being
both reconciled and reconciler.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission.

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Becoming Holy - Part 1

Focus Scripture

1 Peter 1 : 15-25 (NRSV)

Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; for it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’

If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.

Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For ‘All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures for ever.’ That word is the good news that was announced to you.

Daily Byte

How do you feel about the word “holiness”? Peter suggests to his readers that we are to be holy as God is holy - a daunting thought! But as we have seen in this week’s chapter, holiness is not about obeying laws. It is about wholeness, compassion and hospitality. Once we have tasted God’s hospitality, compassion and the gift of wholeness that God offers, we embrace holiness with joy, finding it to be the path to freedom and abundant life, not a life-limiting legalism. And, as Peter explains, the only reason we can even imagine becoming people of wholeness, compassion and hospitality is because of the sacrificial work of Christ. What a wonderful gift Jesus has given us!

Where, in your life, do you feel less than whole? In what ways do you struggle to bring your thoughts, your words, your beliefs and actions together? To whom do you most struggle to show compassion? In what ways are you already offering hospitality to others, and where to you find it difficult to do this? Spend some time in silence reflecting on God’s whole-iness, and asking God to make you a little more holy each day. Think about how your discipline of worship can help you in this quest.

Pray As You Go

Sometimes it feels like it doesn’t really matter, God,
if we ignore the needs of our spouse,
or shout at the kids unnecessarily,
or elaborate on the truth just a little, so we look better,
or waste the resources of our world so generously given;
sometimes it just feels silly to worry about making things beautiful,
to keep reaching for the best of the good, and not just the easy,
to stay true to what is true.
What difference does it really make, in the big scheme of things, if we just take the easy way,
the not-bad-but-could-be-better way?

And then we go to worship, and we remember.
You do not change to accommodate our good-enoughness, our that’ll-do-ness;
You do not darken the sun just a little, so we won’t feel so dull, or switch off some of the stars to keep us from feeling small.

You are holy - whole-y - one and complete and God;
You are Light and Life and Love and Fullness -
You can be no other;
You are Beauty and Goodness and Truth - brilliant and dazzling;
And it is we who must change, we who gather to worship,
it is we who must choose to gaze on your holiness and beauty, and be changed into glory.
And, so here we are, God. Please show us yourself. Amen.

Welcome to a New World - Part 5

Focus Scripture

Exodus 3 : 1-6 (NRSV)

Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, ‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.’ When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then he said, ‘Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’ He said further, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Daily Byte

Moses, after killing an Egyptian, had fled into the wilderness, as far from his people, and as far from God as he could go. But, years later, on an ordinary day, God captured his attention through the burning bush, and told him that he was standing on holy ground. What a surprise this must have been for Moses, that God had sought him out, that God had chosen to take an ordinary piece of real estate and turn it into a place of significance, of purpose. I suspect Moses walked more lightly on the earth after this encounter!

Think for a moment about the spaces that you live in - the buildings, the town or city, the architecture. Think about the building in which your community worships. Do any of these remind you of God’s presence? Do any of the spaces of your world feel like holy ground? How can you allow your worship to make you more mindful of the spaces you inhabit, and open you to a sense of the sacred in every place? How can you change some of the spaces where you live in order to make them more helpful for living a God-aware life?

Pray As You Go

I wish I could see a burning bush, God;

I wish your presence would just “show up” in dramatic and arresting ways, making it impossible for me to miss you;

Yet, when I remember, I find burning bushes all around me, I discover that your presence is everywhere, and all the world is alive with God;

Forgive me when I miss you, when I go through my world oblivious to your glory, when I stumble blindly through the spaces of my life, unaware of their sacredness, and your Spirit.

Open my eyes to what worship is trying to teach me, and make me a person who respects the earth, and the different kinds of spaces in it, as burning bushes all.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission.

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Welcome to a New World - Part 4

Focus Scripture

1 Peter 2 : 5-10 (NRSV)

...like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: ‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’ To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner’, and ‘A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.’ They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Daily Byte

Think for a moment about the “world” you live in. What is the physical environment in which you live out your days? Who are the people that you rub shoulders with every day? How do you believe this world “works”? What are the values, ideas and attitudes that you carry with you through your life? Peter speaks about the way Jesus moves us out of a broken human context for living (darkness) into a whole, God-filled life (light). Which best describes your life at the moment - darkness or light?

The choice of what context we will live in is one that we must make each day. As we seek to live in the light, recognising the world as filled with God, and allowing our awareness of God’s presence to be our guide, we become those who reveal God’s goodness to others. Our worship is intended to teach us to recognise God’s presence and light in every moment, every place and every person. This effectively changes our world, and makes it a different place for us. Are you willing for your worship to change your world? In what way can you allow your worship to help make today a day lived in the light?

Pray As You Go

The bits and pieces of this physical world are so real, Jesus, that it can be difficult to recognise your presence within it all;

But, in spite of the darkness that threatens to overwhelm us, the darkness of despair and cynicism, of greed and exploitation, of violence and conflict,

We choose to believe in the light, and we ask you to open our eyes to your presence and grace so that we can live each moment as those whose lives are filled with light, and who bring light to everyone we encounter.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission.

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Welcome to a New World - Part 3

Focus Scripture

James 1 : 22-27 (NRSV)

But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act - they will be blessed in their doing.

If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Daily Byte

One of the main criticisms of Christians in today’s world is that we are hypocrites. People get frustrated that they hear Christians professing to believe one thing, but then acting in a completely different way. It seems that James was frustrated by the same thing in his day. True religion - true worship of, and relationship with, God - must be expressed not just in word, but in action. As we encounter God in our worship gatherings, we cannot help but be impacted by God’s grace and self-giving, God’s love and service of us. But, if all we do is give thanks that we are now “saved”, if we fail to let God’s character take hold of us and change us into true Christ-likeness, we have missed the point. And James makes it clear: Christ-likeness is shown by how we treat the “least” - the most vulnerable and weak among us.

Are there any areas of your life where what you say and what you do are different? Are there parts of your life that you are protecting from your worship, refusing to allow them to be changed by God? How do you think this is affecting your own well-being, and your relationship with God? In what ways are you prepared to invite God’s Spirit to challenge you and change you? Who are the “least” in your world that could use some kindness, some “true religion” from you? How can you allow worship to show you how to serve them?

Pray As You Go

Your words are important to me Jesus,
they inspire and comfort me,
they teach me and guide me,
thank you for your words.

But sometimes your words are hard, Jesus
sometimes they ask me to do them,
to live them out in actions and words,
and sometimes I wish I could ignore them.

Give me the courage to receive your words not just into my heart,
but into my life, my body and my mouth,
into my actions and attitudes and interactions,
and let the truth of what I sing and pray in my worship, be seen in how I live.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission.

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com

Welcome to a New World - Part 2

Focus Scripture

Romans 12 : 1-3 (NRSV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God - what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Daily Byte

Sacrifice is an unpopular word today, but in the Old Testament it was a normal part of life. In order to ensure that personal concerns, failures or desires did not break relationship with God, the people of Israel got used to a system of sacrifices - of giving to God out of the very best of their possessions. These sacrifices helped God’s people to remember to whom they belonged, and who was caring for them, forgiving them and providing for them. While sacrifices are always difficult, the cost is worth the reward of intimacy with God. In Romans, Paul reminds the church of all this and invites them into a new sacrificial system - one in which they offer themselves to God completely and whole-heartedly. Through their offering of themselves to God in worship they would become people who were different from people around them - free from the competitiveness, selfishness, aggression and disregard for one another that so often characterises human behaviour. Rather, they would become people who would reflect Christ’s grace, humility and goodness.

How do you feel about the idea of offering yourself as a sacrifice to God? Do you have any hesitations or fears? Can you shift your thinking away from the negative - the cost - of the sacrifice, and toward the positive - the benefit - of greater intimacy with God? Have you experienced how offering yourself to Christ leads you into a more peaceful, humble, loving and fulfilling way of life? If yes, give thanks for this, If no, pray that God would lead you into this “living-sacrifice” kind of living.

Pray As You Go

I’m a little nervous of the word, Jesus;
“sacrifice” sounds so negative, so painful,
so little like the abundant life you promise.

So it takes faith to approach the altar, and lay myself down,
to trust that what dies in me as I worship, is only what keeps me from life, from you,
And that what is resurrected on the other side
is what opens me to true goodness and grace and life.

Give me the courage and the love for you
to offer myself as a living sacrifice
to die everyday, so that everyday I can truly live.

Amen.

Today’s devotion is taken from Rev John van de Laar’s outstanding book ‘The Hour That Changes Everything: How worship forms us into the people God wants us to be.’ Used with permission.

To order copies of this book and for other superb worship resources visit http://www.sacredise.com