Thought for the Day by Simon James-Morse |
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Masks
Since 24th July in this weird world of 2020 that we find ourselves in we’ve all been required to wear masks in shops and small enclosed spaces where people gather and although, of course, we comply I’m pretty sure most of us hate it – I know I do!
The face covering on the left is fairly normal nowadays but the ‘mask’ on the right is actually an actor’s mask from the 1st Century A.D. and it reminds me that often I’ve chosen to wear a ‘mask’ in certain circumstances to hide what’s really going on for me... my mask might have been the smiley one that says ‘I’m fine’ or the busy one that says ‘I’m indispensable’ or the confident one that says ‘I’m right’...and I’ve used it to hide insecurity and fear of rejection. The word for an actor in the Greek is ‘hypokrites,’ and yes, we get out the word ‘hypocrite’ from it because it’s all about pretending to be something or someone we’re not. Ouch!!!
In the Bible Moses wore a face covering [a veil] in the Wilderness after he’d been speaking to God. We read about it in Exodus 34.
“When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the LORD’s presence to speak with Him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.” 33 -35.
Moses put on the veil so that the people wouldn’t see the glory fading and think less of him. In the same way I have sometimes worn a mask so that people think well of me – I wonder what kind of mask you might wear and what it is you might want to hide from others or convey to them?
In the New Testament this true story about Moses and the face covering is mentioned in Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthian church. Paul writes something amazing and wonderful that encourages me – and I hope you – to never, ever put on a hypocritical mask again. Please spend some time thinking about and really grasping the truth of 2 Corinthians 2:17 & 18 [bold, underlined & italics are mine]
“Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the LORD’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, who is the Spirit.”
WOW!
Chris
Since 24th July in this weird world of 2020 that we find ourselves in we’ve all been required to wear masks in shops and small enclosed spaces where people gather and although, of course, we comply I’m pretty sure most of us hate it – I know I do!
The face covering on the left is fairly normal nowadays but the ‘mask’ on the right is actually an actor’s mask from the 1st Century A.D. and it reminds me that often I’ve chosen to wear a ‘mask’ in certain circumstances to hide what’s really going on for me... my mask might have been the smiley one that says ‘I’m fine’ or the busy one that says ‘I’m indispensable’ or the confident one that says ‘I’m right’...and I’ve used it to hide insecurity and fear of rejection. The word for an actor in the Greek is ‘hypokrites,’ and yes, we get out the word ‘hypocrite’ from it because it’s all about pretending to be something or someone we’re not. Ouch!!!
In the Bible Moses wore a face covering [a veil] in the Wilderness after he’d been speaking to God. We read about it in Exodus 34.
“When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the LORD’s presence to speak with Him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil back over his face until he went in to speak with the LORD.” 33 -35.
Moses put on the veil so that the people wouldn’t see the glory fading and think less of him. In the same way I have sometimes worn a mask so that people think well of me – I wonder what kind of mask you might wear and what it is you might want to hide from others or convey to them?
In the New Testament this true story about Moses and the face covering is mentioned in Paul’s 2nd letter to the Corinthian church. Paul writes something amazing and wonderful that encourages me – and I hope you – to never, ever put on a hypocritical mask again. Please spend some time thinking about and really grasping the truth of 2 Corinthians 2:17 & 18 [bold, underlined & italics are mine]
“Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the LORD’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, who is the Spirit.”
WOW!
Chris
A message from Phil Moon (Vicar)
BH Bulletin frequency changes
From next week we will be changing the frequency of the BH Bulletin to three days per week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This is due to staff shortages due to holidays among other things. Those of you that send in articles for publishing please do not stop as they are very much needed and appreciated.
Thought for the Day by Phil Moon (Vicar)
:Uncertain Times
Will schools be back in September? Will there be another lockdown? Will they be able to make a vaccine? Will our services in the building be able to continue, or will a second spike mean another pause, and we go back to just doing our services online?
We don’t know the answers to any of those questions, and many of us dislike the uncertainty.
But if there’s one thing that our evening sermons on Daniel have taught us it’s that God rules the world. He is in control, of everything, all the time. He knows the future and we can trust him with it.
And in Daniel chapter 12 there’s a repeated command to Daniel which is also one for us, living in a world going through uncertain times. “Go your way” (Daniel 12:9,13) In other words, carry on with life, just like Daniel did in Chapter 8 after his disturbing vision there (Daniel 8:27 “Then I got up and went about the King’s business.”)
So in uncertain times, just carry on with life, trusting God with your future and with the future of the world. Carry on reading your bible, carry on praying and being at our services, carry on your job, carry on bringing up your children, carry on living for Jesus.
So today, tomorrow, this week, next month… “Go your way.”
Phil
Will schools be back in September? Will there be another lockdown? Will they be able to make a vaccine? Will our services in the building be able to continue, or will a second spike mean another pause, and we go back to just doing our services online?
We don’t know the answers to any of those questions, and many of us dislike the uncertainty.
But if there’s one thing that our evening sermons on Daniel have taught us it’s that God rules the world. He is in control, of everything, all the time. He knows the future and we can trust him with it.
And in Daniel chapter 12 there’s a repeated command to Daniel which is also one for us, living in a world going through uncertain times. “Go your way” (Daniel 12:9,13) In other words, carry on with life, just like Daniel did in Chapter 8 after his disturbing vision there (Daniel 8:27 “Then I got up and went about the King’s business.”)
So in uncertain times, just carry on with life, trusting God with your future and with the future of the world. Carry on reading your bible, carry on praying and being at our services, carry on your job, carry on bringing up your children, carry on living for Jesus.
So today, tomorrow, this week, next month… “Go your way.”
Phil
BH Bulletin frequency changes
From next week we will be changing the frequency of the BH Bulletin to three days per week - Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This is due to staff shortages due to holidays among other things. Those of you that send in articles for publishing please do not stop as they are very much needed and appreciated.
Brighton & Hove City Mission August E-Mail Newsletter
Thought for the Day by Phil Washington (BH Member)
A good rule to follow
'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord’ Joshua 24:15
So said dear old Joshua, that brave old saint from the days of Moses. He stood opposed to the mass opinion of his fellow Jews and along with Caleb gave a good report after their secret spying mission into the promised land. (Numbers 13). He was courageous, strong and faithful, in leading the people of God.
I love Joshua and I love this verse of scripture. It used to be hanging in our hallway, but because it's become old and tatty it's been relegated to the shed - a bit like me!
What a great verse for the newly weds in our church, or for those planning(?) to be married soon. Equally inspiring for those who are feeling rather weary after many years of 'desert wanderings'.
Joshua stands against fear, complacency and faithlessness. There's a 'Promised Land' to be entered and an Almighty God to serve!
Phil
'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord’ Joshua 24:15
So said dear old Joshua, that brave old saint from the days of Moses. He stood opposed to the mass opinion of his fellow Jews and along with Caleb gave a good report after their secret spying mission into the promised land. (Numbers 13). He was courageous, strong and faithful, in leading the people of God.
I love Joshua and I love this verse of scripture. It used to be hanging in our hallway, but because it's become old and tatty it's been relegated to the shed - a bit like me!
What a great verse for the newly weds in our church, or for those planning(?) to be married soon. Equally inspiring for those who are feeling rather weary after many years of 'desert wanderings'.
Joshua stands against fear, complacency and faithlessness. There's a 'Promised Land' to be entered and an Almighty God to serve!
Phil
Thought for the Day by Simon James-Morse (Minister Goldstone Church)
Trusting God’s Timing
“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” (Revelation 5:8)
Sometimes when we pray, it seems that it takes God a long time to answer. But on other occasions, the answer to our prayers come so quickly that our jaws drop in amazement.
If we are honest, there are times when we don’t believe that our prayers could be answered so quickly.
In Acts 12, James, one of Jesus’ disciples had been beheaded, and Peter had been arrested by Herod.
Then we read, “the church was earnestly praying to God for him [Peter].” (Acts 12:5).
Miraculously, God answered these prayers immediately, sent an angel into the prison, and the doors were literally opened for Peter to walk out of jail.
Peter then went to the house where the church was presumably praying for his release. He knocked at the door and a girl named Rhoda answered.
Seeing that the answer to their prayers had arrived, she went back to the prayer meeting to tell them that Peter was at the door.
It is at this point that my imagination goes into overdrive, and I picture a conversation when Rhoda returns to the prayer room:
“Err, excuse me everyone…”
“Shhh, we’re praying. ‘Lord, please deliver Peter….’ ”
“But I have something important to say.”
“Quiet. Stop disturbing the meeting. We’re praying for Peter.”
“But that’s my point!”
“What?”
“Peter is outside! He’s standing at the door.”
[Mad scramble for the door]
Significantly, these ‘great men of faith’ did not seem to believe that God could answer their prayer. It took a while, but eventually they let Peter in.
It is ironic that God could get Peter out of prison, but Peter could not get himself into a prayer meeting!
Revelation 5:8 tells us that God hears and stores our prayers in golden, precious bowls. No prayer is wasted; each one is carefully noted by God and answered at just the right moment.
Dear Lord, teach us to pray with the expectation that You hear us, and that You will answer according to Your timetable and Your purposes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” (Revelation 5:8)
Sometimes when we pray, it seems that it takes God a long time to answer. But on other occasions, the answer to our prayers come so quickly that our jaws drop in amazement.
If we are honest, there are times when we don’t believe that our prayers could be answered so quickly.
In Acts 12, James, one of Jesus’ disciples had been beheaded, and Peter had been arrested by Herod.
Then we read, “the church was earnestly praying to God for him [Peter].” (Acts 12:5).
Miraculously, God answered these prayers immediately, sent an angel into the prison, and the doors were literally opened for Peter to walk out of jail.
Peter then went to the house where the church was presumably praying for his release. He knocked at the door and a girl named Rhoda answered.
Seeing that the answer to their prayers had arrived, she went back to the prayer meeting to tell them that Peter was at the door.
It is at this point that my imagination goes into overdrive, and I picture a conversation when Rhoda returns to the prayer room:
“Err, excuse me everyone…”
“Shhh, we’re praying. ‘Lord, please deliver Peter….’ ”
“But I have something important to say.”
“Quiet. Stop disturbing the meeting. We’re praying for Peter.”
“But that’s my point!”
“What?”
“Peter is outside! He’s standing at the door.”
[Mad scramble for the door]
Significantly, these ‘great men of faith’ did not seem to believe that God could answer their prayer. It took a while, but eventually they let Peter in.
It is ironic that God could get Peter out of prison, but Peter could not get himself into a prayer meeting!
Revelation 5:8 tells us that God hears and stores our prayers in golden, precious bowls. No prayer is wasted; each one is carefully noted by God and answered at just the right moment.
Dear Lord, teach us to pray with the expectation that You hear us, and that You will answer according to Your timetable and Your purposes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thought for the Day by Catharine Currell
(Families Minister)
“When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.” Acts 8:6-8
Over the last few weeks we have focused on Sundays on the spread of the gospel in Acts and the prophetic visions of Daniel. In both of these parts of the Bible we see glimpses of the spiritual realities behind the events going on in the world and in our lives. In response we don’t want to become people who see the devil at work in every personal inconvenience or difficulty. But nor do we want to ignore the great truth that God’s enemies, though real and powerful are no match for the Lord Almighty. The culture we live in is very different to that of ancient Babylon or 1st century Samaria but Satan, it seems, is quite capable of adapting his methods to stir up doubt, fear and chaos in the world regardless of how advanced or sophisticated humanity may appear. But his machinations pale into insignificance in comparison with the Sovereign, Creator God who stands behind and above history and walks with us through 2020 just as he did with Daniel and Philip in centuries gone by.
Jesus! the name high over all,
In hell or earth or sky;
Angels and men before it fall,
And devils fear and fly.
Jesus! the name to sinners dear,
The name to sinners giv’n;
It scatters all their guilty fear,
It turns their hell to Heav’n.
Charles Wesley1749
Jesus! the name high over all,
In hell or earth or sky;
Angels and men before it fall,
And devils fear and fly.
Jesus! the name to sinners dear,
The name to sinners giv’n;
It scatters all their guilty fear,
It turns their hell to Heav’n.
Charles Wesley1749
Thought for the Day by Ben Martin (Curate)
The race for Grace
In our house there is sometimes an unorganised race to say grace before meal times. The loser then gets into a strop and sometimes tears flow… and that’s just when Morag and I have dinner on our own.
Seriously, we are very grateful that the kids love to give thanks before food, even if sometimes they turn it into a competition. But we are grateful they want to do it because it is good to give thanks.
Paul in 1 Timothy 4:4 says…
‘For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.’
In the context Paul is speaking against those that were ascetics (people who believed that by not eating certain foods or marrying they were being extra holy).
But Paul’s counter his simple. If God made it, created it, designed it. And if we use it as God intended then it is good. So thank God for it!!
So it is good to say grace, to thank God, before you sit down to eat a meal of porridge or ham sandwiches or steak and chips.
But more than that…
It is good to say grace, before you sit down to watch the telly.
It is good to say grace before you head off for a walk on the beach.
It is good to say grace before you go out in the car to visit friends.
It is good to say grace before nestling in to read your favourite book.
It is good to say grace as you open the door and go into a clean toilet.
It is good to say grace before you snuggle up in a warm bed for a good nights sleep.
It is good to say grace as you pick up your screaming child that wakes you up from your good nights sleep.
It is good to say grace in all times and in all places.
‘For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.’
Let’s all race to grace today!
In our house there is sometimes an unorganised race to say grace before meal times. The loser then gets into a strop and sometimes tears flow… and that’s just when Morag and I have dinner on our own.
Seriously, we are very grateful that the kids love to give thanks before food, even if sometimes they turn it into a competition. But we are grateful they want to do it because it is good to give thanks.
Paul in 1 Timothy 4:4 says…
‘For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.’
In the context Paul is speaking against those that were ascetics (people who believed that by not eating certain foods or marrying they were being extra holy).
But Paul’s counter his simple. If God made it, created it, designed it. And if we use it as God intended then it is good. So thank God for it!!
So it is good to say grace, to thank God, before you sit down to eat a meal of porridge or ham sandwiches or steak and chips.
But more than that…
It is good to say grace, before you sit down to watch the telly.
It is good to say grace before you head off for a walk on the beach.
It is good to say grace before you go out in the car to visit friends.
It is good to say grace before nestling in to read your favourite book.
It is good to say grace as you open the door and go into a clean toilet.
It is good to say grace before you snuggle up in a warm bed for a good nights sleep.
It is good to say grace as you pick up your screaming child that wakes you up from your good nights sleep.
It is good to say grace in all times and in all places.
‘For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.’
Let’s all race to grace today!
Mental Health Awareness 2020
Please follow the link below to our Resources page for more information.
https://www.bhmc.org.uk/resources.html
Please follow the link below to our Resources page for more information.
https://www.bhmc.org.uk/resources.html
COVID-19 Pandemic
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