So far in our journey through the books of the Bible I’ve covered Genesis and Exodus. Genesis reveals God’s purposes, human nature, failure, and hope. It introduces Abraham, through whom God establishes a covenant people. The book concludes with Joseph’s family settling in Egypt, setting the stage for Exodus, which means “departure”. Exodus recounts how God rescues his people from Egypt, leading them through the wilderness for forty years. During this time, he gives them the Ten Commandments, guiding them in their covenant relationship with him.
Following this, Leviticus and Deuteronomy serve as a “team talk” for the Israelites. These books outline how God’s people must live and behave according to their covenant. Their faith was not just about words but actions. Leviticus provides laws for daily life, focusing on right relationships with both God and one another, emphasising the importance of body, mind, and spirit.
Deuteronomy, while containing laws, also records Moses’ speeches, preparing the people for their journey into the Promised Land. The book ends with Moses’ death, just before their entry.
God never intended these laws to be a burden. Instead, they were meant to bring joy, as following his way is a delight. Some are related to a particular time and place, others are timeless. They remind us that true obedience flows from hearts filled with love for a gracious and faithful God.
The Book of Exodus, the second book of the Bible, begins after Genesis, with Joseph’s family settling in Egypt. Initially prosperous, they became a threat to Pharaoh, who enslaved them and subjected them to harsh conditions. In response, God appointed Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
Moses first attempted to persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites, but he refused. To demonstrate his power, God sent plagues upon Egypt. After much suffering, Pharaoh relented, only to change his mind and pursue the Israelites. However, God miraculously parted the Red Sea, allowing his people to escape.
During their forty years in the wilderness, God provided for them despite their complaints. Significant events included the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai and instructions for constructing the tabernacle, a sacred place of worship. These moments reinforced their identity as God’s covenant people and established a way of life in devotion to him.
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. Exodus 20:2.
Despite witnessing God’s constant presence and provision, the people frequently turned away from him. Their disobedience grieved God, yet he remained faithful, forgiving, and full of grace. The redemption of the Israelites in Exodus serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate redemption that would later come through Jesus Christ.
Many people set a New Year’s resolution to read the Bible in a year, but without a structured plan it can be a challenging task. Reading the Bible in chronological order can be helpful, as it presents events in sequence and avoids duplication found in traditional formats.
This post focuses on the Book of Genesis, which means “beginnings” or “origins”. It describes God’s creation of the universe and his desire for fellowship with humankind. The opening chapters are poetic rather than scientific, and are not incompatible with modern understanding. Genesis explores themes of God’s purposes, human nature, failure, and hope. It portrays how people turn away from God, yet he continually seeks to restore the relationship.
A key theme in Genesis is God’s covenant with Abraham, calling him and his descendants to be his people and fulfil his purposes. Genesis 17:7 highlights this covenant, in which God promises to be the God of Abraham and his descendants for generations to come. This covenant sets the stage for the biblical narrative, culminating in the coming of Jesus Christ.
The story of Abraham’s family unfolds with vivid imagery, covering moments of joy, sorrow, love, and conflict. Eventually, Abraham’s descendants find themselves in Egypt, with Joseph rising to a position of great authority as second-in-command to the Pharaoh.
Genesis is a book of encouragement and hope, reminding us that despite dark times, God has a plan. Regardless of how insignificant or unworthy we may feel, God’s love remains steadfast, and he has a purpose for everyone. Though sin separates us from God, Genesis foreshadows the way back.
Years ago, you might have seen the Beatitudes embroidered and framed. Unfortunately, this could so easily rob them of their radical, prophetic, and subversive power, being regarded as twee and restrained rather than powerful and revolutionary.
The Beatitudes challenge conventional wisdom by reversing societal values: the weak are strong, the humble are exalted, and suffering leads to divine blessing. They encourage believers to reflect Christ’s character and embrace a countercultural way of living. These teachings provide comfort and assurance, affirming that God’s kingdom operates on different principles than worldly systems, offering hope to the marginalized.
As a blueprint for Christian ethics, the Beatitudes influence theology, spirituality, and social movements. They call believers to embody love, justice, and humility, shaping both personal conduct and community interactions. Found in Matthew 5:3–12 and partially in Luke 6:20–23, they express core Christian teachings, revealing the qualities of a life blessed by God. Each Beatitude presents a paradox, contrasting worldly values with God’s ideals. The term “beatitude” comes from the Latin beatus, meaning “blessed” or “happy.”
More than moral instructions, the Beatitudes declare divine favour on those who embody humility, mercy, and righteousness. In Jesus’ time, they challenged traditional views on power and success, urging trust in God, solidarity with the suffering, and a pursuit of justice. Christians are called to be pure of heart and endure persecution for righteousness.
The Beatitudes reveal God’s nature and kingdom, holding believers accountable, as seen in the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25, where judgment depends on how we treat the poor. Jesus himself exemplified them, living in spiritual poverty and meeting people’s needs, as seen in Matthew 15. Charles Spurgeon noted that true meekness withstands persecution, just as Christ did on the cross.
One thing is framing them in homes, quite another is framing them within the home of our hearts.
Ultimately, the Beatitudes encapsulate discipleship, teaching that true fulfillment lies in humility and mercy. By embracing their paradoxes, we align with Christ’s values, living out God’s kingdom now and into the future.
Luke 5:1-11 recounts a significant event in the ministry of Jesus, where he calls his first disciples. It’s rich in symbolism and demonstrates Jesus’ authority, the power of faith, and the transformative nature of following him.
The scene begins with Jesus standing by the Lake of Gennesaret (the Sea of Galilee), surrounded by a crowd eager to hear the word of God. To better address them, Jesus steps into a boat belonging to Simon Peter and asks him to put out a little from the shore. From there, Jesus instructs the people. After finishing his discourse, He turns to Simon and instructs him to “put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon, a seasoned fisherman, responds with a mixture of reluctance and respect. He explains that they’d toiled all night without catching anything, yet he agrees to Jesus’ request, saying, “But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
This act of obedience, despite his doubts, is pivotal. When they follow Jesus’ instruction, they catch such an enormous number of fish that their nets begin to break. They signal to their partners in another boat to come and help, and both boats are so filled that they begin to sink. This miraculous catch overwhelms Simon Peter, who falls at Jesus’ knees and exclaims, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” His reaction reflects a profound awareness of Jesus’ divine authority and his own unworthiness. Similarly, James and John, Simon’s partners, are astonished. Jesus, however, reassures Simon, saying, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” This statement marks the beginning of their new mission, to spread the Gospel and bring people into the Kingdom of God.
The passage concludes with the disciples bringing their boats to shore, leaving everything behind, and following Jesus. This act of abandonment signifies their complete trust and commitment to him. They transition from being fishermen to becoming “fishers of men,” a metaphor for their future role in gathering souls for Christ.
Our passage highlights several key themes. First, it underscores Jesus’ authority over nature, as demonstrated by the miraculous catch of fish. Second, it illustrates the importance of faith and obedience, even when circumstances seem unfavourable. Simon Peter’s willingness to trust Jesus, despite his initial scepticism, leads to an extraordinary outcome. Third, the passage reveals the transformative power of encountering Jesus. Simon Peter’s recognition of his sinfulness and Jesus’ reassurance pave the way for his new identity and purpose.
Here is a powerful account of Jesus’ call to discipleship. It challenges us to trust in his authority, step out in faith, and embrace the transformative journey of following him. We are also reminded that God often works in ways that surpass human understanding, inviting us to participate in his greater plan.
The Christian festival of Candlemas (2nd February) has deep historical and cultural significance. It commemorates the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple found in Luke 2:22-40, where Mary and Joseph took the infant Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling Jewish law.
The name derives from the tradition of blessing and distributing candles during church services. These candles symbolise Jesus as the Light of the World as proclaimed by Simeon in the temple when he recognised Jesus as the Messiah. The practice of lighting and carrying candles in processions became a central aspect of the celebration, signifying spiritual enlightenment and protection against darkness.
Candlemas has its roots in both Christian and pre-Christian traditions. Before Christianity, the Romans celebrated Lupercalia, a festival of purification and fertility. In Celtic traditions, Imbolc, honouring the goddess Brigid, was celebrated around the same time, marking the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. When Christianity spread, elements of these older traditions merged with the new religious observances.
In mediaeval Europe, Candlemas was an important date in the agricultural calendar. People believed that the weather on this day could predict the coming of spring. A popular English saying states:
If Candlemas Day be fair and bright, Winter will have another flight. If Candlemas Day be dull with rain, Winter is gone and will not come again.
Different countries and Christian denominations observe Candlemas with unique customs. In the Roman Catholic Church, it remains a significant feast day, with candlelit processions and blessings. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the event is known as the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, often including processions and special hymns.
In Mexico and parts of Latin America, Día de la Candelaria is widely celebrated. Families dress figurines of the baby Jesus in fine clothes and take them to church to be blessed. Traditional foods, such as tamales, are shared in gatherings, continuing the festive spirit from Epiphany.
In England, Candlemas was once a key date for settling debts and rents, much like Quarter Days. It also marked the end of the Christmas season in some traditions, when greenery and nativity scenes were finally taken down. Some churches still follow this practice, extending the Christmas period beyond Twelfth Night.
Though its significance has diminished in modern times, Candlemas remains an important religious and cultural festival. Its themes of light, purification, and hope continue to resonate, making it a poignant moment in the Christian calendar. Whether observed through religious services, traditional weather lore, or community gatherings, Candlemas serves as a reminder of faith, renewal, and the gradual return of longer, brighter days.
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’ Luke 4:14-21
This could be thought of as the manifesto of Jesus. He was setting out his mission as the Son of God, the Servant King.
Jesus had gone to worship at the synagogue in his hometown, and all the eyes of the people were fastened on him. There was great expectation. They were hoping for a sign, a sign that he was God’s Messiah, the one who would deliver the people from the oppression of Rome and bring political change.
He read to the people from the prophet Isaiah. Those words had been written many centuries before and described the deliverance of the people of Israel from exile in Babylon. There was a much deeper meaning though, pointing to a time when true freedom would come to the people. Jesus was saying there’s a worse poverty, captivity, blindness, and oppression.
This is what the Christian faith is all about. Jesus is central to the Bible, and the central message of the Bible is of God reaching out in love to humankind, and he reaches out supremely through the Cross of Jesus. Offering us release from spiritual poverty, captivity, blindness, and oppression.
Everyone plans well for a party, especially making sure there’s enough food and drink for everyone. Throughout history people have celebrated together by feasting, and this is something we all really missed during the coronavirus pandemic because these gatherings were banned.
Events associated with feasting make good memories for the future, and even a funeral reception or wake can be a place of joy, nurtured by food and drink.
Of course, waste is a concern for everyone, but running short of food or drink is always a failure of hospitality. When we come to that beautiful account of the wedding at Cana, all those themes and more are woven into the fabric of John’s story telling.
On the surface, there is the embarrassing awfulness of a wedding that runs out of wine. At a deeper level, we see the extravagance of God’s love and grace. Here is an overabundance of giving made real in Jesus for those who were present with him then, and with all who celebrate his presence now. It also points ahead to the great feast when the Lord will bring his promises to their ultimate fulfilment.
I invite to dig deeper into this wonderful story for yourselves, to discover its depths of meaning that reveal the extravagance of God and his love for us.
God who touchest earth with beauty, Make my heart anew; With thy Spirit recreate me Pure and strong and true. Like thy springs and running waters, Make me crystal pure; Like thy rocks of towering grandeur, Make me strong and sure.
Like thy dancing waves in sunlight, Make me glad and free; Like the straightness of the pine trees Let me upright be. Like the arching of the heavens, Lift my thoughts above; Turn my dreams to noble action, Ministries of love.
Like the birds that soar while singing, Give my heart a song; May the music of thanksgiving Echo clear and strong. God who touchest earth with beauty, Make my heart anew; Keep me ever by thy Spirit Pure and strong and true.
Christmas celebrates the coming of God’s gift, the birth of Jesus as Saviour of the World. Epiphany celebrates our giving to God, symbolised by the wise men bringing their gifts to the baby Jesus. It’s traditionally celebrated on the twelfth day after Christmas (January 6).
We know very little about them, and only assume there were three because there were three gifts. Those three gifts represent three distinct aspects of our lives that we need to present to Jesus.
Gold represents everything of material value; our money, our property, our belongings. It’s good to recognise that everything comes from God, and as Christians we offer it to Jesus. We may not have much, but let’s make sure give our symbolic gold to Jesus, for God to use.
Frankincense represents something less tangible than gold. It symbolises our inner treasure of thought and influence; our education, our talents, and our personalities. By offering these to Jesus we have a reference point for our actions and behaviour, recognising something greater than ourselves.
Myrrh, partly because of its use in embalming, has been identified with sorrow and suffering. We can bring the challenging times in life to Jesus, and experience God’s comfort.
Myrrh is mine; it’s bitter perfume. Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorrowing. sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in a stone-cold tomb.
A fourth wise man called Artaban belongs to the realm of myth and legend, but he is imagined having brought a gift representing the happier things in life. A reminder that Jesus:
…feeleth for our sadness, And he shareth in our gladness.
The whole of human life can be symbolised in the three (four) gifts, personal gifts of ourselves that we can bring to Jesus.
Father, I place into your hands The things I cannot do, Father, I place into your hands The things that I’ve been through. Father, I place into your hands The way that I should go, For I know I always can trust you.
Father, I place into your hands My friends and family. Father, I place into your hands The things that trouble me. Father, I place into your hands The person I would be, For I know I always can trust you.
Father, we love to see your face, We love to hear your voice. Father, we love to sing your praise And in your name rejoice. Father, we love to walk with you And in your presence rest, For we know we always can trust you.
Father, I want to be with you And do the things you do. Father, I want to speak the words That you are speaking too. Father, I want to love the ones That you will draw to you, For I know that I am one with you.
This Sunday Devotional is for Stockton Corps on our 150th Anniversary.
This weekend (23/24 November 2024) marks the 150th Anniversary of Stockton Corps. None of us were here 150 years ago, but we’re part of a continuing story. We’re all part of a rich and proud heritage, of productive years of ministry and service, and have an ongoing privilege and responsibility now and into the future.
There may be those of you who remember the Centenary 50 years ago, when you would have looked back and been encouraged by what had been achieved from those early beginnings.
As we look back today, we can be similarly encouraged by what has been achieved; but 2024 is a very different world to 1974, and we’ll be aware of vast changes in culture, demographics, attitudes, technology and the like.
• What was in the news then? • What do we take for granted that we didn’t have then?
Going back even further, the birth of the Salvation Army, and the commencement of the work in Stockton are events, not of the last century, but of the one before that. We live in a vastly different age, and that’s both an encouragement and a challenge. The encouragement is that the Christian message is the same as it’s always been, but every generation has the challenge to communicate it in the present age.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 3:18
We thank God for everything that’s been achieved in his name over the past 150 years; spiritual victories won in worship and service given in compassionate care. But, at the same time, we don’t forget what is being achieved now, nor do we neglect the need to move forward in faith into an uncertain future.
We celebrate those who have come to know Jesus as Saviour and Lord through the ministry of the Salvation Army in Stockton, because whenever the word of God has been declared, God’s will has been done.
We celebrate today all those who have been touched with the love of God through the ministry of the Salvation Army in Stockton, because whenever we’ve reached out with the compassion of Jesus, God’s will has been done.
We celebrate today the faithful officers, soldiers, adherents and friends who have been vital to the ministry of the Salvation Army in Stockton, because whenever lives have been dedicated to him, God’s will has been done.
Jesus commanded his disciples to go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.Matthew 28:16-20.
These words are a challenge and an encouragement, words that motivated those who opened this corps in Stockton all those years ago and have motivated all those in the corps since. May they be our motivation and encouragement for the future.
We celebrate the bonds of friendship and fellowship that have been sustained and strengthened in Christ through the years, because whenever our fellowship has been built up, God’s will has been done.
Paul wrote to the Philippians: Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:1-5
The reality of Christian fellowship has been lived in this corps over the years. Yes, there may have been times of disappointment and loss, but underlying it all has been that rich strand of fellowship binding us to each other, and binding us to Christ.
May our fellowship be richer and deeper in the future, for therein lies the way of effective Christian ministry and service.
We also celebrate today all those who have been ministered to in time of need or hardship, because whenever we have cared for others in Christ’s name, God’s will has been done.
Our Christian gospel is for the whole person; body, mind and spirit. Let’s make sure that as we move forward, we look for the face of Jesus in the face of everyone we meet, and serve them in his name.
There’s a sense in which we’re always turning a page in our continuing story of faith and service; in our own lives and that of the corps. This anniversary is only a date after all, but it’s good to have significant milestones and signposts.
As participants in this continuing story we’re reminded of the need to declare the word of God in words and actions, to build up our fellowship, and to care for others in the name of Jesus.
We remember those who have gone before us and have done God’s will, and we take our place and follow in their footsteps. We honour their memory by living the same life of faith in obedience to the heavenly vision.
We’ve already been reminded that the Lord will always be with us. So, let’s thank God for the past, and claim in faith all that God wants to do in us and through us by committing ourselves fully to him and his work as we go in the strength of the Lord.
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