The next Prophetic Art session is this coming Tuesday 9th January...

Genesis Joseph I think of all the characters in the book of Genesis, Joseph may be the most famous, if only because of the musical written about him and his amazing technicolour dreamcoat! Nowadays, with the cost of clothing immensely cheap, we have the ability to buy clothing of almost any hue or colour. But back in Joseph’s day (and in fact, even a thousand or so years later), colourful clothing cost money and lots of it. So, Jacob did indeed give Joseph a princely gift of a coat of many colours, earning him the anger & jealousy of his other brothers. Well, more accurately more envy and jealousy and anger – Joseph’s practise of repeating dreams (Genesis 37), which indicated that not only his brothers, but his father and mothers would all bow to him one day, are clearly not on the syllabus of “How to win friends and influence people”. Joseph was Jacob’s favourite son, born of his favourite wife. Joseph had a turbulent life, very much up one minute and then down the next. It starts off when Jacob sends him to do an internal audit on the way the other 11 brothers are looking after the herds, prompting the 11 to debate murdering him. It’s only through the good nature of Reuben, and the arrival of a caravan of slave traders that he is spared, but sold into slavery in Egypt to the Captain of the Guard, Potiphar. Joseph does his duties effectively and capably, so much so that he catches the attention of Potiphar, who eventually puts him in charge of his whole household. God is with Joseph, and not only does Joseph prosper, but so does Potiphar. All goes well, until Joseph refuses the advances of Potiphar’s wife, who spins a tail of rape to Potiphar, and Joseph ends up in Prison. Even in prison though, God still has his eye on Joseph, and his behaviour is such that the Warden makes him a Trustee, looking after the welfare of all the other inmates. There, he interprets the dream of the Butler and Baker of Pharaoh (ruler of Egypt). The Baker is executed, but the Butler is freed to return to his old post, promising to plead Joseph’s case, which he doesn’t. Joseph is left in the prison for another 2 years. Pharaoh has some bad dreams and can’t sleep, and none of his wise men / astrologers are able to interpret the dream. It’s only at this point that the Butler remembers Joseph, and brings him to the attention of Pharaoh. Joseph interprets the dream, which says that there will be 7 years of plentiful harvests followed by 7 years of famine. Joseph then suggests the solution of gathering in the surplus grain in the good years to manage the fallow period. Pharaoh raises Joseph to be second in the land, to manage this whole process. Eventually famine arrives, and only Egypt are able to survive, thanks to God’s warning, and Joseph’s management. People come from far and wide to buy this grain off the Egyptians, including Joseph’s family, and just as the dream predicted, they all bow to him. After a short and scary lesson for the brothers, family unity is restored. There are so many lessons that can be drawn from the story of Joseph, but the one that I want to draw your attention to is a verse from Luke 16:10, which says “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Joseph certainly did this, regardless of what situation he found himself in, acting with integrity and diligence, being rewarded with more responsibility as time went by. There is a chorus that says “Just where He needs me, my Lord has placed me”. Let us make an effort this year, to concentrate on those tasks which are right in front of us, however small they are, or how menial / insignificant they feel. Just as God was with Joseph, so He is with us, and will be with us in our duties.

Genesis The Trickster who struggled with God. Now if Isaac was quiet compared to his father, Abraham, Jacob is a very different kettle of fish! The name means "to follow, to be behind" but also "to supplant, circumvent, assail, overreach", or from the word for "heel". Slightly more colloquially, it can be read as “Trickster” or “Deceiver”. His story starts in Genesis 25. Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, is having trouble conceiving, and following prayer, God grants their wish. Rebekah falls pregnant. With twins; and not loving twins either! They jostle around her so much that she goes off to seek advice of the Lord, who tells her that she is carry two nations within her that will be at loggerheads with each other. Sure enough, Rebekah first of all gives birth to Esau, who is called that because he is red & hairy, but he is followed almost immediately by Jacob, who is hanging onto Esau’s heel for all he is worth (hence the name). The boys are completely different – Esau, is loud, a skilful hunter, whereas Jacob is much more a stay-at-home kind of guy (and as it turns out not a bad cook.) As it turns out – Isaac much prefers Esau, and Rebekah’s favourite is Jacob. Then the fun and games start. Jacob barters Esau’s birthright off him for a bowl of stew, and (with his mum’s help), steals the blessing that Isaac intended to give to Esau. The combination of these events has Esau issuing dire threats against Jacob. Jacob is sent up to Haran, to his Uncle Laban, and immediately falls in love with Laban’s youngest daughter Rachel. Laban, however is no mean trickster himself, and for the next 20 years the two engage in various underhand activities to get the better of each other. First, Laban agrees that Jacob can marry Rachel if he works for him for 7 years. Having done so, Laban then swaps daughters on the day of the wedding, and insists Jacob works another 7 years for the second to pay for the other sister Leah. Once those 14 years are done, Laban is loath to lose Jacob because, like Isaac and Abraham before him, Jacob clearly is excellent at managing livestock, and has built up Laban’s flocks substantially. Laban and Jacob come to an arrangement where Jacob basically works for a share of the profits, and for the next 6 years both cheat outrageously! Somewhere in this time, Jacob manages to father 12 children. Jacob eventually runs away from Laban in the middle of the night, causing a chase scene before they meet and part on good terms. In all this, God is never far away from Jacob. And that is something worth pausing and considering before we go any further. God loves us, often despite who we are, and how we act. He knows our weaknesses and frailties, and the pain (both visible and invisible) that we are often trying to manage on a day by day basis. Phil Yancey wrote “There is nothing you can do to make God love you anymore, and there is nothing you can to make God love you any less.” There are 2 incidents in particular where Jacob meets and interacts with God. The first is while Jacob is on his way to Laban’s. He settles down for the night, and has a dream where he sees angels ascending and descending a ladder to God. In the dream, God repeats the promise made to Abraham and Isaac, adding “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go”. What a wonderful promise! The second is when Jacob is returning home to Canaan. He ends up wrestling God until dawn, ending up with a dislocated hip, and a new name “Israel”, which means “He struggles with God”. I wonder what would happen if we were much more honest with God, and struggled with Him more openly.

Genesis Isaac Isaac, you will remember from yesterday, was the son born to the hitherto childless Sarah and Abraham when they were old – a veritable gift from God. Most of the story of Isaac is told in Genesis chapters 21 – 35, although the bulk of what we are told about him is between 24 & 28. His mother probably lived until he was 30 or so, but her death clearly had an impact on him. There is a lovely little verse in Chapter 24, which describes him meeting his wife Rebekah, and taking her into i.e. giving her his mother’s tent (which he had clearly kept), and “being comforted after his mother’s death”. Actually there is another little verse in Chapter 24, which gives us another little insight into his character. Verse 63 talks about Isaac going out into the field to meditate. He clearly inherited the desire to maintain his relationship with God from his father, Abraham. The beginning of Chapter 26 confirms this, recording a conversation God has with Isaac, where God confirms that He will bless Isaac as He had Abraham. God also instructs Isaac to stay put when a famine comes to the land, and Isaac, like his father Abraham before him, obeys God. And so experience proves – v12 of the same chapter reports God blessing the crops of Isaac, and notes that Isaac (already wealthy because of the inheritance from Abraham) continued to manage his flocks and herds well becoming very wealthy. He had to manage relationships with the local warlords, chiefs and kings, which it appears he did, although interestingly enough he repeated the same error his father did by trying to pass his wife off as his sister, in order to avoid being killed! The parallels continue as you read his story. It is not easy being related to someone famous. They have blazed the trail and the temptation can be to push things to extremes to try and create your own identity. Isaac, though is eminently sensible, going back over Abraham’s trail, reopening the old wells of his father, and building altars in the name of the Lord. This works so well for him, that the local authorities end up coming to him, in order to assure themselves that they are still his allies! I was struck by a quote from Archbishop Justin Welby who said “I find who I am in Jesus Christ….. and my identity never changes. Isaac found who he was in God, and was able to be secure enough about who he was, despite living in the shadow of a much larger character. We live in a world that wars to own, wars to own everything and everybody. The only solution is to find freedom in knowing God, and the one whom He sent – Jesus Christ. (John 17:3) Something worth reminding yourself every day!

Genesis Abraham Skip from Genesis 3 to Genesis 11. We meet a man called Abram which means ‘High Father’. He is married to a beauty of a lady called Sarai “My Princess”. They lived in Ur (on the Euphrates river down towards where Basra is now). God called him to move to Haran, (in Turkey, near the Syrian border), and then into the land of Canaan. God promised Abram that he would become the father of a great nation, and that his name would become a blessing. A bit ironic, because at this point Abram was 75, and Sarai was childless, a source of sadness and pain to both. Abram was clearly good at managing livestock, and accumulating many possessions to the point that he grew wary as he wandered around Canaan (modern day Israel and Palestine) and Eygpt, having to manage relationships with the Kings and chiefs of important nearby towns, particularly over water rights of wells that were dug. On two occasions, Abram asked Sarai to pretend that she was his sister so that they would not kill him to take her and his goods – neither experience working well, as God proceeded to cause difficulties for the rulers who took her to be their wife! Family difficulties also raised their head, as Abram’s nephew Lot was also successful and had significant herds of his own. Two large collections of livestock on one piece of land is a recipe for disaster, but Abram was gracious and let Lot choose an area. God again appeared to Abram and repeated His promise to bless Abram. Abram’s journey through the land is marked by the wells he dug and the altars he built. It is also marked by his close relationship with God, marked closely in Genesis 15, where God enters into covenant with Abram. There is a verse in this chapter that is key to our whole understanding of the importance of faith. In fact, Paul later quotes this verse in his letter to the Romans (4:3) when he explores the vital need for faith and belief in God. ‘Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.’ (Gen 15:6). This close relationship with God, allows Abram to argue with God over the judgement of the cities of Sodom & Gomorrah, achieving concessions. Do we trust God enough to argue with Him, and hold Him to account? Eventually, when Abram is 100 (and Sarah is 90), God changes their names to Abraham and Sarah (Father and Mother of many nations), and fulfils His promise, giving them a son, Isaac. There is more to tell in this story, and I have romped through from Genesis 11 to 24, and not mentioned the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah; the kidnapping of Lot; the introduction of circumcision as a identifier of covenant between God and Abraham; the story of Hagar & Ishmael etc. amongst other things. Abram/Abraham was clearly a special man, but what marks him out the most is his faith and trust in God, even when all the evidence at times was against him. But, because of His faith, not only do we have a great hero as an example for all of us, but we have Jesus, born through the line of Abraham to free us from the slavery of sin. What is God asking you & me to do this year for Him? If we are faithful, then it is likely that others who we may never see or know will be blessed by God because of us. Amen. May it be so!

Genesis Adam & Eve Having started with God, it might be useful to consider a couple of things that we can learn from Adam & Eve and their fall from grace. In doing this, I am skating very quickly over Genesis 1-3, and will no doubt miss things…. 1) We are created in God’s image – always worth reminding ourselves of this fact. Chapter 1 vv 26,27 tells us this, and v31 tells us that at the end of the day God made us, He saw that it was all good! Action 1 – Remind yourself of this every day when you get up. Look in the mirror, and say “God made me in His image, and He said He did a good job, so who am I to argue” Action 2 – Remember that everyone else you come across is similarly made in God’s image. Make it your challenge this year to look for God in them, even in those who put you off a little. 2) There is plenty of evidence elsewhere in the Bible that we were created to be in relationship with God, but we can infer that this was the case from the very beginning, if we read 3vv8,9. God walks through the garden of Eden in the cool of day, and calls out to Adam “Where are you?”. Clearly, it was not unusual for God to want to spend time with them, and wanted to. Action3 – Make the time each day to be available to God, and build your relationship with Him 3) Man screws up – God left them with one commandment “Do not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil”. But they did. And mankind has done so ever since then. Our disobedience is inherent, and required the gift of Jesus, and His death on the cross to provide a solution. Action 4 – Don’t be surprised when you make mistakes, and want your way rather than God’s. It is unlikely we will ever be completely free of this until we get to Heaven. Just remember we have a God who is gracious and willing to forgive. 4) We have an enemy – Adam & Eve were led astray (which doesn’t excuse their actions) by the serpent. This ‘serpent’ has been envious of the worship given to God from time immemorial, and comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). It is described as ‘prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour’ (1 Peter 5:8). The good news is it has already lost (Colossians 2:15) Action 5 – Resist the devil, and it will flee from you (James 4:7) 5) Hard work – sin has consequences, the chief of which is that creating and being fruitful is hard work (Genesis 3:17-19). There are no easy short cuts, it will be painful, and sometimes our effort will produce thorns and thistles! It’s a bit like losing weight – we all know the best way to sort it is to eat less (and better) and exercise more. You can try other solutions, but that’s the best way, and it is not easy. Action 6 – Don’t try and evade the work that God needs you to do in your life. It is necessary, and hard, but at the end you will receive from your Lord & Master, the ultimate accolade “Well done, thou good & faithful servant”

Genesis In the Beginning, God…. The word ‘Genesis’ means - the origin or mode of formation of something. It is the name given to the first book of the Bible. But as this is the first week of the year, perhaps it is worth seeing what we can learn from that book enabling us to form this New Year, 2018 into something that really is God-filled, and personally full-filling. Now let’s be clear, forming things takes time and effort, and we will consider that tomorrow. However, there is a fundamental truth that we need to embrace today right at the start of this year. In my work, we talk a lot about ‘Learning From Experience’. (Whether we do actually learn from experience is a matter for a completely different discussion!  ). And the lesson we should learn is given to us both in the following song lyrics, but also in the first 4 words of the Bible, of the book of Genesis. The poet I have in mind, John Oxenham, wrote: O shall we never learn The truth all time has taught, That without God as architect Our building (our forming) comes to naught. The first 4 words of the Bible tell us – In the beginning, God. Whatever else we do this year, let us start right now with God. Take the time, right now, to come before God, and offer Him this year, offer Him again (or, perhaps for the first time) You. Do it NOW. Don’t read on, until you have stopped and made it clear to our Lord that He has first place in your life. This may be easier said than done! We may have a mind that is full of the regrets, and failures, and difficulties of 2017, and the rest of our life to date. However, as a wise woman put on her FB post yesterday (you know who you are, Emma!), the verse to bear in mind is Phillipians 3:13, where Paul reminds us to “Forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead”. That, though, does mean starting with God, so if you still haven’t done it yet, stop NOW, and offer this year, you and the rest of your life to God. If you need some words, use the remainder of the verse above, which says: Lord, help us, (help me) and inspire Our (my) hearts and lives that we May build, with all thy wondrous gifts, A Kingdom meet for Thee. Peace in our time, O Lord, To all the peoples - peace! Peace that shall build a glad new world, And make for life's increase. O living Christ, who still dost all our burdens share, Come NOW and dwell within the hearts Of all men everywhere. http://urbanarmy.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/lost-lyrics-peace-in-our-time.html

Christmas Week Thoughts Patience and Smallness We don’t often hear sermons at Christmas (or just after) about these two, but they are part of the Christmas Story – Anna and Simeon. It’s almost as if the part they play is very small, almost inconsequential to the actual story. However, just because that may be the case, does not mean that their stories are not worth repeating. After all, if the Gospel is for anyone, it is for the small, the inconsequential, those who have failed. If, as we come to the end of this year, that is how you feel about yourself, then take heart, because in the sight of God, you are of immense importance! So, Anna and Simeon……………………… Their stories are told in Luke 2:22-38. As with every first born son in Jewish families, Jesus was taken to the temple to be consecrated to the Lord, and to offer a sacrifice of a pair of doves or pigeons to the Lord, as was written in the Law of the Lord. This normally took place 8 or so days after the birth of the son. While that is happening, two people come forward to meet Jesus, Anna and Simeon. Both were old, and righteous. Both were waiting for the redemption or consolation of Israel. Anna was a prophetess. Simeon is described as ‘having the Holy Spirit upon him’. There the stories start to differ slightly. Simeon that day was moved to go to the Temple, by the Holy Spirit. I wonder how many opportunities to see or receive spiritual blessings we miss because we are deaf to the Holy Spirit, or disobedient? He had been promised that he would not die before seeing the coming of the Messiah. Anna, instead is someone who spent every day in the temple, worshipping, fasting and praying to God. When we practise the disciplines of worship, prayer and fasting on a regular basis, we become more alive to the work of God happening around us. Both have been patient, waiting on God. Both recognise in the baby being presented to God, the Messiah. Both give thanks and praise to God when they see their prayers answered (and the promise fulfilled). Simeon’s prayer of praise is particularly lovely, and well worth a closer read (vv29-32). Anna goes off to tell everybody what she has seen. Simeon has a word of warning for both the parents, but Mary in particular, stating again that the response of people to Jesus will not always be one of Joy, but that people will also take the opportunity to criticise, to complain about, and do whatever they can to hinder. And for Mary, “this will be a sword in your soul.” What particularly struck me was that both recognised the Messiah wrapped up in the form of a tiny baby. How often we miss God at work, because we expect God to be bigger and brighter. I was reminded of the words of the Salvation Army writer, Catherine Baird, who wrote: “Only the lowly and the wise hear victory songs in infant cries Proud eyes may swiftly turn away from Jesus’ manger bed of hay” May we have the smallness and patience to see God at work in whatever form He chooses to take this Christmas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7Af1WRNSh0

Spontaneous chutney & marmalade making time was great fun!

How are YOU living... good for thought as we approach 2018. ‘May God richly bless you.’

UPDATE... Please note morning worship at St Stephens is 11am not 10.30 as previously posted... whoops.

This Sunday we join with St Stephens Church in Cinderford for our worship. 10.30.