Travelling Together DAILY DEVOTIONS 2018 Introduction CWM is pleased to present this prayer book for every day of the year in 2018, in observation of our fortieth anniversary. Yes, we are forty years old; and we are grateful to God for having led us all the way. It has been a dynamic journey of dreaming, daring and dancing in good times and in bad times. Through it all God has sustained and strengthened us, giving us the spirit of discernment to comprehend the signs of the time and to move towards the unfolding future with confidence and hope. As we prepare to embark on the next forty years we are convinced, more than ever before, of the sustaining power of God’s grace to pave the way for us and to keep on enlightening (opening) “‘the eyes of our hearts’ to know the hope to which Christ called us, the riches of his glorious inheritance and the immeasurable greatness of his power for us” (Eph. 1: 18). This gift of enlightening or discernment locates us at the heart of God, where God’s purpose is revealed, though dimly, and our mission defined. It is our prayer that as we submit ourselves to God we will see more clearly and that our experience of walking with God will bring us peace and joy. This devotional guide is an invitation to the reader to explore, and hopefully experience, the unfathomable riches of God’s grace and to live in confident hope that God’s future, buoyant with possibility, is already breaking in on the horizons of our consciousness. The reflections herein represent the experiences, faith and convictions of the contributors; their reflection on scripture within the context of current landscape; and their vulnerability in making public their theological views and biases. We pray that reading and meditating on the content of these pages will serve to inspire faith and encourage us in our walk with God throughout this year. God has created a world, full of beauty and charm. The sounds of the whistling winds amid the swaying trees and stately mountainside; the chirping birds, sweetly singing as sun sets and evening dusks; the laughter of children; and the rush of heartbeats, celebrating love and I • TRAVELLING TOGETHER connecting kindred spirits display the miracle of God’s creative imagination at work. Despite the wonder of it all, however, we live in the midst of brokenness, where shattered dreams and broken promises often define our experience; broken systems ruin our best resolve; and hope fades as our fragile frame succumbs to the failures of efforts pursued. And yet, because we belong to the God of hope, we live with confidence that healing is coming and we speak with conviction that, by the grace of God, we shall be made whole. Prayer is a spiritual resource to resist the forces of evil, however daunting; to reframe our perspectives in the face of doubt and fear; and to renew our resolve to confront the forces of empire that serve only to steal, kill and destroy. It is our prayer that this devotional will offer you some insights into claiming God’s best for your life and that you will be energised to take your stand for God. I commend this devotional to you, with my prayers and best wishes for a great year ahead in your walk with God and in your search for wholeness and fullness of life in Christ. Shalom! Rev Dr Collin I. Cowan General Secretary, Council for World Mission DAILY DEVOTIONS 2018 • II 2018 YEAR CALENDAR January February March SMTWT F S SMTWTFS SMTWT F S 1 23456 123 123 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5678910 4 5678910 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 April May June SMTWT F S SMTWTFS SMTWT F S 1 234567 1 2345 1 2 8 9 1011121314 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 456789 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 29 30 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 July August September SMTWT F S SMTWTFS SMTWT F S 1 234567 1234 30 1 8 9 1011121314 5 6789 10 11 2 345678 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 October November December SMTWT F S SMTWTFS SMTWT F S 123456 123 30 31 1 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 78910 2 345678 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 1 Jan New Year’s Day 1 May Labour Day 24 Dec Christmas Eve 16 Feb Chinese Lunar New Year’s Day 29 May Vesak Day 25 Dec Christmas Day 17 Feb Second day of Chinese Lunar New Year 15 Jun Hari Raya Puasa 31 Dec New Year’s Eve 30 Mar Good Friday 9 Aug National Day 31 Mar Easter Saturday 22 Aug Hari Raya Haji 1 Apr Easter Sunday 6 Nov Diwali/Deepavali III • TRAVELLING TOGETHER 1 January January Mission in the Context of Empire SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 21: 1-7; Luke 12: 13-34 TOPIC: God’s Mission – Hospitality and Generosity of Spirit Empire is based on ‘lordless domination and destructive self-interest – God’s mission is about relationships, based on hospitality and generosity of spirit On August 2, 1990, Iraqi troops stormed into Kuwait, a country one-eighth the population of its invaders. After the dust had settled, Saddam Hussein, the then President of Iraq, announced to the world that Kuwait was now a province of Iraq … just like that! Ostensibly, Iraq invaded Kuwait, among other things, because of their claim that Kuwait was originally a part of Iraq, which was separated under British rule. Many believe, however, that Iraq’s decision to invade Kuwait was driven by its desire to take over Kuwait’s substantial deposits of crude oil. Unfortunately, stories like this are the stuff of which the fabric of human history is weaved. Take, for example, the story of King Ahab and Naboth, told in 1 Kings 21. As you read this story, you’ll notice that the request of Ahab was not unreasonable, but his expectation was unreasonable. Given the proximity of Naboth’s land to his, and that he was prepared to pay for it, one can understand King Ahab’s proposal. His expectation, however, was based on his power; as such he was unable to take no for an answer. He was unable to see the value of Naboth’s desire to protect his patrimony and secure the heritage of his family. As it turned out, Jezebel, his wife orchestrated a scheme to use power to manipulate and prey upon the weakness and vulnerability of Naboth. Naboth became the loser – he lost his life and his land was taken by force. Jezebel’s question, “Do you not govern Israel?” is the epitome of an attitude of lordless domination; the way empire works. The death of Naboth meant nothing to Ahab; he was ready to claim the land. However, God’s mission is about hospitality and generosity of spirit. When confronted with the request to arbitrate between two brothers on the matter of family inheritance, Jesus refused (Luke 12: 13-14). Instead he invited the complaining brother to consider what is essential to life – not the abundance of things (Luke 12: 15); not greed, hoarding for one’s private consumption (Luke 12: 16-20); but trust in God (Luke 12: 32), use of possessions to serve the needs of the poor and displaced (Luke 12: 33); and focus on God’s “unfailing treasure” – the imperishable values such as love, hospitality and a generous spirit (Luke 12: 33b-34). King Ahab was to learn that “in the (very) place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth dogs will also lick up your (his) blood” (1 Kings 21: 19). The principle of life that outlasts our self-serving interest is to treat others with respect and positive regard in the very way we wish to be treated. Prayer: Let us pray for help to engage in just relationships, honest transactions and hospitable lifestyle. Rev. Dr. Collin Cowan General Secretary, Council for World Mission DAILY DEVOTIONS 2018 • 1 2 January Mission in the Context of Empire SCRIPTURE: Mark 6: 14-44; Jeremiah 31: 7-14 TOPIC: God’s Mission – A Place for All Empire protects the interests of the powerful - God’s mission provides a place for all As Ban Ki-moon, then Secretary-General of the United Nations, addressed the 68th Session of the General Assembly in September, 2013, he reminded his audience that, of the world’s estimated 1 billion people who live with some form of disability, many of them face exclusion by and from society.