Good Morning,
Morning Devotion led by Archdeacon Mark Fox, special project coordinator in the Office of the Anglican Diocese. If you are able, please share with your family and friends 🙏
Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas & The Turks & Caicos
Morning Devotion led by Archdeacon Mark Fox
[Music] Good morning and welcome to Morning Devotions brought to you by the Anglican Diocese of the Bahamas and the Turks and Cakers Islands. I am Archdeacon Mark Lindsey Fox, Special Projects Officer in the Office of the Bishop, presently serving as Priest in Charge of St. Margaret's Parish North Andrus Bahamas. Today, first day August 29th 2024, we commemorate the beheading of St. John the Baptist. Let us pray. Almighty God who called John the Baptist to give witness to the coming of your son, and to prepare his way, strengthen us by your grace, that as he suffered for the truth, so may we boldly resist corruption and sin, and receive within him the unfailing crown of glory. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you under Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen. Reading from the Epistle reading for today, Hebrews chapter 12 verses 1 and 2. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. The passage I just read Hebrews chapter 12 verses 1 and 2 is the last section from the larger portion of the Epistle reading for today, Hebrews chapter 11 verses 32 through chapter 12 verse 2. This section begins with the word therefore. Years ago, under the direct teaching of the late canon Everett Terry Fulham, former rector of St. Paul's Church in Durham, Connecticut, who was one of the most important figures of the Charismatic Movement in North America and the Epistle Church, he taught us in Bible study that whenever you come across the word therefore, stop and make sure you understand what it is there for. In this case, it is there because in the previous section of the passage, the writer to the Hebrews rooms over different periods in the history of his people to recall first the names and accomplishments of heroes of the faith who faced incredible odds for God. He then moves on to others without calling any names who suffered severe hardships and persecution, imprisonment and torture even to death for their belief. Certain things stand out. They believed God was on their side despite the odds against them and were willing to take tremendous and terrifying risks for him. They cheerfully, courageously and confidently accepted whatever they had to do for God, even when on human terms they seemed impossible. They also were not afraid to stand alone and face whatever came against them for the sake of their loyalty to God. Some of them died before the final unfolding of God's promise and the coming of his Messiah into the world. The church lifts up John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, as one of these courageous and faithful witnesses whose example is worthy to emulate. In presenting this great cloud of witnesses that surround us, the writer seeks to inspire within us new courage and an increased level of hope and a new sense of responsibility as we face the personal and social and other challenges and obstacles to the Christian faith in this 21st century. We are reminded that as Christians we have a goal. We are not tourists who return to where they started. We are pilgrims who are on a journey that leads to the goal of becoming Christ-like. One of the spiritual exercises I recommend in this regard is seeking to become Christ-like through the fruit of the Spirit. Nine characteristics of Christ presented to us by Paul in Galatians 5 verse 22. Select one trait at a time and focus on better exemplifying that trait within a period of 30 days, the time that it takes to form a new habit. The Christian life is going somewhere. At an end of each month we do well if we ask ourselves, am I any further on with regards to a certain trait and invite feedback. As those from the past serves as inspiration to us, we also too have the responsibility in our day now to serve as inspirations to others. The question must be asked and answered honestly. In the ways that I speak and ask, do I serve as an inspiration to others, drawing them nearer to Christ or do I turn others away from the church and from Christ. As Christians we all must face the fact that we are handicapped. All the things who are mortal too like us, they have to deal with their own handicap. Our pleasures, habits, self-indulgence or associations may weigh us down, hold us back. We therefore have as an essential duty to disregard all those things that may weigh us down and prevent us from giving our best service to God in the building an advancement of his kingdom here on earth. In the Christian life we have the examples of witnesses personally known to us who may have passed on or some may be still alive. We can look to them as examples, seek to emulate some virtue they possess. My mother, Melvania Lindsay Fox and persons like Selrida Gaskin, Loyce Turnquest, Mary Johnson, Father Buck Johnson and Ernie Fisher are among many others who still serve today as good examples I seek to follow. Of course, Jesus is a supreme example. He who for the gold that was set before him endure all things to win by the way of the cross are redemption. If Jesus could endure as he did, so must we. Finally, to aid us in our pilgrimage, we have God's presence. The God who accomplished all that he did in the past is the same God that is with us today. More than that, we have Christ and his indwelling spirit within us. He is both the goal of our journey and the companion on our way. What makes this Christian life so wonderful is the fact that we press on surrounded by the support of the saints, oblivious to everything but the goal and always in the company of the one who already made the journey and reached the goal and who waits to welcome us when we reach the end, Jesus our Lord and Savior. Therefore I encourage you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, to press on to the mark of the high calling in Christ, trusting him and enduring whatever may come against you because of your faith and loyalty to God. Now unto him that is able to keep us from falling and to present us for this before the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. Thank you for joining us in these devotions. We pray and hope that you find them to be a source of inspiration and encouragement as you seek to draw an error to Christ and make him known to others. We invite you to please share them with other members of your family, relatives and friends. Remember that God is good all the time and all the time God is good. God bless. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Applause]