Month: November 2013
Coffee With Jesus
Reflection on Luke 21:5-19
Scripture
“By standing firm, you will win your souls.”
Observation
The disciples admire the architecture of the Temple, but Jesus says that te time will come when it will be totally demolished and left in ruins.
Alarmed, they ask Jesus when it will all happen. He gives them the signs: false Messiahs, wars, earthquakes, plagues, signs in the heavens.
What is worse is that the disciples will face persecution. They will be put on trial for their faith but they are to see this as an opportunity to share the gospel for Jesus himself will give them the words to speak.
The disciples will be hated for being followers of Jesus, but if they stand firm in their faith they will be saved.
Application
Like many prophetic words in scripture, this has several points of reference.
Firstly it speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans in 70 A.D.
It also relates to the catastrophic events of the end times and the return of Jesus.
There is a third reference also to the present age. All of the signs of the end have always been here, including the persecution of faithful Jesus followers.
We must always be ready to give an account for our faith in Jesus, even if we are called before authorities. No matter how bad things seem, Jesus will always be with us, empowering and speaking through us.
To come through the times of trial it is only necessary to stand firm and to never give up.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for your reassurance that when I trust you, you are with me. In the worst of situations you never leave me. Help me to trust you in the dark times. Amen
Do you have a feeling of belonging?
From CCL
Do you have a feeling of belonging?
Many believers ‘do’ church-life without ever feeling they belong. Experiencing a real sense of belonging in God’s family is what the Lord desires for every believer.
To experience a real sense of ‘belonging,’ believers need to complement their Sunday ‘large body’ church experience with a regular, hands-on involvement in a small group context with other believers. The belonging experience is greatly helped by transitioning from an observing to a serving position.
The satisfying feeling that you ‘belong’ results from being connected and committed to a small group of believers… your spiritual family!
Is your church a place you visit, or is it where you belong?
Reflection on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Scripture
As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
Observation
Paul commands the Thessalonians to stay away from believers who refuse to work for a living. Paul had told them to imitate his live which was far from idle. His attitude was that he should not be a burden to anyone. If people do not work they should not eat.
Those who are idle must settle down and work for a living. They must never tire of doing good in the name of the Lord.
Application
It is fairly common for people to think that the Lord should provide for their needs and they should not have to work to sustain themselves. We live in a culture of entitlement in which many people, christian and otherwise, think the world owes them a living.
Paul tells us that we must all work to support ourselves. We must not remain idle because we have a calling to work for God’s good purposes in this world.
Those who are unable to work for wages because of the economy should do voluntary work or engage in some micro-business such as growing vegetables and selling them.
For people who are tuned into the Holy Spirit, there is always something productive that can be done.
Prayer
Lord God help me to be fruitful for you today. Amen.
Related articles
- Reflection on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 (newlifenarrabri.wordpress.com)
Reflection on Psalm 98
Sing to the Lord,
All you people who love Him
He is good and
All will worship Him
Let the earth resound
The seas and the mountains
The rivers and the wide plains
Rejoice in the Lord
Sing to the Lord
Every person
All the earth
And the heavens above
Sing with me.
Reflection on Isaiah 65:17-25
Scripture
Look! I am creating a new heaven and a new earth, and no one will even think of the old ones any more.
Observation
the Lord is bringing about a new heaven and a new earth, a whole new creation. In this new state of being, there will be no weeping or mourning. Babies will no longer die, and even adults will live past 100 years.
There will be no more loss at the hands of enemy invaders, and everyone will live in their own home enjoying the fruit of their land.
Even nature will be different wolves and lambs will feed together and lions will eat hay. This is all God’s promise.
Application
When God intervenes, everything changes. We know that this is true and we look forward to the future life when all aspects of sin and death will be vanquished for ever.
The promise is not just for the future because the Kingdom of God is here now, even if only in a muted form. We should expect these promises to be seen in our lives now to some extent.
Death will remain as a sign of the brokenness of creation, but God does heal. Fighting and violence are everywhere but God’s peace breaks into lives in surprising ways.
Let’s look forward to the consummation of the Kingdom, but let us also equally celebrate God’s work in the here and now.
Prayer
Thank you Lord for the promise of a whole new creation where storms and earthquakes, sickness and violence are banished for ever. Help me also to see your goodness in the present age and to celebrate your mighty works. Amen.
Contending Again
It’s now 12 months since I woke up in the middle of the night with the Lord saying to me “You must contend for the rain.”
You can read my previous posts about this journey here, here, here, here, here, and here.
I have discovered in my praying and thinking about this issue that the rain referred to is both natural rain and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit that is so powerful and pervasive that people receive salvation and miracles easily.
Another dry winter and spring has brought me again to the place of praying more passionately for the rain.
Finally, last night the rain came. We had 19mm overnight, and after thinking it had cleared away, it is raining again this morning. I was interested to see that at the various weather stations in and around Narrabri the registration was around 4 mm, except for Jacks Creek where they received over 40 mm . Just 1 km from here made all the difference.
I’m not claiming any responsibility for the Mooloobar St monsoon, just noticing a strong link.
I’m still praying, still contending. “Send more, Lord.”
“Face To Face With God” by Bill Johnson
Bill Johnson has for many years been moving n the power of the Holy Spirit and teaching others to do the same. I love his style both in writing and speaking because he has a rare talent for making the spiritual seem practical.
In this book he talks about meeting God face to face which should be the normal experience for christians. He tackles subjects such as growing in favour with the Lord, seeking His presence and receiving joy.
One stand out quote in the book is this: “In the Old Testament if you touched a leper you became unclean.; in the Kingdom, when we touch lepers they become clean.”
This book will develop in you a hunger for more of God.
Related articles
- Divine Distractions (whenheaveninvadesheath.wordpress.com)
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