Month: May 2015

Reflection on Acts 1:12-26

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Scripture

They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women and the brothers of Jesus.

Observation
The disciples, along with some of the women including Mary and Jesus’ brothers, spend their time seeking God in prayer.

During this time, on one occasion when 120 believers were together, Peter said that Judas’ treachery had been foretold, but now it was time to replace him. The selected person would have to be someone who had followed Jesus throughout His ministry. They proposed Joseph Barsabbas and Matthias and then prayerfully used lots to select Matthias.

Application
The disciples had been told to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit. They used this time of waiting productively in prayer- not just any prayer but constant, united prayer.

They did not wait idly or disinterestedly. They waited prayerfully, seeking God and preparing their hearts for the day when the Holy Spirit would be given.

During this time Peter seems to have been listening to the Lord as he was reminded that they needed to fill the place of Judas. This was a big step, as previously it was Jesus who called the apostles.

When we spend time with the Lord in prayer, He will speak to us about the big and bold steps we need to take.

Prayer
Lord help me to pray more- more often, more passionately, more faithfully. Amen

Food Prices Stable Over 50+ Years

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The great population scares of last century confidently predicted that the world would not be able to feed an increasing population. You would expect that if that prediction were to come true then food prices would be increasing. In fact, the U.N. says that since 1961 the world prices for food have slightly decreased, adjusting for inflation.

 

From cato.org:

UN: Food Prices Are Lower Today than in 1961

By MARIAN L. TUPY

Food prices are (slightly) lower today than they were in 1961. Yes, that’s right. Adjusted for inflation, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization calculates, the food price index in 2015 stood at 131.2. It was 131.7 in 1961.

In the meantime, the world population has increased from 3.01 billion to 7.28 billion – a rise of 4.2 billion or 135 percent.

If you are Paul Ehrlich, Lester Brown, William and Paul Paddock, Garrett Hardin, Rajiv Gandhi and countless other followers of Reverend Malthus, this should NOT be happening. But, it is. Human beings are intelligent animals. Unlike rabbits, who overbreed when food is plentiful and die out when it is not, humans innovate their way out of scarcity.

Reflection on John 15:9-17

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Scripture

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”

Observation
Jesus loves us in the same way the Father loves Him. We must remain in His love. We do this by obeying Him in same way He obeys the Father.

As we live in Christ we will be filled with joy- abundant, overflowing joy.

We must love one another in the same way He has loved us. We must even lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

We are no longer slaves of Christ but friends. We aren’t compelled to obey Him, but we obey Him from love. His greatest commandment is to love one another.

Application
Love is the heart of all discipleship- love for God, love for our fellow Christian and love for our neighbour (regardless of whether they are born again).

The love that Jesus commands is sacrificial love. We must be ready to lay down our lives for others. This doesn’t just mean physically dying to save a life, although that may be necessary. It does mean placing the welfare, joy and needs of others as a higher priority than our own desires and plans. It means dying to my own ambitions and letting the service of God’s people become my highest goal.

In return, Jesus promises joy- overflowing, abundant joy. When we let go of our own selfishness and learn to put others first, we are living God’s best life and joy is the inevitable result.

Prayer
Father teach me how to love you and to love others. Amen.

Reflection on 1 John 5:1-6

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1 john

Scripture

Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.

Observation

If you believe in Jesus, you are a child of God and you will want to love God’s children.

If you love God, you will keep His commandments, but this is not a burden because we obey from our love of God.

Every child of God defeats the world through faith. In fact, only those who have faith in Christ will defeat the world.

Application

Following Jesus involves a change in our lifestyle because of our love for God. I love the Lord and do not want to displease Him and so I do what He wants me to do, I do this from a motivation of love and so this is not a burden.

The people of the world cannot defeat the power of the world, but those who follow Jesus will. It is our faith- our unwavering trust in Him- that allows us to live in victory over sin and temptation.

Prayer

Lord, my sins and failings a re always before me. Thank you for the assurance that as I trust in you I will become more like you. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 10:44-48

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Scripture

Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message.

Observation
Peter is talking to the the people in Cornelius’ household.

As Peter shares the gospel with them, the Holy Spirit falls on all who are listening and they begin to speak in tongues and praise God. The Jewish believers with Peter are amazed at this.

Since these Gentile believers have been baptised in the Holy Spirit, Peter arranges for them to be baptised in water. He then stays with Cornelius for several days.

Application
God keeps breaking out of the box religion tries to keep Him restrained in.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on “all flesh.” In the Old Testament it had been just the prophets, priests and kings who received the Holy Spirit. In the church age, the Holy Spirit is for everyone, even those who are not Jews.

When somebody receives the Holy Spirit, we know they must be born again- even if they don’t fit our picture of what a christian should look like.

Prayer
Holy Spirit, come and fill me to overflowing. Amen.