Month: March 2018
Today’s Sermon
Today’s Bible Verse
International Women’s Day
Is it wrong that I found this very amusing? And also true to life?
Today’s Bible Verse
Reflection on John 3:14-21
Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3.14-21
Scripture
“And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man will be lifted up so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.”
Observation
In the desert Moses, at the direction of the Lord, hoisted a bronze snake on a pole so that anyone who was bitten by a snake could be healed. Now Jesus is to be lifted up, and anyone who believes in Him will receive eternal life.
God loved the world so much that He sent His one and only Son so that anyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. This is for salvation not condemnation, but those who reject Jesus are condemned because they reject Him.
Application
In the wilderness, the Israelites complained about not having anything to eat except “disgusting manna.” The Lord responded by sending venomous snakes. People died, but the Lord provided a remedy in the form of a bronze snake hoisted on a pole so that anyone who was bitten could look at the bronze snake and be healed.
In a similar way, Jesus was “lifted up” on the cross so that anyone who looks at Him in faith will be healed of the poison of sin and receive eternal life.
The idea of being “lifted up” suggests an elevation to a higher place, a place of esteem and glory. The cross, of course, is the very opposite of this- a place of death, degradation and torture. For Jesus, though, the cross is the ultimate glory as it shows how great the love of the Father is for us.
God’s love for us is so strong, so passionately unstoppable, that He held nothing back from us in order to win us back to Him. No price is too high for Him to pay in order to break down the wall that sin puts up between people and God.
Now, as true followers of Christ, we can lift Him up through our words, our worship and a life of service to Him.
Prayer
Thank you Lord Jesus for going to the cross for me. May my life lift you up so that all around me will see the glory of God in me. Amen.
Why You Shouldn’t Watch Shows Like “Married At First Sight”
I have always hated the show “Married At First Sight” because it really demeans the nature of marriage, but then at the place where Australian society has got to that probably doesn’t matter that much. It seems that there are a significant number of people who haven’t cottoned on to the fact that “reality television” has nothing to do with reality at all.
From the ABC:
Married at First Sight’s Davina devastated about ‘death threats, abuse’ after ‘villain’ portrayal
She’s one of the most hated women on Australian television right now, and Married at First Sight’s Davina Rankin is still dealing with the pain of death threats and cruel comments she received online.
But with close to 320,000 Instagram followers, the 26-year-old businesswoman from Brisbane said she planned to use her public profile to raise awareness around the issue of cyberbullying, and would soon meet with the Queensland state Labor MP Dianne Farmer to discuss the issue.
“I barely got out of this whole ordeal alive, I can’t even imagine what it would be like for younger boys and girls who have to deal with this alone,” Rankin told the ABC.
That ordeal she refers to is Rankin’s portrayal on the Nine Network’s popular reality television series which has been airing for several weeks.
‘This was a guy I’d only known for a week’
Rankin was paired with Ryan on the show, but took a liking to Dean, who was matched with Tracey.
Dean and Rankin “secretly” agreed to leave their respective partners to pursue a relationship, but at the last minute Dean changed his mind.
“It’s just crazy because people believe so much,” Rankin said.
“They genuinely believe I had an affair on my husband. This was a guy I’d only known for a week, we’re not boyfriend and girlfriend, let alone husband and wife.
“And if it was such a ‘secret’ why were there cameras in my face the whole time?”
Cue Rankin’s social media being flooded with messages and comments about her being a “homewrecker” and “every slander word you can imagine”.
“I’ve had people tell me they would punch me if they saw me on the street … death threats.
“I feel like if I go to the shops, all of those people that have commented on a meme about me are going to be there,” Rankin said through tears.
Read the rest here, then come to your senses and avoid all “reality” shows.
Today’s Bible Verse
Reflection on Ephesians 2:1-10
Photo by Svetlana Pochatun on Unsplash
Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2.1-10
Scripture
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Observation
We were once dead in our sins, obeying the devil. We have all been in that dark place.
But God gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead, and He seated us in heavenly realms with Him. It is by God’s grace that we are saved. It is a gift from Him. We couldn’t do this by ourselves.
Now we are God’s masterpiece, created to do the good deeds He has planned for us.
Application
I am God’s masterpiece, the pinnacle of His creative activity. We are constantly under assault by the judgements and accusations of other people and ourselves.
God’s judgement is that I am a work of art- His masterpiece.
Sins- both those committed by me and those committed against me- are like balls of dirt and mud thrown over this artwork.
When I was born again, God started the restoration process, carefully scraping off the dity, repairing broken threads, cleaning the paintwork.
Now, instead of being in captivity to sin, I am being set free to do the good deeds that I was created for. We are not saved by good deeds; we are saved for good deeds.
Every one of us is created unique to shine out God’s glory in a unique way. We are not copies or forgeries; we are unique original creations.
Prayer
Thank you Lord that you tell me I am a new creation, a masterpiece in your creative handiwork. Please continue to release me from sin so that I can glorify you in all things. Amen.
Today’s Bible Verse
New Life Narrabri 