Reflection

Reflection on Revelation 21:1-8

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new-heaven-and-earth

Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+21.1-8

Scripture

Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.”

Observation

A new heaven and a new earth are created, and the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven.

The home of God is now with men. He dwells with us and wipes away every tear. All death and its accompaniments of grief, crying and pain are gone.

Those who stand firm in Christ will inherit all things, but those who oppose God’s ways will be sent to the lake of fire.

Application

In many ways this passage is already true although for now we see partly and in the future we will see it clearly.

The New Jerusalem is the church, the bride prepared for her husband. Death has been conquered, and Christ is on the throne. He is making all things new and He gives us His living water.

All of this is the inheritance of the saints now.

There will be a future judgement, and we must be ready for that. The children of God, the disciples of Christ, will be ushered into an eternity of grace and life.

What a joy is given to those who walk with Him- in this life and the next.

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus. You bring such hope and joy in this life, but the best is yet to come. Hallelujah! Amen.

Reflection on Acts 11:1-18

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Acts_of_the_Apostles_Chapter_14-11_(Bible_Illustrations_by_Sweet_Media)

Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+11:1-18

Scripture

When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”

Observation

Following Peter’s experience at Caesarea, where Gentiles had received the gospel and the Holy Spirit, some of the circumcised believers in Jerusalem criticise Peter.

Peter recounts what happened. His conclusion is that God has poured out His spirit on the Gentile believers, so who is he to stand in God’s way?

The critics are silenced and they praise God for bringing Gentiles to repentance.

Application

If God is moving who are we to stand in His way? God’s plans are often bigger than what we can see, just as the plan of salvation went way beyond the Jews.

God is not willing for anyone to be lost and so He will do what is necessary to see the gospel preached to all people. That includes people we may not approve.

When God moves, the church and its leaders must be careful not to resist Him. We want to limit God, constrain Him, tame Him. When a river overflows its banks it is uncontainable. Yet we try!

We pray for revival but want it on our terms. We ask for the Spirit to move, but become fearful when He does.

Prayer

Who am I to hinder you Lord? Help me to be open to your many-faceted works and to welcome all that you do, even when I don’t understand it.

Reflection on John 21:1-19

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+21.1-19

Scripture

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

Observation

Peter and some of the disciples go fishing. Jesus appears on the beach at daybreak. They have caught no fish all night, but Jesus tells them to cast the nets on the other side of the boat. They do so and catch more than they can handle.

John tells Peter, “It is the Lord”, and Peter swims in to the shore while the others stay in the boat. When they are all together Jesus invites them to share breakfast.

After that have eaten, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him. He replies, “Yes, you know that I love you. Jesus tells him to feed His sheep. This is repeated twice more.

Application

When we sin in a big way, as Peter had done in denying Jesus, there is needed a process of putting things right so that the relationship with God is re-established.

1. Forgiveness- that is always God’s offer to us when we repent and turn back to Him.

2. Fellowship- we need to spend time enjoying the presence of the the Lord

3- Restoration- this is a recommissioning or a confirmation of our calling and vision of our ministry or purpose.

We often make the mistake of believing the God’s forgiveness is enough. God is relational and desired friendship with us not just a religious transaction. Building that friendship is a process that we grow into.

Prayer

Lord I thank you that you love me and desire to spend time with me and invest in my life. Help me to seek you, going beyond repentance and into deep fellowship with you. Amen.

Reflection on Revelation 5:11-14

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+5.11-14

Scripture

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honour and glory and power

for ever and ever!

Observation

In heaven the voices of many angels sing glory to the Lord- ten thousand times ten thousand of them. They sing, “Worthy is the Lamb to receive honour.”

Then the whole of creation joins in- every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth and on the sea.

Application

This is a massive chorus of praise to God- the millions of angels and then every creature in the whole of creation.

The time is coming when even those who deny the Lord will be forced to honour Him and recognise that He is worthy of praise,

The whole of creation praises the Lord- every bird and animal, the flowers and fish, the stars and comets. There is an awesome symphony of praise to God going on constantly.

At the moment we see this very dimly and join in imperfectly. The effects of sin in our world blind us to the glory of God. But the day is coming when we will see the Lord as He really is, and then our worship will be pure.

So for now we praise in part and worship weakly. But we need to give Him all that we can, for He is worthy of our praise.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are the Lamb who was slain. I praise you. I thank you for dying for my sin. I thank you for the privilege of being a part of your kingdom. May my days be filled with your praise. Amen

Reflection on Acts 9:1-20

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saul

Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9.1-20

Scripture

The Lord said, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for me.”

Observation

Saul is breathing murderous threats against the followers of Jesus. He receives authority from the High Priest to go to Damascus and bring back in captivity any disciples there.

Along the road he has an encounter with Jesus and is struck blind. He goes on to Damascus and eats nothing for three days,

A believer named Ananias is told by the Lord to go to Saul and lay hands on him to restore his sight. Ananias does this, and Saul is immediately healed.

Saul then spends several days in Damascus preaching about Jesus in the synagogues.

Application

When a person has an encounter with Christ, everything is changed. No matter how opposed to God they may be, a real meeting with Christ is life-changing.

We need to pray more intensely for our unsaved friends and family members, that they will come to see Jesus face to face.

The church is good at evangelism programmes and revival meetings. But just one touch from the Lord will set a person on the path to salvation far more quickly than a dozen programmes.

Prayer

Lord please help me to pray fervently for my unsaved friends to be touched by Jesus. Amen.

Reflection on John 20:19-21

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20.19-31

Scripture

These things are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in His name.

Observation

The disciples meet in a locked room, and Jesus appears. He shows them His wounds to demonstrate who He is. He breathes on them and gives them the Holy Spirit.

Thomas missed out on this event and so he refuses to believe that Jesus is alive. A week later the disciples again meet together, and again Jesus appears. Now Thomas is able to believe.

Jesus did much more than is recorded in John’s gospel. But these things are written in order to bring the reader to faith in Jesus.

Application

It must have been an exciting, even fearful, experience to meet with the risen Lord in this way.

Since Jesus ascended to heaven, we have the opportunity to meet the risen Lord every day. This may not be in the physical way of the disciples’ experience, but it is just as real.

The initiative now lies with us. It is up to me to start the conversation, to seek the Lord. When I do that He meets with me, hears my prayers, talks back and shows me His ways.

He truly is Emmanuel- God with us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I thank you that you are always with me, that your Spirit dwells in me. Help me to fellowship with you in every place I go, in every activity and conversation. Amen.

Reflection on Revelation 1:1-8

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revelation.jpg

Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+1.1-8

Scripture

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom of priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Observation

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, given by God to John. There is a blessing for everyone who reads the words of the prophecy aloud and for those who hear it.

John writes to the seven churches in Asia. Jesus is coming with the clouds and everyone will see Him.

Application

The book of Revelation starts with this big doxology of praise and worship to God. John has seen something huge and is caught up in praise.

We need to train our hearts and minds to recognise who God is, what Christ has done and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we think and mediate on these things, we too will be moved to praise Him.

Jesus is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him. As followers of Jesus we can see Him before that day and worship Him in the present time.

Prayer

So soon after the celebration of your death and resurrection, Lord Jesus, our hearts are filled with awe and praise. May that continue through every day. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 5:27-32

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts 5.27-32

Scripture

“We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Observation

The apostles have been arrested but set free by an angel. They are re-arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin.

The high priest says to them that despite being ordered to remain silent, they have filled the city with their teaching.

Peter and the others reply that they must obey God rather than men. God has raised Christ whom the authorities had executed. God has exalted Him as Lord and Saviour to bring repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

Application

The testimony of the apostles is simple. The authorities executed Jesus, but God raised Him up and now He gives salvation and forgiveness to all who trust in Him.

We don’t have to make witnessing complicated. We follow a risen Saviour. The Holy Spirit can bring conviction and faith. We just have to say what we have seen and experienced.

Peter says, We are witnesses of these things.” It’s not a myth or made up story- Jesus is alive and He offers eternal life to all who will make Him their king.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the gift of salvation. Show me how to testify to my friends about your great grace. Amen.

Reflection on John 20:1-18

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tomb4618

Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+20.1-18

Scripture

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Observation

While it is still dark, Mary goes to the tomb and finds the stone has been removed. She runs to tell Peter and the others that the Lord is gone.

Peter and John go to the tomb and find that the body is indeed gone. They return home, but Mary remains.

Jesus then appears to Mary, but she doesn’t recognise Him. He says her name and she realises who He is. Mary then returns to the disciples and tells them, “I have seen the Lord.”

Application

The events surrounding the resurrection were very confusing for the followers of Jesus. They were not expecting this at all, despite Jesus’ prophecies concerning it.

The great fact of history remains- Jesus died but now He is alive. Because He lives, we shall live with Him forever.

Hallelujah!

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the Good News of Easter. Thank you for the promise of eternal life. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 15:19-26

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15.19-26

Scripture

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Observation

If our hope in Christ is only for this world we are to be pitied. But Christ has been raised from the dead, and His resurrection is the beginning of the resurrection of all His disciples.

Then the end will come . Jesus will hand over the kingdom to His Father, after He has destroyed every power and authority.

When Christ has overcome all these things, even death, then He will be subject to the Father so God may be all in all.

Application

Jesus is alive! This is the wondrous message of Easter Day. The one who was dead is now alive.

Paul tells us that Jesus’ death and resurrection is like a first fruit or an opening chapter in the resurrection of all people.

Jesus is destined to rule over every power and authority in the world and then hand it all over to the Father.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the good news of the kingdom. Amen.