Reflection

Reflection on Colossians 3:1-11

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cross_sunset-26

Scripture

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Observation

If we have been raised with Christ, we should set our minds on the things that are with Christ, the things above, rather than the things on earth.

Therefore we must put to death everything that is earthly- the desires and drives of the sinful flesh.

We have been rescued from the coming judgement, so we must rid ourselves of everything deserving judgement.

Application

Following Jesus is not a matter of taking on an ideology or a world-view. Faith must result in action.

Paul tells us we have been united with Christ in His death and resurrection. Therefore our lives should be changed.

We must die to our old nature and rise to the new nature. We must rid ourselves of all the bad stuff in order to allow the nature of Christ to dwell in us.

This is not an instant thing, nor is it a form of legalism. It is a process empowered by the Holy Spirit. What we cannot do for ourselves, the Spirit of God does in us.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that you are changing me daily to be make me more like Christ. Please help me to put off the old nature and to take on the character of Christ. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 10:34-43

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cornelius

Scripture

Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favouritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.”

Observation

Following a vision from God and the arrival of visitors who were there to ask him to come to share at the house of Cornelius, Peter travels from Joppa to Caesarea.

The vision had shown Peter that God was bringing Gentiles into the kingdom and the old rules about ceremonial cleanness had passed away. It became easier for him to enter into the house of a Roman officer.

Peter shares with the entire household the Good News about Jesus’ death and resurrection bringing salvation to all people. While he is still speaking, the Holy Spirit falls on all who are present shown by them speaking in tongues and praising God.

Peter then arranges to have them baptised in water as they are already baptised in the Holy Spirit.

Application

God’s kingdom is open to everybody who puts their trust in Jesus- Jews and Gentiels, men and women, old and young, educated or not.

This comes home in a very graphic way in that everyone in Cornelius’ household was baptised in the Holy Spirit, even before there is an altar call.

Salvation is for everyone who will receive it, as is the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Father I pray for those who do not know you yet. Fall upon them with your power, show them their need for salvation and let them enter into your kingdom. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 21:1-11

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palm-sunday

 

Scripture

The crowd replied, “It is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

 

Observation

Jesus and His disciples come to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Jesus sends two of his disciples into the village to collect a donkey and its colt.

The disciples bring the donkey and colt to Jesus who then proceeds to Jerusalem riding on the colt.

A crowd gathers, spreading their garments and palm branches on the road ahead of Jesus. They start shouting praises to Jesus, and the whole city is in uproar.

 

Application

Jesus made a political and prophetic statement here. The prophetic statement is that He is the long-awaited Messiah. The political statement is that there is a new King and a new Kingdom in the land.

Both statements scared the ruling powers- both human and spiritual.

 As a follower of Jesus, constantly pointing others to Him and standing up for righteousness and mercy, I should also scare the ruling powers.

When christians get active, lives and communities are changed. Satan doesn’t like that. The human purveyors of sin and addiction don’t like that.

How will I scare the powers today?

 

Prayer

To truly follow you Lord means to confront the powers of darkness. Please help me to do that in your way today. Amen.

 

 

Reflection on Philippians 2:5-11

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stars

Scripture

At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Observation

Paul says that we should have the same attitude as Christ Jesus. He was God but did not hold onto the rights of that status. Instead He became nothing, a servant in human form.

Because He was obedient, even to death on the cross, God exalted Him to the highest place so that every part of creation will honour Him as Lord.

Application

Jesus was the eternal pre-existing Son of God. He chose to put aside that place of glory to become like us and to die for the salvation of everyone who puts their trust in Him.

Paul tells us that we need to have that attitude of self-sacrificial service.

Humility is the path to honour. When we lower ourselves God is able to raise us up.

Human nature drives us to fight for our rights, stand on our pride and exalt ourselves.

God’s nature leads us to relinquish our rights and let God get the glory.

Prayer

Lord help me to step aside from my selfish nature to let you shine through me today. Amen.

Reflection on John 11:1-45

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Raising_Lazarus007

Scripture

Many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him.

Observation

Word comes to Jesus that Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, is sick. Knowing that Lazarus has in fact died, Jesus stays where he is for two days before leaving for Bethany. By the time He arrives there, Lazarus has been dead and buried for four days.

Jesus proceeds to the tomb and orders it to be opened. He prays and then, in a loud voice, calls out, “Lazarus come out!”

To everyone’s amazement, Lazarus emerges, wrapped in grave cloths.

Application

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He has defeated the power of death.

Death is a part of life which it was never God’s intention for us to suffer. It came in with the sin of Adam and Eve. But now God has reversed the curse so that everyone who follows Jesus will live for ever.

This is not something for the distant future or a religious theory with no present relevance. It is a promise for right now.

Death has lost its sting.

Prayer

Thank you Father for your promise of eternal life. I do not have to fear death, for you have promised I will live for you for eternity. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 8:6-14

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Life and Death

Scripture

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.

Observation

If we set our minds on the things of the flesh we will die, but if we set our minds on the things of the Spirit we will have life. We are no longer in the flesh because the Spirit of God dwells in us.

If the Spirit of the one who raised Christ from the dead dwells in us, then we too will be raised to eternal life.

Application

To set our minds on Christ and on the ways of God means that we are consistently orienting our hearts to eternal life. When we get caught up in the sinful ways of the flesh and of the world then we are desiring the things that will lead to death.

The test for anyone who claims to be following Christ is where do our desires come from? Am I wanting to let every part of my life be surrendered to Christ? Or do I want to hold parts of my life for my own pleasure?

The choice is the choice between life and death.

Prayer

Lord please help me to give everything to you you, to direct my heart and mind to the things of the Spirit rather than the flesh. Amen.

Reflection on Ezekiel 37:1-14

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the_valley_of__the_dry_bones

Scripture

“I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes the Lord has spoken.”

Observation

The Spirit of the Lord takes Ezekiel to a valley full of dry bones. The Lord tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones commanding them to come together.

So the bones are gathered together, and flesh, sinews and skin cover the bones. But there is no life in them.

The Lord then tells Ezekiel to call out to the wind to come and fill the bodies. The bodies stand up, alive like a great army.

The Lord tells Ezekiel to prophesy to Israel and to promise that the Lord will bring them back from exile and He will put His Spirit in them.

Application

There is nothing more dead than dry bones. But God can turn death into life when we trust Him.

The people of Israel were in exile and had abandoned all hope of returning home. But God said, “You will go home.”

Whatever hopes or dreams we have that seem to be as dead as dry bones can be brought to life by the Holy Spirit.

The only condition is that we trust God to do it His way.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, come and bring life to the dry bones of my lost dreams. Come and bring life where there is no life. Amen.