Blessed are the forgiven
Happy in our freedom!
Keeping silent about sin
Suffocates
Nauseates
Debilitates
Confession to God
Liberates
Resuscitates
Invigorates
Friends, hear me
Stay close to God
Our Redeemer and Healer.
Reflection
Reflection on Genesis 2:15-15, 3:1-7
Scripture
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.
Observation
The Lord gives the man the instruction to care for the garden. Everything was there for him, but he may not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
Later, the serpent comes to Eve and says “Did God really say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?’ “ Eve explains the Lord’s command, but satan misrepresents what the command is about.
Eve is seduced by the promise of the tree and so she eats the fruit. She also gives some to Adam.
Application
Just one job- and they blew it!
One thing was forbidden- one tree out of millions. How hard could it be?
We face temptations every day. Like Eve we know the command, but we wonder if the pleasure of the sin is worth the likely consequence.
Eve was tempted by three things:
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appeal to the flesh (good for food)
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appeal to the senses (good in appearance)
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appeal to pride (good for wisdom)
These are the same hot spots that satan presses today.
We need to be conscious of our vulnerability and always prepared to resist the lies of satan.
Prayer
Holy Spirit make me holy. Strengthen me to stand firm before all temptation and to remain faithful to you. Amen.
Reflection on Matthew 17:1-9
Scripture
While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him.”
Observation
Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a high mountain. While they are there, Jesus is transfigured, his face shining brightly and his clothes dazzling.
Suddenly Moses and Elijah appear and talk to Jesus. Peter offers to build three shelters for them.
A cloud comes over and a voice speaks to them announcing that Jesus is God’s beloved Son.
The disciples fall to the ground in fear. When they look up Jesus is alone.
Application
What we see with our physical eyes and interpret with our brains is only a faint shadow of reality. Often we need that blinding revelation to see things as they really are.
Christians find it easy to fit into a comfortable groove. We operate with a devotional routine, say the easy prayers and fail to see what is really happening around us.
We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, learning to listen to Him and depend on His wisdom.
We need to learn to see the Lord as He really is, not the safe image we prefer to worship.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, reveal yourself to me again. May I see your glory, the reality of who you are. Amen
Reflection on 2 Peter 1:16-21
Scripture
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Observation
Peter did not preach about human myths and theories because he was an eyewitness to Christ’s glory. He saw God’s glory come down on Christ and announce, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
So Peter’s experience confirms the prophetic words of the Old Testament. No prophecy of Scripture can be a matter of our own interpretation because it comes to us through the Holy Spirit.
Application
The difference between the Bible and every other religious book is that it is not human theory, but an historical record of God’s dealings with people. Even the claims of Jesus to be the Messiah go back to historical prophecies confirmed by contemporary eyewitnesses.
The great claims of the faith rely on a chain of eyewitness accounts coming down over 2000 years. My testimony is a vital part of that chain, just as the apostle Peter’s was.
The story of God is shown today in lives being changed one day at a time by the gentle unstoppable pressure of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
Thank you Jesus for saving me and revealing your glory to me. Now reveal your glory through me that others can see your saving power. Amen.
Reflection on Psalm 99
The Lord reigns!
Everyone rejoice!
He sits in the glory cloud
Fire and smoke hide Him
The Lord is mighty
He rules over the earth
Come on, let’s worship Him
Come let’s praise His name
Teach me Lord
To seek your presence
Let your glory fall
Here as on Mt Sinai
Reflection on Exodus 24:9-18
Scripture
Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
Observation
Moses and Aaron and the elders of Israel approach the mountain, and they see God. The Lord tells Moses to come to the top of the mountain, so he takes Joshua and they ascend.
As Moses goes toward the summit, the glory of God covers it. The Lord calls to Moses from the glory cloud which appears to be like devouring fire.
Application
Words cannot describe the glory of God- it’s a cloud, smoke, devouring fire.
The presence of the Lord defies our minds to describe. To the believer it is a cause for wonder. To the unbeliever it is a cause for fear.
The presence of God was what drove Moses on. His heart’s desire was to know the Lord ever more intimately.
That same desire should drive us also. Prayer, Bible study, and other disciplines are dry and deadly unless we are pursiong the presence of the Lord. But when we truly meet with the Lord- what glory we find and what joy.
Prayer
Lord make me like Moses who desired above all the be in your presence. Give me that same passion. Amen.
Reflection on Matthew 5:38-48
Scripture
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Observation
In the past, people decided that “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” was an acceptable level of revenge, but amongst people of the Kingdom forgiveness and non-retaliation are the rules. Go further than you have to in order to bless even those who are against you.
We must love our enemies and pray for our persecutors in order to be true sons and daughters to our Father. If we love only those who love us there is no virtue- anyone can do that. No, we are to be perfect like our Father.
Application
The desire for revenge runs deep in the human soul. The law of “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” was meant to out a cap on revenge by stating that we can go so far and no farther.
Jesus tears all of this up by commanding us to love our enemy and extend grace to those who hurt us.
This is a radical extension of the idea that God will judge all people and so we do not have to. We offer no retaliation, just blessing.
Prayer
Lord, this is a hard command to put into practice. Grant me grace to bless those who cause me pain. Amen.
Reflection on 1 Corinthians 3:10-23
Scripture
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?
Observation
Paul compares himself to an expert builder who lays a foundation for others to build upon. What we build on that foundation will be tested by fire on the Day of the Lord.
We are God’s temple and God’s Spirit dwells in us. No more boasting about men and who we follow! We don’t have to be divided by personalities and celebrities. We have all things in Christ.
Application
As followers of Jesus we are all meant to build on the work of Christ. The extent to which we build in the strength of the Holy Spirit determines the value and longevity of what we build.
Many people are building for themselves or in their own strength or giftedness. They are like people building with straw. It will just disappear when examined on the fiery day of judgement.
We, the people of God, are God’s temple being built in Him and for Him. As we invest our time and energy in the things of God, He builds His presence in us.
Prayer
Show me Lord how to invest myself in your kingdom. May I build with gold, silver and precious stones. Amen.
Reflection on Leviticus 19:1-18
Scripture
“Speak to the whole assembly of Israel and say to them: `Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.’ “
Observation
This chapter consists of various laws and commandments. Some of them are about how to bring sacrifices to the Lord. Others talk about personal relationships. Still others talk about living justly in a civil society and how to treat neighbours.
Application
God does not divide our lives into sacred and secular. Every part of our life is meant to be holy and dedicated to the Lord.
This means that I must worship God with integrity, being attentive to the kind of worship that pleases Him.
I must also honour family members and treat other people with respect and consideration.
Over all of these things is love for my neighbour. That means letting go of offence for the sake of the Lord.
Prayer
Forgive me Father for any time when I have separated a part of my life as mine and not yours. Help me to live with love and integrity in all I do. Amen.
Reflection on 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
Scripture
For we are God’s servants working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.
Observation
Paul was not able to feed the Corinthians solid food because they were acting like people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.
The sign of their immaturity is the fighting and jealousy amongst them. They have split into camps claiming to follow different leaders.
Paul points out that he and Apollos are just servants of the Lord called to different roles in the Body of Christ. They work together for God, not in competition.
Application
Unity in the Spirit within the church is a basic sign of maturity according to Paul. From this judgement nearly all christians in the West are of the flesh because the church is so fragmented.
There is nothing wrong with having multiple congregations in a town or neighbourhood. The problem comes when a congregation thinks of itself as the only true expression of the church, or when congregations compete for followers.
Division within a faith community is even more destructive. To prefer one leader over another is to play into the hands of satan who, loves to bring division into the Body.
We must always keep our eyes on Jesus the true shepherd of the flock.
Prayer
Lord Jesus please bring the church to a true place of unity where we recognise your presence in all congregations and your Spirit in all believers. Amen.
New Life Narrabri 