Reflection on 1 John 4:7-21

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Scripture

God showed how much he loves us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love- not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Observation
We must continue to love one another. If we do not love we do not know God. God’s love for us is seen in His Son. He loved us and sent His Son to die for our sins.

If we confess that Jesus is the Son of God we live in God. God is love. As we live in God our love grows more perfect. His command is that those who love God must love their brother and sister.

Application
God’s love is as big and as perfect as God Himself for God is love.

When Jesus was asked to summarise the whole of the Jewish Law, it came down to two thing- love God and love your neighbour.

Now John tells us that if we do not love others we do not know God who is love. Of course, like all of life, this is a growth process- our love becomes more perfect as we grow closer to God.

Prayer
Lord help me to know you more and to grow in your love. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 8:26-40

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Scripture

Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.

Observation
An angel of the Lord sends Philip along the desert road. Along the way, he sees an Ethiopian eunuch travelling in a chariot. The Holy Spirit tells Philip to go to the chariot.

The eunuch is reading from the scriptures, so Philip explains to him the way of salvation.

They come to some water and the eunuch asks to be baptised. As they come out of the water, the Holy Spirit transports Philip to the town of Azotus.

Application
Philip listens to divine guidance and, as a result, one man is saved and the gospel goes into Africa.

It is so important to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit and to be obedient. We trust in our own human abilities and programmes far too much.

Sensitivity and obedience to the Holy Spirit accomplish far more than any human activity by itself.

Prayer
Lord, please teach me to listen to you. Help me to hear that still small voice and to obey you when you direct me. Amen.

Autumn in Narrabri

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Many people reckon that autumn is the best season in Narrabri. I tend to agree as the worst of the summer heat has gone and the unpleasant winter cold is yet to come.

After a long dry spring and summer, everything seems to be responding to the cool and wet conditions. Flowers are blooming, insects are buzzing and gardens are looking great.

Here are some photos from my afternoon walk around my yard.

I love these bright orange fungi slowly devouring the old tree stump.

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These bushes are covered in blue and yellow flowers.

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Vincas thrive on neglect and just keep flowering and growing.

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Native rosemary is in bloom.

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These things are drought hardy and just keep going ,then flower at the first chance after rain.

img_7620Good old petunias just keep going and going. I do need to buy some more as we lost a lot over summer, but for annuals they certainly live for a long time!
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Reflection on 1 John 3:16-24

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Scripture

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

Observation

Jesus is our example in love. He laid down His life for us so we should do the same for our brothers and sisters in the Lord. If we have possession but have no pity on our brother who has nothing then we don’t have the love of God in us. Our love must be not just words but active love.

If our hearts are at peace with God then we can have confidence before God. We can ask Him for anything because we obey Him. God’s command to us it to believe in Him and to love our brothers and sisters.

Application

Love is the mark of the true follower of Jesus. Jesus loved us to the point of laying down His life for us. Our love for our christian brothers and sisters should be the same kind of love.

Real love is practical and not just a theory. Whatever we have that can be shared with our fellow believers must be shared freely. If we have spare cash let’s share with those who have none. If we have skills and talents let us share with those who can use our help.

Love directs our focus outwards from ourselves and our immediate circle to all who need the love of Christ.

Prayer

Father please show me who needs a practical expression of your love today. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 4:1-12

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Scripture

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Observation
Following the healing of the lame man, the priests and other leaders come to confront Peter and John. They are disturbed that they are preaching the resurrection of the dead through Jesus. They arrest them and put them in gaol overnight.

The council convenes and demands that Peter and John explain by what power they have done this deed.

Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly declares that the man was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ who was crucified and whom God raised from the dead.

Peter concludes, “There is salvation in no one else!”

Application
People look for salvation, healing, wholeness and fulfilment in all sorts of places.

But as Peter boldly declared, there is salvation only in the name of Jesus Christ.

The name of Jesus is powerful. We are saved in His name. We are healed in His name. Satan flees before His name.

There is no other name, no other way to be saved, but the name of Jesus.

Why would you want any other way?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, your name is the highest of names. Please remind me to call constantly on you in every circumstance. Amen.

Ann Voskamp: What To Do When You Want Light To Overcome Dark

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For a short time, Cliff Young was an Aussie legend- the old farmer who beat all the young guys in the Sydney to Melbourne ultra-marathon. Ann Voskamp shares what we can learn from him.

The old cahoot ran in his boots. Weren’t too many of anybody who believed he could. The kids and I read about the old guy one night after supper and the dishwasher’s moaning away, crumbs still across the counter. How the old guy ran for 544 miles. His name was Cliff Young and he wasn’t so much. He was 61 years old. He was a farmer. Levi grins big. Mr. Young showed up for the race in his Osh Kosh overalls and with his workboots on, with galoshes over top. In case it rained. He had no Nike sponsorship.

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He had no wife – hadn’t had one ever. Lived with his mother. Never drank. Never ran in any kind of race before. Never ran a 5 mile race, or a half-marathon, not even a marathon. But here he was standing in his workboots at the starting line of an ultra-marathon, the most gruelling marathon in the world, a 544 mile marathon. Try wrapping your head around pounding the concrete with one foot after another for 544 endless, stretching miles. They don’t measure races like that in yards – -but in zip codes. First thing Cliff did was take out his teeth. Said his false teeth rattled when he ran.

Read the full article here