Good News From the High Court

/ newlifenarrabri / Leave a comment

I don’t suppose this will deter those people who think they have the right to redefine marriage to the detriment of the nation, but it is very good news.

From the ABC:

High Court throws out ACT’s same-sex marriage laws

By Elizabeth Byrne, staff

Updated 6 minutes ago

Some of the first same-sex couples who got married in the ACT, before the High Court decision. Photo: Some of the first same-sex couples who got married in the ACT, before the High Court decision. (ABC News: Elise Pianegonda)

Same-sex couples who wed in the ACT will have their marriages annulled after the High Court ruled against the laws.

A total of 27 couples, including some from interstate, used the law to tie the knot after it came into effect last weekend.

But today the High Court in Canberra unanimously ruled that the laws were inconsistent with the Federal Marriage Act, and were therefore unconstitutional.

The ruling is a victory for the Commonwealth, which had launched the appeal against the laws.

The ACT had argued that its laws could sit beside the federal legislation because it had defined a different type of marriage between same-sex couples.

The High Court delivered its decision early to give certainty to those wanting to use the law, but said it might be some time before a full judgement was released.

Reflection on Matthew 11:1-11

/ newlifenarrabri / Leave a comment

blind-healed

Scripture

“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Observation

John hears from prison what the Lord is doing. He sends word to Jesus to ask if he really is the Messiah. Jesus responds with the signs of the kingdom- the the blind see, lepers are cleansed and the good news is preached to the poor.

Jesus starts to talk to the crowds about John. He asks rhetorically, “What did you expect of John? A weak introvert in fine clothes?” John was the one sent to prepare the way for the Lord.

Although John was the greatest of those previously born, but now the least in the kingdom is greater than John.

Application

The signs of the Kingdom of God are quite simple according to Jesus- people are healed, dead are raised and the good news is preached to people who have nothing.

That makes me wonder why we focus on so many other things and neglect these basic things.

To be honest, I struggle with healing (let alone raising the dead!), because so often when we pray for people there is no immediate change. Yet I continue to look for a breakthrough in this area, and I rejoice in the healings that do occur.

I also need to work harder at preaching the Good News to the poor. I’m not sure how that looks in a relatively wealthy society such as Australia. The poor are those whose options are limited by their situation- the mentally ill, the disabled, the single parents. In a sense everyone who doesn’t know Jesus is poor and needs the Good News.

I see again the intimate connection between miracles and preaching the gospel. To see God in action we must be actively proclaiming the amazing news that God is with us.

Prayer

Lord I sense today that you are calling me towards something different about your kingdom to what we see in church. Please continue to stir my heart towards your plan for the world. Amen.

Related articles

Reflection on James 5:7-11

/ newlifenarrabri / Leave a comment

Scripture
You, too, must be patient. Take courage for the coming of the Lord is near.

Observation
James encourages us to be patient as we await the coming of the Lord. Farmers must wait patiently for the rain and for the grain to ripen. In the same way we have to wait patiently.
While we are waiting our lives must reflect the love of Christ. We must not grumble against our brothers and sisters for the Judge is standing at the door.
We must be like the prophets of old, particularly Job, who endured in their faith despite great hardships.

Application
Our expectation of the end times should lead us to a better quality of discipleship. Our understanding of the last days, or eschatology to use the technical term, should lead us into humble reverence and holy living for, as James reminds us, the Judge is at the door.
Our expectation of Christ’s return should also give us courage in times of hardship. The time will come when Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead, and every sin will be accounted for. At that time only those who are walking in fellowship with Christ will escape His judgement.

Prayer
Lord may I be found ready at the time of your coming. Even so, come Lord Jesus, come. Amen.

Related articles

Reflection on Isaiah 35:1-10

/ newlifenarrabri / Leave a comment


The Lord is coming!
God is appearing!
He will renew the land
Can you believe it?
Flowers in the desert
Like the Snowy Mountains
Green and flower filled

Are you sad or depressed?
Worn down by worry?
Hear the Good News
A Saviour is coming
He will redeem you

There is a highway to heaven
A road through the desert places
He will show you the way
Criminals and evil people can’t go
Only those who love God.
And nothing will harm you
Come on! Let’s go!
Let’s worship the King!

Today’s Photos

/ newlifenarrabri / Leave a comment

It’s been ages since I’ve felt inspired to take photos.

Waling around the yard today, pushing the lawnmower, I noticed that spring is happening. Officially it’s summer but we have summer weather in spring and are now having spring weather in summer 🙂

We have sunflowers just starting to bloom and petunias that just keep going.

A Blessing

/ newlifenarrabri / Leave a comment

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God” Matthew 5:8

We were practising prophecy on one another at cell group, and one of our members received this scripture for me.

I’ve always struggled with the Beatitudes because I’ve never really been sure whether they should be interpreted as commandments, exhortations or statements of fact. In many ways they seem unreal, over-spiritual, confusing.

As for pure in heart, well that’s definitely a work in progress.

So, I’ve been thinking, praying and researching this for several days trying to see what Jesus meant by it and how it applies to me.

“Blessed” means a “blessing on” or “God’s favour is on.”  The word “blessed” makes me think of some guru who has overcome all the problems of daily living and now exits on some other plane. Sometimes we confuse it with good luck or a vague sense of being well off. But really Jesus is saying that God has a special regard for those whose hearts are pure.

“Pure in heart” in English suggests 100% sin free. But actually it means something more like simplicity, singleness of purpose, lacking in secret selfish agendas. I think of Nathanael. “When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite, in whom there is no deceit!” (John 1:47). Other translations use the word guile here.

There is no suggestion of sinlessness here, just a singleness of purpose, a “What you see is what you get” lifestyle.

Here is the awesome part. It is those people, who are open and transparent, accepting of others as they are, who get to see God.  This is not in the future when we die, for everyone sees God then. No, this is saying it’s these down to earth people who sincerely love God who experience Him, who get the revelations, who learn to worship Him and receive His love. Wow- what a promise!

If you want these things, the key lies in learning to be open and transparent, losing all selfish ambitions and just following Jesus in simplicity,