bible

Reflection on Revelation 21:1-8

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Scripture

And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

Observation

Heaven and earth disappear to be replaced by a new heaven and a new earth. The new Jerusalem comes own from God like a bride dressed for her husband.

The Lord declares that God’s dwelling place is now with His people. There will be no more death or pain. It is finished! All who are thirsty will receive living water, and all who overcome will inherit all the blessings.

Application

We might be tempted to believe that all of this talk about new heavens and earth, and a new Jerusalem is future tense. In a sense this is true, as the ultimate fulfilment of this vision is yet to come.

In another sense, it is already here. When Jesus died on the cross, a new covenant, a new age, was inaugurated. In prophetic literature this is described as a new heavens and a new earth because everything has been made new.

The new Jerusalem comes down from God as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. That is the church; we are the bride and we are clothed in Christ.

God’s home is already with us. He wipes away every tear. He gives living water to all who are thirsty.

All of these promises receive their full glory at the end of all things. But they are also real right now.

We have the promise of God that He is with us- Emmanuel- now. He will meet every need that we have.

To see the promises come to life, all we have to do is trust. As we walk with the Lord day by day, He will light the path for us.

Prayer

Lord, our imaginations of heaven barely scratch the surface of what you have prepared for us. In this present age, we know the joy of your presence and the glory of your Son. Grant me the grace to see you in every part of my life. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 11:1-18

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Scripture

When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.”

Observation

Not long after Peter visited the house of Cornelius and the household was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, news gets back to Jerusalem. When Peter arrives there, he is criticised for eating in the homes of Gentiles.

Peter recounts the story of his vision of unclean animals, the command to eat and the subsequent visit to the home of Cornelius. He tells how when he began to speak, the Gentiles believed and received the Holy Spirit.

Application

At first, the believers were all Jewish, and they understood Jesus’ ministry in the context and the culture of Judaism. It does not appear to have occurred to any of them that Gentiles could be saved. The next big issue that plagued the church was whether Gentiles needed to become Jewish in order to live as a follower of Jesus.

The Holy Spirit kept on showing them that the gospel was bigger than anyone could have imagined.

Salvation is for everyone who will repent- that is turn away from their sins- and follow Jesus.

The gospel is freely available to all people. In Revelation, John talks repeatedly about people from every tribe and nation and ethnic group.

There are no prerequisites for following Jesus, apart form a heart that loves God. God’s grace is like a flooding river that flows right over the top of human distinctions.

“God so loved the world” means the whole world. Every human being from the North Pole to the South, and all the points in between is loved by God.

We are all candidates for heaven if we accept Jesus as Lord.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your great and amazing grace that is so big that it even includes sinners like me. Amen.

Reflection on John 10:22-30

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Scripture

“You don’t believe me because you are not my sheep.”

Observation

Jesus is at the Temple at the time of Hanukkah. People are asking Him to reveal if He is the Messiah.

Jesus tells them that they have seen His works, but they don’t believe Him because they are not His sheep. His sheep know His voice and follow Him; they will receive eternal life, and nobody can snatch them from Him.

Application

We live in an age that is increasingly hostile towards the christian faith. People have no understanding of what christians believe or what motivates them to do what they do.

We can see this in the case of football player Israel Folau. He quoted on Instagram a Bible verse that says that adulterers, thieves, liars and homosexuals will not inherit God’s kingdom. Despite threats of punishment for this “homophobia” he remains true to his faith and will not back down. Commentators cannot see why he would give up a contract worth a million dollars a year for this.

In politics, the Opposition is threatening to remove exemptions for faith- based schools that allow them to discriminate against employees on the basis of sexuality. Schools may soon be forced to choose between compromising and closing down.

It is clear that people in corporations, media and politics cannot understand the convictions of christians. They are not in Jesus’ flock; they are not His sheep. Therefore they cannot hear the voice of the Lord.

Of course, this changes when we come to faith in Jesus. When we make Jesus Lord we suddenly learn to hear His voice, and everything that seemed stupid or irrational suddenly makes sense.

The Pharisees saw the miracles that Jesus did, but they still refused to acknowledge that He is Lord. Many others believe without seeing a miracle or sign. It just takes a heart that is soft towards God.

Prayer

Thank you Jesus for bringing me into your flock. Please help me to hear your voice and to walk in your paths. Amen

Reflection on Revelation 7:9-17

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Scripture

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.

Observation

A great multitude of people from every people group on earth stands before the throne of God. They cry out praises to God. The angels join them in worshipping the Lord.

One of the elders asks John who these people are, and then goes on to tell him that they are the ones who have come through the great tribulation and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Now they stand before the throne and they will never again hunger or thirst or know sorrow.

Application

A huge throng of people, a multitude too big to count, stands before the throne of God praising Him constantly.

They are described as the ones who have come through the great tribulation and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

In short these are believers from every nation, every people group, every age.

The “great tribulation” is not a mythical seven year period at the end of the age. It is here and now, and started straight after Pentecost. It is the way of the world.

More christians suffer for their faith than experience a life free of harassment. We oppose the spirit of the age, and so we endure the rage of the world.

The important thing is to make sure we are saved, having had our robes washed in the blood of the Lamb.

For all who put their faith in Jesus there is a special place of honour right at the front of God’s throne.

We who are saved have a future of joy and honour. We have a destiny to be a part of the biggest worship gathering in human history.

Prayer

Thank you Lord Jesus for dying for me and giving me a place in eternity. Hallelujah!

Reflection on Acts 9:32-53

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Scripture

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning towards the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.

Observation

This passage records two miracles by Peter. Firstly a paralysed man named Aeneas is healed.

The second miracle is the raising of Tabitha, a disciple who had done many good works. Peter goes in, prays and then commands her to get up. She opens her eyes and then sits up.

Application

Peter was obviously a man of great faith. As a true disciple, a follower of Jesus, he was able to do the same kinds of miracles which Jesus had done.

Peter knew the resurrection power of Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and he was bold enough to preach and to enact the word of the Lord.

We look at these passage for tips on how to heal people or how to pray. This passage is not about those two things.

Peter clearly had a very intimate relationship with God. Like Jesus he was able to say, “I only do what the Father is doing.”

In order to see the miracles of God working in us and through us, we need to pursue that kind of relationship with the Lord.

Daily prayer and scripture reading, exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit, listening to God and obeying Him, are the simple paths to this intimacy with God.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to walk in your ways. Help me to have that close relationship with you that transforms lives daily. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 19:28-40

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Scripture

They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

Observation

It is the day celebrated by the church as Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week and of the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Jesus sends two disciples ahead with instructions to bring a colt that they will find in the next village. If anyone challenged them, they are to say, “The Lord needs it.”

So they bring the colt, and Jesus mounts it to ride into Jerusalem. The whole crowd of Jesus’ disciples shout praises to Him along the road.

The Pharisees don’t like this so they tell Him to keep His disciples quiet. But Jesus replies, “If they keep quiet the stones will cry out!”

Application

Jesus told His disciples that if anyone queried their taking of the donkey, they were simply to say, “The Lord needs it.”

It is enough for a christian, when faced with a need to say, “The Lord needs it.”

This is not to justify stealing cars in Jesus’ name, just because we are lacking transport.

If the Holy Spirit tells us to meet a need then we should do it without thinking.

This includes:

  • our possessions
  • our money
  • our time
  • our energy
  • our prayers

Whatever we have that the Lord needs we should give it up instantly.

We like to remember that God provides for us in our times of need. There are many testimonies about God’s provision. Rarely do we recall that God usually uses someone to bless us in those times.

Following Jesus means that He owns us and all that we have. Everything we own- including life itself- is a gift from the Lord anyway.

What is the Lord needing from me today?

Prayer

Holy Spirit, please release generosity in my heart so that when you say, “The Lord needs it,” I respond with joy. Amen.

Reflection on Philippians 2:5-11

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Scripture

And every tongue [will] confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Observation

Jesus Christ is God but He did not hold on to that position. Rather He gave up all His privileges and all His glory to be come a human being- a man of humble status. He lived as God’s servant all the way to the cross.

Because He humbled Himself, God raised Him to the place of highest honour and gave Him the name above all names.

At the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Application

Jesus became a human being and lived for the glory of God. He died a horrifying death on the cross for our salvation. Because of this, He is honoured by the Father.

The day will come when Jesus is recognised as Lord by every person, every angel, every demon, every authority and power. For some, this confession comes willingly and joyfully. For others it is reluctant and begrudgingly.

On Palm Sunday, when the Pharisees tried to stop the street party, Jesus aid, “If the people stop praising me then the rocks will praise me.”

The whole of creation is involved in this wonderful song of praise to God. It is only sinful people who refuse to join in. But one day this will be changed, and every part of creation- the unseen and the seen- will honour Jesus.

What a privilege it is to be a part of this, to be amongst the forerunners in this anthem of praise.

In just over a week’s time we celebrate the mystery of Easter. This shows God’s great love for us in defeating sin on Good Friday and death on Easter Sunday. Let us always live in praise for these great victories.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, every tongue will confess you are Lord. You are the true King and the only Lord. Help me to make my life a constant hymn of praise. Amen.

Reflection on Philippians 3:1-14

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Scripture

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in death, and so, somehow, to attain the resurrection from the dead.

Observation

Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord. We must also be on the lookout for those who infiltrate the church with false doctrines, and who would try to seduce us back to religious deeds.

Paul was a “Pharisee of Pharisees”, as righteous as as anyone could be in the Jewish religion. But he counts it all as loss compared with the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.

Now he pursues Christ, giving everything up for the sake of following Him. He has not yet reached the goal, but forgetting all that is past, He presses on towards the prize Christ called him to.

Application

Paul is passionate, some would say obsessed, about knowing Christ. His whole life was dedicated to this purpose. He was pressing on towards the goal, letting nothing hold him back.

Paul wanted to know the power of Christ’s resurrection. This is the new life power, giving birth to salvation in all who would turn to Christ in humble repentance.

Paul also wanted to know the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. He was not afraid to take up his cross for the sake of the gospel. Whether he lived or died, it was all to the glory of God.

Christians have a huge advantage over our opponents. If we have died to ourselves and learn to see our lives form the perspective of eternity, then there is nothing that the world can take away from us, no suffering that can cause us to stumble.

When we do that, having poured out our lives to serving our Lord, then we attain the resurrection of the dead. We will hear the Lord’s approval, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Prayer

Lord teach me the power of the resurrection and the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. May I embrace both as they come my way. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 43:14-21

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Scripture

For I am about to do something new

See, I have already begun!

Do you not see it?

I will make a path through the wilderness

I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Observation

The Lord promises to send an army against Babylon. The Babylonians will flee in their ships, but Israel will cross the wilderness to go home.

The Lord brought His people out of Egypt through the Red Sea. He made a dry path and then frowned the Egyptian army.

This is nothing! He is doing a new thing. He will make a path through the wilderness and create rivers in the wasteland.

Application

God was about to do something new. He is the God of new things. We get caught up in the old things, and it is important to remember God’s past deeds, but we do not have to live there.

The Israelites escaped when God made a dry path through the wet place. Now He promises to provide a wet path through the desert.

We need to be looking constantly for the “new thing” God is doing in our lives or else we will miss it.

If we need a dry path to take us to His promise, then He will make a dry path. If we need places of refreshment to bring us home, then He will provide them.

With God, the “new thing” is always the thing needed now that allows us to get to the place He has called us to.

Whether it is parting the sea or watering the desert, He will provide the new miracles for today.

In Israel’s first wilderness experience, the Lord provided manna every morning. It was fresh every day because, as the prophet Jeremiah wrote centuries later, “Your mercies are fresh every morning.”

Let us seek God for today’s grace, not clinging any more to last year’s miracle.

Prayer

Lord, you are constantly doing “new things” in my life. Help me to carefully listen to your Holy Spirit for today’s “new thing.” Amen.

Ann Voskamp” How to Give up “Devotions” & Look God in the Eye (Or: How to Walk 130 Miles with God for Lent)

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A very powerful message from Ann Voskamp about the power of the Bible.

When you first meet this guy named Joshua, you’d never know that he’s been in the mouth of a lion.What do you say to a man who’s walked out of the mouth of a lion? Only to give his entire life to the Lion and the Lamb?

You’d never have the faintest idea that lion teeth slammed down on his waist while he was just a kid sleeping out in the wilderness with his herd of goats.

Clenched between the incisors and canine teeth of the lion, Joshua found himself dragged into the bush, braced to be ripped apart for a pulpy nocturnal feast for the beast.

And in the split second that the lion dropped the mangled boy to get a better grip, the kid’s barking dog lunged in between the lion and the boy, growling and snarling, holding the lion at bay until near-by goat herders snapped awake and dragged the barely-alive Joshua out of the lion’s deadly reach.

Esther Havens for The Seed Company
Esther Havens for The Seed Company
Esther Havens for The Seed Company
Esther Havens for The Seed Company
Esther Havens for The Seed Company
Esther Havens for The Seed Company
Esther Havens for The Seed Company

The boy lived to become a scarred man. What do you say to a man who’s walked out of the mouth of a lion? Only to give his entire life to the Lion and the Lamb?

“Why?” I ask Joshua standing there in the wilderness, holding the reins of a camel. “Why — give your entire adult life, nearly the last three decades of your life, to translating the Bible into the language of your people?”

Joshua leans forward. “It is like giving them a weapon.” He points to a tree where women in these stacking rings of glorious, rattling beads are gathered under its branches.

“One of those women told me said “Now you have given us a weapon that we can use. Which is God’s Word. It’s like you have given us a spear that we can use to fight a spiritual warfare.”

Because you have to beat back your lion attacks, because “your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Joshua holds up a Bible.How would everything in this tilting world stand stronger if the Word of God laid more open for us than closed?

“This is — powerful. The weapon is God’s Word. Now, we can be equipped. But the problem is now — we need the other bigger part of the weapon. The Old Testament. We also need the Old Testament.”

Read the rest of this article here