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Reflection on Matthew 18:21-35

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matthew-1822_3442_1440x900

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+18.21-35

Scripture

“This is how my Father in heaven will treat each of you, if you don’t forgive each of my followers with all your heart.”

Observation

Peter asks Jesus how many times we should forgive our christian brother or sister- is seven times enough? Jesus replies that the real answer is seventy times seven.

Jesus then tells a story about an official who stole a huge amount of money from the king. The man could not repay this, so the king ordered him and his family to be sold into slavery in order to repay the debt. The official begged for mercy, and so the king relented.

When the official met a fellow employee who owed him a small amount of money, he had him thrown into jail. So the king, enraged by the man’s lack of gratitude, has the first official put into jail to be tortured until he repays everything he owed.

Application

Jesus says that if we refuse to forgive our brothers or sisters we will be like the official thrown into jail for neglecting the law of grace.

Does Jesus mean literally that unforgiveness destroys salvation? Does He mean that God’s grace is not unconditional?

I think that the point here is that if we hold onto bitterness against those who sin against us, then we have not really experienced God’s grace in the first place.

Salvation means that God rubs out a debt we could never repay and continues to do that. If we understand that we should be dancing in the streets and kissing strangers! Forgiveness should flow from us in a torrent of joy and grace.

We were on death row preparing to die, but at the last minute an appeal came through announcing we are innocent. How can we do anything other than forgive our brothers and sisters?

Prayer

Thank you for the gift of salvation, Lord Jesus. As you forgave me my many sins I will forgive all who sin against me. Amen.

Reflection on Exodus 14:19-31

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+14.19-31

Scripture

And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

Observation

The Israelites are fleeing the Egyptians and have arrived at the Red Sea. The angel of the Lord and the cloud of glory move from the front of the Israelites to behind them, between the Israelites and the Egyptians. Through the night the cloud brings darkness to the Egyptians and light to the Israelites.

At the Lord’s command Moses stretches his staff over the sea, and the Lord sends a strong wind to divide the waters. The people of Israel go through the sea on dry land with the waters gathered up on either side of them.

The Egyptians pursue the Israelites, but the Lord throws confusion over them. The wheels of their chariots fall off. The Lord again tells Moses to stretch out his staff over the water, and it collapses back on itself drowning the Egyptian army.

In response to this display of power, the Israelites put their trust in the Lord and Moses.

Application

This is an awesome miracle, a demonstration of the power of God, and it brought to the people of God the ability to trust Him.

There seemed to be no way, but God opened a way. The future of the people seemed closed up, but God provided a new way, a new hope, a new future.

This display caused the people to put their trust in the Lord– for a few days .Later they would become hungry, and their praise would turn to grumbling.

Spiritual maturity comes when we learn to trust God in the tough times as well as in the excitement of miracles. Do I still trust Him when my prayers seem to go unanswered, or when enemies triumph at my expense?

I must trust the Lord in every circumstance.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to trust you in the good times and also in the tough times. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 16:21-27

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matthew-16

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=book+ch.vs

Scripture

“Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

Observation

Jesus begins to talk seriously about His suffering and crucifixion. Peter takes Him aside and says, “This must not happen to you Lord.” But Jesus responds with, “Get behind me Satan!”

Jesus then tells the disciples that in order to follow Him, they must take up their own cross and die to themselves. To seek to save our own life is to lose it, but to lose our life for His sake is to gain life.

Application

Peter thought he had it all worked out. Jesus was the Messiah, and He would usher in a new kingdom of prosperity in Israel. When Jesus started talking about being crucified, Peter was appalled and started to rebuke Jesus.

Peter could not see that God’s plan was different and far greater than he could imagine. He was seeing from man’s perspective rather than God’s.

We find it hard to break out of our mental strongholds to see our life from God’s perspective. We are surrounded by a culture that is focused on the here and now and which often denies God’s purpose completely.

The thought of dying to ourselves to follow God is nice in theory. In practice we want one foot in the Kingdom and the other in the world. Like Peter, we are always hoping that Jesus will avoid the cross this time.

I need to learn to die to my plans and ambitions, my dreams and visions. Instead I need to follow Jesus day by day, step by step. I need to do this without trying to impose my agenda on Him.

Being totally subservient to the Lord’s plans is a tough walk in an age of self-promotion. This is the path we are called to walk.

Prayer

Lord please show me the parts of my life that are filled with the plans of men rather than the plans of God. Give me grace to walk in your ways. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 12:9-21

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romans12

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12.9-21

Scripture

Outdo one another in showing honour.

Observation

This machine-gun list of commands come down to the practicalities of living the christian life each day.

We should hate what is evil and love what is good. We should love other christians and contribute to their needs,

We are to extend that love to those who persecute or curse us. We must bless them and not curse. We must not seek revenge, but leave that to the Lord. If our enemies are hungry we must feed them; if they are thirsty give them something to drink.

Application

We must be people who not only live honourable lives, but also excel in giving honour to one another.

We live in an age where honour is conditional and limited. We honour sports champions as long as they keep winning. We honour political leaders as long as they are on our side.

Many people spend a life-time quietly and humbly serving their community, but are ignored or taken for granted.

Even churches are loathe to honour leaders and servants. Pastors are criticised rather than lifted up. Other churches and denominations easily receive criticism.

This week the city of Houston in the United States is being pummelled by a hurricane and the subsequent flooding. Some people were quick to criticise Joel Osteen for not opening his church building as a refuge. It turns out that they offered their facility to the city as a last resort because it was feared that it could become subject to flooding also. We can be so eager to assume bad motives to other people.

“Outdo one another in showing honour.” This must start with me. How can I express honour to the people around me, especially the one I don’t get along with?

Prayer

Lord may I become a person who builds up not criticises others. Show me how to honour my brothers and sisters, even my enemies. Amen.

Reflection on Exodus 3:1-15

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moses

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+3.1-15

Scripture

Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Observation

Moses is out in the wilderness, tending his father-in-law’s sheep. He comes across a burning bush from which the Lord speaks to him.

The Lord tells Moses that He has seen the misery of His people and is going to set them free and take them to their own land. Moses is to go to Pharaoh and set God’s people free.

Moses then asks the question, “Who are you?” and the Lord says, “I am who I am. This is my covenant name for ever.”

Application

Moses turns aside to see a sign from God and he has a life-changing encounter with Him. The Lord says “This ground is holy.”

That particular patch of ground was holy because God’s presence was there in that moment. It hadn’t been holy the hour before, and as far as we know, it wasn’t holy after the meeting between Moses and Yahweh.

God’s presence makes all the difference to a place. In that moment of encounter, that place is sanctified, set apart for God.

We don’t have “burning bush” moments every day. But we do have the opportunity for God encounters. Another shepherd might have been too intent on watching his sheep, or, in our day and age, his facebook feed. But Moses took time to step away from his path to go and look and listen to God.

God moments and God encounters are waiting for us every day if only we will stop, look and listen.

We don’t need a flaming bush in the wilderness. God is with us everywhere we go.

Prayer

Lord, what special moment do you have for me today? Help me to listen to your voice among the clamour of my life. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 16:13-20

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who-jesus

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+16.13-20

Scripture

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”

Observation

Jesus asks His disciples who people say He is. They reply, “Some say John the Baptist, other say Elijah or one of the prophets.” He then asks, “Who do you say I am?” Peter replies, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”

Jesus commends Peter because he has made this confession through the revelation of God. He goes on to say that upon the rock of this confession Jesus will build His church, and hell will not prevail against it.

Application

This confession, “You are the Messiah (or the Christ), the Son of the Living God” is the heart of true faith. It is the rock that is the foundation of the church.

Jesus is the Messiah, the one anointed and sent by the Father. He lived the perfect sinless life that was acceptable to the Father. He laid down His life to set us free from sin.

He is the Son of the Living God. He is the Son, the Word become flesh. Every part of His character and ministry perfectly represented the likeness of Father God. When we see Jesus we see God.

The eye of faith recognises who Jesus is. By faith we take hold of this Son of God, and from Him we receive the free gift of salvation and reconciliation.

Christianity is not a set of rules to be obeyed or rituals to be performed in order to win God’s favour. It is a relationship. We are brought into God’s family and set free from all bondage.

Prayer

Jesus you are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. You are my Lord and my Saviour. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 12:1-8

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Ro12

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12.1-8

Scripture

Don’t copy the behaviours and customs of the world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Observation

Paul exhorts us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God; the kind that is acceptable to Him. We must allow God to change the way we think, becoming new people in the process.

We should always be humble, honest with ourselves and measuring ourselves by the faith He has given us.

God gives us different gifts (these are often called motivational gifts). Whatever our gifting- prophecy, serving, teaching,encouraging, giving, leadership or kindness- we should do it to honour the Lord.

Application

Many christians fail to grow in the Lord because their ambitions and desires are worldly, rooted in the flesh and in human wisdom. They forsake the most hateful sins easily enough, but they fail to grow in holiness or character.

We can change our outward behaviour without changing our heart, but this does not produce lasting transformation. Often such change becomes legalistic or religious because the focus is on changing behaviour not on changing the thinking.

When we surrender to God everything that we are, He starts to change our thinking. As our thinking changes, we discover that we are no longer conforming to the ways of the world but are being transformed by Him.

The best part is that when God does the changing in us, it is genuine. He changes us from the inside out.

Prayer

Lord I surrender all that I am to you- every thought, desire and ambition. Please bring my will into alignment with yours. Amen.

Reflection on Exodus 1:8-2:10

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+1.8-2.10

Scripture

When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her own. She named him Moses, “because,” she said, “I drew him from the water.”

Observation

A new king who knows nothing of Joseph arises over Egypt. He becomes concerned about the Hebrew people becoming more prosperous and more powerful than the Egyptians, so he oppresses them with forced labour.

The Hebrew people continue to prosper so Pharaoh increases their servitude. Next he orders the baby boys to be killed at birth, but the midwives refuse to do this.

A certain Hebrew woman bears a baby boy. When she can no longer hide him, she makes a basket and puts him in it among the reeds at the bank of the river. Pharaoh’s daughter comes down to the river to bathe and discovers the baby.

The baby is returned to his mother to nurse until he is old enough to be weaned. The mother then takes him to Pharaoh’s daughter who names him Moses.

Application

There must have been hundreds of baby boys cruelly killed by the Egyptians, but one is rescued and set apart for an impossible mission. It is as if the Lord sees the baby and says, “This is the one I have chosen.” He then orchestrates events to ensure that Moses is in the right place to rescue God’s people.

Each of us is created for a special task or mission in life. It is not always obvious to us what that mission is, but as we go about our daily life serving the Lord, we influence many people for Him.

Moses’ mother put her baby into a makeshift boat hoping that God would do something for her. She could not have anticipated what God would do with her small act of desperation.

We need to daily trust that God will use our small acts to bring about big effects in God’s kingdom.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you that you use small acts of obedience to change lives, even nations. Please use me today to your glory. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 14:22-33

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a-jesus-and-peter

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+14:22-33

Scripture

When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

Observation

After they have fed the 5000, Jesus sends the people home. He then tells the disciples to cross the lake in the boat while He goes into the hills to pray.

During the night a storm arises, and the disciples are struggling against the big waves. Jesus comes towards them walking on the water. The disciples, terrified, think it’s a ghost. Jesus speaks to them and tells them not to be afraid.

Peter tells Jesus to command him to walk on the water. He gets out of the boat, but fear causes him to sink. Jesus grabs him, and they climb into the boat. Then the wind stops, and the disciples worship Jesus.

Application

Faith enables awesome miracles. But fear kills faith and so blocks the miracles.

When I focus on the physical world or the circumstances around me, I can easily be gripped with fear, or its little brother, anxiety.

Terror, fear, anxiety, worry- whatever name we give it- looks at the potential for suffering. Faith looks at the potential for God’s grace to be manifested.

We might believe the miracles of Scripture are real, but still fail to believe that God is right here with me now. Many people believe that God heals, but they lack the faith to claim their own healing.

Often it is fear that God will not come through for them that stops them from asking. Sometimes it is fear of rebuke that stops us from offering to pray with a friend.

Imagine if Moses had let fear stop him at the Red Sea or if David had been afraid of Goliath. All the people Jesus healed had to ask and believe- what if they had let fear stop them?

When the storms rage I need to keep my eyes on Jesus.

Prayer

Lord please help me to always trust you no matter what is happening in my life. Amen.

Reflection on Romans 10:5-15

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romans-10-10-2

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+10.5-15

Scripture

If you confess with your lips that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Observation

The word of God is on our lips and in our hearts, and so anyone who confesses that Jesus is Lord and believes that God raised Him from the dead will be saved.

Our confession with the lips and our heart belief will save us. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Who will hear if there is no preaching? Who will call on His name if they do not know there is a name to be believed? This means that we must go out from the church and preach the message of salvation.

Application

The Good News is remarkably simple. To be saved I must speak out with my lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart that He is risen.

We have a Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He must be the one I follow and obey in everything I do.

Jesus’ lordship is not a religious phrase with no meaning. It rests on a historical fact- Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. He was dead and now He is alive.

There is salvation in the name of Jesus.

There is forgiveness in the name of Jesus.

There is healing in the name of Jesus.

There is power in the name of Jesus.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, today I declare you are my Lord. I say this not from empty religion but from the deep conviction of my heart. I thank you for dying for my sin and for rising to eternal life. Amen.