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Reflection on Romans 8:12-17

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holy-spirit-fire

Read passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8.12-15

Scripture

All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Observation

We are debtors, not to the flesh, but to God’s Spirit. If we live by the works of our flesh (our unredeemed natural self) then we will die. But if we allow the Holy Spirit to put to death the sinful ways we will live.

Everyone who is led by the Spirit is a child of God. When we first believed we received the spirit of adoption that calls out “Abba Father.”

The Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God and therefore heirs with Christ.

Application

One of the great works of the Holy Spirit is to teach us that we are sons and daughters of God. We don’t have to prove how good we are to Him because He has adopted us into His family. He already loves us.

Many people have an orphan heart. That is, they have been badly hurt by the lack of a father in their life or by abuse by their father. This makes it hard for them to receive the love of the heavenly Father.

The Holy Spirit is given us to reveal to us how much we are loved by the Father.

Prayer

Father I thank you for your never-failing love. Help me to receive your love and to walk in it every day. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 2:1-21

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holy-spirit-fire

Read passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2.1-21

Scripture

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them the ability.

Observation

On the Day of Pentecost, the disciples are together in the one place when the Holy Spirit comes with a noise like a violent wind and the sight of flames like tongues. The Holy Spirit fills all of them and they begin to speak in tongues.

At the commotion, people from around rush to see what is happening. They are amazed to hear these uneducated Galileans praising God in various languages. They are amazed, but some of them sneer saying, “They are drunk.”

Peter stands up and preaches, showing how this is the promise of the Spirit prophesied by Joel.

Application

The Holy Spirit is power- the mighty rushing wind that disrupts our comfortable existence.

The Holy Spirit is fire- burning away the sin and vain lifestyles of sinful people.

The Holy Spirit is language- prayer language bringing us into the throne room of the Father.

The Holy Spirit is confidence to preach with conviction and power to bring people to salvation.

Prayer

Come Holy Spirit. Come and fill me so that every action, every word, every minute speaks of the glory of Jesus. Amen.

Reflection on John 17:20-26

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Read passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+17.20-26

Scripture

“The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one.”

Observation

Jesus prays for His disciples- those He already has and those yet to come.

He asks that they will have the same kind of unity with Himself and the Father that He and the Father have with one another so that they will be one with one another.

The world does not know the Father, but the disciples do. As they understand the Father they will grow in love and in Him.

Application

Everything comes down to our oneness with Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit. They are one and they invite us to one in Him.

As we go deeper into relationship with the Three-in-One God, we will discover a deeper love for those who also seek a deeper walk in Him. Love for God transfers into love for God’s people.

Unity in God is not about agreement on doctrine of worship styles. It’s not aobut a structural unity. No, this is about love for one another, a genuine affection based onj mutual love for the Lord.

Prayer

To grow in love, Lord, I need to go deeper with you. May I become one with you, so that your love and holiness grow in me and flow out into the world through me. Amen.

Reflection on Revelation 22:12-21

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Read passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+22:12-21

Scripture

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come”

And let everyone who hears say, “Come”

And let everyone who is thirsty come

Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

Observation

Jesus is the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega, and He is coming.

Those who wash their robes can freely enter the city and access the tree of life. Those who love sin remain outside.

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come Lord Jesus”, and everyone who is thirsty may come to Him.

Application

The Bible ends with two invitations to come. First there is the request, the passionate call for Jesus to come and take full possession of the earth. Paul tells us all things must be put under Him.

Perhaps surprisingly there is also the invitation for everyone who is thirsty to come and drink. Right at the end of the Bible, at the conclusion of the end of the created order, there is sill an invitation to come. The New Jerusalem is a place of welcome and fulfilment for all who thirst for Jesus.

The work of the gospel never stops. The Lord is not willing for any to perish. The invitation to “come” must keep going forth.

If you are thirsty for the Lord, for justice, for righteousness, for forgiveness, for LIFE- then come and drink the living water.

Prayer

Lord I look forward to your return. Come Lord Jesus. But I look forward also to seeing your glory being shown in more and more people turning to you. May they say “Yes” to your invitation to come. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 16:16-34

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Read passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+16.16-34

Scripture

They said to him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Observation

A demonised slave girl follows Paul and his team, calling out a testimony that Paul has a message of salvation. Paul grows tired of this and commands the demon to come out of her.

With the spirit of divination gone, the slave now has lost her earning potential. Her owners have Paul and Silas dragged before the magistrates, who have them flogged and thrown into prison.

About midnight, Paul and Silas are praising God. Suddenly there is an earthquake and the prison doors are opened. Expecting the prisoners to have escaped, the gaoler is about to kill himself, but Paul tells him that they are all still in there. Paul then tells him the gospel, and his entire family is baptised.

Application

When the power of the Holy Spirit is revealed, people are forced to react one way or another. Those who are in bondage to the things of the world will react with violence, but those who are looking for salvation will eagerly receive the gospel.

It is no good preaching the Good News without prayer and without the presence of the Holy Spirit. The message is just heard as a jumble of words unless the Holy Spirit is working in the hearts of the listeners. Then their whole world is shaken and put right.

Prayer

Lord let me be a Paul, led by your Spirit, directed in all my paths and testifying powerfully to your salvation. Amen

Reflection on Revelation 21:22-22:7

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Read passage: Link

Scripture

“See! I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Observation

John describes the new Jerusalem.

In the new Jerusalem the presence of God is so strong that there is no need for a light such as the sun and moon because the glory of God lights the city.

The nations will walk by the light of the city and kings will come to bring their glory to it. Nothing unclean can come into the city, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

The river of life flows from the throne of God and the tree of life grows on both sides of the river. The tree bears fruit all year long, and its leaves bring healing to the nations.

Application

Our first impulse is to read this passage as relating to the end times. In one sense this is true, but we need to see that this city is on earth not in heaven and it is here and now not in the future.

The city represents the church, the body of believers around the world. The light of the glory of God shines from us into the world. We are the temple of God and so there is no need for a physical temple. The river of life flows from us into the world bringing life and healing to all who will receive Christ.

Wherever I am today is somehow a part of God’s plan of transforming the world by bringing people into a living relationship with Him.

And this is now, not one day in the future.

Prayer

Lord you have called me into your glorious kingdom through the death and resurrection of your dear Son. Let your glory shine through me into the nations. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 16:9-15

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acts9

Read passage: Acts 16.9-15

Scripture
When he had seen the vision, we immediately turned to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.

Observation
Paul and his apostolic band are travelling, but, as they attempt to go to various places, the Holy Spirit blocks them. Then Paul has a vision in the night, seeing a Macedonian man pleading with him to come to them.

The group travels to Macedonia, ending up in Philippi, a leading city in the region. On the Sabbath they go to the river bank expecting to find a gathering place for the Jews. There they find some women meeting for prayers. They share the good news with them and at least one of them, Lydia, is saved. She and her household are baptised.

Application
It is clear from the text that the Holy Spirit was determined that Paul travels to Philippi, resisting other plans that Paul has. When he goes to the place directed by the Spirit, the ministry there is fruitful.

There are many times when God allows us to make decisions based on our own wisdom and thinking. There are other times when the Lord narrows down our options until we pick the way he wants us to go.

All of our planning and deciding needs to be done in sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. The bigger the decision, the more we need to pray and listen for the still small voice.

Prayer
Help me Lord to grow in sensitivity to your voice. Amen

Reflection on Revelation 21:1-8

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new-heaven-and-earth

Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+21.1-8

Scripture

Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.”

Observation

A new heaven and a new earth are created, and the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven.

The home of God is now with men. He dwells with us and wipes away every tear. All death and its accompaniments of grief, crying and pain are gone.

Those who stand firm in Christ will inherit all things, but those who oppose God’s ways will be sent to the lake of fire.

Application

In many ways this passage is already true although for now we see partly and in the future we will see it clearly.

The New Jerusalem is the church, the bride prepared for her husband. Death has been conquered, and Christ is on the throne. He is making all things new and He gives us His living water.

All of this is the inheritance of the saints now.

There will be a future judgement, and we must be ready for that. The children of God, the disciples of Christ, will be ushered into an eternity of grace and life.

What a joy is given to those who walk with Him- in this life and the next.

Prayer

Thank you, Jesus. You bring such hope and joy in this life, but the best is yet to come. Hallelujah! Amen.

Reflection on Acts 11:1-18

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Acts_of_the_Apostles_Chapter_14-11_(Bible_Illustrations_by_Sweet_Media)

Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+11:1-18

Scripture

When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God saying, “Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life.”

Observation

Following Peter’s experience at Caesarea, where Gentiles had received the gospel and the Holy Spirit, some of the circumcised believers in Jerusalem criticise Peter.

Peter recounts what happened. His conclusion is that God has poured out His spirit on the Gentile believers, so who is he to stand in God’s way?

The critics are silenced and they praise God for bringing Gentiles to repentance.

Application

If God is moving who are we to stand in His way? God’s plans are often bigger than what we can see, just as the plan of salvation went way beyond the Jews.

God is not willing for anyone to be lost and so He will do what is necessary to see the gospel preached to all people. That includes people we may not approve.

When God moves, the church and its leaders must be careful not to resist Him. We want to limit God, constrain Him, tame Him. When a river overflows its banks it is uncontainable. Yet we try!

We pray for revival but want it on our terms. We ask for the Spirit to move, but become fearful when He does.

Prayer

Who am I to hinder you Lord? Help me to be open to your many-faceted works and to welcome all that you do, even when I don’t understand it.

Reflection on John 21:1-19

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+21.1-19

Scripture

Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”

Observation

Peter and some of the disciples go fishing. Jesus appears on the beach at daybreak. They have caught no fish all night, but Jesus tells them to cast the nets on the other side of the boat. They do so and catch more than they can handle.

John tells Peter, “It is the Lord”, and Peter swims in to the shore while the others stay in the boat. When they are all together Jesus invites them to share breakfast.

After that have eaten, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him. He replies, “Yes, you know that I love you. Jesus tells him to feed His sheep. This is repeated twice more.

Application

When we sin in a big way, as Peter had done in denying Jesus, there is needed a process of putting things right so that the relationship with God is re-established.

1. Forgiveness- that is always God’s offer to us when we repent and turn back to Him.

2. Fellowship- we need to spend time enjoying the presence of the the Lord

3- Restoration- this is a recommissioning or a confirmation of our calling and vision of our ministry or purpose.

We often make the mistake of believing the God’s forgiveness is enough. God is relational and desired friendship with us not just a religious transaction. Building that friendship is a process that we grow into.

Prayer

Lord I thank you that you love me and desire to spend time with me and invest in my life. Help me to seek you, going beyond repentance and into deep fellowship with you. Amen.