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Reflection on Revelation 5:11-14

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+5.11-14

Scripture

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb

be praise and honour and glory and power

for ever and ever!

Observation

In heaven the voices of many angels sing glory to the Lord- ten thousand times ten thousand of them. They sing, “Worthy is the Lamb to receive honour.”

Then the whole of creation joins in- every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth and on the sea.

Application

This is a massive chorus of praise to God- the millions of angels and then every creature in the whole of creation.

The time is coming when even those who deny the Lord will be forced to honour Him and recognise that He is worthy of praise,

The whole of creation praises the Lord- every bird and animal, the flowers and fish, the stars and comets. There is an awesome symphony of praise to God going on constantly.

At the moment we see this very dimly and join in imperfectly. The effects of sin in our world blind us to the glory of God. But the day is coming when we will see the Lord as He really is, and then our worship will be pure.

So for now we praise in part and worship weakly. But we need to give Him all that we can, for He is worthy of our praise.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are the Lamb who was slain. I praise you. I thank you for dying for my sin. I thank you for the privilege of being a part of your kingdom. May my days be filled with your praise. Amen

Reflection on Acts 9:1-20

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+9.1-20

Scripture

The Lord said, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for me.”

Observation

Saul is breathing murderous threats against the followers of Jesus. He receives authority from the High Priest to go to Damascus and bring back in captivity any disciples there.

Along the road he has an encounter with Jesus and is struck blind. He goes on to Damascus and eats nothing for three days,

A believer named Ananias is told by the Lord to go to Saul and lay hands on him to restore his sight. Ananias does this, and Saul is immediately healed.

Saul then spends several days in Damascus preaching about Jesus in the synagogues.

Application

When a person has an encounter with Christ, everything is changed. No matter how opposed to God they may be, a real meeting with Christ is life-changing.

We need to pray more intensely for our unsaved friends and family members, that they will come to see Jesus face to face.

The church is good at evangelism programmes and revival meetings. But just one touch from the Lord will set a person on the path to salvation far more quickly than a dozen programmes.

Prayer

Lord please help me to pray fervently for my unsaved friends to be touched by Jesus. Amen.

Reflection on John 20:19-21

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20.19-31

Scripture

These things are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in His name.

Observation

The disciples meet in a locked room, and Jesus appears. He shows them His wounds to demonstrate who He is. He breathes on them and gives them the Holy Spirit.

Thomas missed out on this event and so he refuses to believe that Jesus is alive. A week later the disciples again meet together, and again Jesus appears. Now Thomas is able to believe.

Jesus did much more than is recorded in John’s gospel. But these things are written in order to bring the reader to faith in Jesus.

Application

It must have been an exciting, even fearful, experience to meet with the risen Lord in this way.

Since Jesus ascended to heaven, we have the opportunity to meet the risen Lord every day. This may not be in the physical way of the disciples’ experience, but it is just as real.

The initiative now lies with us. It is up to me to start the conversation, to seek the Lord. When I do that He meets with me, hears my prayers, talks back and shows me His ways.

He truly is Emmanuel- God with us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I thank you that you are always with me, that your Spirit dwells in me. Help me to fellowship with you in every place I go, in every activity and conversation. Amen.

Reflection on Revelation 1:1-8

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+1.1-8

Scripture

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom of priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Observation

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, given by God to John. There is a blessing for everyone who reads the words of the prophecy aloud and for those who hear it.

John writes to the seven churches in Asia. Jesus is coming with the clouds and everyone will see Him.

Application

The book of Revelation starts with this big doxology of praise and worship to God. John has seen something huge and is caught up in praise.

We need to train our hearts and minds to recognise who God is, what Christ has done and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we think and mediate on these things, we too will be moved to praise Him.

Jesus is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him. As followers of Jesus we can see Him before that day and worship Him in the present time.

Prayer

So soon after the celebration of your death and resurrection, Lord Jesus, our hearts are filled with awe and praise. May that continue through every day. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 5:27-32

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts 5.27-32

Scripture

“We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Observation

The apostles have been arrested but set free by an angel. They are re-arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin.

The high priest says to them that despite being ordered to remain silent, they have filled the city with their teaching.

Peter and the others reply that they must obey God rather than men. God has raised Christ whom the authorities had executed. God has exalted Him as Lord and Saviour to bring repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.

Application

The testimony of the apostles is simple. The authorities executed Jesus, but God raised Him up and now He gives salvation and forgiveness to all who trust in Him.

We don’t have to make witnessing complicated. We follow a risen Saviour. The Holy Spirit can bring conviction and faith. We just have to say what we have seen and experienced.

Peter says, We are witnesses of these things.” It’s not a myth or made up story- Jesus is alive and He offers eternal life to all who will make Him their king.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the gift of salvation. Show me how to testify to my friends about your great grace. Amen.

Reflection on John 20:1-18

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+20.1-18

Scripture

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Observation

While it is still dark, Mary goes to the tomb and finds the stone has been removed. She runs to tell Peter and the others that the Lord is gone.

Peter and John go to the tomb and find that the body is indeed gone. They return home, but Mary remains.

Jesus then appears to Mary, but she doesn’t recognise Him. He says her name and she realises who He is. Mary then returns to the disciples and tells them, “I have seen the Lord.”

Application

The events surrounding the resurrection were very confusing for the followers of Jesus. They were not expecting this at all, despite Jesus’ prophecies concerning it.

The great fact of history remains- Jesus died but now He is alive. Because He lives, we shall live with Him forever.

Hallelujah!

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the Good News of Easter. Thank you for the promise of eternal life. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Corinthians 15:19-26

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15.19-26

Scripture

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

Observation

If our hope in Christ is only for this world we are to be pitied. But Christ has been raised from the dead, and His resurrection is the beginning of the resurrection of all His disciples.

Then the end will come . Jesus will hand over the kingdom to His Father, after He has destroyed every power and authority.

When Christ has overcome all these things, even death, then He will be subject to the Father so God may be all in all.

Application

Jesus is alive! This is the wondrous message of Easter Day. The one who was dead is now alive.

Paul tells us that Jesus’ death and resurrection is like a first fruit or an opening chapter in the resurrection of all people.

Jesus is destined to rule over every power and authority in the world and then hand it all over to the Father.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the good news of the kingdom. Amen.

Reflection on Acts 10:34-48

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+10:34-48

Scripture

“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him up on the third day and caused him to be seen.”

Observation

Peter is addressing the household of Cornelius, a God-fearing centurion. Peter shares about his vision and his realisation that God accepts people from every nation.

Jesus brought the Good News to the Jews and was crucified, but God raised Him from the dead. He was seen by many people, but not by everyone.

While Peter is talking the Holy Spirit falls on all who hear the message, and they speak in tongues. Peter then orders the new believers to be baptised.

Application

We are witnesses of these things. Every believer who has a relationship with Jesus is a witness. We have experienced the power of the Gospel and the filling of the Holy Spirit. Therefore we must testify.

The amazing fact of Easter is that Jesus was crucified for our sins and then raised up to life.

The power of God is such that He brings the dead back to life and promises eternal life to every person who acknowledges that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner. Make the message of Easter- death and resurrection- a living reality in me. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 18:28-40

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Reference: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke+19.28-40

 

Scripture

As he was now approaching the Mount of Olives the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen.

 

Observation

Jesus heads towards Jerusalem. At the mount of Olives He sends two disciples to the village to fetch a colt. If they are challenged they are to simply say “The Lord has need of it.” They find it just as Jesus had said.

 

They bring the colt to Jesus and He sits on it. The crowd spread their cloaks on the road and the disciples start to praise God aloud.

 

The Pharisees tell Jesus to order the disciples to stop, but He says if they are silent the stones would shout out.

 

Application

The “multitude of the disciples” praise God for the “deeds of power that they had seen”

 

A multitude of disciples praising God. Not just a few of the close associates, but a multitude of disciples, a crowd.

 

In our increasingly secular and anti-christian culture, we can feel isolated at times. But we are a part of a multitude, a growing crowd of followers of Jesus who have seen His deeds of power and rejoice in Him.

 

Do not be afraid to publicly proclaim His praise.

 

Prayer

Lord I thank you for the deeds of power you have worked in my life. Help me to praise you in all that I do and to lift high the name of Jesus everywhere I go. Amen.