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Reflection on Luke 16:1-13

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+16.1-13

Scripture

“If you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?”

Observation

Jesus tells a parable about a dishonest manager who is caught out misappropriating his master’s money. When confronted and required to give an account of himself, he makes his own provision. He calls in the master’s debtors and gets them to mark down the amount they owe.

The manager uses his position to gain favour with other potential employers. Jesus says that we are to act shrewdly for the kingdom, using all our physical resources to the purposes of the kingdom.

We need to be faithful with the little we have in order to be trusted with more.

Application

This passage trips up many christians because Jesus seems to be commending fraud and dishonesty. Jesus is pointing out that the people of the world use their cunning and creativity to advance their own interests. How much more should the children of God use their possessions to advance the kingdom.

People who do not know God- and many who do- allow money to become a false god which they look to for security or identity or as a goal in itself.

We have a choice between acquiring money for its own sake or serving God’s kingdom. If we are to live for the kingdom, even our possessions must be surrendered to God’s purposes.

Prayer

Father please help me to let go of my attachment to things and to trust you or all that I need. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Timothy 2:1-7

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praying

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+2:1-7

Scripture

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ,

Observation

Paul urges that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone, especially those in authority.

God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. Jesus is the only mediator between God and men. He gave Himself as a ransom for all.

For this purpose Paul was appointed a herald, apostle and teacher to the Gentiles.

Application

Prayer, both in corporate worship and individually, is vital. Paul tells us to pray for everyone, especially those in authority so that we can live peaceful lives and the gospel can be preached.

He lists four types of prayer. We can debate the meaning of the words, but the important thing is to pray always for all people.

We especially need to pray for people to be saved. The work of salvation is a spiritual battle, and satan does not willingly let go of his captives. We need to learn to pray regularly and passionately for our friends and neighbours.

Prayer

Lord please teach me how to pray. Show me who to pray for that they will be open to your gospel message, the Good News of salvation. Amen.

 

 

Reflection on Luke 14:25-33

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+14.25-33

Scripture

“Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

Observation

Jesus teaches the crowds about the cost of discipleship.

Love for Jesus must take priority over all family duties. In comparison we must “hate” father and mother, even life itself. We must die to ourselves as surely as a condemned man carrying a cross is dead.

Before we start the path of discipleship we must first count the cost. A man building a tower first works out if he has enough money to complete it. A king going out to wage war must first consider if he has the army to defeat the enemy. Likewise, following Jesus will cost everything we have.

Application

Jesus does not sugar coat His message. He makes it clear that there is a cost to following Him.

This is no easy religion of “Come to Jesus to make you happy.” No, we follow Jesus because He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. There is a cost to following the Way, receiving the Truth and living the Life.

Jesus must come first in all things. If that separates us from our family so be it. If it costs us money or even our life, so be it.

We are used to having it easy in the West, but this is changing. Muslims who turn to Christ often lose their family, their jobs and even their lives. The time is coming when christians in Australia may face similar penalties.

Is Christ that precious to you?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you gave up everything for me. Please give me grace to give up everything for you. Amen.

Reflection on Philemon

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philemon

Scripture
I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective when you perceive all the good you may do for Christ.

Observation
This is Paul’s letter to Philemon and the church that meets at his house.

Paul recalls Philemon’s love for the saints and faith In Christ. He prays that his faith sharing will be effective.

Paul turns to the issue of Onesimus a slave who had run away from Philemon’s household and had since become a christian under Paul’s ministry. Paul urges Philemon to receive Onesimus not as a slave but a brother. Paul promises to make up any financial loss Philemon might have incurred.

Application
Some people say that Paul tacitly excused slavery because he did not write against it. In a society that was economically dependent on human labour, slavery was a given fact of life. In a situation where christians had no power, writing against slavery would not have changed anything.

Here in the short letter to Philemon we see how the gospel works to transform society one person at a time. Paul’s argument is that Philemon should treat Onesimus as a brother for whom Christ had died not as property.

Our situation is different but the principle is the same. We share the gospel and act for righteousness, and lives are changed one at a time. We cannot easily end abortion but we can offer alternatives to people considering a termination, changing one life at a time. We may not be able to remove tensions between ethnic groups but we can build bridges of friendship and help individuals to find reconciliation and peace in Christ.

When christians all work on their little piece of the puzzle we find that together the Body of Christ is able to have a big influence.

Prayer
Lord, where are you asking me to bring change today? Show me the one person I can share my faith with today. Amen.

Reflection on Jeremiah 18:1-11

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+18.1-11

Scripture

The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.

Observation

The Lord tells Jeremiah to go to the house of the potter. Jeremiah goes and sees a potter working at a wheel. The vessel he is working on goes wrong so he reworks it into a different shape and purpose.

The Lord then speaks to Jeremiah and says that He is the potter shaping the nations, including Israel, to His purposes. He may declare disaster on a nation, but if that nation repents of its evil ways, He will save it. Likewise, He may plan to bless a nation, but if the nation turns to evil then He will withdraw the blessing.

He then warns Israel that He is planning judgement on the nation but there is still a chance to turn from its wicked ways.

Application

It is a sobering thought that we are clay on the Potter’s wheel. We want to think that we are captains of our own destiny, but the truth is that the Lord is shaping us for His purposes.

There are few fixed points in our future. Our sin will reap its rewards, but if we repent we can avoid eternal judgement. Likewise all of our good deeds count for nothing if there is sin in our hearts. Our relationship with God, in Jesus, is the key to becoming vessels fit for use.

Only Jesus can rework our lives and reshape the vessel of our heart.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I submit myself to you again. You are the Potter, I am the clay. Use me for your purposes. Amen

Reflection on Luke 14:7-14

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+14.7-14

Scripture

“All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Observation

At a banquet Jesus notices that people are jockeying for the best places. He tells them that it is better to choose a lower place so that the host promotes you than to choose an honoured place and have the host move you to make space for another.

It is better to give a banquet for the poor, the crippled and the lame who cannot repay you than to only invite your friends. Jesus assures us that we will receive our reward in heaven.

Application

In a culture that relentlessly encourages self-promotion, Jesus’ teaching seems crazy. Why not put yourself out there and make people take notice of you?

The pathway of humility- being realistic about ourselves and others- is actually more productive in the long term, and certainly in the Kingdom of God.

We live not for the glory of men but for the affirmation of God. At least we should live for the affirmation of God.

Is it better to have the “Well done!” of creatures of limited senses or to have our heavenly Father who created the cosmos with a word say “Great effort!”?

It is too easy to have our goals and desires shaped by sinful people. God wants us to keep our our eyes on the goal of eternity.

Prayer

Lord I understand that you are training me for an everlasting Kingdom. Please help me to set my eyes and my heart on what pleases you. Amen.

Reflection on Hebrews 13:1-16

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+13.1-16

Scripture
For here we have no lasting city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

Observation
We are to continue to show love to one another, practise hospitality to strangers and pray for prisoners. We should have pure lives free from adultery and greed.

We must imitate the lives of our leaders and their faith. We should always look to Jesus our sacrifice, and not allow others to divert us with strange teachings. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and for ever.

Our city is not in this world. We must continually go outside the city to the place of sacrifice, allowing Jesus to transform our lives.

Application
If we dissect this passage and list out the rules which must be obeyed then we will become overwhelmed by the things we have to do to please God.

This passage is not about obeying rules as such. Jesus is the focus of the passage. We need to keep our focus on Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and for ever. If we do that, we find our natural inclination is for the Holy Spirit to transform our lives so that we become the people the “rules” command us to be.

Jesus is our eternal sacrifice. He takes away the sins of the world and presents us faultless to the Father. Hallelujah!

Prayer
Lord God, please dwell in my life with such radiance that sin has no attraction to me. Amen.