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Reflection on Luke 10:25-37

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10.25-37

Scripture

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbour?”

Observation

An expert in the Law asks Jesus what he must do to be saved. Jesus says to him, “You tell me. What does the Law say?” The man replies that the commandment is to love the Lord and to love your neighbour as yourself.

Jesus tells him that if he does this he will have eternal life. But the man wants to justify himself so he asks “Who is my neighbour?”

Jesus then tells the well-known story of the Good Samaritan to explain that the neighbour is everyone we might see in need. Jesus tells the man to do the same as the Samaritan.

Application

The lawyer’s root problem is that he wanted to justify himself, and Jesus would not allow this. He will not allow us to justify ourselves precisely because this covers up our sinful nature which must be brought to Christ for crucifixion.

In the story it is not the religious men who are justified, but the despised Samaritan who shows compassion to a robbery victim.

Good deeds do not make us right with God. However selfless love is a sign that we have moved from a place of self-righteousness to a position of God-righteousness.

While ever we are in a state of wanting to justify ourselves we can never be in a place where God is able to justify us.

Prayer

Father I confess my tendency to want to justify myself. I confess that this is sin and I ask you to grant me the grace to repent of this in order to receive your justification. Amen.

Reflection on Colossians 1:1-14

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Passage: https://www.biblegatesway.com/passage/?search=colossians+1.1-14

Scripture

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother

Observation

Paul says that he always thanks God for the Colossians because of the faith and love that they have for all the saints. These come from the word of truth, the gospel, which is not only growing in their hearts but is spreading all over the world.

Paul prays for them daily that the Lord will fill them with the knowledge of His will so that they will please Him in every way, that they will be sterngthened in power and giving thanks in all things to the Father.The Father has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His own dear Son in whom we have redemotion.

Application

Paul starts off this letter introducing himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. This was not his idea or ambition, it was God’s will.

We may not be where we want to be in life, but we are where God wants us to be. This is so important to bear in mind in a culture that is obsessed with self-direction and self-fulfilment and is not so impressed with self-control.

I am where I am, doing the things I do by the will of God and by His calling. Like clay being moulded into a vessel for God’s purpose, my attitude must always be “Not my will, but yours be done in me Lord.”

Prayer

Lord I give you my life- mind, body, spirit- to be used for your holy purposes. Let the word of truth grow stronger in me to be seen in a life totally surrendered to you. Amen.

Reflection on Amos 7:1-17

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Amos+7.1-17

Scripture

Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.”

Observation

The Lord gives Amos two visions of coming punishment for Israel. After each one, Amos intercedes for Israel, and the Lord relents. After a third vision, this time of a plumb line, it is clear that the Lord is determined to judge Israel.

The priest at the temple at Bethel warns King Jeroboam that Amos is propheying destruction. He then demands that Amos goes to Judah to prophesy. Amos replies that he is not really a prophet but a shepherd. The Lord has called him to speak the message.

Application

When God calls a person, it is not always straight forward or easy. Most people of God face challenges to their authority or their calling, particularly when the message they bring is unpopular.

People may demand that we stop or go somewhere else. They may even enlist the governmental authorities to stop our ministry.

When this happens we must find courage in Christ to keep going and to not abandon the call He has given.

With Martin Luther we must say, “Here I stand. I can do no other.”

Prayer

Lord, please help me to see that my worth is not dependent on whether people heed me, but only on my faithfulness to you. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 10:1-20

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10.1-20

Scripture

“Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Observation

Jesus appoints seventy disciples, sending them out to in pairs. He instructs them to stay in one place in any town where they are welcomed. They are to preach the kingdom and heal the sick.

If any town rejects them they are to shake the dust off their sandals and move on. Jesus goes on to pronounce curses on various town for rejecting Him and therefore the Father.

The seventy return rejoicing for even the demons submitted to them. Jesus tells them not to rejoice in this but to celebrate that their names are written in heaven.

Application

Jesus tells us to “go” with the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. This may involve physically travelling from town to town or staying and engaging with our neighbours.

Healings and miracles are more commonly seen in the context of evangelism than in the comfort and safety of church meetings. The Lord’s commandment is to go ourselves and to also pray for the Lord to send more workers.

We might rejoice in our power over evil spirits and the gifts which the Holy Spirit equips us with, Our attention must never drift from the celebration of salvation- the greatest miracle of all.

Prayer

Lord Jesus you died to give me life, I thank you that my name is written in the book of life. Help me to share this Good News with my friends. Amen.

Reflection on Galatians 6:1-18

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6.1-18

Scripture

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.

Observation

We are to do al that we can to restore a sinning brother or sister. This is one way that we can bear one another’s burdens and fulfil the law of Christ. We must all judge our own works rather than those of our neighbours.

Those who are taught must share all good things with their teachers.

We reap what we sow, so we must be careful to sow into the Spirit not the flesh. This should encourage us to keep on doing good things.

Finally we must stand firm against the “circumcisers”- the people who want to add legalism to the gospel. This just leads to boasting and pride. Circumcision or uncircumcision mean nothing. A new creation in Christ is everything.

Application

these final points in Paul’s letter cover a lot of ground- church discipline, tithing, legalism, good works.

In all of them, Paul is directing us to look to Christ. We must sow in the Spirit not in the flesh so that we can harvest God’s reward in the future.

We must not add anything to the gospel as this would bring aobut a works mentality. While seeming to be holy, these things subvert God’s grace.

Prayer

Thank you Lord that in you I am a new creation. Help me to live out the gospel in all that I do. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 9:51-62

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+9:51-62

Scripture

“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Observation

Jesus sets His face towards Jerusalem. He sends messengers ahead to prepare the way, but one village refuses tor receive Him. His disciples ask Him if they should command fire to come down to destroy the village, but He rebukes them.

Jesus calls people to follow Him, but they have excuses. He make sit clear that following Him must come first.

Application

People have all sorts of excuses for refusing to follow Jesus. It might be family commitments or the ties of home. For some, following Jesus conflicts with their career aspirations.

Jesus is clear- He must come first.

This might seem harsh and “unloving.” Jesus gave everything for us. He laid down His life to rescue us from sin/

Should He not expect the same from us?

Everything for Jesus, all surrendered to Him. This is the only reasonable response.

Prayer

Jesus you gave up everything for me. Please help me to receive you in my heart and give myself entirely to you. Amen.

Reflection on Galatians 5:13-25

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5.13-25

Scripture
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things.

Observation
Let the Holy Spirit guide your life and you won’t be walking in sin. Our sinful nature opposes the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit gives us desires that counteract our human nature. So, if we obey the Spirit we don’t need external agencies such as the Law of Moses to keep us on the path of righteousness.

The works of the sinful nature are evident: sexual immorality, selfishness, fighting and witchcraft. These things have no part in God’s kingdom. But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Those who belong to Christ have nailed these things to the cross. As people of the Spirit, we must live by the Spirit in every part of our lives.

Application
The true follower of Christ is constantly advancing, changing to become more like Christ. The Holy Spirit is transforming us away from our sinful self-directed ways and towards the Spirit-directed was.

We must be careful to yield every part of our life to Christ- home, family, work, leisure, friendships and so on. Every part of my life must be nailed to the cross, handed over to Christ. My repeated prayer must be, “Lord have your way in this aspect of my life.”

Sometimes the changes seem slow and imperceptible. Sometimes we face challenges that seem to throw us back into selfishness. As we daily seek to yield everything to the Lord, change will come and we will be people of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer
Holy Spirit, grow your fruit in my life. Please help me to turn away from my own desires and to let your desires grow in me. Amen.

Reflection on 2 Kings 2:1-14

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Kings+2.1-14

Scripture

Elisha struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.

Observation

Elijah and Elisha travel to some of the key places in Israel. At each place, Elijah tells Elisha to stay while he travels on, but Elisha is determined to follow Elijah.

At each place, the local prophetic community come and tell Elisha that the Lord is going to take Elijah away that day.

Elijah and Elisha cross the Jordan near Jericho. Elijah asks Elisha what he can do for him. Elisha asks for a double portion of the Spirit that is on Elisha. Suddenly a chariot of fire appears, and Elijah is taken up in a whirlwind.

Elisha takes up Elijah’s cloak and crossed the Jordan.

Application

This is a story about spiritual sonship. Elisha, the son to Elijah, is determined to walk with Elijah to the end. Nothing will deter him. When asked what he wants from Elijah, Elisha asks for a double portion of the Spirit that is on Elijah- this is the language of inheritance not of arithmetic.

Everyone needs a spiritual father- someone whom they can love and learn from, serve and walk with. Out orphan society, in its obsession with individual fulfilment, misses the point that our biggest joys come in close relationships.

Elisha received the “double portion” and the cloak of authority precisely because of his love and commitment to Elijah.

Prayer

Lord help me to be a son/daughter to a spiritual father. May I walk in the grace of passionate commitment to the people you place me in relationship with. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 7:36-8:3

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+7:36-8:3

Scripture

“She has been forgiven all her many sins. This is why she has shown me such extravagant love. But those who assume they have very little to be forgiven will love me very little.”

Observation

A Jewish religious leader invites Jesus to dinner. A local prostitute joins the party. She falls at Jesus’ feet, washing His feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair. She then takes an alabaster jar of expensive perfume and anoints His feet.

Simon thinks that Jesus cannot be a prophet to accept this worship from this woman.

Jesus tells a story of two men who could not repay their debts. The banker forgives these debts. Jesus asks Simon who would be the most thankful. Simon replies, “The one who owed the most.”

Jesus then rebukes Simon for not even doing the minimum for Jesus as a guest. In contrast the woman had poured out her heart and her tears in love for Jesus. Her extravagant worship was because she knew she had been forgiven much.

Jesus then tells her that her sins are forgiven.

Application

We all carry a huge burden of sin. Some of us are more aware of this burden than others.

Some try to cure it with religion. They try to prove to God that they really are good people and not awful sinners. Religion might make us feel better about ourselves but it doesn’t deal with the real problem.

Only the free grace and love of Jesus can set us free from our sin. We cannot pay the debt we owe God, so He forgives the debt.

When we realise that, then our hearts are overwhelmed with joy and adoration.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for forgiving me. You have taken that burden of guilt away. Amen.

Reflection on Galatians 2:15-21

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Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+2.15-21

Scripture
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who lives but Christ lives in me.

Observation
Paul is a Jew by birth but he knows that it is faith in Christ, not the Law that makes him right with God. No one will ever be made right with God by obeying the Law.

Sin is not in following Christ but in seeking to rebuild the old system of Law. The Law condemns; Paul died to the Law and stopped trying to meet its demands.

His old self was crucified with Christ. He no longer lives but Christ lives in him.

Application
Many christians want to re-introduce various Old Testament laws and ordinances to make them super-christians, different and better than ordinary christians.

Paul makes it clear that the Law only brings condemnation and judgement. He should know as He was the Pharisee’s Pharisee, the champion of law-keeping.

There is nothing that we can add to grace to make God live us more. There is nothing we can do that will earn God’s favour. We already have it all through Christ our Lord.

Prayer
Thank you Lord for your deep and eternal love. I can do nothing to grow your love for me so I simply receive it in Jesus’ name. Amen.