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Reflection on Philippians 4:1-7

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Scripture

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Observation

Paul calls the Philippians his joy and crown. He pleads with Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.

His command is to rejoice in the Lord always. We must not be anxious about anything, but take everything to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving. Then the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ.

Application

We are commanded to rejoice in the Lord always. This is not possible in human strength alone. We face all kinds of problems- work, relationships, family, finances and health. At times it seems that anxiety and fear can make joy impossible,

The key to joy is to hand over everything to God in prayer. Trusting in the mighty power of God to overcome every problem leads to peace. With peace in our hearts, we can then rejoice in Him.

The main point is to keep our focus on Christ- we rejoice in the Lord.

Prayer

Lord I lay all my worries at your feet. Help me to trust you and rejoice in you. Amen.

Reflection on Zephaniah 3:14-20

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Scripture

The Lord your God is with you

He is mighty to save

He will take great delight in you

He will quiet you with His love

He will rejoice over you with singing.

Observation

The people of Israel are to rejoice for God has taken away their punishment. The Lord is King of Israel and He will not let the people come to harm.

The Lord is mighty to save and He rejoices over His people with singing. He will reverse all oppression, so that those who are scattered will be gathered and God’s people will be honoured throughout the earth.

Application

The Lord is mighty to save. He will save all those who trust in Jesus. We were headed for hell but now He has put us on the road to heaven. It’s all because of Jesus.

It is awesome to think that the Lord rejoices over me with singing. I am such a sinner! But He loves me and rejoices over me. It is hard to comprehend that the God who created the universe rejoices over me. I choose to believe in His awesome love and affection and receive His affirmation and joy.

Prayer

Lord I thank you for your awesome love. I thank you that you rejoice over me with singing. Amen.

Reflection on Luke 3:1-6

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Scripture

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberias… the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

Observation

In the fifteenth year of Tiberias’ reign, John hears the word of God and begins preaching in the wilderness.

He goes throughout the region proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

This all happens in accordance with Isaiah’s prophecy:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness

‘Prepare the way of the Lord’”

Application

John was a great man, a prophet of God. Jesus said he was the greatest among those born under the old covenant.

John was never greater than Jesus. He was the one who prepared the way of the Lord. John rolled out the red carpet for the one coming, the greater one.

As children of the new covenant, none of us is greater than Jesus, nor greater than anyone else.

All of our actions, words, relationships are to prepare the way for the one greater.

Prayer

Lord Jesus help me to understand that the purpose of my life, like John’s, is to honour you in all things. Amen.

Reflection on Philippians 1:1-11

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Scripture

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion on the day of Jesus Christ.

Observation

Paul says that he thanks God for the church in Philippi with joy in all of his prayers for them. He is confident that the Lord, having begun a good work in them, will bring it to completion.

Paul longs for all of them with the compassion of Christ. His prayer is that they overflow with love, together with knowledge and insight. Then they will produce a harvest of righteousness through Christ for the glory and praise of God,

Application

Paul’s affection for the christians at Philippi is evident here. He clearly rejoices in their faith in Christ,

I feel like Paul in respect to my own church. When I pray for the people n my church it is always with great joy.

For some people praying can be a chore or a duty. But when we are praying for people we love, it is a joy, a pleasure.

One of the mysteries of prayer is that when we pray for people our love for them increases. At first we may do this out of a sense of duty, but as we consistently lay them before the Lord our love increases and it becomes a joy to pray.

Prayer

Lord please help me to be faithful in prayer. Give me joy in praying for the people I know. Amen.

Reflection on Micah 3:1-6

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Scripture

Then the offering of Judah and Israel will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

Observation

The Lord will send His messenger to prepare the way and then He, the Lord, will appear in His temple. The messenger of the covenant is coming, and he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold.

Then the offering of Israel and Judah will be pleasing to the Lord.

The Lord will come to judge sorcerers, adulterers, those who swear falsely and those who oppress the workers, widows and orphans. The Lord does not change and that is why He has protected the children of Israel.

Application

There seems to be a mixed message here, but t is actually two threads of the one message. On the one hand it is good news that the Lord is coming and He will restore His people. But on the other hand, He will judge all who live in sinful, oppressive or deceitful ways.

God does not change. His agenda has always been to raise up a people who will walk in humble fellowship and obedience to Him. God wants people to be holy, both as a sign of His presence with us and also because a life of righteous dedication to the Lord is the most fruitful and rewarding life possible.

As we prepare to celebrate the coming of the Lord Jesus, we need to search our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to clean out everything that is unclean.

Prayer

Lord come and dwell in my heart. I ask you to remove everything that displeases you so that I may be holy in every part of my being. Amen.

Book Review: “The Book that Made Your World” by Vishal Mangalwadi

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514h5wjy8ql-_sy344_bo1204203200_From his perspective as an Indian academic and a christian, Vishal Mangalwadi looks at the factors that brought modern Western civilisation into being. As he points out, there have been many cultures that have achieved limited progress. Uniquely, the Christian-based (particularly the Protestant-based) cultures of Europe and North America have led to tremendous advances in science, literature, commerce, the rule of law, democracy, and so on.

Mangalwadi convincingly connects the availability of the Bible to quantum leaps in social and material wealth in numerous cultures around the world. He argues that where the Bible is available in people’s own language, it provokes a rise in literacy as people want to be able to read the Scriptures. But more than this, cultures which embrace Biblical values, become more prosperous as honesty and trust promote business. Cultures which believe in the creator pursue knowledge of the world and develop science.

Secularists claim that many of the benefits of modern culture go back to the Enlightenment or to Greek and Roman society. However it is only Biblical values that allow the free flourishing of freedom, of science, of democracy and law. Sadly, as our elites seem determined to cut off the connection of our society with its christian past, it is likely that our culture is headed for rapid decline.

This book is a great read. Mangalwadi’s knowledge of history, cultures and of history is very extensive.  He makes his case with an easy story-telling style and will open readers’ eyes to how we got here and why.

Reflection on Luke 21:25-36

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Scripture

“Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Observation

Jesus teaches about His coming. There will be a lot of distress. The nations will be in turmoil and even the heavenly bodies will be disturbed. People will faint from fright. Then the Son of Man will come in a cloud with power and glory.

The fig tree shows the seasons, so when we see these things take place we will know that the kingdom of God is near.

We must be on guard, looking to Jesus rather than being weighed down by drunkenness and sin. We must be ready to escape opposition and ready to stand before the Son of Man.

Application

Jesus’ words about the end are always given in the context of being ready. We must be alert so that on the day we are called we will be ready to stand before Him.

Christians are not called to live good worldly lives. We are called to lives of obedience, often living radially differently to our neighbours.

Being alert means that I pay full attention to what Christ is doing and respond to Him at all times. That means taking no thought to my own plans and desires. Everything must be for Jesus,

Prayer

Lord, please transform me. Help me to see where my ambitions and plans hinder me from obeying your plans for me. Amen.

Reflection on 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

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Scripture

How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?

Observation

The apostle Paul is filled with joy because of the Thessalonian believers. He prays night and day that he will be able to see them face to face to restore whatever is lacking in their faith.

Paul concludes this chapter by praying that the Lord makes them increase in love for one another and for all people; and that they will be strengthened in holiness to be found blameless on the day of the coming of the Lord Jesus.

Application

Paul is passionate in his love for the church of Thessalonica. He is filled with joy over them and prays for them day and night.

The local church should be a source of joy for each of us. That’s not always true of course. We can take our faith community for granted. Perhaps people don’t meet our expectations. Some churches, like some families, are abusive or toxic.

Regardless of the state of the church, we have a duty to pray for it “day and night” as Paul did for the Thessalonians. Pray for God’s grace for the pastor and leaders; pray for the mission of the church; pray for the really annoying people.

Prayer

Lord I thank you for my church and for the joy I find in the people you have brought into my life. Amen

Reflection on Jeremiah 33:14-22

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Scripture

In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he will execute justice and righteousness in the land.

Observation

The Lord will fulfil the promises that He made to His people. A new righteous Branch of David will spring up to execute justice and righteousness. Jerusalem will be called “The Lord is our righteousness.”

There will always be a man to sit on David’s throne and a man in the Lord’s presence to offer sacrifices. This is as unbreakable as the covenant with day and night.

Application

Jesus is the fulfilment of the Davidic covenant. He reigns on the throne of God for ever, a descendant of David.

Jesus is also our High Priest, standing for ever in the presence of the Father offering an eternal sacrifice on behalf of all people.

This New Covenant, a continuation and fulfilment of the Old Covenant, began in a stable in Bethlehem 2000 years ago and continues into eternity.

Because of this covenant, we Gentiles and sinners have full access to God and guaranteed access to eternal life.

Prayer

Thank you Father for your great love shown in the Covenant you established in Christ. Amen.

Reflection on John 18:33-37

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Scripture
Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

Observation
Pilate summons Jesus and asks Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus asks Pilate if he came tot his question by himself. Pilate then asks Jesus what crime He has committed to lead to His arrest.

Jesus replies that His kingdom is not from this world. His followers could have used violence to prevent His arrest but this is not the way of His kingdom.

Application
In a time of terrorist atrocities and refugee crises, we need to remember that God’s kingdom is different to the kingdoms of this world.

God’s kingdom is about the the power of love more than anything else. We face terrorist threats not be revenge but with firm love. We face refugee crises with genuine love and compassion not with hard-heartedness.

In our personal relationships the same principles apply, We might face workplace bullying, unfair systems, difficult families. The correct response is never violence but firm love.

God’s ways are not the ways of the world, and His kingdom advances by very different paths to the kingdoms of this world.

Prayer
Lord help me to live by kingdom values and not the values of this world. Please lead me in every situation, every relationship. Amen.